Tomatoes are a common superfood among us, which adds a great taste & flavor to any dish and salads. So, as a Hamster owner, you must be wondering, can Hamsters eat tomatoes? Is it safe for them? Let’s find out!
Hamsters can eat tomatoes without their stems or leaves. Tomatoes contain essential vitamins and minerals required by our Hamsters. On the other hand, tomatoes are acidic. Therefore, serving in moderation is the key. Serving them with one cubic inch of tomatoes once in two weeks is ideal.
Vegetables are an essential part of our Hamster’s diet. A cup of fresh vegetables of at least three or more varieties needs to be served to our Hamsters once in a while.
So, now that you know you can feed tomatoes to your Hamsters, you must be excited to throw in some.
But wait! You must first learn more about the nutritional benefits of tomatoes. Just stay with me till the end of this article, and I shall ensure all your doubts are cleared.
Nutrition In Tomatoes
Let us look in detail what are the nutritional values of 100 grams of tomatoes holds.
| Name | Amount |
|---|---|
| Vitamin C | 14 mg |
| Vitamin A | 30% |
| Calcium | 10 mg |
| Phosphorous | 24 mg |
| Potassium | 212 mg |
| Fiber | 0.9 g |
| Sugar | 2.6 g |
| Water | 95 g |
| Protein | 1.16 g |
| Carbs | 3.2 g |
| Calories | 16 |
| Fat | 0.19 g |
Tomatoes are one such food that has the epitome of nutrients and minerals. The presence if Vitamin C in tomatoes in a blessing in disguise. Vitamin C helps to prevent cardiovascular disease in our Hamsters.
Vitamin C also helps them to maintain their dental health. A lack of Vitamin C can lead to scurvy in our Hamsters.
Tomatoes contains traces of Vitamin K, Vitamin A, and Vitamin B-6. These vitamins are crucial for the overall development of our Hamsters.
Tomatoes also contain some amount of calcium and phosphorus. They are essential for proper bone growth, dental health, and different nervous system needs in our Hamsters.
Fibers present in tomatoes help to maintain a healthy digestive system in our Hamsters.
To learn more about the fruits and vegetables you can and cannot feed your Hamsters, refer to the articles linked below:
- What Fruits Can Hamsters Eat? (Complete List, Serving Size & More)
- What Vegetables Can Hamsters Eat? ( List, Serving size & More )
Are Tomatoes Toxic For Our Hamsters?
No, tomatoes are not toxic to our Hamsters. However, tomato leaves and stems are not at all safe for our Hamsters.
Also, serving in moderate quantity in important. Overfeeding can lead to several health problems in our Hamsters.
Tomatoes contain a decent amount of sugar in it. A diet rich in sugar can lead to health problems such as obesity and diabetes in our Hamsters.
Besides this, tomatoes are acidic. When overfed, these acids will lead to sore lips in our Hamsters.
Another significant factor to worry about is that tomatoes can prompt diarrhea in our Hamsters.
Hamsters have a sensitive digestive system. Therefore, any extraordinary changes in their diet can lead to serious health problems.
Make sure that the tomato you choose for your Hamsters is ripe but not mushy. Never serve your Hamsters with unripe or raw tomatoes.
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Are Tomatoes Safe For Our Hamsters?
Tomatoes are totally safe for our Hamsters. However, never serve your Hamsters with raw tomatoes. Also, serving in moderation is the key.
Tomatoes contain a decent amount of Vitamin C, which is crucial for our Hamster’s well being. It keeps their immune system strong and health them maintain a healthy body.
A lack of Vitamin C in our Hamster’s diet can lead to health problems such as scurvy.
Besides Vitamin C, tomatoes also contain Vitamin A, Vitamin B-6, Vitamin-K and several other essential minerals. These minerals are a great addition to our little one’s diet.
All these vitamins and minerals helps our Hamsters to maintain their dental health. Also, it helps in the proper functioning of our Hamster’s body organs.
The presence of dietary fibers in tomatoes is an additional bonus point. Fiber is an integral part of our Hamster’s diet.
Also, tomatoes contain the perfect amount of calcium for our Hamsters. Excessive calcium can lead to diseases such as bladder stones in our Hamsters. On the other hand, a moderate amount of calcium is important for healthy development of our Hamster’s bones.
Besides tomatoes, my Hamsters loves to munch on corn. You can try serving it to your Hamsters too!
Can Hamsters Eat Tomato Leaves?
We should never serve our Hamsters with tomato leaves. These leaves are extremely toxic for our Hamsters.
The plant of tomato belongs to the nightshade class, which was once considered toxic. With passing days, people realized that tomatoes themselves are not poisonous and can be consumed. Since then, tomatoes are an important part of our diet.
On the other hand, the leaves and stems of tomatoes contain toxic chemicals, that are hazardous for our little ones.
The leaves of tomatoes contain alkaloids such as tomatine and solanine, which are extremely bad for our Hamster’s health. Therefore, never serve your Hamsters with tomato leaves.
Can Hamsters Eat Tomatoes Seeds?
Our Hamsters can eat tomato seeds without any worries. The seeds of the tomatoes are tiny and soft. Therefore, our little ones will have no problem chewing onto it.
However, never serve your Hamsters with the green parts such as leaves or stems. These greens are extremely toxic for our Hamsters.
How Much Tomatoes Can I Serve My Hamster?
If you are introducing tomatoes in your Hamster’s diet for the very first time, then you must be careful about the same. Serve the tomato in small quantities only.
Overfeeding can cause disturbance in their bowel movements and also lead to health complications such as diarrhea.
The general rule of thumb is to serve them no more than half an inch of tomato at a time. You may gradually increase the amount up to an inch if you see no negative reactions in your Hamsters.
Also, make sure the tomato is clean and free from dirt before serving it to your little ones. Try and buy organic vegetables only.
Also Read:
- Where Should I Put My Hamster’s Cage? (Owner’s Guide)
- How Often Should I Feed My Hamster? (Owner’s Guide)
- Why Is My Hamster Scared Of Me?
- Do Hamsters Like Hammocks? (DIY + 10 Best Hammocks)
How Often Should I Serve Tomatoes To My Hamsters?
Overeating can be fatal for our Hamsters. Therefore, tomatoes should be serves as treats only.
Serving your Hamsters with tomatoes 1-2 times a month is ideal. However, do not serve them with tomatoes for two consecutive days. You can serve them tomatoes once in two weeks.
Continuous feeding of tomatoes can lead to health complications in our Hamsters, including diarrhea.
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Correct Wat To Prepare Tomatoes For Our Hamsters?
Besides pellets, fruits and vegetables makes an integral part of our Hamsters. Therefore, preparing it in the correct way is crucial.
Serving the food in the wrong way may bring a lot of disadvantages. Firstly, our Hamsters might not want to eat it. Secondly, they will not be able to gain full benefit out of it.
Now, let us learn to prepare tomatoes for our little ones in the easiest way possible:
- The first step involves choosing the right tomatoes for our Hamsters. The tomatoes we pick for our Hamsters must be ripe and fresh. Serving them with stale or unripe tomatoes can have a negative impact on their health.
- After picking up the tomato for your Hamsters, wash it thoroughly. The fruits and vegetables which we get from the regular markets are sprayed with chemicals. These chemicals can be toxic for our Hamsters.
- After washing, slice out a small piece of the tomato for your Hamster. Serve them with the advised quantity only. Overfeeding may lead to health complications in them.
- After a few hours of serving, take out all the uneaten food from their cage. Stale food generates a foul smell that attracts flies and rats.
We must build the habit of using food bowls to serve food to our Hamsters. Stay bowl is a perfect choice. It is a tip-proof bowl. It does not flip while eating like other bowls, which in turn helps to avoid mess.
Related Queries:
Can Hamsters Eat Cherry Tomatoes?
Yes, our Hamsters can eat cherry tomatoes without any worries. Just like the regular ones, cherry tomatoes are safe for our Hamsters.
It is important to serve them the tomatoes in moderation in order to avoid health problems. Also, avoid serving them with any stems or leaves attached to the vegetable.
Can Hamsters Eat Grape Tomatoes?
We can serve our Hamsters with grape tomatoes. However, serving the vegetable in quantity is the key.
It is always better to serve our Hamsters with regular tomatoes than the grape ones as grape tomatoes have a higher concentration of sugar.
Can Hamsters Eat Green Tomatoes?
We should never feed our Hamsters with green tomatoes. This type of tomato contains an excess amount of solanine, which is toxic for our Hamsters.
It would be better to serve our Hamsters with regular tomatoes. You can also go for cherry tomatoes.
