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Home > Hamsters > Can Hamsters Eat Celery? Nutrition Facts & FAQ

Can Hamsters Eat Celery? Nutrition Facts & FAQ

Can Hamsters Eat Celery

Hamsters are adorable little creatures. They do not take up much space, and they are generally easy to take care of. They are friendly too, happy to hang out on a lap or get cuddled before bedtime. Hamsters are omnivores and eat a commercial diet made up of things such as alfalfa, millet, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. They can also enjoy small amounts of protein in the form of hard-boiled eggs and peanut butter.

These small furry pets should also be offered small amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables regularly. But can hamsters eat celery? Is celery good for the health of these small critters? The short answer is yes! Let’s explore the answers to these questions in more detail.

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The Benefits of Feeding Celery to Hamsters

The truth is that celery is a healthy food option for hamsters. Celery is full of fiber, which helps keep the hamster’s digestive system in good shape, and is packed with antioxidants for a healthy immune system. Vitamins A, C, and K are also found within celery, which all happen to be nutrients that a hamster needs to thrive.

Celery is low in calories too, so hamsters will not gain unnecessary weight when eating it during snack time. Also, this green crunchy vegetable is as affordable, if not more so, than commercial treats, which is a bonus for human hamster parents.

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Image By: alexvey, Shutterstock

How to Offer Celery to Hamsters

The one downside to celery is that it is stringy, which can be a choking hazard to hamsters. Therefore, big chunks of celery should never be given to them. The stringy veins of the celery should be removed before the veggie is offered to them. Hamsters do not need much celery to satisfy their need to crunch and to satiate their appetite between meals.

You can cut up tiny pieces of celery and give your hamster about 1/2 a teaspoon for a snack; more may make them bloated or make digestion uncomfortable. Here are other ways to consider giving celery to your hamster.

  • Use it as an additive. Celery can be finely chopped and mixed in with your hamster’s commercial food at mealtime to boost the meal’s nutritional value. This can also help ensure that they do not get dehydrated after mealtime.
  • Blend it. If your hamster is feeling under the weather, you can blend a little celery with water to create a veggie broth for them to enjoy. It will provide nutrients without overwhelming their digestive system.
  • Make fun treats. Cut pieces of celery into small bead-sized pieces, and then roll the pieces in peanut butter to coat them. Your hamster should enjoy working their way through the peanut before crunching into the celery.
  • Celery is full of water, but it should never replace the availability of fresh clean water in a hamster’s habitat. Celery is also not the only type of fresh food that hamsters can and should eat. Try offering your critter pal tiny chunks of carrot, pieces of broccoli floret, slices of cucumber, pieces of mango, or a few sprigs of fresh parsley.
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Image Credit: McJapid, Pixabay

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Final Thoughts

Celery is a refreshing snack that you can share with your hamster. It is easy to find, affordable, and full of nutrients that will benefit your hamster’s health as time goes on. However, your hamster doesn’t have to eat celery to enjoy a full and happy life. If your pet does not enjoy eating celery, you can simply try another fruit or veggie instead.

Your hamster should have a well-rounded diet made up of mostly commercial food, with greens, fruits, and vegetables added regularly for optimal enjoyment at mealtime. How do you feel about feeding celery to your hamster? Let us know what you think by leaving us a comment.

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