Hamsters are very small delicate creatures that require attention and care when mapping out a meal plan. With the right amount of research, you can pretty much find the right treats like vegetables, fruits, nuts, grains etc that can satisfy their dietary needs.
A vegetable like Brussels sprouts comes from the family of cruciferous vegetables and is considered a high nutrient diet. They offer a lot of health benefits such as reducing the risk of cancer and heart disease, helping with weight loss and boosting the immune system. These factors make them a desirable treat to feed to your pet hamster. So is it safe to add Brussels sprout to their diet?
Can Hamsters really eat Brussels sprout?
Yes Brussels sprout; whether green or purple, make a healthy delicious treat for your hamster. Syrian and Roborovski hamsters can be safely fed raw paw-sized pieces of Brussels sprouts on occasional basis. This nutritious vegetable can only be given to them sparingly to avoid the risk of potential side effects like bloating.
They are highly acidic and contain essential vitamins like vitamin k which ensures your hamster's oral health. They also contain minerals like sodium and phosphorus, high amounts of calories and water but small amount of sugar.
Unfortunately, the dwarf hamsters such as the winter white, Chinese and Campbell cannot eat them because the sugar content of this cruciferous vegetable may expose them to harmful diseases such as diabetes.
Can Hamsters be fed Cooked Brussels sprouts?
It is not really advisable to give cooked Brussels sprouts to your hamster. It is best served to them raw and fresh. This way the vegetable is still wholesome and still contains its nutrients such as proteins and vitamins in high amounts.
Feeding it to them raw does not cause any harm like illness or poisoning to your pet. It is only when they are given in excess that health challenges arises. If you must feed them the vegetables cooked then refrain from adding any additives.
Can you feed Frozen Brussels sprouts to your pet Hamster?
Generally, frozen Brussels sprouts are not safe for your hamster's consumption. They could eat slightly frozen ones but not on a regular basis.
What Nutrients can be found in Brussels sprouts?
Brussels sprouts are vegetables that are packed with essential nutrients. You can find that the nutrional value of sprouts weighing about 100g has:
Macro compounds
- Carbohydrates at 8.95 g
- Dietary fibre at 3.8 g
- Fat at 0.3 g
- Protein at 3.38 g
Vitamins
- Vitamin B1(Thiamine) at 0.139 mg
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) at 0.09 mg
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin) at 0.745 mg
- Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) at 0.309 mg
- Vitamin B6 at 0.219 mg
- Vitamin C at 85 mg
- Vitamin K at 177 μg
Minerals
- Calcium at 42 mg
- Iron at 1.4 mg
- Magnesium at 23 mg
- Manganese at 0.337 mg
- Phosphorus at 69 mg
- Potassium at 389 mg
- Sodium at 25 mg
- Zinc at 0.42 mg
Health Benefits of feeding Brussels sprout to your pet hamster?
Brussels sprout not only come as delicious treats but also as nutritious ones. Cruciferous vegetables contain phytonutrients such as sulforaphane and glucosinolate which are health promoting compounds.
They contain essential nutrients like fiber, folate, and high amounts of vitamins (C and K) and minerals (potassium, calcium, iron). These nutrients profer a lot of health benefits like;
- Helping with weight loss through fat metabolism.
- Ensuring the proper functioning of the immune system which in turn fights against diseases
- Promotes oral health and hastens wound healing.
- Lowering blood pressure and preventing diseases like hypertension.
- Fighting inflammation and lowering Lower Density Lipoprotein cholesterol levels.
- Promoting digestion and ease of bowel movement
- Reducing oxidative stress by free radicals through the action of antioxidants
- Preventing any impairments in bone development.
- Maintaining and keeping insulin level in check.
Also brussels sprout have anti-cancer property which are very beneficial to your pet since it can control the spread of cancer keeping them centralized in the main site where it started. They contain essential minerals like iron which is important for the red blood cells.
How can you serve Brussels sprout to your pet hamster?
This popular cruciferous vegetable, Brussels sprout, can be served to your pet as a main dish or a side dish to their hamster food. It can also be served mixed with other veggies. It's best to serve it to them raw and fresh but you could still serve it cooked if you prefer.
During preparation, you could choose to
- Slice or cut the sprouts into smaller pieces
- Thoroughly blend them into a puree or
- Finally, mix and mash them with potatoes, carrots, spinach, apple sauce etc
Cooking Brussels sprout may be done by boiling, steaming or roasting. When steaming try not to let it get all mushy but tender. This method of cooking is preferred because it provides enough water content to your pet's diet ensuring they stay hydrated.
Risks associated with feeding your pet Hamster Brussels Sprout?
These little green vegetable contains a lot of nutrients like vitamins that are beneficial to your furry friend but they also contain properties or compounds that may bring harm to them. Brussels sprouts are packed with high concentration of oxalate. When ingested in large quantities they may cause kidney stones or other urinary tract diseases that can harm their digestive system
When they are given too much Brussels they may also experience other digestive issues like vomiting, diarrhea, bloating or constipation. So you should consider giving it to your pet as treats only once in a while.
Conclusion
Brussels sprouts make a healthy, nutritious and delicious addition to your hamster's diet. They have tasty and crunchy leaves. They are packed with plenty of essential nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It can be served cooked or raw. Feeding it to them raw does not cause illness or poisoning so far it is properly washed. Also only Syrian and Roborovski hamsters can eat Brussels sprouts without any side effects. The dwarf hamsters can't.
