Commercial hamster diets frequently include nuts and seeds, although the majority don’t include cashews. Such nuts are expensive to use in commercial diets; therefore, most businesses steer clear of them. But if you’ve ever questioned if your hamster can eat nuts like cashews, we can help! Can hamsters eat cashews? is a simple yes-or-no question.
Yes, they can. Cashews are a great source of magnesium, copper, and manganese, all of which can support the health of your hamster’s brain and immune system. Additionally, they include a lot of heart-healthy fats, protein, and fiber, which helps people feel full and avoid constipation.
But cashews have a lot of calories as well. Over 150 calories are included in only 1 ounce of cashews! Approximately 18 medium-sized cashews So, when giving cashews to hamsters, moderation is crucial.
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Nutrient Value Of Cashews
A variety of nutrients are abundant in cashews. You can get calories from one ounce (28 grams) of unroasted, unsalted cashews.
Unsaturated fats: Cashews are particularly high in unsaturated fats, a type of lipid linked to a lower risk of early death and heart disease.
Fiber : Additionally, they are a rich source of fiber, have a low sugar content, and almost as much protein as cooked meat.
Minerals : Additionally, cashews contain a lot of copper, a mineral important for a strong immune system, a developing brain, and the production of energy. They also contain significant amounts of magnesium and manganese. Magnesium and manganese are essential for healthy bones.
- Calories: 157
- Fat
- Protein
- Fiber
- Carbs
- Magnesium
- Copper
- Zinc
- Manganese
- Iron
- Phosphorus
- Thiamine
- Selenium
- Vitamin B6
Vitamin B is abundant in cashews, giving your hamster plenty of energy to play all day and be active and, consequently, healthy.
Vitamin K, which is abundant in cashews and aids in blood clotting, prevents your hamster’s wounds from spreading or causing internal damage.
Vitamin E, which helps to maintain excellent skin health, is also included in cashews. Every living thing needs vitamins to survive.
It contains iron, which helps the red blood cells in your hamster’s tiny body carry oxygen with ease.
Cashews support the hamster’s vision and guard against cataracts and night blindness. Cashews aid in the removal of toxins from the body and guard against conditions like cancer and arthritis.
Health Risks(Disadvantages) Of Cashews
It is vital to understand all the risks associated with consuming cashews if you are learning about their many benefits.
Cashews are a treat that hamsters will adore, but there are a few considerations to make, such as the limitations of obesity, diabetes, and nutritional issues. By consuming a lot of cashews, your hamster may get obese because they are high in calories.
If it gains weight, it will get indolent, exercise less, and feel too exhausted to do anything, which could result in diabetes.
Because cashews are such a heavy food, they could fill your hamster’s stomach and prevent them from eating anything else, leading to a shortage of nutrition.
How You Should Serve Cashews To Your Hamster?
To begin, keep in mind that, while you can easily feed your little hamster from a plate, it is preferable if you feed it with your hand on occasion. You should only give your hamster natural, unsalted, unsweetened cashew nuts.
They will adore you more if you give them gifts that you have made. They’ll begin to feel safe around you. Every living thing on this planet knows that happiness begins in the gut.
Make your hamster eat cashews so that they will recognize your affection for them, adore you, and begin to love you. This will encourage them to interact with people more.
When you first introduced cashew to them, feed them a very small amount to see if they like it.
Give them more if they enjoy the food, but don’t go above the recommended serving size. I described the recommended serving size in the next part. You shouldn’t force them to eat cashews if they don’t want to because they won’t eat it if they don’t like it.
Washing away the food you offer them to eat is a crucial component. To get rid of any chemicals or poisons in the cashews’ bodies, they must be washed.
Though it is extremely unlikely, it is better to be safe than sorry. To prevent dangerous substances from entering their stomachs and causing stomach discomfort, you should wash the cashews once before feeding them.
How Often Can A Hamster Eat Cashews ?
Every week or two, large hamsters can eat one cashew. Your huge hamster could be able to eat two cashews if they are extremely active. Less than a whole cashew should be given to dwarf hamsters once every two weeks or so. They might be able to eat an entire cashew if they are engaged.
How Many Cashews At A Time?
The quantity of cashews you give the hamsters depends on their size, species, level of hunger, and health. For Syrian hamsters, giving them the largest amount, such as a whole cashew every week, is recommended. The dwarf variety can receive one cashew per month if you speak.
Despite the fact that these are extremely safe limits, there may be minor variations in the amount. However, the variation can be really minimal.
Because they are little and won’t be able to manage too much food, dwarf kinds like the Winter white dwarf, Chinese hamster, and Campbell dwarf hamster shouldn’t be given a lot of cashews.
Is A Cashew Good For A Hamster?
Hamsters may generally eat cashews without harm, although salted or flavor-infused cashews should not be given to them. They ought to be given nothing but plain, roasted cashews.
Cashews and other nuts should be avoided if your hammy has any form of medical difficulties, particularly obesity or disorders associated with fat. The high calorie and fat content could be excessive for your pet.
For larger hamsters, like Syrians and Roborovskis, cashews are a superior treat because it will be simpler to administer the right amount to them. Cashews are safe for dwarf hamsters to eat, but you should watch how much you give them carefully.
Can Hamsters Have Raw Cashews?
No, you should never consider giving your hamster uncooked cashews from the plants. That is dangerous enough to injure people in addition to harming hamsters. Therefore, take care not to feed your hamsters cashews that are entirely raw. Urushiol, a toxin, is present in raw cashews.
Can Hamsters Eat Salted Cashews?
NO! The hamsters should never be given salted cashews. Your tiny hamsters shouldn’t be given salt or any other flavor of cashews. Not just cashews, but any salted nut, should never be given to them.
Salts shorten any hamster’s lifespan by at least 30%, which is never desired or expected and increases the danger of heart and vascular disorders.
When given the taste of salt, a hamster will continue to crave foods that are salted, which will do significant harm to the animal. Salt can even cause significant problems with digestion.
Limit yourself to simple roasted nuts without any salts or seasonings.
Read also : Can Hamsters Eat Pistachios?
Can Hamsters Have Cashew Butter?
It’s fine and safe for hamsters to consume cashew butter. To prevent any health issues, it is advisable to provide only a modest amount of cashew butter.
When added to hamsters’ diets, cashew butter can be a good source of protein and vitamins. Hamsters can consume it without damage as long as they do it sparingly or as a special treat. If given in excess to hamsters, cashew butter can harm their health due to its high fat and sugar content.
Few Things To Consider When You Feed Cashews
Observe what foods you give your hamster each week. If you often give cashews to hamsters, you shouldn’t give other nuts. Instead of giving your hamster the same item each week, you should ideally offer him a variety of whole food treats. This will guarantee that your hamster’s nutritional requirements are satisfied.
Any new food should be given to your hamster gradually. Chopped cashews should not be given to your hamster though, as they may cause choking. You can give your hamster a whole cashew and allow him or her to take one or two bites before taking the cashew away as a technique to help manage how much of it they consume at once.
Are Cashews Toxic To Hamsters?
No, it is not. But you should remember that they can only consume plain, unsalted, roasted cashews. Even though fried cashews might sound like a terrific idea, they are high in fat, so if your hamster is already a little plump, you should avoid giving them to him.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can Syrian Hamsters Eat Cashews?
Your Syrian hamster will adore cashews because they are tasty nuts! Just be sure you give the animals the proper quantity. Feed one cashew per week to your Syrian hamster.
Can Dwarf Hamsters Eat Cashew Nuts?
Dwarf hamsters are limited to one cashew per month in their diets. The reason for this is how little these hamsters are. just too much for them to handle!
Bottom Line / Conclusion
Cashews may not be a favorite of all hamsters, and some may be reluctant to try new foods like cashews. No matter how your hamster reacts to the cashew offer, always use moderation. Giving your small friend too many high-fat, high-calorie foods, like cashews, can result in health issues and reduce their longevity.
When you choose to give cashews to your hamster, be careful not to allow them to consume too much at once. Otherwise, you can have a filthy cage and an uncomfortable hamster.
Hello I’m Jason Daniel, it’s nice to meet you. As a professional veterinarian, I have a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with you. Writing articles about small pets is a great way to share my expertise and help you take better care of your pets.