Are Cucumbers Good For Hamsters?

Introduction

Ever since the beginning of existence and this world, mankind and animals have always shared a form of affinity. Man’s love for animals is evident in his decision to keep them in his home and even treat them as welcomed members. Animals are usually kept as pets for the company and some other reasons. Creatures such as dogs, cats, and hamsters do well with humans and are a regular feature in various homes. Cats and dogs, which are larger animals, can be quite a lot to deal with in homes, but they come with several benefits. Hamsters, on the other hand, are small animals that are easy to manage and great fun to have in the home.

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These rodents are closely related to guinea pigs but also distinguishable. Historically, they survive easily in their natural habitat but also possess the ability to be domesticated. In the wild, they are very active as they build holes and climb trees, searching for food, security, and protection. They are very active during dark hours like the night or very early in the morning. Several species are kept as pets, but the Syrian hamster is the specie found in most households partly due to its size. Hamsters are omnivorous, which means they can eat both animals and plants. Most of them prefer meat and vegetables as a part of their daily diet. Even though they are built to accept plants and meat, it is necessary to be certain of those foods that are safe for your pet.

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Cucumbers- How safe are they?

Every hamster’s diet is a picky one and quite different from your regular pet’s diet. This is because of their sensitive intestines and digestive system. So while it is safe to give cats or dogs things like candies and junk food, serving your hamster would be detrimental to its health. Apart from the professionally packaged foods designed for them, green leaves and vegetables can also be added to their diet.

The cucumber falls under the category of vegetables and, as such, is safe to feed to your hamster. It has relatively high water content and is advisable for fat or obese rodents due to the decrease in blood sugar level it offers. Hamsters are pretty active animals, and so they need their body water level to be optimum.

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The need for water is accurately solved when hamsters are fed with cucumbers as it keeps them hydrated and maintains a healthy water level. In some cases, cucumbers can act as a replacement for water, especially during summer or in hot climates. So while planning your hamster’s diet, including cucumber would be a very wise decision. Just like other foods, these vegetables are largely rich in nutrients beneficial to both man and animals. These nutrients play vital roles in the development and enhancement of your hamster’s health. Some nutrients appear in large quantities, while others are minutely distributed. Even your veterinarian would agree that the cucumber is a safe and essential component of your pet’s diet.

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Nutrient value and benefits of the cucumber

The high nutrient present in the cucumber makes it a very reliable source of growth and development of hamsters. This vegetable is a huge source of vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and vitamin D, which are necessary for physical growth and maintenance of health. Vitamin C helps improve the appearance and vitality of the hamster, while vitamin D contributes to the formation of strong bones and teeth.

There are other benefits of cucumbers which are as follows:

Supply of essential health nutrients

Certain nutrients that are strategically important to health, such as magnesium and calcium, are hugely contained in this vegetable, and these nutrients perform vital functions to the inner working system of the hamster.

Heart protection

This vegetable goes a long way in ensuring that the pet’s heart condition is preserved at an optimum level as the nutrients found in cucumbers make this possible.

Regulate blood pressure

This is one blessing of this plant both to humans and animals as it helps maintain the blood pressure, thereby reducing the chances of getting blood pressure issues.

Strong bones, joints, and limbs

These rodents are active animals, so, their limbs, joints, and bones must be strong and solidly built, and this is achieved easily when they are fed with cucumbers.

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Small animals like hamsters who are prone to heart strokes can ultimately prevent this by consuming cucumbers.

Conclusion

In as much as food is necessary for all animals, including hamsters, it can pose a problem when it becomes excessive. Vegetables are safe for hamsters’ consumption but can be quite fatal when ingested excessively. So to ensure that your hamster is not exposed to any health risk, measure and weigh the cucumbers appropriately before serving. It is also advisable to dice the vegetable or slice it into little bits and small chunks that your pet can easily swallow. Large slices of cucumbers can result in irritation in your hamster’s stomach and intestines.

It is also very necessary to wash foods before giving them to your pets. This is because some bacteria or pesticide which can harm your hamster’s health may be present in them. Keeping a hamster as a pet can be fun and engaging but requires patience, observation, and meticulous decision-making. Your animals’ growth is largely dependent on the foods it consumes and diet pattern. Therefore a healthy hamster is a result of the healthy foods it consumes. Another excellent point to note is that hamsters tend to respond better to fresh foods, either fruits or vegetables, so fresh cucumbers would not only catch your pet’s eyes but would contribute to keeping it healthy.

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