Is Celery Good For Hamsters? Is It Recommended?

Introduction

Being a pet owner comes with a lot of responsibility, especially when it has to do with small furry pets. You need to pay close attention to their diet, environment, and well-being. In the case of hamsters, you need to pay twice that attention since they are so small. To be honest, it is like taking care of a newborn. Not to worry though, you do not need to be around them every minute of the day.

Hamsters, like most pets, have a pretty easy-going lifestyle. Once you have their routine figured out, things become easier. However, one major aspect of their lives you need to pay attention to is their nutrition. Food makes a significant part of our lives as humans, so why not hamsters? Hamsters are very sensitive animals, so most foods considered great and healthy for humans can be quite toxic to hamsters.

Notwithstanding, there are a number of human foods, particularly fruits and vegetables, that are not only considered non-toxic to hamsters but also recommended for them. One of these food types is celery. Let us take a look at celery to know if it is healthy for your hamster to consume.

Is Celery Good For Your Hamster?

Celery, like most vegetables, is very rich in vitamins and these vitamins are an excellent boost for the immune system. Celery contains vitamins A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin K. This potent combination provides great nutrients in the vegetable. It also has antioxidants and aids digestion. It is rich in fiber and low in fat, and it is also anti-inflammatory.

Overall, celery is considered healthy for hamsters, and most hamsters love to eat it, but there is also a probability that your pet may not like celery. So you can try to introduce it bit by bit and observe your pet to see if they like it, then you can include it in their diet. Now that you know celery is right for your hamster, how should you feed it to your pet?

See also Is chocolate good for Hamsters?Is it recommended?

How Should You Feed Celery to Your Hamster?

Hamsters should be fed with celery in very tiny portions. The recommended amount for a hamster is a quarter of a teaspoon per week. If you give your hamster too much celery, it can make them sick, so be sure to follow the recommended portion. Hamsters are very small animals, and as expected, they eat in tiny quantities. You may also observe that your pet will eat more of the stalks than the leafy part. This is because the leaves have a stronger scent than the stalk and the stalk is crunchier, which is right for your hamster. Before feeding your hamster, break the stalk and leaves into small pieces, so your pet doesn’t choke on them. This can occur if the stalks are given to them whole. You should also note that celery should not be given in place of hamster food; instead, it should be given in addition to their main food. Celery can also be given as a treat to your hamster.

Benefits of Celery for your Hamster

Celery has a low-calorie count

As a natural vegetable, celery helps to improve the overall health and fitness of your pet. Weight gain is not suitable for hamsters, so celery being a low-calorie vegetable helps them maintain the appropriate weight.

Celeries are low in sugar

Sugar, when consumed in moderation, is good for the health, but if too much of it is consumed, it becomes awful. The same rule applies to your hamster’s diet. Hamsters are prone to diabetes, so feeding them with fruits and vegetables low in sugar is an effective way to prevent diabetes.

Also, check Is chocolate good for Hamsters? Is it recommended

They are good sources of potassium

Potassium is excellent for bone strength, and a diet with sufficient potassium is recommended for your hamster, especially when they grow older. Potassium also helps to regulate blood pressure, and it is essential for muscle health.

Celery is rich in Vitamin A

Eyesight is an essential sensory organ in the body, and as your hamster grows older, they need a diet rich in essential vitamin A to help improve their eyesight, this is also good for your hamster’s skin. It nourishes their body, which reflects on the skin, keeping it in good condition. This helps to prevent wrinkles and shedding.

The Stalks are great for their teeth

Chewing on celery stalks is excellent for your hamster’s teeth as it helps to curtail the growth rate. Hamster teeth grow at a wild pace, so celery stalks are a good remedy for that. It also helps them build strong and healthy teeth.

Does Celery have any disadvantages?

Celery does not have an adverse effect on your hamster when given in moderation, but if you feed it too much at a time, it may lead to indigestion and other harmful effects. Celery should not also be given daily to them. Other fruits and vegetables should be included in their diet on other days of the week. You can add a little bit of celery as a treat if your hamster likes it so much. Too much celery can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and constant urinating, leading to dehydration. This can be dangerous for your pet, so do not feed them too much of this vegetable. Indigestion is also a negative effect, and it can cause discomfort for hours.

Conclusion

While it is important to feed your pet on a nourishing diet, you should also make sure their environment is clean because of how sensitive and disease-prone hamsters tend to be. Clean up their feeding area daily. Fruits and vegetables rotten faster than other foods, so you have to clean up regularly. Also, wash the celery stalks and leaves properly before giving them to your pet to prevent stomach irritation. Since hamsters eat their celery raw, you need to clean it up properly before feeding yours with it. See also Is cabbage good for hamsters? Is it recommended‘.