Eggs are quite a popular meal item among us, and I am certain that you may have doubts about whether it is safe to feed eggs to the hamsters. If you are a hamster owner, you may be using commercial hamster food, some veggies, fruits, etc. to feed the hamsters, but how about some eggs? So, you will be able to learn in depth about this in this article.
Hamsters are omnivores, which means they would prefer to have a meal that consisted of protein rich food, meat, etc. It is true that commercial hamster food contains protein. However, it doesn’t fulfill the full protein requirement of those hamsters. So, can you consider using eggs to supply adequate protein levels for the hamsters? Eggs are easy to find, and more importantly, they are affordable for anybody. So, let’s get into it right away.
Can hamsters eat eggs?
Hamsters can eat eggs without doubt. In fact, it is recommended to feed some eggs once or twice a week for the hamsters. That way, you can provide sufficient protein levels for the hamsters. Having said that, you can also provide protein-rich foods such as chicken, mealworms, etc. Apart from chicken eggs, hamsters can also have quail eggs and some bits and pieces of duck eggs as well.
Nutrients in egg
If we look at the nutrients in eggs, considering 100g of hard-boiled egg, it would contain 74.6g of water. In addition to that, it would also contain 155 kcal of energy, 12.6 g of protein, and 10.6 g of fat. Apart from that, it would also contain 1.12 g of carbohydrates, 1.12 g of sugar, 50 mg of calcium, 1.19 mg of iron, and 10 mg of magnesium. Furthermore, 100 g of hard-boiled eggs would contain 172 mg of phosphorus, 126 mg of potassium, 124 mg of sodium, and 1.05 mg of zinc.
Moreover, it would also contain 0.013 mg of copper and 0.026 mg of manganese. 0.513 mg of riboflavin, too. Furthermore, it also contains multiple vitamins. For instance, it would contain 0.121 mg of vitamin B-6, 1.11 µg of vitamin B-12 149 µg of vitamin A, RAE, and 2.2 µg of vitamin D. Lastly, it would also contain 3.27 g of fatty acids.
Health benefits to your hamster eating egg
Eggs are undoubtedly one of the best sources of protein. In fact, they would contain the required amino acids, which would help the hamsters have a vigorous and active body. It works pretty much the same way for humans as well. The amino acid is a crucial factor for the human body as well as for the hamster’s body. Some of these very important amino acids come from eggs, and if the hamsters lack those, it would turn out to be problematic for the hamsters. In other words, it would result in so many health-related issues.
For instance, hamsters will lose their soft fur. Besides, they would tend to have bald patches as well. In addition to that, if they happen to have wounds when they are lacking amino acids, chances are that they will barely heal. They would be exhausted all the time and tend to lose their activity level as well. It is noteworthy that giant hamsters are prone to protein deficiencies. In addition to that, eggs contain so many vitamins that are crucial to improving the hamsters’ skeletal health. Eggs also come with vitamin A, which is quite crucial to healthy eyes as well as their immune system.
Eggs further contain minerals such as iron and calcium. Iron is a crucial element for producing hemoglobin. Hemoglobin circulates oxygen all over the body. On the other hand, it would be useful to produce myoglobin, which would provide oxygen to muscles.
Risks of your hamster eating egg
When you feed eggs to hamsters, you should do so in moderation. Eggs contain so many calories and fat. So when you feed eggs to hamsters every day, it would result in unnecessary repercussions. Hamsters are prone to getting obese, so it is vital that you track the calories they consume each day. The fat contents in the eggs may also result in heart-related issues. If your hamsters have gone through any medical conditions before, it would be best to avoid feeding them eggs.
Can hamsters eat egg yolk?
Hamsters can eat boiled egg yolk but not raw egg yolk. There is no use in feeding raw egg yolk to the hamsters, as it doesn’t contain any nutrients. Furthermore, if they happen to eat raw egg yolk, it would result in the growth of some bacteria in the hamsters. So, I don’t recommend feeding raw egg yolk to the hamsters. As aforesaid, you can feed boiled egg yolk to hamsters, but only in moderate amounts. Egg yolk has so much fat and calories contained in it. So, you need to limit feeding those in excess. Consider giving them a small piece of egg yolk.
Can hamsters eat eggshells?
It is fine to feed eggshells to the hamsters. Eggshells would be great sources of calcium. So, if you were providing a balanced diet, I don’t recommend feeding eggshells to the hamsters. If you are using eggshells, you can consider feeding them once every couple of months. Further, I advise you to grind the eggshells into a fine powder and then apply it to the hamsters’ food.
If you think the hamsters are running short of calcium, you can consider giving them eggshells. However, you need to get the veterinarian’s recommendation before you introduce eggshell to the hamsters. Furthermore, when you introduce eggshells, ensure that you wash them properly and provide the crushed eggshells for them.
Can hamsters eat raw eggs?
The simple answer to this question is no. You should avoid feeding raw eggs to the hamsters. Raw eggs may contain bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, etc. This literally means that if the hamsters accidentally end up eating raw eggs, it would result in issues such as stomach upset, diarrhea, etc. Therefore, you should only feed cooked eggs to the hamsters.
Can hamsters eat scrambled eggs?
Yes, hamsters can eat scrambled eggs without issue. However, you should ensure that you don’t cook it with any oil, salt, or even seasoning such as pepper. In simple words, you can only feed plain eggs to the hamsters.
Can hamsters eat boiled eggs?
Hamsters can definitely eat boiled eggs. Ideally, you can feed the hamsters one or two slices of boiled eggs. Those would be adequate for the hamsters.
Can a hamster eat boiled egg white?
If you are wondering whether you can let your hamsters eat boiled egg whites, yes, it is possible. In fact, you could use it as a healthy treat for them. What you need to keep in mind is to cook it thoroughly and then feed the hamsters.
Can a hamster eat boiled egg yolk?
Hamsters can eat boiled egg yolks, and it is completely fine to feed the hamsters with those. However, before you serve those to the hamsters, ensure that you get them hardened, and only then allow the hamsters to eat those. Hamsters are not the type of animal creatures that would opt to feast on runny food.
Can hamsters eat hard boiled eggs?
You can feed hamsters hard-boiled eggs, but only once in a while. Boiled eggs are the best type of egg that you could feed the hamsters. In fact, a small slice of hard-boiled egg would be adequate for the hamsters. however when boiling them, make sure that you don’t add salt, pepper etc.
Can hamsters eat fried eggs?
No, hamsters cannot eat fried eggs. Unsurprisingly, fried eggs would taste better when compared with boiled eggs. However, the salt, oil, and butter you add would not be healthy for the hamsters. So, in simple words, do not feed fried eggs to the hamsters. When you fry the eggs, it increases the cholesterol and sodium contents of the eggs. In fact, it would increase the cholesterol and sodium when compared with the other methods you cook them.
How many eggs can my hamster eat?
Generally speaking, hamsters can have a piece of egg once or twice a week. Having said that, the number of eggs you need to feed the hamsters will vary depending on their size. For example, a larger hamster can handle about a quarter or even a half of an egg once a week. However, don’t feed those at a stretch. Instead, feed them with 2-3 feedings. On the other hand, if we consider dwarf hamsters, they can have about a quarter of an egg once a week. If we consider duck eggs or quail eggs, these quantities would vary.
Can hamsters eat poached eggs?
Hamsters can eat poached eggs, and it is absolutely fine to feed them those. That said, you should ensure that they don’t contain any seasoning or other preservatives, as it would be unhealthy for them. In simple words, you can feed plain eggs poached in water to the hamsters, and it would be an absolutely delicious treat for them.
How often can hamsters eat eggs?
Usually, you could give the hamsters one slice of egg once a week. Do not feed them too often, as that would be unhealthy.
How to Feed Eggs Properly to Your Hamster
If you are feeding eggs to hamsters for the first time, you should first feed them in small pieces. Ideally, the sizes should match their paws’ size. Needless to say, you should avoid feeding them raw eggs. Ideally, you need to go ahead with scrambled eggs. To start off, I don’t recommend feeding eggshells to them either, as it would cause internal damage to the hamsters. Furthermore, when feeding, you can ideally mix the hamster’s diet by adding veggies such as lettuce, zucchini, and broccoli. That way, you can provide them with a healthy diet for the hamsters.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can hamsters eat quail eggs?
Yes, it is possible to serve quail eggs for the hamsters. However, just a small piece once in a while would be ideal for them. Having said that, what I would recommend you do is serve this with egg whites only.
Can hamsters eat duck eggs?
Yes, hamsters can eat duck eggs without any issue. Duck eggs are a highly nutritious meal item. As such, you can provide cooked duck eggs for your hamsters without any hassle. However, you should remember to feed them at moderate levels only.
Can hamsters eat egg noodles?
No, I don’t recommend feeding egg noodles to the hamsters. In fact, it can also contain additives that turn out to be harmful for the hamsters. So, I don’t recommend feeding egg noodles to the hamsters.
Can hamsters eat egg-fried rice?
Just like with the egg noodles, I urge you to skip using egg-fried rice for the hamsters. In fact, egg-fried rice may also contain a lot of additives. As such, it would be best to avoid giving them egg-fried rice.
Can hamsters eat egg mayo?
They cannot consume any mayonnaise because it would be harmful to their health. Mayonnaise, often referred to simply as “mayo,” is a creamy, thick dressing that is frequently used as a condiment for foods like sandwiches. It is made with oil, egg yolk, lemon juice, vinegar, and various herbs and spices.
Mayonnaise comes in a range of hues, including cream, white, and pale yellow.
Additionally, the texture can be anything from a light, creamy gel to a thick one.
Hamsters love feasting on new food just like we do. So, if you had never provided eggs for the hamsters, you could consider doing so now. However, when you introduce these, ensure that you do so in small quantities. Unless it results in stomach upsets, try feeding them one or two bites at a time and then increasing the quantity gradually.
Hello, my name is James and I’ve been caring for tiny pets for over 14 years with a passion. I enjoy passing on my expertise to other individuals in order for them to have the same amount of enjoyment as I do.