Why are almonds bad for hamsters?

Why are almonds bad for hamsters?

Like all other living species on earth, hamsters also need a balanced diet to keep them alive. A balanced diet should contain protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and water. You should be careful when giving almonds to your pet hamsters.

Why are almonds bad for hamsters? Almonds are bad for hamsters because they contain pesticides and cause digestion problems in hamsters. The hamster should not eat more than one almond per day. Before feeding almonds to them, make sure that almonds are sweet, organic, and without shells.

Some food mixes are available in the market that contains all the nutritional values required by hamsters. You can also feed them mixed grains by putting grains in the bowl. Hamsters are clever in choosing which grain they should eat. They choose the grains which can fulfill their nutritional demand.

Some foods are prohibited in hamsters because they can cause them serious health problems. These foods include almonds, citrus fruits, chocolates, raw beans, and potatoes. These foods are either best avoided, or you can feed your hamster a minute quantity of that food.

Why are almonds bad for hamsters?

There is no doubt about almonds’ nutritional benefits both in humans and hamsters, but there are some restrictions for hamsters. Firstly check the type of almonds a hamster should eat; after this, we should know the exact amount of almonds that a hamster can eat.

There are two types of almonds sweet almonds and bitter almonds. The hamster should eat sweet almonds. The amount of almonds depends upon the age, size, and metabolism of hamsters.

Dwarf hamsters have high metabolism; they need more nutrition than other hamsters. Examine the shape, color, and size of almonds.

If they are irregular in shape, they must be bitter almonds. You should not feed raw almonds to hamsters. Always soak the almond in water for ten to fifteen minutes. This soaking softens the almonds.

Soft almonds are easy to chew for hamsters. Then peel off the skin of almond, which is also harmful to hamsters. Peeling off skin also helps in removing all the toxins and pesticides which are sprayed onto the almonds.

Almonds are rich in nutrients

Almonds are rich in approximately every nutrient. One almond contains seven calories 0.6 g fats, 0.1g fibers, 0.05 g sugar 0.25g proteins. All these nutrients are too much for the one-day calorie and nutritional requirement of a hamster.

Hamsters need only 5% of fat content in their daily caloric requirement. The amount of fat in almonds is more than enough for hamsters.

If your hamster likes almonds and you keep giving him almonds, this could cause various problems. Fats are high caloric food factors. This should be used in minimum quantities.

The high-fat content in almonds can make your hamster gain weight more quickly. The excess fats cause heart issues in hamsters; they could suffer from a heart attack. It is recommended to give fresh water to your hamster daily.

Also, foods high in fat content cause various other hamsters like digestion problems, reproductive problems, and respiratory issues. The unwanted weight gain in the hamster causes severe joint pain in the hamsters. Too much weight can immobilize the hamsters.

They cannot move and enjoy their climbing and jumping exercises. This inability to move and play makes them depressed. This depression can cause other problems in hamsters.

Make sure you are not feeding him too many almonds. Just fed him half of the almond three times a week if he really likes the almonds. Otherwise, he will suffer from many problems.

Almonds cause choking

Choking is a serious problem that almonds can cause in hamsters. Hamsters can choke badly due to eating too many almonds. Choking also occurs when hamsters improperly eat almonds.

Choking is a blockage of air pipeline by some food particles. This blockage sometimes completely blocks airways, and hamsters feel difficulty in breathing.

Choking causes cough, stiff throat, and difficulty in breathing. Sometimes the choking is so severe that it can cause the death of hamsters. Almonds have a rough surface, and it sticks to the throat due to its sticky nature.

They easily stick to the throat, and it is difficult for the hamster to engulf dry hard almonds. The hard particles cannot pass through the esophagus and pass to airways, and your hamster will suffer from breathlessness.

When a hamster tries to take a big bite of almonds, they cannot engulf the almonds. The almonds go the wrong way, and they block airways.

Hamster’s teeth could not chew the almonds properly if you gave them raw almonds. The particles can be stuck to the throat and block the airways of hamsters.

Choking is an emergency condition, and in that case, you will need some professional help. It is difficult for you to manage this situation.

To prevent this deadly situation, always give almonds to hamsters after soaking in water. Peel off the skin of almonds because it is the main culprit behind this emergency.

Bitter almonds

As we have already discussed that there are two types of almonds. Sweet almonds and bitter almonds. You should feed your hamsters only sweet almonds.

Sweet almonds are beneficial for a hamster but again saying in minute quantities. They are low in cholesterol and helps maintain their health. They are enriched with vitamins and fibers.

Sweet almonds do not contain any harmful toxins. Bitter almonds are poisonous, and they even can kill hamsters. One thing to keep in mind that the Department of Agriculture allows 1% bitter almonds to pack along with sweet almonds.

Always check the shape and size of almonds before feeding it to hamsters. The almost irregular in size and shape are most probably bitter almonds. Use bigger and properly shaped almonds.

Bitter almonds contain prussic acid, which is also known as hydrocyanic acid. Hydrocyanic acid is a solution of hydrogen cyanide and water. The byproduct of this solution is a poison called cyanide.

This poison can kill your hamsters. This poison acts directly on the nervous system and causes breathing difficulties. If the situation gets worse, it can even cause the death of a hamster.

Cyanide works by causing oxygen deficiency in cells. It causes blockage of the passing of oxygen to cells. Deprived of oxygen, the cells start to die.

Firstly when you take bitter almonds, the early symptoms of poisoning are nausea, dizziness, and increase heart rate. When the amount of poison begins to increase, it causes respiratory collapse and even death.

Almonds can cause digestion problems in hamsters

Almonds contain a high amount of all nutrients, which is difficult to digest for hamsters. Hamsters have a rigid surface that makes it difficult to digest. Almonds keep themselves intact due to their rigid and hard texture.

They are difficult to digest for hamsters. The hamster’s skin is also tough and, if not digested, causes digestive problems in hamsters. The undigested almonds cause abdominal pain, constipation, and occasionally diarrhea.

Almonds contain tannins and phytates in high amounts. These two constituents are also difficult for hamsters to digest. These constituents protect almond nuts against a harsh environment. They also keep hold of all the minerals present in almonds. Instead, you can give cranberries to your pet hamster.

Almonds are also a rich source of fibers. Too much fiber is also difficult to digest for hamsters. The undigested fibers can disturb the digestive system of hamsters. Too many fibers cause diarrhea flatulence in hamsters. Vitamin E is also a constituent that is difficult to digest.

The almonds are also enriched with this vitamin. Due to rigidity and high nutrient content, be careful while feeding your hamsters. Always feed the almonds in minute quantities and not regularly.

Almonds contain pesticides

An important reason for hamster should avoid eating too many almonds is the heavy amount of pesticides sprayed onto them. Various pesticides are sprayed onto almonds like chlorpyrifos phosmet and Propylene oxide.

Propylene oxide is the main pesticide present in almonds. This compound is carcinogenic. This compound can easily cause the death of hamsters.

These pesticides cause severe illness in hamsters. Even they can kill your hamsters. Pesticides prove to be deadly for this cute and sweet pocket pet. This can result in the hamster’s death, and you will have to find ways to get rid of the dead hamster.

Nonorganic almonds are rich in all these toxins that are harmful to hamsters. Always try to buy organic almonds that contain a lesser amount of pesticides and toxins.

Do not forget to peel off almond’s skin before feeding it to hamsters because it also contains various toxins. These toxins can irritate the digestive system of hamsters. Instead, you can give strawberries to your pet hamster.

Soaking the almonds in water, soften it and dilute or remove these pesticides sprayed on almonds. So soak the almond in water sometimes can prevent any illness in the hamster. Blanching the almonds is another best option.