Can Hamsters Eat Fish? Everything You Need To Know!

ByKimmy

Do you want to know if your hamster can eat fish? If the answer is yes, you’ve stumbled on the exact post you need. 

Hamsters are our cuddly companions and as hamster owners, we always want the best for our pets, and this includes the healthiest and tastiest food for them.

Previously, we discussed whether hamsters can eat shrimp safely, so naturally, you might wonder if they can eat fish too. 

In this article, we’re going to find out together all the questions you might have about feeding fish to your hamster, whether it is safe for them, whether they like it, and the types of fish that is safe and unsafe for them. 

Happy reading! 

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Can Hamsters Eat Fish Meat?

Fish are not usually consumed by wild hamsters as they like to live in warm and arid areas such as dry flatlands and deserts. However, pet hamsters’ diet has evolved drastically as we try to share our favorite food with our beloved hammy. 

So the question is, can your hamster eat fish meat? The answer is a resounding yes! 

Fish, shrimps, and clams are the most widely consumed seafood items in the United States. Fish is also one of the most nutritious seafood available as it is packed with healthy omega fatty acids that are beneficial for hamsters’ brains and hearts. 

What’s more, the American Heart Association Nutrition Committee has found that consuming 1-2 non-fried seafood meals per week may reduce the risk of heart disease.  

Nevertheless, just like how humans have food preferences, some hamsters love to eat fish while some might not be a fan of it. 

Try feeding them small pieces of fish to see if they like it. You can include fish as an occasional snack for your pet hamster if they like it.

Otherwise, try mixing fish oil in hamster pellets so they can reap the benefits of eating fish without having to eat it. 

Nutritional Facts of Fish

A slice of salmon contains:

  • Energy: 206 kcal
  • Protein: 22.1 g
  • Total Fats: 12.4 g
  • Cholesterol: 63 mg
  • Minerals
    • Potassium: 384 mg
    • Magnesium: 30 mg
    • Phosphorus: 252 mg
    • Iron: 0.34 mg
  • Vitamins:
    • Niacin: 8.04 mg
    • Vitamin D (D2+D3): 13.1 µg
  • Carbohydrates: 0 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Sugar: 0 g

Source: USDA

Ways To Prepare Fish For Your Hamster

It’s important to prepare fish properly before feeding it to your hamster.

Here are some tips:

1. Cook the fish without adding oil or salt. Avoid all seasonings. 

2. Remember to debone the fish before giving it to your hamster. 

3. Cut the fish into small pieces so your hamster can easily nibble on it.

4. Steam or boil the fish as it is the best way to cook it. Do not feed fried and oily food to your hamster.

By following these simple tips, you can give your hamster a healthy and delicious snack that they’ll love!

Should You Feed Your Hamster Raw Or Cooked Fish? 

In some parts of the world, fish is eaten raw and is believed to be healthy. However, what applies to humans might not apply to hamsters. Your hamsters’ small gut system might not be able to process raw fish safely.  

You should only feed your hamster cooked fish. Raw fish contains parasitic worms such as tapeworms, roundworms, and liver flukes. Plus, bacteria such as Vibrio, Clostridium, Listeria, and Salmonella in raw fish might cause food poisoning in your hamster. 

How Much Fish Should You Feed Your Hamster?

Now we know that hamsters can eat fish, you may wonder how much fish you should feed your hamster. 

Since fish is not a natural food for hamsters, given their dry and warm habitat, fish should only be given as a snack.

Here are some factors you need to consider before deciding how much fish to feed your pet.

1. Breed Of Hamster 

○ Syrian Hamsters (also known as teddy bear or golden hamsters)

Syrian hamsters are bigger in size compared to other hamster species. That means they can take in more fish compared to other breeds too. 

Give them a penny size of fish every week for a shinier coat. 

○ Chinese Hamsters

Chinese hamsters are comparatively smaller than Syrian hamsters. That also means that they can tolerate lesser chemicals compared to larger hamster breeds. 

Give Chinese hamsters a penny size of fish every month.

○ Dwarf Hamsters (Roborovski, Campbell, Winter White/Djungarian/Siberian)  

Similar to Chinese hamsters, it’s best to give dwarf hamster a penny size of fish every month. 

2. Size Of Hamster 

Adjust the serving accordingly based on the size of your hamster.

Personally, I feed my female Syrian hamster slightly more than male ones since they are bigger in size. It’s also good to give mother hamsters more protein when they are pregnant or nursing baby hamsters.

3. Other Types Of Protein Your Hamster Eat Besides Shrimp 

Remember to take into account other sources of protein such as meats, nuts, and seeds. 

Is Fish Good For Your Hamster?  

1. Good For Hamsters’ Bones 

Fish is packed with vitamin D, which is vital for our nerves and muscular system to function properly. Vitamin D helps your hamster to better absorb calcium and phosphorus. These vitamins will help your hamster to grow healthier and stronger bones. 

A word of caution, just because fish is good for your hamster doesn’t mean that you can feed it to your hamster every day! 

Too much vitamin D can cause watery stools and body mass loss in your hamster. 

2. Helps To Develop Hamsters’ Brain And Eyesight 

Omega fatty acids such as DHA and EPA helps to boost eye health by enhancing your hamster’s eyesight.

The omega fatty acids, widely found in fatty fish such as salmon and trout also aid in brain development and reduce cognitive decline as your hamster ages. 

3. Rich In Omega 3

A study conducted linked the consumption of fish oil to higher levels of fatty acid in golden Syrian hamsters. Consumption of fatty acids such as polyunsaturated fatty acids(Omega 3) reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases in hamsters. 

Another study found hamsters that consumed an omega 3 enriched diet are linked to reduced levels of muscle dystrophy, a disease that causes the loss of muscle mass in hamsters. 

Is Fish Bad For Your Hamster? 

1. It May Be Polluted With Chemicals 

PCB (polychlorinated biphenyls) is a toxic industrial chemical that can accumulate and remain under water and soil for many years. 

The fish we consume may be contaminated with high levels of chemicals, which poses a serious issue to your hamster should you decide to make fish a regular staple in their diet. 

These chemicals can cause stunted growth and increase the risk of cancer in hamsters. 

Proper cooking methods can eliminate exposure to these chemicals:

1. Remove the parts where toxins are most likely to accumulate. This includes the skin, the internal organs, and the fats. 

2. If you’re grilling the fish, remember to drain the fat before serving it to your hamster. 

2. High Mercury Levels 

High mercury levels will cause irreversible damage to your hamster’s body since they are so tiny in size. 

Research has shown that the consumption of fish and shellfish contributes to around 78% of total mercury intake, which accounts for the highest mercury exposure compared to other food groups. 

Prolonged exposure to high mercury levels may increase the risk of cancer, heart disease, and neurological damage. Nevertheless, the beneficial health effects of fish consumption should not be ignored when it comes to assessing if fish is safe for your hamster. 

Generally, mercury levels accumulate in larger fishes. It is passed up the food chain as larger fish eats smaller fish. 

If you’re worried about the danger of mercury to your hamster, pick smaller fish species, such as sardines and anchovies for your hamster. 

Can Hamsters Eat Salmon?

If you’ve ever wondered if your hamster can share in your love of salmon, you’re not alone. I had the same question in my mind too so I set out to research whether salmon is safe for hamsters. 

Yes, hamsters can eat salmon. Salmon is one of the healthiest fish to eat since it contains high levels of Omega 3 and is low in mercury levels. 

Just like any food you feed your hamster, moderation is key when you feed salmon to your hamster. Too much salmon can cause stomach upset since salmon contains a high amount of fat per serving. 

Also, remember what we discussed about feeding raw fish to your hamster earlier? Only feed cooked salmon to your hamster as raw salmon might contain parasite that is harmful to your hamster. 

Can Hamsters Eat Tuna?

Since hamsters can eat salmon, that means that tuna should be safe for them as well, right? 

The answer is wrong! Tuna is a predator fish and they eat smaller fishes in the marine food chain. The mercury levels accumulate in tuna and it can seriously harm your hamster, especially since they are so tiny in size. 

Even though some tuna species such as skipjack tuna contain lesser levels of mercury, it’s best to remain cautious and avoid giving tuna to them. 

Can Hamsters Eat Sardine?

Just like salmon, it is safe to give your hamster some sardines. Sardines are a particularly good source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for hamsters.

However, it is important to only give your hamster a small amount of sardines at first, to make sure they don’t have an adverse reaction. 

Can Hamsters Eat Fish Oil?

Fish oil is made from the tissues of fatty fish such as tuna, salmon, herring, mackerel, and trout. It is a great source of dietary omega 3 – eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

Hamsters can have some fish oil in moderate amounts as studies showed that the consumption of both spirulina and fish oil is beneficial for heart health in Syrian hamsters. 

Some hamsters might be picky and don’t prefer to eat fish. If your hamster happens to be picky yet you want your hamster to reap the benefits of eating fish, try this trick.

Add a teaspoon of fish oil in hamster pellets once a week to improve their cardiovascular health.

Can Hamsters Eat Fish Nuggets? 

Nuggets are a popular snack for humans but have you ever wondered if it’s safe for your hamster to nibble on? 

Fish nuggets are made from flour, fish, salt, spices, and monosodium glutamate. Unfortunately, fish nuggets are not safe for your hamster because it is high in sodium and fat, all of which are harmful for your hamster’s health. 

Can Hamsters Eat Fish Crackers?

This question popped into my head when I was munching my favorite fish crackers.

Originally from Indonesia, fish cracker is an extremely addictive snack made from flour, fish, salt, spices and monosodium glutamate. Skipjack tuna and hoo fish are the most popular types of fish used to make fish crackers. 

As to whether it is safe to feed your hamsters with this addictive snack, I would advise against it as it is probably not worth taking the risk. 

Fish crackers are too salty and full of additives such as monosodium glutamate. What’s more, the dried fish crackers are deep-fried in hot oil to create their crispy texture. 

If you are looking for snacks to give your hamster, try giving them healthy veggies instead. 

Can Hamsters Eat Fish Cakes?

Fish cakes are made of filleted fish that is minced finely and mixed with starch to form patties. 

If you’re wondering whether your pet hamster can eat fish cakes, the answer is yes, but that doesn’t mean that you can share your store-bought fish cakes with them!

Commercial fish cakes, just like all other processed food, contain high amounts of sodium, seasonings, and additives. 

Instead, I encourage you to explore the wonders of making healthy steamed fish cakes yourself with this recipe so you can share it with your hamster.

This recipe is made with minimal ingredients – filleted fish, corn starch, and egg only. Then, it is cooked healthily by steaming. Omit the salt and ginger juice if you can. 

Remember, only feed your hamster steamed fish cakes as the fried variation contains too much oil and may cause health problems for your tiny pet hamster. 

Fish Products You Should Avoid Giving Your Hamster 

As reiterated in the sections above, you should avoid giving your hamster any raw fish products, as well as fish products that contain high amounts of fat, sodium, preservatives, and additives. This includes: 

  • Fried fish
  • Raw fish 
  • Fish fingers 
  • Battered fish 

FAQs

Can Hamsters Eat Crab?

To be safe, I wouldn’t recommend feeding your hamster crab as hamsters live in warm and dry areas in the wild, and crabs are not in their natural diet. 

Avoid crab, crab sticks, and lobster, as they’re high in salt, sugars, and fats. Try feeding them fish and shrimp instead. These are much healthier than processed food such as crab sticks.

Can Hamsters Eat Sushi?

Yes, that is sushi for your pet hamster!  It is made of romaine lettuce, brown rice and veggies. 

Follow the recipe above to make sushi that is safe for your hamster. I recommend feeding it to your hamster as treats once in a while. 

Do not feed your hamster sushi from your local Japanese restaurant! 

Can Hamsters Eat Meat?

Yes!

Meat is a healthy hamster food as well as a good source of protein. However, choose your hamster’s meats carefully.

Do not feed your hamster meat with high-fat content. You can test the waters by giving them a slice of lean chicken or beef as snack treat. 

Can Hamsters Eat Rice? 

You can feed your hamster with rice safely. 

Both cooked and uncooked rice is fine for hamsters to safely eat. Hamsters love storing food in their cheek pockets so I would recommend feeding them uncooked rice compared than cooked rice, as it might be stuck inside their mouths and rot. 

Final Thoughts

Well, that’s all for this topic. I hope this article has answered all your questions about whether your hamster can eat fish. 

Fish is a healthy food for hamsters and can be fed in moderation. Hamsters that eat fish tend to be healthier overall, have shinier coats, and are less likely to have heart disease. 

If you’re looking for a way to add some variety to your hamster’s diet, try feeding them some cooked fish. Just make sure not to give them too much – an occasional small serving should be plenty. 

Have you ever given your hamster fish? Tell us your experience in the comments below! 

Before you go, watch how this cute hamster, Loobia eats a whole anchovy by itself! 

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