Can Hamsters Eat Kiwi? [Risks & Benefits]

Hamsters are small pets that can be quite endearing to watch. But, if you own one, you may have wondered, “Can hamsters eat kiwi?”

Kiwi is an excellent snack for your healthy hamster. It’s nutritious and will keep them healthy when fed infrequently, but no more than two times a week since kiwi is higher in sugar content. You want to provide them according to their size- Dwarf Hamsters can eat as big of a piece as the nail of your pinky finger. In contrast, larger hamsters may eat a bigger piece that measures up to about the size of a thumbnail.

There is more when it comes to feeding kiwi fruit to hamsters, such as the amount to feed, frequency of feeding, the benefits, and precautions.

Here are the most important facts about hamsters and kiwi fruit.

Can Hamsters Have Kiwi?

Kiwi is a healthy, natural snack for hamsters. 

Yes, Hamsters can eat kiwi, and perhaps the most common variety these pets consume is the Hayward.

Hayward Kiwi is the most popular type in U.S grocery stores and one of the best tasting types for eating raw, fresh out of hand!

The kiwi is nearly the size of a large chicken egg with fuzzy brown skin and bright green flesh- it also has little tiny black seeds.

This type of fuzzy kiwi that hamsters eat is also called green kiwi. 

Can Hamsters Eat Golden Kiwi?

Golden kiwi is another safe variety of kiwifruit for hamsters to eat occasionally. 

The golden kiwi has smooth, hairless skin with beautiful golden-brown color.

The flesh of the golden kiwi is vibrant yellow, and there are fewer seeds in it than you would find on other varieties of fruit.

Can hamsters eat the skin of a kiwi fruit?

Kiwi skin is not toxic to hamsters, but it can be risky as it presents a choking hazard if the pet swallows a more significant piece. 

The kiwi skin is an edible part that provides fiber and antioxidants.

However, keep your p safe from harm; remove the skins before feeding them kiwi.

Can Hamsters at kiwi seeds?

The kiwi seeds are too big for hamsters, which could lead to a blocked throat. 

In addition, kiwis have plenty of fiber that can be toxic when eaten in significant quantities; it’s best not to feed kiwi seeds to hamsters.

Can Hamsters eat kiwi plant leaves?

Despite the lack of evidence for kiwi leaf toxicity to hamsters, it is best not to feed them these leaves until proven safe. 

There are plenty of other foods that will provide a healthier diet.

Can Hamsters eat kiwi plant twigs?

Even though kiwi twigs are on some owners’ safe twigs lists, it’s not sure if they’re entirely safe for hamsters.

Hamsters enjoy pear and apple trees the most, but make sure to avoid those treated with pesticides or ones found near busy roads.

These might cause serious health problems when ingested by your hamster.

Can All Hamster Species Eat Kiwi?

There are over 20 different hamsters, which share lineage with mice, voles, and lemmings.

Only five species can be commonly found as pets. 

1. Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamster
2. Dwarf Campbell Russian Hamster
3. Roborovski Hamster
4. Syrian hamster
5. Chinese Hamster

Can Dwarf hamsters eat kiwi?

They eat fruit like kiwi as an extra treat.

These little guys differ from their larger, territorial cousins by living primarily among the deserts of this world.

The commercial hamster food blend is designed to be balanced and nutritious, but it’s not the only thing they need. 

Can a Russian Dwarf hamster eat kiwi?

Winter White Dwarf Russian Hamster, also known as the Russian Dwarf Hamster, can eat kiwi once per week.

Russian dwarf hamster grows to be about 3 inches (8 cm) and weighs only 1,05 ounces (30 g).

Compared to the kiwi size and weight, the Russian dwarf hamster is almost as big as an average kiwi.

Fruit is served to these tiny pets as a special treat since it contains sugar and acid.

Can Dwarf Campbell Russian Hamster Eat Kiwi?

The Campbell Russian hamster can surely consume kiwi. The serving frequency is up to twice a week but only needs half-inch piece per serving!

These small, furry creatures are about the size of a kiwi and weigh on average 0,95 ounces (27 grams). They’re cute little critters that could fit in your pocket!

Can Roborovski Hamster eat kiwi?

The Roborovski hamster can consume a small piece of kiwi (less than half an inch) once to twice per week.

Robo hamster’s length is only about 2-3 inches (5-7,6 cm) and mass about 0,7-8,8 ounces (20-25 g). Most kiwi fruits are bigger than these tiny hamsters.

Can Syrian hamsters eat kiwi?

Golden hamsters, commonly called Syrian hamsters, can consume kiwi up to twice a week. Feed your hamster no more than an inch-long piece of kiwi at a time.

Syrian hamsters have a voracious appetite, eating up to 2 tablespoons of food within 24 hours. However, kiwi should not account for more than 5% of the total daily intake.

These rodents are much larger than their dwarf counterparts, with a length of about 5 inches (8-13 cm) and weighing 2.9 to 5.3 ounces (85-150 g).

Compared to kiwi, Syrian hamsters are much more significant, sometimes as twice as big.

Can Chinese Hamsters Eat Kiwi?

A Chinese hamster’s proper amount of kiwi is about a thumbnail in size one or two times a week, approximately five percent of total food consumption.

Chinese hamsters are one the biggest pet hamsters, with an average length of about 3-5 inches (8-13 cm) and a mass of about 1,05-1,5 ounces (30-45 g). 

Most kiwis are smaller than Chinese hamsters.

How Much Kiwi Can Hamsters Eat?

Hamsters should eat no more than 5% of their total daily food intake in the form of kiwi fruit.

Hamsters eat about 1-2 tablespoons of food, including fruit or another snack, every day.

That means that the serving size of kiwi would be roughly a pinky nail in length (around half an inch).

Regular-sized hamsters can eat up to a thumb nail size of kiwi per serving (around an inch).

The average kiwi is about 2-3 inches long(5-8 cm), almost as big as a dwarf hamster.

When feeding a tiny piece of kiwi to a hamster, it might seem insignificant when indeed is plenty for such a small pet.

Can Hamsters Eat Kiwi Every Day?

Serving them kiwi daily isn’t good for their health because the fruit is sugary and acidic with oxalates, leading to digestive issues and diabetes in overweight animals.

How To Feed Kiwi To a Hamster?

Hamsters eat once to twice a day. 

If you want them to eat kiwi, mix the suggested serving size with other fruits and vegetables.

It’s important to start with a tiny piece of kiwi when feeding your hamster for the first time.

This will help make sure that they don’t experience any health issues from eating it as this fruit can be difficult on their digestive system.

Ensure hamsters finish kiwi within a few hours of being served and remove the remaining kiwi from their cage if there’s any left.

Combining Kiwi and Other Snacks

When feeding your hamster kiwi along with other snacks the same day, adjust the amounts of each snack.

It means that the portion of kiwi will be less than the generally suggested amount for a hamster’s size.

Kiwi Nutrition and Health Benefits to Hamsters

Kiwi is highly nutritious. 

Even though it may not be as necessary to their diet as other foods can be, there are still many health benefits for your hamster eating kiwi.

Such helpful nutrients are vitamin C, vitamin E, potassium, iron, zinc, and copper.

These nutrients help hamsters maintain a healthy immune system that fights against cancer or infections.

Precautions With Feeding Too Much Kiwi to Hamsters

Feeding a pet an excessive amount of fruit can cause health issues such as:

• diarrhea
• bloat
• diabetes
• weight gain
• obesity

This is most common when kiwi is not something your hamster usually eats or is used to eating for a snack.

Kiwis should be carefully monitored because these little critters have been known to get into trouble with their digestive system.

Diabetes is a debilitating condition that can be caused by excessive fruit consumption.

Hamsters can get diabetes when they overeat, and this has happened because their body turns other foods into sugar.

The kiwi consumed in conjunction with sugars from other foods may lead them down the path towards developing diabetes.

Because of hamster’s size and quantity of food they eat daily, it’s easy to overfeed them with kiwi.

Providing too much kiwi regularly and other snacks can quickly lead to weight and obesity in hamsters.

Diabetes and obesity in your hamster are closely related.

Other precautions when feeding kiwi to hamsters

Kiwis are acidic. Too much kiwi can lead to stomach upset and diarrhea in your hamster’s tummy.

Kiwis have oxalates that can contribute to the formation of crystals in the urinary tract, which is harmful if there’s an existing condition or illness.

Never feed moldy kiwi to your hamster, as the mold can be toxic to small pets, even in small amounts.