Crackers are a great snack that people of all ages love to eat. If you are a person who loves crackers, it wouldn’t be surprising if you ever considered giving crackers to your pet hamster. After all, humans can eat crackers without worrying about the possible health effects. But can hamsters eat crackers? What can happen if you give crackers to your little friend? Read on to find out.
Nutrients in crackers
Before we find out if crackers are healthy for hamsters to eat, let’s first find out what a cracker contains.
(Source: Fat Secret)
Can hamsters eat crackers?
Hamsters can eat crackers. It is not poisonous for them. However, crackers can be highly disadvantageous to the health of hamsters due to the following reasons:
1. Lots of calories
As you might have seen above, crackers are a high-calorie food. 100g of crackers pack almost 500 calories. Even though that might not be such a big deal for humans, it is a pretty big deal for hamsters.
Hamsters are small animals. They expend the calories they eat by running and being active throughout the day. But there are only so many calories a small animal like a hamster can burn. So, if they eat high-calorie food like crackers, the extra calories can quickly accumulate and make them fat. As becoming fat can affect the lifestyle of a hamster by making him less active, feeding crackers to your hamster can cause many health problems in the long run.
2. Lots of carbohydrates
It is true that crackers contain a lot of calories. But more importantly, most of these calories come from carbohydrates. Indeed, every 100g of Crackers contains 60g of carbohydrates.
Your hamster needs carbohydrates to produce the energy for performing his daily activities. But too many carbohydrates can be detrimental to his health because the excess carbohydrates are often stored in the body as fat for later use. This can increase blood sugar levels and make your hamster diabetic and obese.
3. A high Glycemic Index
Foods that have a Glycemic Index of more than 70 are classified as high Glycemic Index foods. Crackers have a Glycemic Index of 80. So, it is rapidly digested and absorbed by the body, causing a sharp rise in sugar levels (Source: Eat right). So, Crackers can cause diabetes in hamsters.
4. Too much sodium
Sodium is a mineral that the body needs to function properly. It maintains the balance of water and minerals in the body and helps in conducting nerve impulses and contracting and relaxing muscles (Source: Harvard). But too much sodium can impact our bodies negatively, leading to high blood pressure, heart diseases, and even stroke. Crackers contain a lot of salt (847mg/100g of Crackers), which is at least ten times more than many vegetables. So, if fed in large quantities, crackers can be detrimental to your pet hamster’s health.
So, as you saw above, there are several disadvantages to feeding crackers to hamsters. Moreover, a cracker is not something a hamster would eat in his natural habitat. So, crackers must be avoided if possible.
But if you do want to give crackers to your hamster, the suggestions below can help you.
How to give crackers to hamsters?
- Hamsters should not be fed crackers daily. It should only be used as an occasional treat, given less than twice a week.
- Hamsters can only be given a stamp-sized (or smaller) cracker to eat at a time (Source: Petkeen). If the cracker you give your hamster is bigger, it can lead to the problems mentioned above. Moreover, it can make your hamster feel full and prevent him from eating the nutritious food items that his body actually needs, like fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Soda crackers are just filled with simple carbohydrates. They are highly detrimental to your hamster’s health. So never give your hamster soda cracker. Instead, give him whole-grain crackers like whole wheat crackers, which contain a higher fiber content and provide better nutrition. The higher fiber content can prevent your hamster’s sugar level from spiking suddenly.
- Choose unsalted, unflavored, plain crackers. Do not add cheese or other items to crackers.
- Keep plenty of water in your hamster’s cage for him to drink should he become thirsty.
- Observe his behavior and his stool for the next 24 hours. If you notice anything unusual, stop giving crackers to him and consult a vet.
FAQ
Can hamsters eat Saltine crackers?
All Saltine crackers are not bad. Saltine crackers made of whole-grain products can be healthy for your pet when compared to other crackers. Your hamster can eat these types of crackers. So, when shopping for saltine crackers, look for the label “made with whole grain” and check the ingredients to make sure that the crackers you want to buy are only made of whole grains and not refined wheat flour.
Can hamsters eat Ritz crackers?
Ritz crackers contain a lot of fat, salt, and added sugars. So, they are unhealthy. Therefore, hamsters should not be fed Ritz crackers.
Can hamsters eat cheese crackers?
Cheese crackers contain a lot of fat and salt. So, they are detrimental to your hamster’s health. So, don’t give your hamster cheese crackers (Source: Pet Food Fuss).
Which crackers are safe for hamsters to eat?
According to pet nutritionists, the following crackers are safe for hamsters to eat (Source: Pet Diet Guide):
- Triscuit Original Crackers – They are made of wheat, other grains, and salt.
- Back To Nature Whole Lotta Seeds Crackers – They contain dietary fibers and protein (Poppy seeds, hemp seeds, and chia seeds).
- Simple Mills Rosemary & Sea Salt Almond Flour Crackers – They are made of gluten-free seeds.
- Real Food From The Ground Up Cauliflower Crackers – They are made of cauliflowers and are rich in vitamins A, B6, and E.
Which crackers are not safe for hamsters?
The following crackers are unhealthy and unsafe for hamsters:
- Ritz crackers – They contain a lot of fat, salt, and added sugars.
- Cheese crackers – They contain a lot of fat and salt.
- Keebler Club Crackers – They contain fructose corn syrup which is dangerous for your hamster.
- Wheat Thins Crackers – They contain a lot of sugar and sweeteners.
Summary
Can you give hamsters crackers?
Hamsters are great pets. They are very active, look cute, and are easy to tame. But they can’t eat all the food items that we eat. So, you should be cautious about what you give your hamster because not all human foods are safe for hamsters. One such food item is crackers. Crackers can make your hamster obese and diabetic and cause heart diseases when fed too often or too much. So, you should be cautious about giving your hamster crackers to eat. If you do decide to give your hamster crackers, choosing the right type of crackers as well as providing the right amount in the right frequency is important.
