How Many Mealworms Should You Feed Your Hamster?
There are numerous factors that determine how much food you should give your hamster overall. A tiny dwarf hamster, for instance, will consume less food than a large teddy bear hamster. Hamsters typically eat 12 grams of food a day, with the majority of that being consumed at night.
Some advise against giving their hamsters more than a specific amount each day, while others give them as much food as needed. You won’t go too far wrong as long as your hamster is receiving its balanced diet of pellets along with a small amount of different fruits, vegetables, and occasionally mealworms. You may notice that your hamster is gaining weight quite quickly if you are giving them too much food. See the veterinarian for a checkup if you’re not sure if your hamster is overweight or underweight.
Lower the amount of mealworms your hamster is fed to see if it helps with weight gain if it is gaining weight.
Types of Mealworms for Hamsters
Your hamster can eat mealworms in three different ways:
Yes, your hamster can consume mealworms that are still wriggling. It’s likely that your hamster won’t think twice to dive in and grab one of these delicious insects. The two main advantages of using live mealworms for your hamster are habitat enrichment and the nutrients they contain.
Always crush the head first if you decide to feed your hamster live mealworms. That may sound a little morbid, but it protects your hamster from injury by preventing bites.
Although mealworms rarely bite, their front pincers are incredibly strong. If your hamster conceals the mealworm in its cheek, it may become frightened and bite out of fear. You wouldn’t want them to contract a pouch infection of any kind.
Therefore, it’s always better to be safe than sorry and take care of business before your hamster finds them.
After being fully dehydrated, dried mealworms are crispy and crunchy. Naturally, these mealworms have long since perished before being served. Thus, you can give them this form if you’d like to give them a crunchy, crispy treat, and they stay good for a lot longer!
Mealworms that have been dried, processed, and then put back into water are known as rehydrated mealworms. As a result, the mealworm can expand and soften once again, making for a more flavorful feeding experience. Rehydrating a mealworm is thought to change the fat content of the dried mealworm and restore its ability to provide your hamster with water.
If you discover that your hamster isn’t particularly drawn to the dehydrated kind, you can try adding a small amount of water to make it more appealing to them.
Health Benefits of Mealworms for Hamsters
Just introducing a few mealworms to a hamster’s diet can have numerous positive health effects. This is a brief summary of the vitamins and minerals that mealworms contain.
- Protein: The body of your hamster gains strength and muscle mass thanks to protein. It is essential for bone formation, tissue repair, hormone and neurotransmitter synthesis, and increased metabolism.
- Fiber: Including more fiber in your hamster’s diet can help it function properly and ward off conditions like constipation and diarrhea.
- Copper: Red blood cell production is aided by copper. Additionally, it supports the regeneration of nerve cells and a healthy immune system.
- B-Vitamins: B vitamins, such as B6 and B12, are essential for the function of red blood cells, nerve cells, and enzyme reactions. They also help release energy from sources of carbohydrates.
- Sodium: Sodium is essential for the production and conduction of nerve impulses, the maintenance of the proper levels of water and minerals in the body, and the regulation of acid-base balance.
- Zinc: Zinc helps your hamster’s skin function, wound healing, and enzyme reactions.
- Iron: Iron is needed to make the proteins myoglobin and hemoglobin, which aid in the body’s oxygen delivery.
FAQ
Can hamsters eat mealworms and crickets?
Can hamsters have worms?
Can you feed a bird mealworms?