How to Feed Hamsters Blueberries
All species of pet hamsters enjoy fresh fruit like blueberries as a treat, but fresh fruit should not make up the bulk of their diet. Hamsters have small stomachs that fill up fast, and it's better for them to fill up on nutritious foods. The book "Training Your Pet Hamster" notes that fresh blueberries are better for hamsters than dried ones, because dried ones can stick in a hamster's teeth or cheek pouch. This impaction can lead to bacterial growth and infection.
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Instructions
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Get one fresh blueberry per hamster. Hamsterific.com notes that any new fresh foods like blueberries should be given a little at a time so the hamster's body adjusts to it. Although the hamster might eat the blueberry and beg for more, do not give more than one. Hamsters might also eat part of the blueberry and shove the rest into their cheek pouches for later. In Syrian hamsters, it can appear as if the blueberry was entirely eaten, but actually is just being stored.
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Wash the blueberry in clean water to remove any traces of soil or pesticides. Since hamsters are so small, minute traces of pesticides or bacteria in soil can cause sickness.
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Dry the blueberry on a clean towel or paper towel. The blueberry will already be loaded with juice that might dampen some of the hamster's bedding. A blueberry dripping with water will dampen an even stick to bedding if dropped. Hamster.com recommends that all fresh foods given to hamsters should be at room temperature.
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Place the blueberry in a food dish or hold it gently in your fingertips so your hamster can take it. If your hamster is not tamed or will not take food from your fingertips, leave the blueberry in a dish. "Training Your Pet Hamster" recommends another feeding method for shy hamsters: Hold the blueberry in your palm and hold your palm up inside the cage. Stay still and talk quietly until your hamster takes the blueberry. Treats like blueberries might help tame a shy hamster.
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Check the hamster's cage 24 hours after giving the blueberry. If there is any remaining fresh blueberry, remove it immediately before it begins to decay. Hamsters, like people, can get very sick from eating rotting food.
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Tips & Warnings
According to "Food For Thought," not all hamsters like blueberries. If the hamster ignores it after 24 hours, remove and try another treat like a sprig of broccoli.
"Training Your Pet Hamster" recommends that fresh food treats be given only two or three times a week.
If your hamster suddenly develops diarrhea, do not give it any fresh foods and treat the diarrhea. Do not give it blueberries again.
If your hamster really loves blueberries, you can save them for rewards when training for tricks such as coming when called.
Do not give fresh fruits to sick hamsters because the fruit might cause diarrhea.
Do not give frozen blueberries, unless they have been completely thawed.
Do not give blueberry pie or pastry filling because of the high amount of sugar.
