CAN HAMSTER EAT GREEN BEANS

Your pet hamster loves nibbling on green beans and also looks adorable while doing so. Although green beans are a great source of essential vitamins and are safe to consume for humans. Yet, you are not sure if it is an ideal choice of food for your little fluffy buddy.

The short answer is yes, green beans are safe to feed pet hamsters, but with a few considerations.

In this article we will delve into their nutritional contents, benefits and risks associated with their consumption. And we will also discover the ways and methods that how you can incorporate green beans into your pet pal’s diet.

Nutritional Value of Green Beans:

First, let’s look into the nutritional value of the green beans.

Green Beans are a healthy and inexpensive vegetable. They are packed with important nutrients like protein, fiber, carbohydrates and micro nutrients. It contains very less percentage of fat, cholesterol, sugar and salt. These are also a very potent source of many minerals and antioxidants.

One cup (approx. 100 g) full of green beans is a source of the following nutrients [1]

Nutrients	Quantity of Nutrients present
Calories	31
Protein	1.8g
Fiber	2.7g
Carbohydrates	7g
Fats	0.2g
Vitamin C	12.2mg
Vitamin A	35mcg
Vitamin K	43mcg
Potassium	211mg
Vitamin B6	0.1mg
Iron	1mg
Folate	33mcg
Sugars	3.3g
sodium	6mg

Here we will see a few of the essential nutrients in detail

Protein:

Proteins are one of the most essential nutrients. They are required for the normal muscle growth and development of your hamster.

Carbohydrates:

Carbohydrates are a great source of instant energy which is around 7 g in every 100 g of serving. It does not store like fats in the body so you do not have to be worried about the weight gain issue of your pet.

Fiber:

2.7 g of fiber in 100 g of green beans helps regulate the digestive system of your pet buddy. The fiber content gives the feeling of fullness and prevents over eating. It also helps maintaining the healthy body weight.

Fats:

Green beans are low in fat which makes them healthier option for the hamsters, prone to weight gain.

Vitamin C:

A good amount of vitamin C is present in green beans. It has positive effects on the overall health of the hamster. It boosts the immunity and prevents them from catching viral diseases.

Folate:

Folate is also one of the most essential nutrients required for the body of hamsters. Its function is to ensure normal cell growth and development. In pregnant hamsters, it helps preventing the unborn baby from getting congenital disorders.

Potassium:

Potassium is an electrolyte which is responsible to keep the body hydrated and it controls the blood pressure. It also plays an important role in normal muscle movement and the nervous system.

Health benefits of Green Beans in Hamsters:

Green beans help regulating the blood sugar levels in hamsters. Chlorogenic acid, present in green beans reduces the activity of the enzymes which breaks down the carbohydrates [2]. This is how, the blood sugar level remains stable.

This is very helpful because any abrupt changes in the blood sugar levels could lead to different diseases including diabetes, obesity and even sometimes, heart problems.

Low Risk of Cancer:

An antioxidant named, Kaempferol present in green beans is known to reduce the risk of cancer. It helps in preventing the growth and spread of cancer cells.

Aids in Healthy Digestion:

Green beans are packed with dietary fiber which aids in improving the digestion of the food. It also helps to maintain healthy weight.

Reduction of inflammation in body:

There is a compound called quercetin present in the green beans. It reduces chronic inflammation in the body. This is very helpful, because chronic inflammation could lead to many inflammatory diseases like, arthritis, heart issues, and cancer.

Green Beans are a safe choice of food for hamsters:

You can give green beans to your pet hamsters. However, remember the following Vet approved instructions while introducing green beans to your pet’s diet.

How often green beans be given to hamsters

Always introduce any new food or snack to your hamster’s diet gradually. Start off with a smaller portion and then you can slowly increase the quantity. It helps avoiding any adverse allergic reactions.
Always consult your veterinary doctor in case of any allergic reaction, diarrhea or any other issue
A balanced diet is very important. You can give green beans to your hamster once or twice a week. Do not make it a regular snack you offer to your hamster.
Green Beans are acidic in nature, so even if your pet is used to of eating, never give it in bulk quantity at one time as it can cause digestive issues for the little friend.

Fresh Green Beans- benefits & risks:

Hamsters usually like gnawing on raw or fresh green beans. You may offer them fresh green beans but do not exceed the quantity. A single stick of green beans which would approximately equal to the size of the head of your adult hamster is sufficient.

Avoid giving these to the baby hamsters as they cannot digest the green beans. Sick hamsters can also face problems in digestion. You can skip green beans from their diet.

Cooked Green Beans- benefits &risks:

You can also follow the following steps to feed your hamster cooked green beans.

First, wash the beans thoroughly to remove any dirt or pesticides.
Boil or steam the green beans for 3-4 minutes.
Let it cool for some time, and then offer to your pet.
You can either cut it into smaller pieces or give it as it is, depends on you.

Cooked greens are easy to digest. These are suitable for sick hamsters which are having problem in eating and digesting.

The nutritional value of the green may vary depending upon how they are cooked. Avoid adding any oils but just give it a boil or steam to preserve its nutritional contents.

Frequently asked Questions

Q: Can hamsters eat green beans

A: Yes, hamsters can eat green beans but in moderation. Do not exceed the recommended portion that is a single stick equal to the size of the head of adult hamster at one time.

Q: Can baby hamsters eat green beans?

A: No, Baby hamsters cannot digest the green beans so avoid giving it to them

Q: Can raw/ fresh green beans be given to hamsters?

A: Yes, if your pet hamster enjoys eating fresh or raw green beans, you can let it have some in moderate quantity.

Q: How often my hamster can eat green beans?

A: A balanced diet is the secret of having happy and healthy hamsters. Only give a small portion of green beans once or twice a week.

Q: Can hamsters eat cooked green beans?

A: Yes, cooked green beans are advised but remember not to cook these in oils as it could change the nutritional value. You can boil or steam the green beans to offer it your hamster

Q: Do hamsters like green beans?

A: It depends. Hamsters do like eating green beans but some hamsters may not.

Summary:

It can be concluded that green beans contain a lot of beneficial nutrients and also helps in preventing various diseases in hamsters. Even though, these should be given in moderate quantity once or twice a week. In this way, hamsters can avail the benefits of green beans and evade any potential problems related to allergies and digestive issues. It is always advised to consult a vet if any problem arises.