Can Hamsters Eat Sunflower Seeds? Let’s dig deep down!
People are always confused and always think a little bit when giving food to their pet hamsters.
This is because they want to feed their hamsters a perfectly balanced diet.
If you are one of them and think can hamsters eat sunflower seeds? This post is for you.
We will discuss in detail all about sunflower seeds and hamsters’ diet relationship.
Without delay, let’s get started…
Can Hamsters Eat Sunflower Seeds? The Answer
Yes, hamsters can have sunflower seeds.
Sunflower seeds are rich in nutrition. It is an excellent option to give your hamster but in moderation.
Rich in nutrients, these seeds are high in fat, which can make your hamster ill.
Can Hamsters Eat Sunflower Seeds?
If your hamster eats these sunflower seeds in large quantities, they might have stomach illness or be obese.
So, you can feed sunflower seeds to your hamster, but they should be unsalted and don’t mix any added flavor.
You can mix these sunflower seeds with veggies and hamster fruits, and make a balanced diet for your little buddy.
Sunflower Seeds and Their Types for Hamster
There are commonly three types of sunflower seeds available for eating such as linoleic (most common), high oleic, and sunflower oil seeds.
All of these three, two sunflower seeds are usually, served to hamsters, these are
- Larger, Grey and White Striped Seeds
- Smaller Dark Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
Do you know, if your hamster drinks tap water or not, if not then read Can Hamsters Drink Tap Water?
#1. Grey and White Striped Seeds for Your Hamster
These seeds are tastier and meatier. If you give these seeds to your hamster, they enjoy their eating meal.
Grey and White Striped Seeds are rich in vitamins and energy. Many people use striped sunflower seeds in their snacks.
These seeds’ shells are thicker and harder than other types of seeds, so when you feed your hamster, you can remove these shells.
Hamster teeth are strong, so you can give them seeds with shells, and they can chew them.
However, they may have to work a little harder, which is good for their health.
Striped sunflower seeds are easily available offline, and in online stores. You can buy these seeds on Amazon Store also.
#2. Smaller dark black oil Sunflower seeds for Your Hamster
These sunflower seeds are very dark black in color, and high in oil content.
You need to be careful to giving them to your little buddy because oil can be harmful to them.
If your hamster is fed these black seeds, they may become obese or suffer from stomach infections.
So, give them in moderation.
Every time excess feeding is harmful to either the human or any other being.
You can buy these seeds on Amazon Store also.
Which one is good sunflower seeds for a hamster: Salted or Unsalted?
When you go to buy sunflower seeds in the stores, you often find two types of seeds: Salted and Unsalted.
In market stores, there is one other type of sunflower seeds available, which is roasted.
Now, here the question is this, which sunflower seeds are good and healthy for your hamster?
So, you need to pay some attention here.
If you buy seeds for feeding your hamster, always buy unsalted or roasted seeds, never buy salted seeds.
The reason behind it is, that salted seeds are loaded with extra salt which could be dangerous for your furry pocket friend.
If your little buddy eats these salted sunflower seeds, they may suffer from different diseases of the heart and kidney.
So, never buy salted seeds for your small pet.
Every time you purchase seeds, go with unsalted or roasted, which will be a healthy diet for your hamster.
Benefits of Sunflower Seeds for Your Hamster
Sunflower Seeds may be a balanced diet for hamsters If you provide them in moderation.
You can give seeds to them in small quantities into their food bowl or mix them with their daily food.
These seeds are loaded with nutrients and minerals that can improve your hamster’s health.
If you want to give seeds to hamsters daily routine, just 3 to 4 seeds can be okay as a treat.
There are many benefits of sunflower seeds for your hamster such as:
- Improve the Blood Circulation.
- Making Strong Bones.
- It keeps the Heart and kidneys healthy.
- It can increase the Lifespan of the Hamster.
The nutrients, Minerals, and Vitamins Values of Sunflower Seeds
Sunflower seeds are high in nutrients and vitamins with minerals.
Below you can check the complete table of nutrients and minerals per 100 grams.
Nutritional value per 100 grams (3.5 oz)
| Energy | 2,445 kJ (584 kcal) |
| Fat | 51.46 g |
| Polyunsaturated | 23.137 g |
| Monounsaturated | 18.528 g |
| Protein | 20.78 g |
| Carbohydrates | 20 g |
| Dietary fiber | 8.6 g |
| Saturated | 4.455 g |
| Sugars | 2.62 g |
Vitamins in Sunflower Seeds Per 100 grams
| Vitamins | Quantity |
| Niacin (B3) | 8.335 mg |
| Choline | 55.1 mg |
| Vitamin E | 35.17 mg |
| Folate (B9) | 227 μg |
| Thiamine (B1) | 1.48 mg |
| Vitamin C | 1.4 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 1.345 mg |
| Pantothenic acid (B5) | 1.13 mg |
| Riboflavin (B2) | 0.355 mg |
Minerals in Sunflower Seeds Per 100 grams
| Minerals | Quantity |
| Sodium | 9 mg |
| Calcium | 78 mg |
| Phosphorus | 660 mg |
| Potassium | 645 mg |
| Iron | 5.25 mg |
| Zinc | 5 mg |
| Magnesium | 325 mg |
| Manganese | 1.95 mg |
| Riboflavin (B2) | 0.355 mg |
Other constituents in Sunflower Seeds per 100 grams
| Other Elements | Quantity |
| Water | 4.7 g |
Risk of Feeding Sunflower Seeds to Your Hamster
In the world, all things have two aspects. There are some benefits and some risks too.
Same as sometimes sunflower seeds are a good treat, and sometimes a risky snack for your hamster.
Because there are mostly two types of sunflower seeds your pocket friend eats. We discussed them above.
These seeds are high in Energy, Vitamins, and Oil.
So, if you give sunflower seeds regularly, it could be a risky diet.
Of course, your hamster won’t deny eating these seeds daily, because these seeds are meatier and tastier.
But in the end, the result will come out very dangerous.
Your hammie will be feeling sick day by day and has suffered different types of stomach illnesses like diarrhea, kidney infections, etc.
Due to eating oily sunflower seeds in excess, they may be obese.
So, you need to take care of your hamster and give them a balanced diet.
In moderation, you can give sunflower seeds to your furry friend, so there is no risk in doing this.
Can Hamsters Have Sunflower Seeds Every Day?
Yes, You can also be feeding seeds daily as a treat but 2-3 seeds are enough, not more of these.
If you fill the hamster food bowl with sunflower seeds regularly, instead of other veggie and commercial balanced food, then Its result becomes very shocking.
Now, if you remove their sunflower seeds bowl and try to give them another type of food, your hamster won’t eat it.
Because your little hammie is used to sunflower seeds.
So, if you are planning to give sunflower seeds to your hamsters you need to feed them in moderation.
Some Other Alternatives of Sunflower Seeds for Hamster
Feeding sunflower seeds to your hamster in moderation is not any risky diet.
Still, you are still searching the other alternatives to sunflower seeds, then you can try these seeds, which could be good options:
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Kangni Seeds
- Soy Seeds
- Emmer Seeds
- Spelt Seeds
- Millet Seeds
These all are high in vital nutrients such as protein, vitamins, minerals, and fiber, which are beneficial for hamster’s bone and muscle health.
FAQs about Sunflower Seeds and Hamster
1. Do hamsters eat sunflower seeds with the shell?
Yes, mostly hamsters eat sunflower seeds with shells. Sunflower seeds’ shells are chunchy, so, these give your hamster an opportunity to do hard work.
2. can hamsters have salted sunflower seeds?
No, never feed your hamster salted sunflower seeds, because salted sunflower seeds are loaded with extra salt, which could be harmful to your hamster’s heart and kidney.
3. can hamsters eat sunflower seeds every day?
Why not, you can feed your hamster sunflower seeds every day but not more than 2 to 3 seeds. Feeding extra seeds may cause many health problems.
4. Can hamsters have roasted sunflower seeds?
Yes, you can feed roasted sunflower seeds to hamsters.
5. Can hamsters eat sunflower petals?
Yes, hamsters eat sunflower petals. Sunflower petals are a natural food with high antioxidants and fiber. It could be the best way to mix sunflower petals with hay.
Final Thoughts
I hope you can understand it well, can hamsters eat sunflower seeds?
Sunflower seeds are full of nutrition and fat, so feeding in moderation is not a risky diet.
Hamsters can eat sunflower seeds daily but should not give them more than 2 to 3 seeds.
On the other side, excess feeding of sunflower seeds to hamsters becomes a risky task.
Offering extra seeds to hamsters, could cause diarrhea and contribute to obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and other health conditions.
When you give sunflower seeds to your hamster as an extra treat, these are always unsalted and have no additional flavoring.
