Welcome to our complete guide to hamsters and mealworms! We are here to answer that all-important question—can hamsters eat mealworms safely?
In this article we will be letting you know all about how to feed hamsters this wonderful form of protein….
Which probably gives you a pretty good indication of what our answer might be!
Can hamsters eat mealworms?
Have you been thinking about what would make a nutritious addition to your hamster’s diet?
If so, you’ve come to the right place!
We have the answers to all of your hamster mealworm questions.
Can hamsters can eat mealworms? Are mealworms bad for hamsters? If so, are mealworms even safe for hamsters? And are mealworms actually good for hamsters?
Let’s find out!
Did you know that domestic hamsters eat what their wild counterparts would normally eat?
So what is their natural diet?
Their natural diet consists of seeds, oats, wheat, barley, and the occasional cricket and worm.
So does this include mealworms in particular? Let’s find out.
Mealworms for hamsters
Mealworms for hamsters can be a nutritious addition to their diet. And they can be quite healthy if given in moderation.
So, how do you feed them mealworms and what forms do they come in?
There are a couple of ways to feed hamsters mealworms.
The mealworms can be alive or dead!
Living mealworms are a little more challenging to find than the dried variety. You may be able to find them at your local pet store, but we recommend calling them first before you make the trip .
For the most part, dried mealworms for hamsters are a popular choice and many hamsters like them in that form. Plus, they are much easier to find. You can even order them online.
Hatortempt makes a highly rated 5 pound bag of mealworms that would be great for your hamster.
If you are looking for a much smaller amount of mealworms to start out with, Kaytee Mealworms offers a smaller pouch.
So you can see if your hamster likes eating mealworms before making a bigger purchase and risking having an awful lot of left over mealworms lying around!
Are mealworms bad for hamsters?
So we know that hamsters can eat mealworms, and that they are normally okay. But are mealworms bad for hamsters in any circumstances?
Well, technically yes. You can have too much of a good thing.
If you overfeed your hamster mealworms and they eat little to nothing else, that would not be a well balanced diet for them.
For the most part, they need to be eating their own special hamster food mix, which is nutritionally complete.
Plus, mealworms are high in protein and fat and your hamster could become overweight and suffer from the effects of obesity, which is not something you want.
So feed them mealworms in moderation. Two mealworms every other day would be fine for a Syrian hamster. One every other day for a smaller or dwarf breed.
Observe if there are any changes to your pet’s body composition.
If you notice your hamster is getting heavy due to the additional mealworms, you will want to cut back on the amount you give.
Are mealworms safe for hamsters?
Can hamsters eat mealworms safely? The answer is a definite yes.
Dried mealworms for hamsters are especially safe for your hamsters.
Live mealworms, on the other hand, present a challenge. Since they are alive, they can bite.
If your hamster eats a live worm, he is likely to stuff it into his cheek pouch.
The live worm could then chomp down into the cheek pouch and harm your little hamster.
So what should you do if you want to feed your hamster live worms safely?
It may sound gross, but people have reported crushing the worm’s head first, before feeding it to their hamster.
If you are that adamant about giving your hamster live mealworms, we recommend following that extra step.
But it’s probably a lot easier, as well as safer, to use dried mealworms instead.
Are mealworms good for hamsters?
So the answer to ‘can hamsters eat mealworms’ is a resounding yes. But are they good for them?
Mealworms in moderation are a wonderful and nutritious addition to your hamsters diet. They provide extra protein, fat, and fiber.
Mealworms are also rich in saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids.
Monounsaturated fats can protect against heart disease, improve insulin sensitivity, strengthen bones, and improve mood.
Do hamsters eat mealworms – do they like the taste?
Many hamsters do enjoy the taste of mealworms, while others do not.
And there is nothing wrong with your hamster if he does not find mealworms appealing.
You can try again in a few months if you like, but otherwise there are plenty of other treats your hamster will love.
Summary – Can hamsters eat mealworms?
We have seen the health benefits that mealworms pack. It is full of protein and has the wonderful substance, monounsaturated fatty acids, which protect against heart disease, strengthen bones, and improve mood.
So the answer to hamsters can eat mealworms is for sure a yes.
What are your experiences?
Have you tried feeding mealworms, live or dried, to your hamster? How did it go?
Did he or she like it, or ignore it completely? We would love to hear about your experiences in the comments section below!
