Can Hamsters Eat Savoy Cabbage?

Is savoy cabbage safe for hamsters? Yes, savoy cabbage like many other types of cabbage should be perfectly safe for your hamster to eat, providing it’s only a small amount. Read more to learn about the nutritional benefits of savoy cabbage and how to feed savoy cabbage to your hamster.

What Is Savoy Cabbage?

Savoy cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. sabauda) is a type of cabbage with wrinkled leaves. It is in the same family as broccoli, cauliflower, and kale.

The leaves of the cabbage are dark green and have a crinkled appearance. The leaves grow from the central crown of the plant, forming a loose head shape.

The flavor of savoy cabbage is mild and slightly sweet. It is a versatile vegetable that can be used in salads, sandwiches, and soups. Savoy cabbage is also delicious when cooked as a side dish.

Savoy cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable that is high in vitamins C and K. It also contains some fiber, potassium, and magnesium. Savoy cabbage is a good source of antioxidants, which can help protect against disease.

Can Hamsters Eat Savoy Cabbage?

So, can hamsters eat savoy cabbage? Yes, hamsters can eat Savoy cabbage as part of their diet. It makes an excellent treat food because it’s healthy for them and tasty to crunch on!

However, you should only give your hamster new foods very gradually so they have time to adjust to the change. This will help reduce the risk of tummy upset or other digestion problems caused by dietary changes too quickly. If your hamster has never had Savoy cabbage before, only try giving them a tiny amount at first to see if they show any sign of having stomach issues after eating it (e.g., diarrhea, excessive flatulence). If there’s no sign of issues after a couple of days, you can gradually give them more over the next few weeks.

Benefits Of Savoy Cabbage For Hamsters

The benefits of giving your hamster Savoy cabbage are mostly nutritional. Since it is low in fat and high in fiber, it can help keep your pet’s teeth clean.

It also has anti-inflammatory properties that may benefit your hamster’s arthritis or injuries.

Certain compounds in Savoy cabbage have antiviral properties that can help protect against respiratory illnesses.

Risks Of Savoy Cabbage For Hamsters

A low-calorie food, savoy cabbage has few side effects when given to a hamster in moderation.

However, the same vegetables that hamsters can eat may have some side effects for them if eaten in large amounts or given too often.

In this case, the most common side effect is flatulence, which is a type of intestinal gas that smells unpleasant and may be uncomfortable for your pet.

Hamsters with diarrhea should also avoid eating Savoy cabbage because it could make the diarrhea worse.

Hamsters are known for storing their food, and this can cause problems for a couple of reasons.

If any savoy cabbage are left uneaten in your hamsters cage, they could rot, start to smell and attract insects.

Your hamster may also store uneaten savoy cabbage in their cheek pouches, and it’s not uncommon for hamsters to develop abscesses, which can be sore for your pet.

That’s why it’s advisable to monitor your hamster when giving them savoy cabbage and immediately remove and discard any uneaten savoy cabbage from their cage.

How To Feed Savoy Cabbage To Your Hamster

There are many different ways in which you can give Savoy cabbage to your hamster. If they like their food fresh, you can chop some up and serve it in a salad with other veggies or lettuce for added flavor.

Remember not to add any salt or other seasonings when preparing Savoy cabbage for your hamster because this may make their diet too high in sodium.

We also suggest trying to buy organic savoy cabbage, if not you should was it thoroughly to remove any pesticides.

As with the introduction of any new food to your hamsters diet, if you are going to try feeding your hamster savoy cabbage, you need to monitor your hamster closely whilst eating them.

How Much Savoy Cabbage Can A Hamster Eat?

So, how much savoy cabbage can a hamster eat? As with any new food, you should introduce savoy cabbage to your hamster’s diet slowly. Start by giving them a tiny amount and increase the amount gradually if there are no adverse effects. You can give your hamster up to 2 tablespoons of savoy cabbage a day, but no more than that.

When feeding your hamster new foods, you should always start with a tiny amount to ensure that they like it, and that they don’t encounter an allergic reaction. So if you want to try feeding your hamster savoy cabbage then we would recommend giving a very small portion size, about the size of a teaspoon.

Another good way to work out what is the right amount of savoy cabbage to feed your hamster is to give them a portion they can comfortably hold within their hands.

Other Than Savoy Cabbage What Else Can Your Hamster Eat?

We have looked at if your hamster can eat savoy cabbage.

Other than good quality hamster food, what else could you be feeding your hamster?

Grains

Grains are a staple food for hamsters. You should give about a tablespoonful each day. Grains can be found in commercially prepared hamster mixes, providing protein and carbohydrates. Avoid overfeeding fatty nuts (peanuts and sunflower seeds), as they can cause obesity.

Vegetables

Fresh, organic vegetables are the best choice for your hamster.

If you’re not using organic produce, be sure to clean it properly to get rid of any pesticides.

Whilst most vegetables are generally safe for hamsters, dark green vegetables are the best choice, so things like;

• Artichokes
• Broccoli spears
• Carrot tops
• Dandelion greens
• Romaine lettuce
• Spinach

Avoid iceberg lettuce and other high-water veggies or fruits (such as watermelon) to avoid stomach problems.

Fruits

Like vegetables, most fruit is OK for hamsters in small portions, as a supplement to the usual diet.

Some good choices are;

• Apples (with pips removed)
• Bananas
• Pears
• Strawberries

Remember always remove any uneaten veggies or fruits from your hamster’s cage within 24 hours to avoid them going off.

Timothy hay

Often overlooked for hamsters, hay is a wonderful gnawing food that can keep your hamster’s teeth clean.

Fresh water

Your hamster should always have access to fresh water, changed daily.

What’s The Best Diet For Hamsters?

If you have a hamster, you need to make sure that you are feeding them the best food possible.

We’ve discussed if hamsters can eat savoy cabbage, and whilst hamsters can eat a wide variety of things, their primary diet should consist of good quality hamster food.

There are a lot of options available for your hamster, but not all of them are good! If you want to learn more about the best hamster food, you can read our full review of the best hamster foods here.

If you just want to know what we recommend, it’s Kaytee Pro Health Hamster food.

The Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Food was created by animal nutritionists to ensure that your hamster gets the correct nutrition within their diet.

To support digestive health, Forti-Diet Pro Health includes probiotics and prebiotics. This food is high in natural antioxidants for general health and immunity protection, as well as some bigger, crunchier pieces to promote dental health through natural chewing action.

Summary

Hamsters can eat Savoy cabbage as part of their diet. It makes an excellent treat food because it’s healthy for them and tasty to crunch on! However, you should only give your hamster new foods very gradually so they have time to adjust to the change. This will help reduce the risk of tummy upset or other digestion problems caused by dietary changes too quickly.

If your hamster has never had Savoy cabbage before, only try giving them a tiny amount at first to see if they show any sign of having stomach issues after eating it (e.g., diarrhea, excessive flatulence). If there’s no sign of issues after a couple of days, you can gradually give them more over the next few weeks.

Now you know if it is safe to feed your hamster savoy cabbage. Just remember, always start by introducing a very small portion of savoy cabbage to your hamster, and look out for any signs of discomfort or unusual behaviour.

If your hamster has an adverse reaction after eating savoy cabbage, contact your local veterinarian immediately.