Yes, hamsters can drink milk but not on regular basis. They can have a small quantity of milk as a treat as it is difficult for little hamsters to process any dairy product. But it doesn’t mean at all that it is totally safe for them but occasionally treatment is a better way to feed them milk as it will not cause any harmful impact on them. You can go for cow milk as it is not a good source of calories but also does not cause any harm to your hamster.
There is nothing to worry about if you want to give milk as a treat in a limited period of time and in a small proportion. Goat milk is also easy to digest by hamsters. But it is also important to make a proper diet for hamsters that include all the elements like vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients that are responsible for their overall growth. One of the advantages of milk is that it gives relief to hamsters from cold till you go to the doctor.
Which milk is safe for hamsters?
Milk consumption in excess is generally not a good thing because it can cause many health risks but in small proportion, it is safe for them. But milk having low fat is safe for hamsters but also in small proportion. Hamsters have a sensitive digestive system and they are prone to various allergies and infections. Therefore you should feed the milk which has low calories as it is easy to process for little pets.
Can hamsters eat cow and goat milk?
Yes, the hamster can drink both cow and goat milk as both are easy to digest for hamsters. Both types of milk are low in calories, proteins, and fats which make it easier for the hamster to digest it without causing any harmful impact. Cow milk is also safe for hamsters but goat milk has more benefits than cow milk. Goat milk contains around 12% calcium more than that present in cow milk. Goat milk is also rich in niacin, potassium, and vitamins.
Can hamsters drink soy and coconut milk?
Yes, hamsters drink both soy and coconut milk but only in a small proportion. Soy milk is in fact a great source of protein and also lactose-free therefore easy to digest for hamsters. Due to the presence of high calories in soy milk, it is preferred to be fed only in small quantities.
On the other side, coconut milk is safe for the immune system of hamsters as coconut milk strengthens the immune power of pets. It should also be served in moderation otherwise excess feeding can cause diarrhea in them because extra liquid consumption is not good for hamsters’ health.
Can we feed milk to baby hamsters?
No, milk is not safe for baby hamsters that are a week or two weeks old. Whether it is cow milk, got milk, coconut milk, or soy milk neither of them is safe for them. It can cause a bad impact on a baby hamster’s health and immune system.
Their digestive system is not properly built to digest all these complicated and high calories things. Instead of milk, you can feed lactol to baby hamsters which can be easily available or you can consult to vet and they will suggest you a better milk formula that is designed only for baby hamsters.
Milk products can cause dehydration in baby hamsters and cause a long-term impact on their health or could be life-threatening for them. Therefore it is better to keep baby hamsters away from milk.
Health benefits of milk for hamsters
Milk has a variety of nutrients that are essential for the growth of hamsters that includes potassium, magnesium, protein, calcium, vitamins, and amino acids. All these nutrients help to build the strong immune system of hamsters. Milk provides the necessary nutrients to hamsters and is also good for a change in their diet.
Health risks of milk for hamsters
It is said that hamsters when reaching adulthood, they become lactose intolerant which means their capacity to digest any dairy products become very low. Some adult hamsters have small power to digest dairy products but it doesn’t mean at all that you should feed them milk at any time. Here are some of the health risks caused due to milk consumption.
Excess consumption of milk can cause serious health issues in the digestive system. Hamsters have sensitive digestive systems that can cause serious health issues.
Milk contains high amounts of fats and calories but for hamsters, their demand for calories is low so feeding them the excess amount of calories through milk beyond their need can raise some serious health issues. Due to this, they suffer from obesity and are overweight. Remember not to give hamsters any flavored milk as they are high in sugar content.
Is powered or evaporated milk safe for hamsters?
Powered and raw fresh milk has the same nutritional values and has the same benefit and risks. It is also a good source of protein and some amount of oxidized cholesterol. You can go for both kinds of milk for your hamster in limited quantity.
Talking about evaporating milk, it is not safe and you should not feed it as it doesn’t count in fresh milk in this around 50-60% of water is already removed and just remain a thick consistency of milk which is not safe for the digestive system of little hamsters. Such concentrated milk has more amounts nutrients that are difficult for hamsters to digest.
Final thoughts:
Yes, hamsters can drink milk but those having low amounts of cholesterol, and fats. The reason is it is difficult for hamsters to process high-nutrient dairy products. So there are a few types of milk that a hamster can drink including cow milk, goat milk, coconut milk, and soy milk. Any flavored milk is not safe as it contains a high amount of sugar. Therefore you can feed milk to hamsters but in low proportion and occasionally.
More:
