Contrary to popular belief, pineapples do not grow on trees like a coconut, but they in fact come from a herbaceous plant called bromeliad. Bromeliads are found in tropical climates and they have over 3,000 different species! The pineapple that we eat is actually the fruit of a specific type of bromeliad called Ananas comosus.
Pineapples are a great source of vitamin C, manganese, and dietary fiber. They also contain bromelain, an enzyme that helps digest proteins and that has many health benefits. It has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, making it beneficial for people with arthritis, asthma, sinusitis, and other conditions. Bromelain also helps digest food, improve absorption of nutrients, and reduce gas and bloating. Pineapples are low in calories and fat, making them a great snack for people looking to lose weight.
In short, pineapples have a lot of benefits for people, but it does not mean that they are recommended or even safe for hamsters.
So, can hamsters eat pineapple?
Table of Contents
Is it Safe to give Pineapple to your Hamster?
Pineapple especially is a controversial product. You will find some articles presenting it as a safe treat for your hamster. By this, you can understand that pineapple is not poisonous as such. Pineapple is naturally very sweet, which makes it quite attractive with the little insatiable fur balls, and most hamsters will not commonly ignore or reject pineapple.
However, pineapples are really acidic . They contains bromelain, which is basically a combination of enzymes who digest proteins, and is really irritating, removing the protective coating in your mouth – and the reason why you are likely to feel a tingling to a burning sensation when you eat the fresh fruit.
On such a small animal, you can imagine the damage this can do to their intestines!
Pineapple also contain a lot of sugar, so they are not the best food for hamsters.
To sum up, while it\’s not unsafe as such to give pineapple to a hamster, it\’s not recommended and you should avoid them.
Can I give Pineapple to my Syrian Hamster?
Syrian are the biggest of the domestic hamsters, and are usually the type you will find in your local pet store along the smaller Dwarf species.
Due to their size, it\’s generally considered that they can better deal with sugary fruits such as pineapple than the smaller Campbell\’s or Roborovski hamsters.
While this is true, it does not mean that Syrian should eat pineapple.
Can I Give Pineapple to my Dwarf Hamster?
Dwarf hamsters are generally thought to be more fragile than other types of hamsters, they are more prone to health issues and to diabetes, so it is best to avoid giving them pineapple entirely.
Can I give Canned Pineapple to my Hamster?
Canned pineapple has a much higher sugar content than fresh pineapple, so really has not health benefit for your little pet and should not be given to hamsters.
If you have no access to any fresh fruit or vegetables, you can give an occasional treat that comes from a can, but something like carrot would make a much better and healthier choice.
Do make sure that there\’s no additive, such as additional salt.
If your hamster\’s favourite vegetable is broccoli, remember that you will not be able to find that in can. The reason is quite simple: canned food is a process used to keep food fresh, removing oxygen and destroying enzimes so once sealed, no mold or bacteria can grow. The way to kill the bacteria is to boil and reach a temperature of 212F and above. Boiled broccoli would turn into a complete mush , which is not very appetizing to look at. Canned broccoli then does not exist, and you will have to look for an alternative treat.
Can I give Pineapple Juice to my Hamster
These products are high in sugar, so any fruit juice really should be avoided. All hamsters need is fresh water, and you can supplement their diet with vegetable with high water content such as cucumber, or a little bit of watermelon.
The only exception would be to help you administrate medicine to your hamster when prescribed by a vet. Like any animal, hamster can get sick, and sometimes you will need to give them medication. Most taste awful, and adding a little bit of pineapple juice to the syringe can help your hamster take their medicine without too much stress.
A drop of pineapple juice to encourage your dehydrated hamster can also be useful , but give them fresh water as well and do not make it a habit. Too much sugar is not good for anyone!
Any drink made from concentrate is even worst and should not be given to any hamster species, Syrian or Dwarf.
Can I buy Pineapple Cubes/ Dried Pineapple Cubes as a Treat for my Hamster?
The majority of pineapple cubes are sweetened, some even reaching a 45% sugar content! While a little bite once in their life is not going to poison your hamster, the sugar content makes them completely unsuitable for hamsters.
Sadly you cannot trust that anything sold in a pet shop is either healthy or safe for your hamster.
There\’s no lack of healthy treats available to your hamster, to give in small quantity, every few days in addition to their daily diet.
Some fresh safe fruits and vegetables are a much better choice.
What about Baking for my Hamster and using Pineapple as an Ingredient?
Even if you bake them yourself, pineapple cakes tend to contain flour, eggs, but also baking soda, sugar, and of course crushed pineapple with their juice.
There is no health benefit in adding so much sugar to their diet, it \’s not something they would ever come across in the wild, if you want to give them a treat, much better options are available.
Are Pineapple Hides Safe for my Hamster?
Some websites are selling hanging hides and hammocks in the shape and colour of pineapple. While extremely cute, they are not recommended for hamsters at all: they are made of fabric and plush material which hamsters are likely to chew through and therefore extremely dangerous to ingest. It\’s also too easy for them to get stuck and seriously injure themselves in the panic of escaping.
If you would like a pineapple-themed enclosure for your hamster, there are much safer ways to do so without putting them in danger. Stickers on the outside of the tank, ceramic pineapple shaped hides – providing the hamster is in no danger of getting stuck. Always be mindful of the size of openings, they cannot be too big but what looks small to you might just be enough for a hamster to pop their head through but then be unable to go any further. In their panic, hamsters are at serious risk of losing their life trying to free themselves.
A little Hamster called Pineapple
Some might say that pineapples are prickly and sweet in equal measure, which can make a perfectly suited name to a cute hamster with still a strong and independent personality .
Fruit names are rather popular to give to hamsters. Other popular names inspired by fruits are Peach, Kiwi, and Cherry.
Conclusion
The general consensus is that you should not feed your hamster fresh pineapple, if only to keep on the safe side .
Between reports of hamsters becoming ill from eating pineapple, and the worry about the acidity and the sugar content, which is just too high for such a small animal. If you want to give them a treat, much better options are available, and there plenty of other healthy and safe treats that you can give them as part of their everyday diet. Some popular fruit-inspired names for hamsters include Pineapple, Peach, Kiwi, and Cherry.