Can Hamsters Make Their Own Vitamin C?

Your little ball of fur needs a slew of vitamins, just like you. Some vitamins he can make on his own, while others have to come from his diet. Vitamin C is one such vitamin. Hamsters cannot make it, so it̵7;s imperative you give him food designed specifically for hamsters. You may even want to offer him some dietary supplements or small pieces of produce to ensure he gets enough vitamin C in his diet.

  1. Why It̵7;s Important

    • Vitamin C is essential for your little friend̵7;s overall health. It powers his immune system, helping him fight off foreign bacteria so he doesn̵7;t get sick. Vitamin C even makes collagen, which is a component of skin and connective tissues and is essential to heal any wounds. The vitamin goes a step further and acts as an antioxidant, getting rid of free radicals that can increase his chances of developing certain cancers.

    Poor Intake

    • If you don̵7;t give your hamster enough vitamin C, he could develop scurvy. This condition leads to the breakdown of connective tissues, making his body appear overly hunched over. As a result, he̵7;ll be wobbly when he walks and might fall over frequently. He could also seem fatigued -- unwilling to go anywhere near his wheel -- and squeal in pain when you reach in to pet him. As scurvy progresses, your little fur ball can dramatically lose weight and shed patches of fur.

    Where to Get It

    • No matter which types of fruits and vegetables you give your hamster, he̵7;ll be getting plenty of vitamin C. But some types are particularly high in the vitamin. Red peppers, cantaloupe, kiwis, broccoli, strawberries and brussels sprouts are a few of the vitamin C-rich types of produce you can feed him. Just avoid citrus fruits, raw potatoes, avocados, watermelon, eggplant, apple cores and anything in the onion family. These varieties of produce have food components that may be toxic to your small animal.

    Adverse Effects

    • Fruits and veggies should be considered treats in your hamster̵7;s diet, since he should be getting just about everything he needs from his hamster mix. Too much vitamin C -- between his food and fresh produce -- can aggravate his digestive tract, leading to diarrhea. While he should get over the diarrhea on his own, he could become severely dehydrated in the process because he is losing water. If he is having loose stools, take him to the vet, just as a precaution.