Why shouldn't I give my hamster lettuce?

Answer 1

Give It lettuce with beer it`s a balanced diet for hamsters I have heard.

Answer 2

It softens the stool and makes it runny and makes them pee all over the place... Give darker heartier greens... not lettuce!

You can give a little bit, like in proportion with his weight (which isn't a lot) but not too much, as Lettuce actually has an effect similar to an Opiate (lactucarium) and what will have no effect on a human in normal quantities, might zonk the little guy out a bit?

Not positive on the latter part but I do know for sure that the lettuce will act as a diuretic and laxative and he will pee and poop his little brains out.

Answer 3

Do you mean iceberg lettuce - like the kind you get in sandwiches?
That kind of lettuce isn't very good for hamsters mainly because it has almost no nutritional value, and is mostly water. It could provoke loose bowels in your hamster, or make their bedding wet.
I give my hamsters different kinds of greens, and they love them, but not ordinary lettuce. You could try the fancier kinds of greens, like fresh spinach leaves or any kind of "fancy" lettuce. Just be sure to wash it well, to make sure there aren't traces of pesticide or fertiliser on it....for that reason organic greens are best, if you can find them. Also be sure to dry the leaves thoroughly before you give them to your hamster.

Another thing they love are fresh dandelion leaves. These are really easy to grow on your own, and this way you don't risk taking leaves from places where they could be polluted, like by the roadside or someone's lawn. Just collect some of the puffy dandelion seedheads, put them on the surface of soil in a pot on a sunny windowsill, and keep the soil moist. In about two weeks you should have your own dandelion greens to cut for your hamster.

Answer 4

Because he prefers steak and lobster.