Guinea pigs need a healthy dose of juicy fruits along with grasses and vegetables as a balanced part of their diet. Fruits are very essential for guinea pigs because they provide them with vital vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients which they cannot get otherwise.
A balanced diet is a key to the good health of a guinea pig and fruits make up about 10 to 15 % of that. Guinea pigs enjoy many types of fruits and can eat them as treats. It is important to remember that fruits should only be fed to a guinea pig in moderation and overfeeding certain fruits can result in health risks.
It is also important to know that certain fruits are dangerous for the health of guinea pigs so choose wisely.
Have you recently bought your first guinea pig and don’t know what fruits are safe for it and how much and how often can guinea pigs have fruits? Don’t panic, find out all the answers related to fruits in the diet of a guinea pig from a Vet here!
What Ratio Do Fruits Make In A Guinea Pig Diet?
Fruits should compose about 10 to 15 % of the diet of a guinea pig. Remember, your guinea pig’s diet should be mostly grass or hay so they stay healthy.
It is important that you keep changing the fruits in the diet every two to three days if not daily. Because eating the same fruits over and over can lead to health problems for guinea pigs.
Never feed canned or cooked fruits to your guinea pig as they pose a threat to the health of the guinea pigs. Guinea pigs have a very sensitive stomach so make sure you are not overfeeding fruits to your guinea pig.
How Often Can Guinea Pigs Have Fruits?
Guinea pigs should only be fed fruits a few times a week. You should never feed a fruit twice on the same day even not the safe ones because overfeeding fruits is associated with many illnesses in guinea pigs due to high sugar content.
They can upset the stomach of your cavy and can increase its blood sugar level. It is best to feed the fruits as occasional treats rather than a compulsory part of the diet. You can combine them with veggies and make a salad to pique the interest of your guinea pig and make the food more healthy for it. Guinea pigs should not be given more than a quarter cup of fruits at a time regardless of their appetite and size.
Best Fruits For Guinea Pigs Daily?
Guinea pigs love to munch on fruits and they can eat a wide variety of them. Certainly, some fruits are better for their health than the rest so make sure you are feeding the right ones. But there is no fruit that guinea pigs can eat daily even not the safe ones because all fruits are generally sweet and daily consumption can make your pet obese. No fruit is a staple for guinea pigs. They should only be fed in limited proportions a few times a week.
Which Fruits Are Safe For Guinea Pigs?
The fruits listed below are completely safe for guinea pigs in recommended amounts;
- Apples
Apples are considered a safe and healthy choice of fruits for guinea pigs and you can feed them twice a week. As the saying goes “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” this is true for guinea pigs as well but don’t feed them apples daily. Apples are a very good source of antioxidants for guinea pigs which help lower the incidence of diseases and infections. Apples also improve digestive health, heart health, and brain health due to loads of nutrients. You should not provide more than half a cup of apples to a guinea pig at a time.
- Apricots
Apricots are pretty sweet so it is best to feed them in moderation although they are counted as safe fruits for guinea pigs. Apricots provide vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants to guinea pigs. They are exceptionally good for eye health, skin health, and the overall health of a guinea pig. Dried apricots should never be fed to guinea pigs as they are very high in sugar and tough to eat.
- Bananas
Bananas are safe to eat for guinea pigs no more than once a week. They are full of vitamin C and potassium which guinea pigs need for healthy bones and quick growth. Vitamin C is needed for a variety of body functions and also prevents diseases like scurvy in guinea pigs. Bananas are also good for cardiovascular health, gut health, and blood sugar maintenance in blood. If your guinea pig is always asking for more food, feeding a small part of bananas can suppress their hunger.
- Cherries
Cherries are thought to be safe fruits for guinea pigs. Make sure you remove the pit before offering it to your guinea pig to avoid the risk of choking and impaction. Cheery is a very good source of vitamin C for guinea pigs. Cherries can reduce inflammation in the body, aid in good sleep quality, and are beneficial for the heart and skin of guinea pigs.
- Cantaloupe
These are a good source of hydration and antioxidants for guinea pigs, but dont feed more than two small cubes because they are very sweet in taste. They also provide a lot of electrolytes to guinea pigs and should especially be fed during the summer months to lower the heat stress on guinea pigs.
- Watermelon
Watermelon is good for guinea pigs only when provided in moderation. Because eating too much watermelon can give your guinea pig pretty bad diarrhea and contribute to other digestive problems. They also have high sugar content. But when fed in the right amount it provides guinea pigs with a lot of vitamins and minerals and is good for the heart, muscles, and reproductive health of your pet.
- Blueberries
All types of berries are considered ideal for guinea pigs including blueberries. A small portion of blueberries can be fed up to three times a week. Blueberries are packed with antioxidants which improve cellular health and lower the incidence of diseases in guinea pigs. But sometimes they can be very tart and acidic so moderation is compulsory. They also help manage the glycemic index of blood and cholesterol levels in the body.
- Cranberries
These are very good fruits for guinea pigs and provide them with a load of nutrients. But make sure to avoid processed cranberries as they have added sugar and preservatives in them. If fed in the correct amount cranberries are amazing for the health of the urinary tract, heart, and teeth. They also help lower the risk of certain cancers.
- Kiwi
Small amounts of kiwi are safe for guinea pigs to eat once a week. Prepare them by removing the skins but seeds can be consumed by guinea pigs without any problem. They can boost the immunity of your cavy along with improving their circulatory health and digestive health.
- Mango
Although very sweet mangoes make excellent treats for guinea pigs and can be fed once or twice a week. They are full of vital nutrients and help lower the chances of scurvy in guinea pigs. They also help fight disease by supplying antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds to the body of a guinea pig and boosting their immunity.
- Orange
Oranges are the ideal source of vitamin C for guinea pigs. If your guinea pig has scurvy, feeding oranges can be helpful. Guinea pigs love oranges and will also eat their peels. They can be fed small chunks of orange twice a week. Oranges increase iron absorption in the body and are very beneficial for the skin.
- Peach
Guinea pigs can eat fresh peaches that are fully ripped. They make a very good source of vitamin C and E for guinea pigs. They have high levels of antioxidants and facilitate the health of skin, muscles, eyes, and gut.
- Pear
Guinea pigs can safely eat pears when served in small bite-sized chunks. Pears provide a wide variety of nutrients to guinea pigs and are deemed great for heart health, digestive health, and skin health. Eating pears also reduces the chances of cancer.
- Pineapple
Safe as occasional treats for guinea pigs they are very refreshing and healthy. Guinea pigs can eat pineapple once or twice a week with cores, skins, and top removed.
- Raspberries
Regular consumption of these fruits is prohibited for guinea pigs because of their high sugar content. Although infrequent feeding is safe. They are very good for heart and blood pressure because they contain omega3 fatty acids.
- Strawberries
Strawberries are safe for your guinea pig. Strawberries are a good source of vitamin C and fiber. They should not be fed more than twice a week to guinea pigs. They are ideal for preventing diseases, heart health, and in preventing cancer. They are also low in calories and fat.
Which Fruits Are Not Safe For Guinea Pigs?
The following fruits are not safe for guinea pig consumption;
- Avocados
- Tomatoes (In large portions)
- Coconut
- Grapes (In large portions)
- Raisin
Best Vitamin C Fruits For Guinea Pigs?
These fruits are the best at providing your guinea pig with vitamin C:
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Oranges
- Mango
- Pineapple
- Apples
- Banana
Article Sources & Research
- Cosgrove, N. (2022, March 24). What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat? What You Need to Know! Pet Keen. Retrieved July 29, 2022, from https://petkeen.com/fruits-guinea-pigs-can-eat/
- Epley, A. (2022, July 27). What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat? Squeaks and Nibbles. Retrieved July 29, 2022, from https://squeaksandnibbles.com/kind-fruit-can-guinea-pigs-eat/
- What Do Guinea Pigs Eat? (2021, July 19). The Spruce Pets. https://www.thesprucepets.com/guinea-pigs-diet-4580376