Can Guinea Pigs Eat Strawberry?

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Strawberry

As a guinea pig owner, you are always trying to offer the best for your pet in terms of food and drinks. You don’t want to feed your lovely piggies with something that might endanger their lives. But can guinea pigs eat strawberry? Well yes, guinea pigs can safely eat strawberries!

Strawberries have high vitamin C content with about 5% sugar, this makes it safe to feed them to your guinea pig.

Therefore, you shouldn’t be scared of giving your cavies strawberries to eat; however, there are a few things to keep in mind while feeding them strawberries, which we will highlight below.

Let’s get started!

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Strawberry?

Guinea pigs can eat strawberries without any issues due to its high vitamin C content. Although vitamin C is good for a guinea pig and a very important part of their daily diet, the sugar content is not.

Feeding too much fruit to your guinea pigs will cause them to put on excess weight which might be dangerous to their health.

Nutritional Value Of Strawberries

Before feeding any food to your guinea pig, you must have a basic understanding of its nutritional content. There is certain food you should be wary of and only feed sparingly to your pet.

here’s a little overview of the nutritional content in strawberries that actually has a positive impact on a guinea pig’s health. The nutritional value here is measured per 100 grams of strawberries.

  • Contains 35 grams of calories
  • Contains 2.1 grams of fiber, making it great for digestion
  • Contains 4.56 grams of sugar
  • Contains 0.11 grams of fat, which is great
  • Contains 16mg of calcium, which is toxic to guinea pigs in large amounts
  • Contains 148mg of potassium which is great for heart health
  • Contains 41mg of vitamin c which helps to boost their immune system

With this value, you should have a general understanding of strawberries’ effect on your guinea pig.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Strawberry Leaves?

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Strawberry Leaves

Yes, it is safe for guinea pigs to eat strawberry leaves, as they do not contain toxins. It is even argued that the leaves are healthier than strawberries themselves. Strawberry leaves have much lower sugar content, calories, and acidic content.

So, you can go ahead and feed your guinea pig strawberry leaves, but ensure to wash them properly before feeding them as they could contain pesticides. It is recommended to opt for organic strawberries.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Strawberry Seeds?

Yes, you can feed guinea pigs strawberry with its seeds intact. Strawberry happens to be one of the few vegetables and fruits whose seeds are excellent for guinea pigs.

Other fruits you can feed your guinea pig with its seeds are cucumber, cherry tomato, grapes, etc. They have very tiny and soft seeds, so guinea pigs are able to munch on them.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Strawberries And Blueberries?

Yes, guinea pigs can eat blueberries but should be in moderation. Blueberries contain vitamin c and antioxidants which is great for guinea pigs.

But they also have high sugar levels and acidity, this is the reason they need to be regulated. You can feed your guinea pigs, blueberries in small serving size not more than twice a week.

How Many Strawberry Can You Feed Guinea Pigs Daily?

When feeding your guinea pigs strawberries, you should do so sparingly, it is recommended that you do not feed your pig strawberries more than once or twice a week.

The serving size should not be more than 1 tablespoon of strawberry, that has been sliced up. This serving size is the equivalent of 1 small strawberry.

You can gradually increase the serving size over a few weeks so that your guinea pig has enough time to get used to the new fruit. However, you can feed your guinea pig strawberry leaves as frequently as you desire, strawberry leaves are full of antioxidants and contain no sugar.

Aside from feeding your guinea pig strawberries, try to add other vegetables, such as spinach or even celery alongside. Providing various sources of nutrients is very important for a guinea pig’s health.

You should keep in mind that, although it is safe to feed your guinea pig strawberries in moderation, your pet might not enjoy it. Some might take one sniff and scoff at the sight of the strawberry while some will chomp on it without any hesitation.

Benefits Of Feeding Your Guinea Pig Strawberries

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Strawberry Seeds

Strawberries are a very delicious fruit and your guinea pigs are likely to enjoy eating them, but what exactly is the benefit of strawberries for guinea pigs?

Strawberries are great for guinea pigs with lots of numerous benefits for them. Here are some of the benefits:

1. Blood sugar regulation

Strawberries are naturally packed with sugar, but they can also help to reduce the blood sugar levels in a guinea pig’s body.

Strawberries also contain dietary fiber which also has some fantastic benefits when it comes to the regulation of blood sugar levels of a guinea pig.

2. Eases digestion

Digestion is a vital body process that is required for the extraction of nutrients from food, and guinea pigs don’t have the best digestive system.

So they rely on their diet to be able to carry out some bodily functions. Strawberries contain dietary fibers that help with the digestion process. Fiber not only aids digestion it also helps to ensure a smooth bowel movement.

3. Weight loss

Due to the presence of dietary fiber in strawberries, when they are fed to guinea pigs, it helps to establish a feeling of satiety and fullness in your guinea pig.

This helps to reduce the amount of food intake, which in turn reduces the number of calories taken into the body. This helps to keep your guinea pig’s weight in check and also causes a bit of loss of weight.

4. Blood pressure regulation

Your guinea pig’s blood pressure should be maintained at optimum levels in order for them to be safe from diseases and other health complications. Strawberry contains potassium which is great for regulating blood pressure in guinea pigs.

Potassium does this by reducing the effects of sodium. It has been proven by research that potassium can actually improve the quality of a guinea pig’s life, it also helps to prevent different diseases and infections.

5. Removes free radicals in a guinea pig’s body

Free radicals are sometimes produced in a guinea pig’s body due to its ongoing metabolic processes. These radicals are not safe for guinea pigs, especially in large portions.

They pose serious negative effects like cell damage and diseases/infections. However, the presence of antioxidants can help to eliminate these free radicals. Strawberries contain lots of antioxidants such as vitamin a, which will help to remove free radicals in a guinea pig’s body.

6. Reduce inflammation

Diseases/Infections or injury may cause swelling or rather an inflammation in a guinea pig. It is a normal body response but it may be harmful to your guinea pig if it becomes chronic.

You can prevent this from happening, by feeding your guinea pig foods that are rich in antioxidants. This will help to protect your guinea pig from developing chronic inflammation.

7. Improves cardiovascular health

In order for your guinea pig to have a long lifespan, you have to be concerned about the health of its heart. Strawberries contain the right nutrients and compounds that maintain the health of their heart.

One of these compounds is known as anthocyanin and it is very vital for the well-being of the heart as it reduces the chances of heart failure, as well as other heart complications.

Another compound that protects the heart and prevents heart damage is quercetin, it also helps to reduce the level of cholesterol.

Strawberries also contain polyphenol which reduces the chances of platelet build-up and inflammatory effects which can cause heart complications. There’s also the presence of potassium and fiber in strawberries which both contribute to a healthy heart.

8. Improves their immune system

Guinea pigs need foods that are rich in vitamin c in order to have a strong immune system. Vitamin c helps to eliminate diseases and infections in guinea pigs, it also helps to enforce the production of white blood cells. Strawberries contain a sufficient amount of vitamin c a guinea pig needs.

They don’t have the best immune system and they rely on the vitamin c gotten from their diet to be able to fight off diseases

9. Improves their vision and sight

Strawberries also contain vitamin a which helps to boost guinea pig’s eyesight and vision. It combines with other compounds such as carotene to ensure that your guinea pig has fully-functioning eyes.

Read Also: Is Tomatoes Good For Guinea Pigs?

Risks Of Feeding Your Guinea Pig Strawberries

Benefits Of Feeding Your Guinea Pig Strawberries

1. High sugar content

Like many other fruits, strawberries have high sugar content, about 0.6g per strawberry. This amount is too much for guinea pigs when fed constantly and it can cause lots of health problems for your pet.

It can cause digestive problems, like diarrhea and vomiting, it can also cause unhealthy weight gain, diabetes, and tooth decay. All of this can be fatal when if left untreated. Guinea pigs are unable to handle sugar the same way humans do.

2. Contains calcium

Strawberries also have some calcium content which can cause bladder stones. So you will need to monitor your guinea pigs calcium intake. Bladder stones are very painful for a guinea pig, so you should try to prevent them from forming.

Although the amount of calcium in strawberries is much lower compared to many other fruits and berries. They contain about 2mg of calcium per strawberry, which might not seem like a lot but could still be dangerous in large quantities.

3. They have high acidic content

Strawberries have some acidic content and although it’s not as bad as most fruits like apples, it can still be harmful to guinea pigs.

The acidity of strawberries could cause guinea pig stomach pains and might also damage its teeth in the long term. If they are fed strawberries in moderation alongside other vegetables, it should be a cause for concern.

4. Risk of pesticide ingestion

Pesticide residue on fruits and vegetables is very dangerous for humans, as well as guinea pigs, in fact, their intake is usually much larger, this puts them at a greater risk.

Try to opt for organic strawberries whenever you can. In cases where it isn’t available, ensure to thoroughly wash the strawberries before feeding them to your guinea pig so that they don’t ingest any of the nasty pesticide chemicals.

Buying organic fruits might cost you a little extra but it is better than feeding your pet poison.

How To Prepare Strawberries For Your Guinea Pigs

It might be quite a challenge to serve your pet with fresh fruit and vegetables. But you need to ensure it is done in the right way. Here’s a step-by-step guide to preparing strawberries for guinea pigs.

Start by choosing the right strawberry for your guinea pigs. The strawberry must be ripe and fresh and serve them fresh as well. Storing strawberries in a refrigerator for a couple of days can take away most of its benefits.

The next step is to thoroughly wash the strawberries. If you didn’t buy an organic fruit it is likely that it has been sprayed with chemicals to keep away the pests. So proper cleaning is paramount so that your guinea pig does not end up ingesting harmful pesticides.

Next, slice the strawberry into small chunks that your guinea pigs can easily handle. You should ensure to serve the strawberries in small pieces as they are more comfortable for guinea pigs to eat. It also helps to prevent choking.

Only serve your guinea pig the recommended serving size of strawberries. Overfeeding them will do more harm than good. You should also remember to remove any leftover uneaten fruits after a couple of hours.

Leaving uneaten fruit just lying around in your guinea pig’s cage can cause it to become ridden with bacteria which can be harmful to your pet when they try to eat a lot of fruit.

What Else Can Guinea Pigs Eat?

If you are looking for more information, walkthroughs and troubleshooting about Guinea Pigs and their diet, here are some additional posts you can check out:

Conclusion

Although the answer to the question can guinea pigs eat strawberry is yes! It should be done in moderation.

When introducing strawberries to a guinea pig newly, you should always monitor the effect it has on it. Keep a close watch on their poop and take any necessary action if there’s any sign of diarrhea or other health issues.

Photo of author

Frank Kane

Ever since I was a child, I’ve been head-over-paws for all creatures, great and small. I’m on a mission to help other pet lovers better understand, care for, and enjoy life with their furry, scaly, or feathery friends.

Leave a Comment