Can Guinea Pigs Eat Grapes? Major Health Benefits

Do you ask, can guinea pigs eat grapes? Why not? The answer is, without a doubt, in the affirmative. In fact, they love this fruit, mostly that it tastes sweet. What’s funny is that guinea pigs tend to obtain green or red juice all over their beard and whiskers. Aren’t they cute? (please read here why are Guinea pig so Cute)

If it’s your first time knowing the fact that guinea pigs can, indeed, eat grapes, don’t be surprised. Yes, grapes are found to be toxic for other animals, such as dogs. Perhaps, it’s good news that this fruit is safe for your beloved pet. 

In this article, we’ll find out some of the health benefits and risks of feeding your guinea pigs with grapes. But before that, let’s first have quick facts about grapes. Just delve further!

 

What Are Grapes?

Who’s not familiar with grapes? I guess no one. It’s very prominent in the entire world, given its delicious and sweet tastes. Also, it is the typical flavors of various drinks, foods, and more. 

What’s more impressive is that, aside from the fact that you can eat it fresh, you can also make juice, wine, jam, raisins, vinegar, or oil out of it. Indeed, grapes have different forms and colors. You can have the purple ones, red, or green. There are even seedless grapes, allowing you to enjoy it to the fullest. 

You will love more things about grapes; there is no doubt why your pet guinea pigs will also love them. (please read here how to make Guinea pig happy)

 

Benefits Of Grapes For Guinea Pigs

Can guinea pigs eat grapes? Perhaps, you can have it all when you feed guinea pigs grapes. Here are just a few of the health benefits this fruit can provide to your pet:

• Vitamin C

It’s common knowledge that guinea pigs cannot produce their own vitamin C. That’s why they badly need to be fed with foods rich in vitamin C. Since they have to obtain this vitamin from external sources, giving them grapes can help a lot. 

With this, you’re sure that your pet can prevent Scurvy, a common disease for guinea pigs. 

 

• Gives off energy

Just like human beings, guinea pigs also need to have energy. Given their activities throughout the day, they should be fed with foods rich in vitamin B6. The good thing is that grapes are also loaded with this vitamin, making it a good energy source. For sure, feeding them grapes will make them very active. 

 

• Gets rid of free radicals

Free radicals can be detrimental to you, and this is true for guinea pigs too. That’s why you need antioxidants. Since grapes are loaded with antioxidants, they are excellent in boosting the life span of your guinea pigs. (Please read here how old do Guinea pig live)

Much more, grapes can improve their entire well-being. Just come to imagine the damage caused by free radicals in your pet’s cells. With antioxidants, they can fix the damage done. But take note that the seeds and the skin of the grapes are rich in antioxidants. 

 

• Ensures optimum heart health

It’s logic- a healthy heart comes with a healthy pet. It’s undeniable that once your piggies suffer from heart-related issues, it will most likely lead to fatality. As early as possible, make sure to sustain maximum heart health. 

Since grapes can provide potassium, known for maintaining blood pressure, giving them such fruit can help. 

 

• Reduces cholesterol levels

Too much cholesterol is detrimental to human beings and guinea pigs alike. Aside from increasing the risks of heart diseases, it is also linked to other conditions that can be deadly. 

Grapes have nutrients that can help reduce cholesterol in your guinea pigs. 

 

• Reduces blood sugar levels

You may wonder how grapes can help reduce blood sugar levels, given that it’s sweet. Well, it’s based on medical facts. And it can be explained by its low glycemic index. Indeed, it has high sugar levels, but it is complemented by a low glycemic index, reducing blood sugar levels. 

 

• Improves eye health

Do you know that grapes are also a good source of lutein? It’s linked to vitamin A and beta-carotene; that’s why it is dubbed as the eye vitamin. Well, eye diseases leading to vision loss are very common to guinea pigs. 

It’s not just carrots that are good for the eyesight; grapes are excellent for maintaining your pet’s eye health too. Giving them grapes can protect them against eye complications and defects. 

 

• Improves bone health

Potassium, calcium, magnesium, and manganese are some of the minerals needed to maintain a healthy and durable bone structure. Since grapes have these minerals, as well as resveratrol, you’re sure that feeding them grapes can help with bone density. 

 

• Shields against diseases and infections

Do you know that grapes can protect you against yeast, bacterial, and viral infections? Thanks to the compounds found therein. Feeding your guinea pigs with grapes can prevent diseases. Well, this can also be explained by the fact that it’s rich in vitamin C. And as we all know, vitamin C can help boost the functions of their immune system. 

 

Possible Health Risks Of Grapes For Your Guinea Pigs

In general, grapes are healthy for your guinea pigs. But, just like any other fruits, they pose health risks when consumed. Here are the following risks:

• High in sugar

As mentioned, again and again, this fruit contains a lot of sugar. Sugar may not be all bad. But, taking too much sugar can lead to major health complications. Your pet may experience vomiting and diarrhea, especially if it is overfed. 

Once the mentioned symptoms occur, you have to seek immediate treatment from your vet. While at home and as a first-aid measure, you have to stop giving your guinea pig grapes. More importantly, provide them with enough water. (please read here why does my Guinea pig drink so much water)

It’s worth noting that too much sugar can also lead to weight gain. And as we all know, obesity can kill them. 

 

• Food poisoning

This risk may happen rarely, but it can occur if you have not managed to feed them properly. So, it is vital to wash and rinse the grapes with water before feeding this fruit to your pet. 

By doing so, you’re confident that chemicals or dirt will be removed, especially from the grape’s skin. 

 

Can Grapes Be Consumed Every Day?

No matter how healthy grapes are, feeding them with this fruit every day can be risky. Its high sugar level is the main reason it’s advisable to just give them once or twice a week. 

Also, you may be wondering if grapes can be taken in massive amounts. Well, for the same reason, it’s better to give them less. And perhaps, it’s right to all foods that more is not always the best. 

So how many grapes to give them, you ask? Two pieces of grapes are enough for your pet. Giving them more than what is prescribed with certainly lead to serious health consequences. 

 

Conclusion

Can guinea pigs eat grapes? You know the answer, and it’s yes. Indeed, this fruit can provide numerous health benefits, but it can also be a significant health risk. That’s why it’s advisable for you to feed them only the recommended amount, especially that it’s high in sugar. 

Hopefully, you’ve learned a lot. Have a great day!