Can Guinea Pigs Eat Strawberries? Risks And Benefits

Can guinea pigs eat strawberries? Of course, they can. In fact, they love this fruit. One thing that is great about guinea pigs is that they are not picky when it comes to food.

For your benefit, the leftover fruit that you won’t eat may be given to them. But you have to take note that you should offer them only in moderation. Anything excessive in amounts will always be dangerous to your cavy’s health.

Every popular recommendation would always advise to give them a kind of fruit once or twice a week only. Too many fruits or veggies that are high in sugar content are not advisable for frequent intake. For example, strawberries have lots of benefits, but also there are risks when given to cavies.

In this article, we will discuss the question “can guinea pigs have strawberries” and expound it way further. In that way, you will be in the advantage of the adequate learnings you can acquire after reading the whole article.  Without any more delays, let us get on with it!

 

What Are Strawberries?

Strawberries are succulents and fragrant fruits that are in the color of bright red. It is an edible fruit that grows spontaneously in forests. Strawberries are usually harvested in the summer season. They are very low in calories and is an excellent source of Vitamin C since cavies cannot produce this mineral naturally.

It is a fruit that can be easily digested that includes laxative effects. If they go mature, they are eaten raw because they are sweet enough. Since they are succulents, they have to be washed carefully before eating to remove the soil or other harmful chemicals.

Can guinea pigs eat strawberries? Yes, guinea pigs can eat them but only in moderation. It is because strawberries are high in sugar that can cause tooth decay and diarrhea. That is something that you have to avoid because the health of your cavy is essential.

A whole strawberry that is cut into pieces are enough to feed two of your cavies. Like other pets, it is vital to give them a good variety of food in their diet. There is a lot that you should know about strawberries, so continue to read on for more information.

 

Health Benefits of Strawberries to Guinea Pigs

Strawberries are one of the most delicious fruits to humans and even on animals. They are sweet and also very nutritious. Aside from being tasty, there are also numerous benefits that your guinea pigs can get from these fruits. Some of it is the following:

• Help with digestion

We all know that a fair digestion process will always be necessary for the health of your pet. Its role is vital for it helps in the extraction of nutrients from the food that they eat. It is all because guinea pigs do not have a naturally healthy digestive system.

The meal diet that you are offering them is most needed to attain this benefit. Strawberries are great because they contain dietary fibers that help in the digestion of food. Not only that they improve the digestion but also they make your bowels flow out smoothly.

 

• Helps regulate blood sugar

Strawberries are usually packed with sugar, but they can also reduce the blood sugar levels in the body of your guinea pig. Furthermore, dietary fiber is the main reason for this advantage.

 

• Weight loss

You will know that your pet is healthy if it has an average weight. As we recently talked about, dietary fiber makes your pet full in just a small amount of strawberry intake. So, if the food is reduced, the calories that they get will also be lesser.

That is why the loss of weight is the effect of it making your pet far from obesity. (please read here how much do Guinea pig weigh)

 

• Eliminates free radicals

In a guinea pig’s body, the metabolic process is the main reason for free radicals. If they happen to be in large quantities, the extremists are not safe for them. For a more severe effect, it will destroy cells and will cause diseases and infections in the future.

The antioxidants that are present on the strawberry will eliminate the free radicals. Vitamin A will surely help in dealing with them in no time. So we can genuinely say that strawberries are safe for your guinea pig to consume.

 

• Boosts the immune system

Since guinea pigs cannot produce Vitamin C, they would undoubtedly rely on fruits and vegetables rich in it. Vitamin C is the reason for a robust immune system and helps eliminate illnesses and diseases. That is because this vitamin enforces the production of white blood cells to fight dangers.

 

Risks Of Giving Strawberries To Guinea Pigs

Surely, guinea pigs can eat strawberries, but there are also certain risks that you have to aware of. This fruit may be full of nutritional benefits, but it does not mean that there is no potential harm. The following are the risks that you should be mindful about: (please read here why did my Guinea pig die)

• Residues of pesticide

As strawberries are usually grown in large plantations, they are typically treated with pesticides to get a more productive harvest. Pesticides are used so that the pests won’t destroy the plant, but it can be hazardous to their health if your pet consumes it.

There would be stomach aches and food poisoning that will lead to vomiting and diarrhea. To avoid this matter to happen, wash the fruit thoroughly so that there won’t be any health issues to arise.

 

• Allergies

Guinea pigs can be allergic to some fruits or vegetables, and strawberries are one of them. If you are going to feed your pet with strawberries for the first time, be sure to give them only a small amount. In that way, you can monitor them if they are allergic to the fruit of not.

If they behave strangely after consuming the strawberry, then it is an allergic reaction for them. That is the sign that you have to stop giving it to guinea pigs because it will lead to diarrhea.

 

• Beta-blockers medicine

Because strawberries are high in potassium, do not give them to guinea pigs, especially if they take beta-blockers medicine.

 

Conclusion

With the food that your pet is eating, you always have to be careful. If you already reached this part of the article, your question about “can guinea pigs eat strawberries” has been answered.

You have to be sure to give it to them in moderation because of the fruit’s high sugar content. However, you are now also full of learnings about the benefits and risks that strawberries do for your cavy’s health.

Good luck with growing your pet into a healthy one!