Have you ever thought while eating an apple that “can guinea pigs eat apples too”?
They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away! But we all know how good fruit is for humans; what about our pet guinea pigs?
Though apples are safe for guinea pigs, as long as they’re enjoyed in Limit, Guinea pigs aren’t generally over-eaters, but apples contain far more sugar ( fructose ) by volume than grass or hay. This means they can easily consume too many calories eating apples. Consuming too many calories, of course, leads to weight gain. Weight gain causes many other issues. A few of these are diabetes, difficulty grooming, and strain on your guinea pig’s internal organs. You might be having a lot of questions like can guinea pigs eat apples? are apples heathy for them? can they eat green apples, etc.
Let’s now look at can guinea pigs eat apples in detail
Guinea pigs love food and are vegetarian. Their natural diet comprises mostly grasses. Hay comes after. But they love almost all fruits and vegetables too. Apples also contain lots of fiber and vitamins for guinea pigs. And we humans love apples, so it makes sense to feed the guinea pig with an odd slice, doesn’t it? Apples are one of the most plentiful fruits on this planet.
In fact, an almost unbelievable 81 MILLION metric tons of apples are eaten every year across the world. Apples account for almost 15% of all the fruit grown and consumed on Earth. The three most popular varieties of apple worldwide are Golden Delicious, Gala, and Red Delicious. Fun fact: The first apples were grown in Central Asia back in 6500 BC. Precisely, in Kazakhstan — planting quickly grew a lot. However, China is responsible for almost 50% of the world’s apple growth. 61% of the world’s apples are eaten fresh. 21% are used for apple juice, and cider and the remaining 18% are used in apple “products.”
Do Guinea Pigs Like Apples?
So unless you have a particularly fussy little pet, there’s very little chance that they won’t enjoy a nice munch of apple. But we’re all individual and if your guinea pig doesn’t like apples, just try something else instead!
Are Apples Bad for Guinea Pigs?
No, apples are a good fruit to feed your guinea pig. The only issue is how often you feed them apples. Due to the high sugar content, it’s best to feed them the fruit as a treat and not a staple.
Are Apples Good for Guinea Pigs?
Fresh fruit and vegetables help with this enormously, so that’s a great health benefit of apples. Apple peels contain fiber, which is good for digestion. You can even feed your guinea pig apple leaves — if you’re lucky enough to have an apple tree in your yard.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Green Apples?
Some types of apples are unsuitable for guinea pig consumption. One of those is unripe or sour apples in general — which are usually green. Avoid these apples as they contain acids. Acids can cause discomfort. Opt for more sweet and plain-tasting red apples instead. Also, do not feed rotten apples to them as they can be harmful to their health.
Can I Feed My Guinea Pig the Whole Apple?
No, Cut small chunks, like a quarter of an apple and let them nibble at it. Feeding a guinea pig a whole apple may be a choking hazard.
Here is some general information on which part of the apple is suitable for Guinea Pigs
1. Can Guinea Pigs Eat Apple Skin?
Sure. Just for reference, by apple skins, we mean apple peels. In fact, you’ll probably find that’s the part of the apple love the best. There’s even a little fiber in apple peel, so that’s an added bonus.
2. Can Guinea Pigs Eat Apple Seeds?
No. Avoid giving them the seeds. Apple seeds contain small amounts of cyanide which can become toxic if they accumulate.
3. Can Guinea Pigs Eat Apple Cores?
They can, provided you’ve cleared all the seeds out.
4. What if they eat an apple a lot?
They may become fat or obese a little and even suffer from diarrhoea. But there shouldn’t be any real long-term medical issues from eating a lot of apples. If they do become slightly sick, take away any remaining apple and replace it with normal hay-based pellets. Then, make sure you’ve provided your pet with plenty of fresh, clean drinking water, especially if the apple has loosened its stools.
If any issues persist, visit your veterinary surgeon as soon as possible — prevention is better than cure.
So long as they eat apples in moderation, there’s no issue here whatsoever.
Alternatives to Apples for Guinea Pigs. Some other options to try if you want to provide that mix of sweetness, fiber, and crunch include:
- Tomatoes
- Banana
- Grapes
Summary
Hence, to cover it all up: Apples are a good source of Vitamin C. Their peels contain fiber, and their leaves are a source of calcium too. However, the fruit is also high in fructose, so keep. Aim for no more than a small portion once or twice a week. Keep it in mind to avoid the core and seeds first!
Guinea pigs aren’t over-eaters. So, fruits like these should be used as supplements to guinea pig’s main grass-based diet, not as core or main part.
Happy eating.!!
