Every pet owner wants to make sure that their pets don’t eat anything that can make them ill or is bad for their health. It is always a good option to cross-check whether your food is safe for your pet or not. Guinea pigs love fruits and vegetables, they can also eat apples but does that mean they can eat all types of fruits? Can Guinea pigs eat watermelon in particular? We are about to find out.
Contents
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Watermelon?
Yes! Guinea pigs can eat watermelon but only in a limited quantity. Watermelon contains a high amount of sugar content; sugar is as bad for Guinea pigs as it is for you. Guinea pigs can eat fruit but only as an occasional treat and not as a part of the major diet. Guinea pig is a natural herbivores animal should we eat food items consisting of grass, hay and pellets. hay and grass are good for a healthy digestive tract and is also responsible for the maintenance of the Guinea pig’s health. Guinea pig must be filled with a major portion of green leafy vegetables such as broccoli every day.
Why Should You Feed Watermelon To Your Guinea Pig?
Watermelon contains both vitamin C and vitamin A, even though they are not a very strong source of vitamin C, watermelons have been known to show a positive effect on the Guinea pig’s health. Watermelons are natural tasting fruit hence you can be assured that it would not shock the Guinea pig’s taste buds. As the name suggests watermelons contain a lot of water, they can be a good source of keeping your guinea pig hydrated during hot summer days however this may not always prove beneficial.
Why Should You Not Feed Watermelon To Your Guinea Pig?
Even though watermelons are high in vitamins the are also high in sugar and water. Too much of any quantity can harm a lot, in the same way, too much water can be harmful to a guinea pig, a watermelon should never be considered as a substitute for fresh water. The fruit is not a natural diet of a guinea pig, hence a small portion as a treat is totally under control, but if the fruits are made the major portion of the diet, it can be both harmful and fatal.
Watermelons are fruits high in sugar, sugar harm Guinea pigs more than humans, sugar in Guinea pigs can cause stomach pains and diarrhoea. Watermelons at times are treated with pesticides and chemicals to increase their size, make sure that your watermelons are organic and do not contains chemicals or pesticides which can harm your guinea pig.
Best Guinea Pig Food
Offering fresh veggie treats every day is a great way to ensure your cavy is getting the nutrients it needs. But that shouldn’t be the only thing you feed them. Guinea pigs are vegetarians but can have different nutritional requirements to humans, which is why they should eat specially formulated guinea pig food too.
Your guinea pig is more than just a pet. It’s a companion to love, and you can make sure that your furry friend stays happy and healthy with these top 3 guinea pig foods based on our expert reviews.
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- Perfect For Picky Eaters
- Fortified
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How To Feed Watermelon To Your Guinea Pig Properly?
If you are introducing watermelon in your Guinea pigs’ diet, make sure you offer the food in small quantities in the beginning and then gradually increase the quantities. This is because a guinea pig may be allergic to watermelons and you may not know it until and unless reactions start happening and it is too late. If any side effects are seen after the introduction of a particular new food, stop feeding your animal with the new food first of all, next consult a veterinary doctor for better advice.
Your guinea-pig may or may not like eating watermelon if it does not do not try to forcefully feed to the guinea pig, continue reading only if it does. A watermelon rind contains potassium, vitamin A, zinc and iodine. a lot many people have argued that one should not feed their guinea pig with watermelon rind, however a lot of Guinea pigs have been totally fine with the watermelon rain and have also liked eating this part. Since the main fruit contains more sugar than the rind, I believe that the fruit should be given less importance than the rind.
FAQs
Can Guinea Pigs Have Watermelon Juice?
No, Guinea pigs cannot have watermelon juice as it contains a tremendous amount of sugar which is harmful to a Guinea pig’s health.
Can Guinea Pigs Have Frozen Watermelon?
No, Guinea pigs cannot have frozen watermelon due to the presence of high sugar content in it which is not healthy for Guinea pigs.
Conclusion:
So long story short, Guinea pigs can have Watermelon but in a limited quantity, once or twice in a week. Watermelon contains a high amount of water as well as sugar, excess of both of which is not beneficial for guinea pigs. If you are introducing Watermelon in your Guinea pig’s diet, it should be introduced in a limited quantity and then increased gradually. You must always wash your watermelon thoroughly to remove any pesticides on the surface, you can even put the watermelon in a vinegar solution for about 20 minutes and then towel dry. Rotten watermelons are not liked by humans and likely are not liked by Guinea pigs as well. Stale watermelons can cause digestive problems for a guinea pig.
