Can Guinea Pigs Eat Bananas? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ
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Bananas are a staple fruit packed with potassium and other essential vitamins and minerals. Although they’re beneficial to humans, you may wonder if your Guinea Pig can enjoy a piece of banana. Yes, Guinea Pigs can eat bananas!
Around 95% of your Guinea Pig’s diet should be good quality hay such as Timothy hay.1 In addition to this they need around a handful of fresh fruit and vegetables and a tablespoon of extruded guinea pig pellets per day.
There are, of course, some things you’ll need to know about sharing this fruit, so let’s take a look at what these are now.
Are Bananas Healthy?
Just like us, Guinea Pigs can benefit from the potassium and vitamin C in bananas. They’re also an excellent source of fiber and antioxidants.
Potassium
There are around 3.6 milligrams (mg) of potassium in one gram of a banana. Potassium is essential for your Guinea Pig as it ensures their internal organs function as they should.
- Nerve conduction
- Muscle function
- Balancing fluid levels in cells
- Regulating healthy blood flow
So, if you’re looking for a potassium boost in your Guinea Pig’s diet, bananas are an excellent source.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C provides support to your Guinea Pig’s immune system, which helps them to avoid infection and illness. Additionally, it helps keep their skin, joints and gums healthy. Lastly, it helps prevent scurvy, which is actually more common in Guinea Pigs than you might think. Guinea pigs are unable to produce vitamin C and must get all their requirements from their food.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat the Banana Peel?
You could feed your Guinea Pig a small part of the peel, but it isn’t something we’d recommend doing. While it is edible and has less sugar, it is more difficult for the animal to digest than the flesh. It’s also doubtful they’ll be very interested in eating it.
What Are the Disadvantages of Bananas?
Bananas should be avoided in two situations: feeding your Guinea Pig too much and if they have pre-existing health problems. When it comes to fruit, the most significant disadvantage is that they’re very high in sugar. Too much sugar can result in obesity and diabetes.
Something else to be on the lookout for is gas, bloat, and cramps, which can occur thanks to the sugar in a banana. So, it’s important to give your Guinea Pig this yummy fruit only in moderation; try not to give them more than 10–15 grams a week.
How Much Banana Should You Feed Your Guinea Pig?
Serving 10–15 grams a week should be enough, but how does this translate into serving sizes? One banana weighs around 115 to 120 grams, and if you don’t have a food scale, you could cut the banana into 10 pieces, cut one slice into smaller pieces, and serve it to your Guinea Pig.
If this is the first time they’re trying a banana, serve a smaller portion (1/4 of a slice) to see if it agrees with the Guinea Pig’s stomach.
Final Thoughts
Bananas can be a tasty, healthy treat for your Guinea Pig as long as you only serve them occasionally and take precautions. They shouldn’t be a replacement for your pet’s regular diet. Also, it’s best to avoid bananas if your Guinea Pig suffers from kidney problems. Feed your pet only a small amount to see if they like it, and ensure it doesn’t cause any digestive distress.
Read Also:
- Do Guinea Pigs Make Good Pets? What You Should Know!
- How Long Do Guinea Pigs Live? Average Lifespan & Care Tips
Featured Image Credit: t_watanabe, Pixabay
