Can Guinea Pigs Eat Pineapple? Vet Reviewed Benefits
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Pineapple is refreshing and juicy, but can we share it with our guinea pigs? Yes, you can share pineapple with your guinea pig in moderation. Thanks to the yummy taste, it’s also something your guinea pig will enjoy. However, there are some things to keep in mind regarding preparation and how you serve it. So, let’s look at the benefits and some of the downfalls when sharing pineapple with that special piggy in your life.
What Are the Benefits of Pineapple?
This fruit is not only tasty but also healthy in various ways. We’ll discuss how introducing pineapple to your guinea pig might benefit it.
It’s Good for Their Bones
There are 13 milligrams (mg) of calcium in 100 grams (g) of pineapple and 8 mg of phosphorous in 100 g of pineapple, which are extremely beneficial to guinea pigs. Phosphorous and calcium work together to keep your guinea pig’s bones strong. The nerves, heart, and muscles need calcium to function as they should. Phosphorous also repairs damaged tissue and helps remove waste.
Strengthens the Immune System
Vitamin C strengthens your guinea pig’s immune system, allowing its body to fight off illnesses and diseases. Additionally, it’s high in manganese, which is a natural antioxidant that further strengthens their immune system. Not only that, but it prevents aging and fights free radicals that are behind illnesses like cancer.
It’s Good for Their Heart Health
Fruit is generally low in fat compared to alternative sweet treats, and pineapple is no different. Pineapple is high in magnesium, which offers several benefits, including its ability to strengthen the heart muscle.
It Improves Blood Clotting
The vitamin K in pineapple is known for being a coagulant, which means it will help the blood clot. The body’s ability to heal from a scratch or injury is incredibly important, and vitamin K will help with this natural, vital step in recovery.
Low in Calories
Pineapple is an excellent treat because it’s tasty and healthy while still being low in calories and sugar. You will need to feed it to your guinea pig in moderation, but that is the case for all treats, and at least this one won’t have your guinea pig putting on weight!
Why Do You Need to Limit How Much Pineapple Your Guinea Pig Eats?
There are some potential risks when feeding your guinea pig pineapple, but most are related to overfeeding. They should be fine if you give your piggy pineapple once or (at the most) twice a week. So, if you notice any of the following signs, it could mean your guinea pig has ingested too much pineapple:
- Diarrhea: If your guinea pig eats too much pineapple, it might have difficulty digesting the sugar content and could cause an upset stomach and diarrhea.
- Kidney Stones: If too much calcium is in your guinea pig’s diet, they might develop kidney stones and phosphate stones. While calcium is important, your guinea pig will require different amounts of calcium depending on their life stage—an older piggy needs more to keep its bones strong as it ages, for example. On the other hand, a guinea pig that has reached full maturity will need less calcium and more vitamin C, or the calcium could crystalize in the urinary tract and cause phosphate stones. Not only is this uncomfortable and painful for your guinea pig, but it can also be fatal if untreated.
- Obesity: Overeating can cause your guinea pig to gain weight, leading to several other problems. Like humans, they can develop diabetes from eating too many sugary foods.
How Should You Serve Pineapple to Your Guinea Pig?
We’ve said it a lot, but what do we mean when we say feed your guinea pig in moderation? Well, one square-inch cube once a week is an excellent portion. If this is the first time they’ve had pineapple, feed them less to see how they respond. That way, you can keep a lookout for any adverse reactions. If your guinea pig gets an upset stomach, we recommend finding another healthy fruit to serve.
Which Parts of the Pineapple Can Guinea Pigs Eat?
Avoid feeding your pet the leaves since they have small, prickly thorns that can hurt their throat and choke them. The skin is also unsuitable for eating. As you’ve probably noticed, the skin of a pineapple is hard and coarse, and it could easily get stuck in your guinea pig’s throat and cause an obstruction.
You should also cut away the core; while it isn’t toxic, it is tough, which means it will be more difficult to digest. A good rule with fruit is that if you wouldn’t enjoy eating it, your pet probably wouldn’t either. Also, remember to stick to fresh pineapple; canned pineapple is high in sugar and additives.
Final Thoughts
Pineapple is safe for your guinea pig to eat as long as you serve it in moderation. Not only will it be a tasty treat, but there are also many benefits that come with eating pineapple; it’s packed with vitamins and is relatively low in sugar compared to some other treats. Although fresh pineapple is more expensive than canned, it contains less sugar and is safer to serve to your guinea pig.
Related article:
- Can Guinea Pigs Eat Honeydew? Vet-Reviewed Nutrition Facts & FAQ
- Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cantaloupe? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ
Featured Image Credit: Jumpstory
