Also known as America’s superfood, cherry is a type of berry that is packed with lots of Vitamins and Minerals. It possesses a lot of medical benefits for humans, but how good is cherry for our guinea pigs?
Guinea pigs can eat cherries but only as an occasional treat. Packed with a variety of Vitamins, Minerals & Anti-Oxidants cherry is an excellent snack for our guinea pigs. However, it contains a decent amount of sugar in it. Thus, you can only feed only it in moderation.
Cherries contain a lot of nutrients that are essential for our guinea pigs.
However, It also includes a decent amount of sugar (12.82 g/ 100 g) that is terrible for our guinea pig’s health.
Feeding excess sugar can lead to various health issues in guinea pigs. Thus, it is recommended to monitor the serving size of cherries and feed it as recommended.
So, now you know that you can feed cherries to your guinea pigs you might be wondering how much and how often?
But before we learn, that, let us have a quick look at some of the benefits and hazards of serving cherries to your guinea pigs.
Nutrition in cherry
Source: USDA National Nutrient database
| Nutrients | Amount |
|---|---|
| Vitamin C | 7 mg/ 100 g |
| Vitamin K | 2.1 µg/100 g |
| Vitamin A | 3 µg/ 100 g |
| Carotene | 38 µg/ 100 g |
| Lutein + Zeaxanthin | 85 µg/ 100 g |
| Calcium | 13 mg/ 100 g |
| Phosphorous | 21 mg/ 100 g |
| Potassium | 222 mg/ 100 g |
| Fiber | 2.1 g/ 100 g |
| Sugar | 12.82 g/ 100 g |
| Magnesium | 11 mg/ 100 g |
| Carbs | 16.01 g/ 100 g |
| Calories | 63 Kcal |
| Fat | 0.2 g/ 100 g |
| Water | 82.25 g/ 100 g |
Here are some of the most important nutrients present in cherries:
- Melatonin: Melatonin is an enzyme present in cherries that can help regulate sleep. It basically works by regulating the biological clock of the body. It also calms down the mind and facilitates good, peaceful sleep.
- Anthocyanins: Anthocyanin is yet another rare enzyme present in cherries. This enzyme helps regulate blood pressure and also fights back inflammation. It also helps maintain good cardiovascular health.
- Vitamin C: Cherries also contain some Vitamin C in it. It is an essential vitamin that helps fightback diseases, strengthen the immune system, and prevent diseases like scurvy.
- Vitamin A & Carotene: Vitamin and Beta carotenes are other essential vitamins present in cherries. These vitamins help in maintaining good vision, Promotes healthy growth of hair and skin & aids the immune system of the body.
- Lutein + Zeaxanthin: Cherries also contain some potent antioxidants like Lutein & Zeaxanthin. These antioxidants help the body to combat free radicals. These enzymes also help in maintaining the cholesterol level in the body and aid vision.
Are guinea pigs allowed to eat cherry? Any Hazards?
Yes, cherries are absolutely safe for our guinea pigs if fed in moderation. It contains a decent amount of vitamins and antioxidants needed by our guinea pigs.
However, it also includes a fair amount of sugar which, if left unchecked, can lead to various health issues in our guinea pigs.
Although most of these health issues can be prevented by consuming cherries in the right quantity.
Here are some common health concerns to look out for when you are feeding cherries to your guinea pigs:
Obesity:
Obesity is a common problem in guinea pigs that can happen by feeding them too many calories.
Sugar is one of the major culprits behind obesity problems in guinea pigs. Guinea pigs should be served with a low sugar diet.
The major part of their diet included hay and vegetables and fruits, and treats should only be made occasional to avoid health issues like obesity in your guinea pigs.
Diabetes:
Diabetes is a significant health issue among guinea pigs.
If fed with a diet rich in calories and sugar regularly, guinea pigs are prone to suffer from diabetes and other related health issues.
Studies have found that adding fruits and treats continually on the diet of your guinea pigs can make them more vulnerable to diabetes.
Thus, make sure you serve it in moderation.
Diarrhea:
Diarrhea is a common health problem in guinea pigs that mostly occurs due to two reasons:
- A frequent or significant change in diet
- Overfeeding fruits and vegetables
Thus, make sure you introduce a new vegetable or fruit slowly and in small quantities.
Never feed more than recommended serving of the food as it can do more harm than good to your guinea pigs.
Sore mouth:
Cherries are acidic in nature. Adding a small amount of cherry into your guinea pig diet might not do much harm.
However, serving more than recommended can lead to diseases like a mouth sore in guinea pigs.
In severe cases, it can also lead to a condition called Cheilitis that can be fatal for our guinea pigs.
Is cherry good for guinea pigs? Benefits?
Yes, cherries are suitable for our guinea pigs if served sparsely as a snack.
You should make sure you keep the feeding right to avoid any possible health issues.
Here are some benefits of feeding cherries to your guinea pigs:
Improves digestion:
Cherries are rich in natural fiber and other minerals that can aid the digestion of our guinea pigs.
Having a sensitive digestive system, guinea pigs need a good amount of fiber in their diet.
Adding fruits like cherry can be great for the digestive system of our guinea pigs.
It also helps in flushing out toxins from the digestive system of our guinea pigs.
Improves sleep:
Cherries also contain a rare enzyme called Melatonin.
This enzyme helps in balancing the natural clock of the body and helps improve sleep.
It induces peaceful and calm sleep when served in the right quantity.
Have cancer-preventing properties:
Cherries are rich in antioxidants that are known for their cancer-preventing properties.
Although cancer is not a common disease in guinea pigs, however, a lot of guinea pigs develop a tumor after a certain age that can lead to certain types of cancer in them.
Adding fruits like cherries into your guinea pig diet can help prevent cancer and other such diseases at a later stage of their life.
Reduces Inflammation:
Cherry also contains a rare compound called Anthocyanins that can help reduce inflammation in guinea pigs.
Guinea pigs can suffer from swollen joints, lymph, and other organs that can be fatal for their health.
Adding cherries and similar fruit can help reduce inflammation or even prevent it in some instances.
How often can guinea pigs eat cherries?
Guinea pigs can eat cherries 1-2 times a week. It is recommended to keep the serving frequency in the limit to avoid any possible health issues.
Also, make sure you space out the serving and not serve them cherries back to back.
For example, If you serve cherry on Monday, then the next meal of cherry should not go before Thursday.
It would be ideal if you keep a similar gap and make your own feeding schedule.
It is recommended to serve cherries just as a treat and follow it with veggies like lettuce, bell peppers, cucumber, zucchini, carrots, etc. to create a healthy and balanced diet for your guinea pigs.
How many cherries can guinea pigs eat?
It is recommended to serve no more than a small piece of cherry at a time to your guinea pigs.
Cherries are rich in sugar that can be bad for their health. Too much sugar can lead to diarrhea and obesity in guinea pigs.
Thus, a small feeding once in a while is advised.
Always remember that fruits are not the major part of your guinea pig’s diet.
The staple part of your guinea pig’s diet is Hay and Vegetables, and you should keep it that way.
Can guinea pigs eat cherries with pits?
No, guinea pigs cannot eat cherry pits. Studies prove that seeds of apples and cherries contain cyanide that can lead to the unnatural death of your guinea pigs.
Thus, always make sure you remove the pit of the cherry before serving it to your guinea pigs.
Can guinea pigs eat cherry tree leaves?
No, guinea pigs cannot eat cherry tree leaves.
The leaves of cherry trees are finely serrated which means they have a small toothed edge that can be bad for your guinea pig’s throat and body in general.
It also contains traces of prussic acid(hydrogen cyanide) that is fatal for our guinea pig’s health if consumed.
Thus, make sure you avoid serving cherry trees leaves to your guinea pigs.
Can guinea pigs eat cherry tree branches?
No, guinea pigs cannot eat cherry tree Branches.
The branches of cherry trees also contain prussic acid that converts into cyanide as the leaves get wilted.
Thus, serving cherry tree branches to our guinea pigs can be life-threatening for them.
Can guinea pigs eat the cherry blossom?
No, guinea pigs cannot eat cherry tree blossoms. The blossom of the cherry tree also contains a trace amount of cyanide that can be fatal for our guinea pigs. Thus, make sure you avoid serving it to your guinea pigs.
Can guinea pigs eat dried cherries?
No, it is recommended to avoid feeding dry cherries to our guinea pigs.
According to Foodcentral data dried cherry contains over five times more sugar than the fresh ones.
Thus, it is recommended to avoid dried cherries altogether.
Can guinea pigs drink cherry juice?
No, guinea pigs cannot drink cherry juice as it contains a decent amount of sugar in it.
The readymade juice available in the market also contains added ingredients like preservatives and stabilizers that are bad for our guinea pig’s health.
Thus, make sure you avoid serving cherry juice to your guinea pigs.
Can guinea pigs eat canned cherries?
No, guinea pigs cannot eat canned cherries at all.
The canning process usually requires the addition of certain preservatives and chemicals that can be terrible for our guinea pig’s health.
Thus, avoid serving any canned food to your guinea pigs.
Can guinea pigs eat frozen cherries?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat frozen cherries, but it needs to be thawed and brought to room temperature before serving to your guinea pigs.
Cold or frozen food can be bad for your guinea pigs digestive system. It can also lead to digestive issues like diarrhea in guinea pigs.
Thus, make sure you bring cherries to room temperature if you decide to feed frozen cherry to your guinea pigs.
How to prepare a cherry for your cavies?
Preparing cherries for your guinea pigs can be simple and straightforward. However, there are certain things you need to ensure. Here is a simple process you can follow:
- Make sure you choose a fresh and ripe cherry for your guinea pigs. Selecting a ripe cherry can be tricky. Look for heavy & firm cherries with a shiny skin and fresh stem. The stems of sweet cherry remain intact while sour cherry loses its stem as it ripens.
- The second step is to wash the cherry properly. Make sure you get rid of any dirt or chemical from the skin.
- The third step is to deseed the cherry. Always make sure you remember to remove the seed and twig of the cherry before serving.
- Now you can either hand feed the cherry or throw it in with other veggies.
- Lastly, you need to remove any uneaten fruits or vegetables from the cage to avoid fly and rats infestation in the cage.
Conclusion: Guinea pigs and Cherries
- Cherries are rich sources of Vitamin A, Vitamin C & other nutrients needed by our guinea pigs.
- Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cherries? Yes, guinea pigs can eat cherries but only as an occasional treat.
- You should only feed cherries 1-2 times a week to your guinea pigs.
- Also, make sure you feed no more than one cherry at a time to a guinea pig.
- Overfeeding cherries can lead to severe health issues, including Obesity, Diarrhea & Diabetes.
- Make sure you remove the twig, leaves, and seed of cherry before serving it to your guinea pigs.
- Always remember the staple part of the guinea pig’s diet is hay and a small portion of fresh veggies. Fruits are only supplements or snacks that you should be serving once in a while.
FAQ
Can guinea pigs eat black cherries?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat black cherries in moderation.
Can guinea pigs eat ground cherries?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat ground cherries but only in a small quantity.
Can guinea pigs eat bing cherries?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat bing cherries. Make sure you limit the serving as it contains a decent amount of sugar in it.
Can guinea pigs east red cherries?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat red cherries but only in small quantities.
Sources: Health Benefits of Cherries, Cherries for Weight Loss, Heart Health & Good Sleep, Diet Composition and Mineral Balance in Guinea Pigs, Dietary Vitamin C, and Vitamin E on Guinea Pig Immune Responses to Mitogens, Vitamin C requirements of the guinea-pig, Is Your Guinea Pig’s Diet Providing the Right Nutrients? Care of Guinea Pigs.
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