Can Guinea Pigs Eat Peaches? (Serving Size, Risks & More)

There are not many fruits that can outshine peach in its luscious delectability. The refreshing and mouthwatering taste of peach on a hot summer day can cheer up anyone’s mood. So is it a possibility that we share this delicacy with our small little furry pets.

Can guinea pigs eat peaches? Yes, A Guinea pig can eat peaches for sure. Peaches are a great source of vitamins and minerals for our guinea pigs. But overfeeding might result in some diseases like Mouth sour, fungal infection, etc. Try to feed a small quantity only once a week or so.

They can also cherish this delicacy once in a while. As Guinea pig relish enjoying a variety of tasty treats, we might consider them giving some peach to munch on too.

Peaches and nectarines are generally fruits that lie in a similar category. The only significant difference is the outer skin of the fruit.

While in peaches the outer surface has a fuzzy coat on the other side the nectarines have a smooth one.

But genetically both have similar genetics and contents in it. Nectarines lie somewhere in between of Peach and plums.

We must first understand the diet of Guinea pig plays a vital role in deciding how long will it live and how healthy it would remain.

We must adequately understand the after-effect of any food before serving it to our Guinea pigs. So, let us see how good are peaches and nectarines for Guinea pigs.

Are peaches and Nectarines good for Guinea pigs?

Source: USDA National Nutrient database

Vitamin C	6.6mg/ 100 grams
Calcium	5mg/ 100 grams
Phosphorous	20mg/ 100 grams
Serving	1 small slice very occasionally

Are peaches safe for guinea pigs?

Yes, peaches are completely safe for our guinea pigs.

When we talk about the guinea pig diet, in general, we try to achieve low calcium, high fiber, and vitamin-rich food.

Now when we look at the composition of peach, we can see that its a little calcium and have decent vitamins in it. So, that makes it an excellent choice for the Guinea pig.

Peaches contain a trace amount of vitamin c in it. Along with vitamin C, it also contributes iron, magnesium and other minerals in the Guinea pig’s diet.

Generally, guinea pigs cannot produce their own vitamins so having food rich in different vitamins is suitable for their diet.

Are peaches bad for guinea pigs?

On the flip side, Peach also has a high amount of acids in it along with a decent quantity of sugar. The high sugar content usually makes the fruit not so suitable for your Guinea pig.

Guinea pigs have a sensitive body when it comes to acidic food. Peaches do contain a decent amount of natural acid in it.

The acids often lead to lip sours and fungal infection in guinea pigs which makes peach more of a treat occasionally and not an integral part of a diet.

Also, peaches have a decent amount of sugar(8 gm/ 100gm) in it. Although that might not look like a bid deal for us, it is a bid deal for our guinea pigs.

Guinea pigs are prone to diseases like obesity, diabetes, etc. when we feed them with a diet rich in sugar. Also, too much sugar often leads to diarrhea among guinea pigs.

How much peach can a guinea pig eat?

What we suggest is to serve peach more like a treat to refresh the taste bud of your Guinea pig once in a while.

It’s essential to bring some changes in the diet of Guinea pig every once in a while to keep their taste buds refreshed.

A right serving size for our pigs shall be a slice of peach once a week or so. Try to serve only a small quantity at first, and if the guinea pigs like it, we can increase the amount as per the needs.

But be careful you must not exceed the limit of serving. The health of your cute little pet is entirely dependent on the food you serve to them.

But be careful not to change their diet too much as a drastic change in the diet of guinea pigs often leads to severe health issues in them.

Healthier alternatives to peaches for Guinea pigs

In the wild, the guinea pigs used to eat a variety of diet depending upon their preferences.

They used to have a plethora of options there. So even at our home, we must provide them with a variety of options but at the same time keep a close watch on what would be best for our guinea pigs.

Although fresh fruits only consist of a small part of the guinea pig diet but still play a vital role in their well beings. Let’s see what could be the healthier alternative of peaches in their food.

Guinea Pig Safe Fruits

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Oranges

Oranges are among one of the citrus fruits that Guinea pigs can eat. Orange is a fruit that we should serve only in tiny portions, and we should also remove all the seeds before serving.

It is a fruit that has a punch of Vitamin C which makes it great for strengthening your pet’s immunity.

The Vitamin C in an orange is several times more as compared to peaches.

Apples

Apples and green apples are among those fruits that Guinea pigs can eat. Apples contain vitamins and fibers at the same time which is suitable for your Guinea pigs.

You can also check out our articles on other fruits like Pears, Mangoes, Blueberries, Figs, and Kumquat that Guinea pigs can eat.

Can guinea pigs eat peach skin?

Yes, Guinea pigs can eat peaches along with their skin. Our guinea pigs can nibble on them every once in a while. The odds are our Guinea pig will munch the entire peach with the skin without any difficulty.

But be cautious, Unless the peaches are homegrown organically, they might have traces of chemical fertilizers and pesticides which are harmful to your guinea pigs.

So, You must always ensure to wash away any fruit or vegetables you serve your Guinea pigs before serving it to your furry little friends.

Can guinea pigs eat peach pit?

No, The pit of the peaches must be removed from it before serving it to your guinea pigs. The pit of peaches is really big and hard. It’s a tough one for guinea pigs to chew.

And if they happen to crack it somehow, then it might lead to a nightmare. The inside of pit lies a small amount of cyanide which is harmful to your Guinea pigs. So, its the best of your interest to remove it even before serving it to your Guinea pigs.

How to prepare peaches for Guinea pigs?

Firstly, you need to ensure to wash the skin very properly to get rid of any pesticide or chemical present on the surface of peaches. As you know that chemicals are harmful to Guinea pigs if consumed by them.
Secondly, Cut the Peaches in small Slices. The size must be a small one. If the size of the slice is too big, you might end up feeding them too much, which is not at all healthy for them.
Always remember to remove the pit from the peach. We should not serve the seed of peach to our guinea pigs.
You can put the Peach slices now in their fruit or vegetable container or a bowl.
Always ensure to remove any uneaten fruits from their cage after a few hours as they might be home for rats and flies.

Are white peaches better than regular peaches?

White-fleshed peaches are low in acid and more on the sweeter side as compared to regular peaches which makes it a better choice than a regular peach.

But still, the peach is somewhat acidic and has higher sugar content which again makes it an unfavorable choice for our Guinea pigs. We can serve a slice once in a week or so if we are serving white peach.

You can learn more About Peach Nutritional values from this article.

Can guinea pigs eat canned peaches?

No, guinea pigs cannot eat canned peaches at all. The canned peaches often contain various types of preservatives and chemicals to increase their shelf lives which can adversely harm your Guinea pigs.

Although no such harsh result has been yet reported officially yet it is on the safer side to avoid such food when it comes to our small little friends.

Can cavies eat dried peaches?

Yes, Guinea pigs can eat dried peaches occasionally it is best to avoid it. Dried peaches contain a lot more sugar than the fresh ones, and sugar content often leads to many health diseases like diabetes and obesity in guinea pigs.

You should serve only fresh vegetables and fruits to your guinea pigs. Guinea pigs in the wild used to eat hay, fresh fruits, and vegetables and we must also try to replicate the same environment for them in our home.

We as the pet owners are responsible for taking care of our pets in the best possible manner. So we must serve them with the best diet so that they can live a healthy life.

Conclusion

Peaches are a great source of vitamins and minerals for our guinea pigs.
Can guinea pigs eat peaches? Yes, our guinea pigs can eat peaches but the quantity served should be moderated.
Peaches are acidic and can lead to lip sores in guinea pigs. Do not serve more than the suggested quantity of peaches to your guinea pigs.
Peaches also contain a decent amount of sugar which makes them another concerning factor for our guinea pigs. Guinea pigs are prone to various diseases when we serve a high sugar diet to them.
We can serve a small slice of peach to our guinea pigs once a week but do not serve it frequently as they can lead to lip sore and obesity.
Avoid any pit of peach while serving it to our guinea pigs as they are poisonous and tough to chew for our guinea pigs.
Guinea pigs can eat peaches with the skin, but we need to make sure we wash the surface properly before serving it to our guinea pigs.
Avoid dried and canned peaches as much as possible as those add nearly no value in their diet but can lead to some diseases in our guinea pigs.
The staple part of the guinea pig’s diet is hay. Fruits and vegetables mostly play a role in supplementing the guinea pig’s diet with vitamins and minerals. While veggies are a suitable addition in their daily diet fruits are often served as a treat every week.