If you are a strawberry addict like me, then you might be waiting for summer like anything. There is nothing better than a strawberry salad in the summer heat. But are you also wondering if your pet can share it with you? Can guinea pigs eat strawberries?
Guinea pigs can eat strawberries. Strawberries can provide a lot of vitamins C and other essential minerals needed for guinea pigs. But it is also a little high in sugar, which makes them a tasty treat if given in moderation. Overfeeding can lead to some severe health issues like Diabetes, Obesity, etc.
As I always say, every pet is different. Just because now you know that your guinea pig can eat strawberry doesn’t imply that he will love the taste and start munching it as soon as you give it to them.
Some guinea pigs may enjoy the taste while some don’t. It’s completely natural.
If you find your guinea pig loved them and are craving for more, then you might serve them a slice every once in a while. But if it doesn’t, then later you might try some other fruits for your guinea pigs.
Fruits like pears, watermelon, apple, bananas, etc. are also a great addition to their diet.
You can also learn more about guinea pigs diet from our A-Z guide on guinea pig diet.
Nutrition in strawberry?
Nothing can be better than munching strawberry all around the summer and enjoying the delicacy with our guinea pigs. But how nutritious are strawberries? Let’s find out.
Strawberry is once such fruit that contains a colossal amount of vitamin C in it. Vitamin C is an essential vitamin for the body as it helps strengthen the body’s immune system.
It also helps in preventing a lot of other cardio diseases. Strawberry do contain a trace amount of fiber in it. 2 grams/ 100 gram of fruit is an adequate amount of fiber for the body.
It helps in maintaining our digestive system and keeping diseases like constipation and irregular stools in check.
Strawberries are also packed with antioxidants. Antioxidants are also a crucial element for the body as it helps prevent many diseases and flush out the toxic waste from the body.
Strawberry also contains the right amount of folic acid(Folate) in it. It is something the body needs in a growing stage as well as later to prevent vascular diseases.
So, How do all these nutrients benefit our guinea pigs? And can guinea pig eat strawberry just like we do, or does it have any side effects in them? Let’s find out!
Are Strawberries Good for Guinea pigs?
Yes, Strawberries does contain the right amount of vitamins and minerals needed by Guinea pigs. The Guinea pig does require a well-balanced diet to live a healthy life.
Strawberry is an excellent supplement in guinea pig’s diet. The most imperative reason why we want to include strawberry in our guinea pig diet would be because of its Vitamin C content.
The content of vitamin C in strawberry is quite high as compared to other fruits and vegetables.
Vitamin C is an integral part of their diet as it helps prevent diseases like scurvy among Guinea pigs.
The strawberries also contain a good chunk of fiber in it. Fiber is an essential part of a guinea pigs diet as it helps in maintaining their digestive system.
Guinea pigs always need fiber-rich food to stay healthy in the long run.
The strawberry also contains the right amount of protein, magnesium, iron, and other essential minerals which are vital for the overall development of Guinea pigs.
It also includes a lot of antioxidants in it, which is helpful for well being of our guinea pigs.
Amid everything, we must not forget that strawberry does have a downside to it. And before we serve it to our guinea pig, we must learn about it too.
Are Strawberries Bad For Your Guinea pigs?
Although the strawberries contain essential vitamins and minerals, they do have some downside on our furry little pets. The first and foremost would be the sugar content.
Strawberry has a good share of sugar in it, approx 5%, i.e., 5 grams/ 100 grams. Now that might not be a significant figure for us, but it’s a matter of concern for guinea pigs.
Too much sugar in their diet can often lead to diseases like diabetes, stomach upset, etc. which is fatal if left unchecked.
The second concern that we must be aware of is the amount of natural acid in the fruit. Strawberry is acidic and also contains folic acid in it.
Having too much acidic food can often lead to mouth sores and other critical health diseases in Guinea pigs.
Strawberry also contains a high amount of calcium in it, leading to diseases like bladder stone if served combined with other high calcium food. So, the amount of calcium we serve needs strict monitoring.
Strawberry can contribute to a significant chunk of vitamins in a guinea pig’s diet. But we should not miss that the substantial part of their diet should be hay.
It helps in maintaining the fiber need of their body as well as wear down the ever-growing teeth in guinea pigs.
Serving only a diet containing vegetables and fruit can definitely fulfill the need for vitamins and minerals, but that will lead to guinea pigs’ dental diseases.
We must follow the golden ratio, which I had discussed in our diet article, and keep fruit at 5-10% of their diet proportion.
How often can they eat strawberry?
Everything in excess is opposed to nature .
As the proverb improvises, everything in excess could be wrong. The same applies to strawberries in the case of guinea pigs.
Strawberry is an excellent fruit packed with lots of vitamin and minerals, but if served in excess could be harmful to your guinea pigs health.
Strawberry must be served once a week or so. The quantity of serving must not exceed one strawberry sliced into pieces.
Approximately one tablespoon or so would be great for serving our guinea pigs(a small strawberry).
We might get tempted watching our guinea pigs get excited about the sweet little treat. But we must control our emotions and serve only the quantity that is right for their health.
Are strawberry leaves poisonous to guinea pigs?
Strawberry leaves are not poisonous to guinea pigs. Guinea pigs can surely eat strawberries leaves. Strawberry leaves are infused with antioxidants. Only a few people know about the nutrition of strawberry leaves.
Strawberry leaves are a great way to treat diseases like Diarrhea, Vascular diseases, etc. I have not found or read about any harmful effects of strawberry leaves in guinea pigs.
And after reading about its benefits, I have surely made it a part of my guinea pig’s diet.
But we cautious and only serve a limited portion. Leaves of plants are no replacement for Hay, a staple part of the guinea pig’s diet.
You can learn more about its nutrition from this site.
Can guinea pigs eat strawberries tops?
Strawberries tops are a great addition to our guinea pig’s diet. I would say they are better than the fruit itself. The sugar content is lower, but at the same time, the fiber and vitamin C is prominent.
I often toss a few tops every once in a while while I have the strawberry. My guinea pigs love to munch on it. Although the same might not be the case with yours. Guinea pigs are picky when it comes to food choices.
Can guinea pigs eat strawberry jam?
No, guinea pigs cannot eat strawberry jam at all. Strawberry jam is far too sweet for guinea pigs.
Guinea pigs are sensitive pets you cannot just throw any food in. We need to take proper care of their diet. Too much sweet or processed food can lead to serious health diseases.
Can guinea pigs eat strawberry seeds?
Yes, It is okay if your guinea pigs munch on the strawberry along with its seed. There are few vegetables and fruits whose seeds are excellent for guinea pigs.
Cucumber, cherry tomato, grapes, etc. is no problem at all. The seeds of these are very tiny and soft, so guinea pigs have no problem nibbling at them.
You can also remove the seed and serve them food if you want. But make sure you don’t help your guinea pigs with bad seeds like that of apple, watermelon, etc.
Can guinea pigs eat dried strawberries?
No, Dried strawberry is not something you should serve to your guinea pigs. Dried strawberry and other fruits often contain very high sugar content, which is not so safe for your guinea pigs.
How to prepare strawberries for our guinea pigs?
Serving your pet with fresh fruit and vegetables comes with a challenge. The challenge is to help them in the right way. Today we are going to learn the step-by-step guide to prepare strawberries for guinea pigs.
- Firstly, we need to choose the right strawberry for our guinea pigs. The strawberry must be ripe and fresh. Storing a strawberry in a refrigerator for a few days often takes away most of its benefits. Try to serve only fresh strawberries to your guinea pigs.
- The second step is to wash the strawberry properly. Strawberries are bound to be sprayed with chemicals to keep away the pests. Improper cleaning could be fatal for your Guinea pig’s health.
- The third step is to slice the strawberry into small chunks that your guinea pigs can nibble onto. Try to serve small pieces as they are more comfortable for guinea pigs to eat. It also reduces the chances of choking.
- Try to serve only the quantity suggested. Avoid any overfeeding as it may do more harm than good. Also, remember to remove any uneaten fruits within a few hours itself. As bacteria get attracted to such fruit very fast, and having it later can cause an ill effect on guinea pigs.
Conclusion
Coming back to the question we started with, can guinea pigs eat strawberries? Yes, They definitely can eat strawberries, but the quantity of serving need strict monitoring.
We must also help them with fresh and ripe fruit only. Guinea pigs have a delicate digestive system, and unripe food or spoiled food can easily offset their balance of the body.
Also, be very careful if you are introducing strawberry into their diet. Keep a close watch on their stool and take any necessary action if you find any signs of diarrhea or other health issues.
Finally, Keep feeding your guinea pigs with their staple diet, i.e., hay in most parts. Only feed with fruits as a supplement for vitamins and minerals every once in a while.