Can Guinea Pigs eat Kiwi? My guinea pig Coco loves to nibble on fruits, which made me wonder if she would enjoy this healthy snack.
Fortunately, Yes, they can. Kiwi has a good source of vitamin C, but it should be fed with caution due to its high sugar content and acidic taste.
Here’s what I learned about Kiwi’s nutritional value and its benefits and risks when feeding your pet.
READ MORE: Best Food for Guinea Pigs to Eat
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Guinea pigs can eat Kiwi but only in moderation.
- Feed cavies kiwi only once or twice a week.
- Kiwi has a lot of nutritional value that is beneficial to cavies.
Is It Safe For Guinea Pigs To Eat Kiwi?
Yes, kiwi is safe for guinea pigs to eat. Kiwi fruit doesn’t contain any toxins and doesn’t cause any health issues for them.
But it does have a lot of sugar, which can lead to obesity and diabetes. Weight gain in guinea pigs leads to shorter lifespans because they develop health issues as a result of being overweight.
While Kiwi is high in water, too much water can induce an upset stomach and eventually loose stool in your guinea pig. This will lead to dehydration from the water excreted in his excrement.
As with any calcium-containing food, excessive consumption might result in bladder stones. The high calcium content in Kiwi is detrimental to your pet’s health.
Another thing you need to watch out for is the skin of the Kiwi. While it doesn’t have any toxin, it’s too harsh and could cause the cavies to choke on them.
Guinea pigs are intelligent creatures who usually eat the flesh of the Kiwi and leave their skin alone.
Overall, moderation is required when it comes to feeding kiwi consumption to your pet to avoid any health complications.
But do not be scared of the above risks; Kiwi has many health benefits.
Health Benefits of Kiwi for Guinea Pigs
Kiwi fruit is packed with vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients. Guinea pigs can gain a lot of health benefits from eating Kiwi.
One kiwi fruit, about 69 grams (g), has the following:
- 42 calories (cal)
- 215 milligrams (mg) of potassium
- 1 g of dietary fiber, or 8 percent DV
- 8 g of protein, or 2 percent DV
- 23 mg of calcium, or 2 percent DV
- 64 mg of vitamin C, or 107 percent DV
- 2 g of sugar
- 1 mg of vitamin E, or 5 percent DV
- eight micrograms (mcg) of vitamin K, or 35 percent DV
- 7 mg of magnesium, or 3 percent DV
- 60 international units (IU) of vitamin A, or 1 percent DV
- 17 mcg of folate
The above data is according to the USDA. [1]
Below are some health benefits of feeding kiwi to your guinea pigs:
1-Prevent Scurvy
Kiwi is high in vitamin C, which can help prevent scurvy. Guinea pigs, especially those in captivity, are prone to scurvy.
Scurvy is a disease caused by a deficiency in vitamin C. If they go too long without this vitamin, they’ll start having health issues such as fatigue, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and eventually death.
2-Bone Health
Kiwi fruit is a good source of calcium. [2] This mineral is essential for bone development.
Baby guinea pigs need a lot of calcium in their diet since they grow up quickly. Also, older guinea pigs need plenty of calcium in their diet too.
3-Weight Loss
Kiwi is great for weight loss as it is low in fat and calories. The high fiber also aids in bowel movement and good digestion.
4-Energy
Kiwi contains essential energy sources that help your cavy function well. They also contain potassium which aids in maintaining blood pressure levels.
5-Healthy Skin & Good Eyesight
Kiwi is a good source of Vitamin E that is great for healthy skin and better eyesight.
6-Antioxidants
The antioxidants like Vitamin A in Kiwi keep the organs like lungs, kidneys, and heart functioning properly. [3]
How To Feed Kiwi To Guinea Pigs?
When feeding your guinea pigs kiwi fruit, you can feed them fresh fruit or mix it with other fruits.
1. Fresh Kiwi Fruit
If you’re going to feed them fresh Kiwi, ensure it’s fresh. At its freshest, it will have the most nutrition.
Start by cutting the Kiwi in halves. Then scoop out the green flesh and cut them into small cube sizes. If you’re going to feed them baby guinea pigs, make sure to mash them first.
Place the Kiwi into its feeding bowl and put it in its cage.
2. Fruit Salad
Mixing Kiwi with other fruits is a great way to boost their nutrition. Besides Kiwi, you can add strawberries, bananas, apples, and berries.
For each fruit, cut just a tiny piece from each. Fruits have a high sugar and water content, so you don’t want to give them too much.
Once you have all the fruits cut, place them into their feeding bowl and give them to the cavies to enjoy.
Here are some other tips for feeding these healthy treats to your pet.
How Much Kiwi To Feed A Guinea Pig?
While the kiwi fruit is safe for guinea pigs to eat, it should be fed to them in moderation.
For baby guinea pigs, you should not feed them any kiwi.
For adult guinea pigs, you can feed them a small piece of Kiwi once or twice per week.
Due to the kiwi fruit’s high content of sugar and water, it should be fed to them in moderation.
Can Baby Guinea Pigs Eat Kiwi?
No, baby guinea pigs can’t eat any kiwi. They are too young and could easily choke.
However, you can start introducing kiwis to them once they are at least four weeks old. Peel away the outer skin and mash the flesh. You can feed them the seeds as well.
After giving them mashed Kiwi, 3-wait 24 hours to see if they have any allergic reaction. If they do, stop feeding them kiwis.
If there’s no allergic reaction and the baby guinea pigs seem to enjoy eating it, you can continue feeding them. Only give them a small piece of Kiwi once a week until they are adults.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Kiwi Seeds and Skin?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat kiwi seeds, but not the skin. The seeds are small and soft and won’t cause any choking hazards.
As for Kiwis, the skin contains a lot of fiber nutrients and other nutrition, but it’s unsafe for them to eat. The skin is too tough and will be hard for them to digest. Also, it poses a choking hazard for them.
The skin also harbors pesticides that have harmful effects on your cavy.
3 Other Fruits That Guinea Pigs Can Eat
1. Pears
Pear makes an excellent snack for guinea pigs. It’s full of nutrition and healthy for them to eat. Due to the high sugar and water content, pears should be fed to them in moderation. Too much could cause them to have diarrhea and an upset stomach.
2. Dragon Fruit
Dragon fruit is a fruit that’s high in antioxidants and other nutrients. The fruit is also high in water, which can be unsafe for them. To keep dragon fruit from causing any issues, feed them in moderation.
3. Oranges
Guinea pigs eat oranges, loaded with vitamin C and a good deal of other nutrients. Guinea pigs need vitamin C daily to keep them healthy.
Even though oranges are nutritious, they are also high in water content. Too much water will cause diarrhea and an upset stomach.
What Else Can Guinea Pigs Eat?
Guinea pigs have a varied diet that includes fruits, vegetables, hay, and pelleted foods. [4] If you’re wondering what else guinea pigs can eat besides the foods listed above, here is an extensive list of other food items your pet will enjoy:
- Basil
- Brocolli
- Brussel sprouts
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Carrots
- Cilantro
- Clover
- Coriander
- Dandelion greens
- DIll
- Kale
- Leaf lettuce
- Marigold
- Parsley
- Rocket
- Romaine lettuce
- Rosemary
- Snow Peas
- Tomatoes
RELATED: Can Guinea Pigs Have Grapefruit?
What Foods Should Guinea Pigs Not Eat?
Guinea pigs are a popular pet for many people. They are easy to care for and can live in an apartment or house without a problem. However, some foods should not be fed to guinea pigs. These include:
- Avocado
- Buttercup
- Cereal
- Chives
- Coconuts
- Canned foods
- Cooked foods
- Dairy products
- Fruit cores, pits, and seeds
- Garlic
- Garlic
- Grapes
- Juice
- Meat
- Nuts
- Nuts – these can cause digestive problems
- Onions
- Onions
- Potato plant
- Raisins
- Rhubarb
- Tomato leaves and stems
- Unripe tomatoes
FAQs
Can guinea pigs eat golden kiwi?
Yes, they can. The golden Kiwi has more vitamin c than the green Kiwi. You are making it more beneficial for your pet guinea pig.
What fruit is good for guinea pigs?
Guinea pigs love berries like cranberries, blueberries, and strawberries. These fruits are delicious, low in sugar, and packed with nutrients.
How many times a day should you feed a guinea pig?
A guinea pig should be fed every morning and evening to avoid overeating and obesity.
How long can guinea pigs go without hay?
Guinea pigs should eat every day because fiber is essential for a guinea pig’s health.
Conclusion
Can guinea pigs eat Kiwi? YES, Kiwi fruit is a fruit that’s packed with essential vitamins and minerals.
Guinea pigs can gain a lot of health benefits from eating this fruit. However, due to their high amount of water, kiwis should be fed to the cavies in moderation.
This means a small piece of Kiwi, once or twice per week, is enough for them to enjoy.
So, did you ever tried feeding kiwi to your guinea pig? Let us know in the comment section if they liked it.
Sources
1. USDA Food Composition Databases. Usda.gov. Published 2019. https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/
2. Lucas JS, Lewis SA, Hourihane JO. Kiwi fruit allergy: A review. Pediatric Allergy and Immunology. 2003;14(6):420-428. doi:10.1046/j.0905-6157.2003.00095.x
3. Siddique A, Idrees N, Kashif M, et al. ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF KIWI FRUIT. Biological and Clinical Sciences Research Journal. 2021;2021(1). doi:10.54112/bcsrj.v2021i1.76
4 . Cooperman JM, Waisman HA, Elvehjem CA. Nutrition of the Golden Hamster. Experimental Biology and Medicine. 1943;52(3):250-254. doi:10.3181/00379727-52-14107
My name is Ben Roberts, and I absolutely love animals. So, naturally, I love writing about them too! As far as my animals, I have a Pit-bull, a Beagle-lab mix, a Chihuahua, and one old cat. Each one of them provides me with a new adventure every day. And the best part is they’re all best friends. Well, except the cat when he gets a little annoyed.
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good post