Can Guinea Pigs Eat Peaches? Benefits, Risks & Feeding Tips

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So, can guinea pigs eat peaches?

Yes, guinea pigs can eat peaches. They are a good source of vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin K, and potassium, among many other nutrients. Then again, it’s essential to know how much is enough.

Below I’ll tell guinea pig owners everything they need to know before feeding them peaches!

Key Takeaways:

  • Pears are safe to feed guinea pigs in moderation.
  • Pears are a good source of vitamin C, vitamin A, and potassium, among other nutrients which can benefit guinea pigs.
  • When given in excess, peaches can cause mouth sores, fungal infections, and digestive problems in guinea pigs due to their high acid and sugar content.

READ MORE: What is the Best Food for Guinea Pigs?

Is It Safe For Guinea Pigs To Eat Peaches?

Overall, peaches are safe for guinea pigs to eat. Aside from its seeds, peaches don’t contain toxins that could harm guinea pigs and are a good source of vitamins and minerals when given in the right amount.

peaches on table but can guinea pigs eat peaches

But then, pears have high acid and sugar content. For this reason, it’s best to feed peaches to them in moderation to avoid any health issues.

READ MORE: Can Guinea Pig Eat Jackfruit?

Can Baby Guinea Pigs Eat Peaches?

Yes, baby guinea pigs can eat peaches, but you should wait until they are at least three weeks old. At this age, they are too small, and the peaches could be a choking hazard.

You can start feeding them peaches once they are at least three weeks old. Start by giving them a small piece of peach and then look for any allergic reaction.

Allergy symptoms include gas, bloating, or diarrhea. Guinea pig owners should stop feeding peaches if they notice any of this. If no symptoms occur, you may continue giving them small pieces of peach.

How Many Peaches Are Safe for Guinea Pigs?

Sweet and acidic fruits like peaches should only make up 10% of a guinea pig diet. The rest of their regular diet should be made up of hay, pellets, and leafy greens.

So, I recommend giving them a few slices of peaches once to twice a week.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Peach Skin?

Yes, guinea pigs can eat peach skin. The peel is soft and edible, which will not be a problem for the guinea pigs to eat and digest.

peaches on table but can guinea pigs eat peaches skin

However, if you’re giving them store-bought peaches, you should avoid feeding peach peels to your pet. This is to prevent any harmful chemicals that peaches are usually grown in.

On the other hand, if the peaches were grown organically, you can feed them the peel.

Risks Of Feeding Peaches to Guinea Pigs

Frequently feeding your guinea pig sweet fruits like peaches can cause obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

Due to their high amount of natural acid, peaches can also cause mouth sores, fungal infections, and digestive problems in your piggy.

A pet owner should also look out for the chemicals peaches are grown in. Fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides used in their growth process could be a health risk to your guinea pig.

To be safe, always wash them thoroughly first. You should also consider only feeding them peaches that are organically grown.

Now that you have the answer to the question, ‘can guinea pigs eat peaches?’ and what to look out for when doing so, I will discuss its many health benefits below!

What Nutrients Do Peaches Contain?

Peaches are a good source of fiber, vitamins, antioxidants, and other nutrients.

One peach (147 grams) provides approximately:

  • Calories: 67.6 kcal
  • Protein: 1.34 g
  • Fat: less than 1 g
  • Carbs: 14 g
  • Fiber: 2.2 g
  • Vitamin C: 6.03 mg
  • Vitamin A: 35.3 µg
  • Potassium: 179 mg
  • Niacin: 1.18 mg
  • Vitamin K: 4.41 µg
  • Copper: O.115 mg
  • Manganese: 0.038 mg

The above data is from the USDA [1]

Health Benefits of Peaches for Guinea Pigs

Peaches are a favorite fruit for many people around the world. They’re easy to grow, taste great, and are pretty nutritious. In addition, they’re available year-round, making them an affordable treat.

Below are the main health benefits of feeding peaches to your guinea pigs:

1. Promotes Healthy Growth and Development

Peaches are high in vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and folate. They are also good sources of carbohydrates, protein, and fiber. Guinea pigs need these nutrients to grow and develop properly.

2. Prevents Scurvy

Sadly, guinea pigs are unable to store vitamin C in their body. This puts them at risk for scurvy, a disease that is caused by a vitamin C deficiency.

Peaches are an excellent source of vitamin C available for humans. Guinea pigs also benefit from these nutrients when consumed.

Giving peaches can help boost vitamin C in your pet’s body and prevent problems such as painful joints, fatigue, weight loss, dental issues, bleeding, diarrhea, and hair loss.

3. Aid in Digestion

Fiber is essential to keep your guinea pig’s digestive tract working smoothly. Peaches, which are good sources of fiber, can help the proper digestion of food.

They can also reduce constipation, improve stool consistency, and prevent intestinal parasites.

4. Boost Immunity

Guinea pigs are prone to several illnesses, including respiratory diseases, urinary problems, parasites, and tumors. Eating peaches, however, can increase their immunity against these conditions.

Peaches are rich in vitamin C, which can help protect guinea pigs from diseases. It also contains vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that helps the body fight infection.

When loaded with these vitamins, your guinea pigs will have a lesser chance of getting sick. If they do get sick, they’ll recover quickly.

5. Reduces Cancer Risk

Yes, guinea pigs can develop cancer too. Thankfully, the phytochemicals found in peaches can help prevent this by reducing cell damage in their bodies.

This means that regular consumption of peaches can help prevent cancer cells and tumors from forming and spreading throughout your pet’s body.

6. Prevent Kidney Stones

Lastly, peaches are a good source of potassium which helps prevent urinary diseases such as kidney stones in guinea pigs. Potassium also helps maintain normal blood pressure levels and fluid balance levels in the body.

How To Feed Peaches To Guinea Pigs?

To feed peaches to guinea pigs, follow the simple steps below:

  • Wash a ripe peach thoroughly. Unripe peaches are too bitter and acidic.
  • Cut the peach in half and remove its seed
  • Remove the peach skin (optional)
  • Cut the peach flesh into small pieces.
  • Give your guinea pigs the slices of peach one at a time.

If this is your first time feeding them peaches, be sure to offer them just a tiny piece first. This will allow you to see if they have any allergic reactions to it.

Don’t stick to just feeding them peaches. Instead, have a rotation of different fruits throughout the week. This will prevent overfeeding and give them additional nutrition not found in peaches.

For more ideas on what to feed guinea pigs, jump to the next section or watch the youtube video below:

Other Fruits That Guinea Pigs Can Eat

Below are more fruits that can serve as occasional treats for your guinea pig.

1. Pears

Guinea pigs eat pears; aside from their seeds, pears [2] are also not harmful to guinea pigs. Like peaches, pears are packed with nutrients, including vitamin C, potassium, and phosphorus, among others.

2. Bananas

This tropical fruit is very rich in potassium, fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin B6, to mention a few [3]. Common fruits like bananas are also a great source of energy for any pet.

3. Blueberries

Blueberries are another good fruit for guinea pigs. It’s low in calories but is a good source of vitamin C, K, and fiber. You may feed them two pieces of blueberries once or twice a week.

4. Watermelon

The seeds inside watermelons are toxic to guinea pigs. However, the rest of the fruit is safe to feed a guinea pig. You can feed them whole watermelon slices or cut-up melon cubes.

They are also available in juice form.

CHECK: Do Guinea Pigs Like Watermelon?

5. Pomegranates

Pomegranate is one of the healthiest fruits out there. It’s rich in antioxidants and flavonoids [4], essential in fighting cell damage even in guinea pigs.

It has an anti-inflammatory effect and helps fight cancer as well. If you want to give them pomegranates, ensure the seeds are removed before giving them to them.

READ MORE: Are Oranges Good for Guinea Pigs?

FAQs

Do guinea pigs like peaches?

Yes! The taste of peach is sweet, and guinea pigs love juicy fruits like peaches just as much as we humans do.

Can guinea pigs eat white peaches?

can guinea pig eat white peaches

Yes, white peaches are even said to be better for guinea pigs than regular peaches because they contain lower amounts of acid. [5]

Can guinea pigs eat canned peaches?

Guinea pigs should not be given canned peaches. These peaches have many additives and preservatives that can adversely affect your guinea pig. A fresh peach is still ideal.

Can guinea pigs eat frozen peaches?

frozen peaches but can guinea pigs eat peaches

Yes, although I don’t recommend feeding them frozen peaches. This is because frozen peaches are filled with too much water, which can cause bloating and diarrhea in guinea pigs.

Can guinea pigs eat dried peaches?

Yes, but it is best to feed them a minimal amount of dried peaches. This is because dried fruits usually have more calories and sugar than fresh fruits.

How about peach leaves and stems?

Avoid giving guinea pigs peach stems and leaves, as this can be a choking hazard. They’re also underwhelming and don’t compare to the taste of peach flesh.

Conclusion

So, can guinea pigs eat peaches? Yes! Peaches are a nutritious and tasty treat for guinea pigs. But due to its high amounts of sugar and acid, it’s best to feed them peaches in moderation.

Feed your guinea a few slices of peaches from time to time. Aside from peaches, there are many other types of fruits for guinea pigs to enjoy.

guinea pig waving at peach but can guinea pigs eat peaches

So, do you feed peaches to your guinea pigs? Let us know in the comments section!

References:

  • 1. FoodData Central [Internet]. fdc.nal.usda.gov. [cited 2022 Nov 9]. Available from: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/325430/nutrients
  • 2. Can Guinea Pigs Eat Pears? – Small Pet Hub [Internet]. [cited 2022 Nov 9]. Available from: https://smallpethub.com/can-guinea-pigs-eat-pears/
  • 3. Hrefna Palsdottir, MS. Bananas: Good or Bad? [Internet]. Healthline. Healthline Media; 2017. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/bananas-good-or-bad
  • 4. Health Benefits of Pomegranates [Internet]. WebMD. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-pomegranates
  • 5. What’s the Difference? White and Yellow Peaches [Internet]. Kitchn. Available from: https://www.thekitchn.com/whats-the-difference-white-and-1-120174
Ben Roberts
Ben Roberts

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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