Are you curious to know whether strawberries are healthy for guinea pigs and if yes, then what are the parts that are unhealthy for them?

In this article, we will discuss foods that should be avoided, foods that can be eaten daily, and specifically different strawberries that are necessary for the guinea pig’s diet.  

Rather than thinking whether guinea pigs should be given strawberries, you must focus on how and which part of strawberries they should be given, such as peeled strawberries or strawberries along with skin, its leaves, seeds, etc. Continue reading this article, to find out the best diet that is healthy and safe for guinea pigs.

Could guinea pigs eat strawberries?

Yes, guinea pigs can eat strawberries but in a limited quantity.

They can be given strawberries, but not too often. Strawberries are like snacks for guinea pigs but can’t be given daily rather it is an occasional diet. Besides, also ensure strawberries are not rotten as it can be fatal for your guinea pigs.

How to feed your guinea pigs strawberries

You may begin with a small amount, and if they respond well, it means they like them.

As fruits are rich in sugar, it is better to start off any fruit in a smaller amount given guinea pigs have a sensitive digestive system. 

Make sure to get the strawberries from a reliable source so you don’t end up getting rotten fruit. Before you cut it into slices, wash it with water in order to scrub away any pesticides or toxic chemicals.  

Then cut the slices into tiny pieces so that your guinea pig can easily swallow them with no trouble. The pieces should be smaller than the bite that is usually given to kids. 

It is better to let the strawberries warm up to room temperature because cold strawberries can cause stomach issues such as stomachache for your guinea pigs. 

Quantity of strawberries recommended for guinea pigs 

A strawberry is a Vitamin C enriched fruit and contains all the necessary minerals needed by guinea pigs.  

Also, it contains 5% of sugar which is too much for guinea pigs. Therefore, you must make sure that a moderate amount of strawberries is eaten by them such as one or two strawberries per week.

In case it is a baby guinea pig, strawberries should be completely avoided. Start with a medium-size strawberry, if everything goes well, increase the quantity gradually. An excess amount of strawberries can cause problems such as obesity, which can lead to further health issues.

Are strawberry leaves and tops healthy for guinea pigs?

Leaves and tops are the best part of a strawberry that can be given to the guinea pigs. Therefore, you must include them whenever you feed your guinea pigs with strawberries.

However, strawberries tops and leaves may contain pesticides and chemicals that are extremely dangerous. It is important to thoroughly wash them before serving them to your guinea pigs so that they are clean from all the dangerous chemicals. 

Are strawberry jam and seeds good for guinea pigs?

As guinea pigs are delicate animals with the sensitive digestive system, therefore you must be careful in including new foods in their diet.

Since jam contains a lot of sugar, you must not include this in their diet. These sweet foods, as mentioned above, are unhealthy for guinea pigs. As far as seeds are concerned, strawberry is among the few fruits whose seeds are excellent for guinea pigs.

Further answers regarding guinea pig’s diet

In this section, we’ll be discussing fruits other than strawberries that can be given to the guinea pigs as well as the fruits that are poisonous to them.  

Fruits that can be given to guinea pigs

There is a long list of fruits that are safe for guinea pigs.

It includes fruits such as mangoes, bananas, apples, blueberries, blackberries, oranges, peaches, pomegranates, pears, melons, and many more.

With this variety of fruits, you can make a delicious salad for your lovely pet. Along with these fruits, you can combine other greeny vegetables such as spinach. However, it is better to avoid apple sauce as it is enriched with an extensive amount of sugar.

Fruits and vegetables that are poisonous for guinea pigs

Diet is an important factor that contributes to the health of an animal.

To protect guinea pigs from dying, you ensure that they do not eat foods that are poisonous. Poisonous foods can be very fatal and can cause the death of guinea pigs. 

Citrus fruits, dairy products, chocolate cereals, buttercups, etc are some foods that must be avoided because they are like poison for guinea pigs unlike us.  

Vegetation present in your garden may have pesticides which are also very dangerous for guinea pig's health, so you may avoid allowing them to eat grass, plants, and other herbs present in your home garden. 

Foods that can be eaten daily

Vitamin C is the key diet for guinea pigs. Hay is a food that can be eaten all day long along with timothy and other foods that contain a lot of fiber.

Vegetables such as tomatoes, broccoli, and green pepper are highly nutritious for guinea pigs because of the high amount of Vitamin C present in them. 

Conclusion

Foods that have a high amount of sugar should be avoided, however, if you see that they also contain Vitamin C then you can include them in the guinea pigs’ diet.

Strawberries have Vitamin C that is essential for guinea, even so, you need to be extra cautious and only allow them to eat strawberries as a treat twice a week rather than serving them every day.

Sugar is not only dangerous for humans, but it is equally dangerous for animals.

It can cause serious health issues such as obesity, diarrhea, and vascular diseases. Guinea pigs are not wild animals having a strong digestive system therefore their diet should be chosen very wisely and carefully.  

Other Questions

How many strawberries can guinea pigs eat a day? 

Being rich in vitamin C and other minerals strawberry is an excellent fruit for guinea pigs. However, if it is served in an excessive amount it can potentially be harmful to your guinea pig’s health.

Therefore, it should only be given once a week or so. The quantity depends on the age of your guinea pigs.

If you have a baby guinea pig, strawberries should not be given at all otherwise 1 to 2 small bit-sized strawberries once a day are enough. Be sure not to give your guinea pigs strawberries more than once or twice a week.

What veggies can guinea pigs eat daily?

Feeding any fruits and vegetables to your guinea pigs is fairly simple and easy because they develop food preferences quite early in life and do not like changes in their diet.

Fresh vegetables should be given once a day but they should be equal to one cup per day.

The majority of your guinea pig’s fresh produce such leafy greens like romaine lettuce, kale, cilantro, or parsley.

Vitamin C is also important so vegetables such as red or green pepper, broccoli, and tomatoes are excellent daily choices. Carrots, zucchini, and sweet potato can also be added once or twice a week. 

What is a guinea pig's favorite food?

Every guinea pig is different but most of them will have particular favourite food or foods.

Carrots and carrot tops, cucumbers, and dandelion leaves are safe bets. High-quality pellets and hay and treats of fruits and vegetables are also guinea pig’s favourites.

For a special snack, you can mix some rolled oats in the pallet or stuff fresh hay in a small cardboard tube. Some guinea pigs also prefer a slice of apple or a stem of broccoli.

However, be careful when giving the guinea pigs their favourite food. Feeding them fruit in moderation is a good idea, as too much can cause sores in the mouth because of the acid present in the fruits.