Last Updated on March 9, 2023 by Woody Pet
Can guinea pigs eat strawberries? Detailed review and tips
Strawberries are very popular and enjoyed in many ways around the world. But can guinea pigs eat strawberries? Yes, guinea pigs can eat strawberries as they are a good source of nutrients and minerals that are essential for your pet’s health. The only issue with strawberries is the high sugar content, so you should observe the recommended serving sizes and frequency.
Read on to learn more about the health benefits, nutritional value, potential risks, serving sizes and frequency, preparation, and more.
Health benefits of strawberries
Strawberries are very sweet, and your guinea pig will devour them in delight. These fruits offer guinea pigs the following health benefits.
- Regulation of blood sugar
Even though strawberries are known to contain a lot of sugar, they can help to maintain optimum sugar levels in your guinea pig’s body. They are rich in dietary fiber, which plays a crucial role in the regulation of blood sugar levels.
- Helps in the digestion process
Digestion is a critical process that involves the extraction of nutrients from food. Since most guinea pigs do not have a robust digestive system, you need to give them a balanced diet. Strawberries contain dietary fiber that makes digestion easier and helps in bowel movement.
- Eliminates free radicals
Free radicals are produced naturally by the metabolic processes in the body. The accumulation of these radicals can cause cell damage and even diseases. Strawberries contain numerous antioxidants that help in the removal of free radicals.
- Helps to reduce inflammation
Swelling can occur due to injury or infection. The body should respond naturally and should raise concern if it becomes chronic. Strawberries are rich in antioxidants that aid in reducing inflammation.
- Boost the cardiovascular system
It is very important to maintain a healthy heart for your guinea pig. Strawberries are endowed with various nutrients and compounds that are essential to maintain a healthy heart. For example, they contain anthocyanin which reduces the likelihood of heart failure.
Nutritional value of strawberries for guinea pigs
Strawberries are very nutritious, and that is why you should add them to your guinea pig’s diet. The following are some of the nutrients found in 100g of strawberries.
- Dietary fiber – 32kcal
- Carbs – 7.68g
- Protein – 0.67g
- Energy – 32kcal
- Magnesium – 13mg
- Phosphorus – 24mg
- Selenium – 0.4µg
- Copper – 0.48mg
- Zinc – 0.14mg
- Iron – 0.41mg
- Calcium – 16mg
- Potassium – 153mg
- Sodium – 1mg
- Vitamin K – 2.2µg
- Vitamin E – 0.29mg
- Vitamin B-6 – 0.047mg
- Vitamin C – 58.8mg
- Vitamin A – 1µg
- Niacin – 0.386mg
- Riboflavin – 0.22mg
- Thiamin – 0.024mg
- Folate – 24µg
Potential risks of feeding strawberries to your guinea pig
Some guinea pig owners wonder whether there are risks to including strawberries in their pet’s diet. Although strawberry is a nutritious and healthy fruit, it also has some potential risks to your guinea pig.
- Sprayed with pesticides
Since strawberries are prone to pests, they are treated with pesticides very often. In certain countries, the use of pesticides is not controlled properly and can be very dangerous to your guinea pig. The chemicals in pesticides can cause food poisoning and stomach aches. If you notice symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea, you should stop the feeding immediately.
- Interacts with beta-blockers medicine
Strawberries contain potassium that can interact with beta-blocker medicine. So, you should avoid feeding strawberries if your pet is using beta-blockers medicine.
- Allergies
Most guinea pigs are allergic to some foods, and you should be very careful with what you feed your pet. If it is the first time to feed strawberries, start serving small quantities, and observe how your guinea pig responds.
Quantity and frequency of feeding strawberries to guinea pigs
It is important to know the right amount per serving and the frequency of feeding, considering the potential risks.
- Serving size
While your guinea pig will enjoy eating strawberries, you should control the amount per serving. An adult guinea pig can eat a full medium-sized strawberry, but a baby guinea pig should only eat half of the berry.
- Frequency of feeding
Regardless of its health benefits to your guinea pigs, you should not serve strawberries every day. It is recommended to feed it once or twice a week and only as a snack and not a substitute for the main food.
How to prepare strawberries to feed your guinea pigs
- Step 1: Choose the right fruit
You need to choose the right strawberry to feed your guinea pig. It should be fresh and ripe to get the best of it. Note that keeping the strawberries in the refrigerator can cause them to lose essential benefits.
- Step 2: Wash thoroughly.
Strawberries are sprayed with pesticides, and you should wash them properly before feeding your guinea pig. If you don’t clean correctly, it can be fatal to your pet’s health.
- Step 3: Cut into small pieces.
Instead of giving your guinea pig the whole strawberry, you should cut it into small chunks. This makes it comfortable for guinea pigs to eat and reduces the likelihood of choking.
More information about strawberries for guinea pigs
- Are strawberry leaves safe for guinea pigs?
Most people wonder whether it is safe to feed strawberry leaves to their guinea pigs. Strawberry leaves are not poisonous, and guinea pigs can consume them.
- Are dried strawberries safe for a guinea pig?
Usually, dried fruits have high levels of sugar and calories, which can cause stomach aches and other health problems. So, you should only serve very small quantities or avoid them completely.
- Is strawberry juice safe for guinea pigs?
Guinea pigs can only drink 100% homemade strawberry juice. The strawberry juice you buy in the store contains high sugar levels and other components that may not be good for your guinea pig.
- Are frozen strawberries safe for guinea pigs?
Frozen strawberries may not be ideal for your guinea pig and can even harm its teeth. So, you should defrost the strawberries at room temperature before serving your pet.
Can guinea pigs eat strawberry conclusion?
Strawberries provide a lot of health benefits to your guinea pig. However, you should feed them in moderation to avoid any problems. In addition, make sure you only serve cleaned, fresh and ripe strawberries.