The short answer to the question “Can guinea pigs eat pomegranate” is, yes, guinea pigs can eat pomegranate. However, there are a few things that you should take care of when feeding pomegranates to guinea pigs.
As pet parents, we are continuously looking for nutritious foods for our furry friends. We like to feed nutritious food but we also want to feed different kinds of fruits and vegetables to our guinea pigs. When we have such vast choices to make, running into doubts is obvious. We know that pomegranates do wonders for human health but are they as nutritious to guinea pigs as they are to us? Well, let’s find out.
Table of Contents
Quick Fact: Around 78% of the edible part of pomegranate is water.
First of all, let’s look at the nutritional profile of pomegranates. This will help us understand whether it is safe or not for guinea pigs.
| Nutrient per 100 grams | Quantity |
| Total Calories | 83 kcal |
| Proteins | 1.67 g |
| Fats | 1.17 g |
| Carbs | 18.7 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 13.7 g |
| Vitamin C | 10.2 mg |
| Calcium | 10 mg |
| Phosphorus | 36 mg |
| Magnesium | 12 mg |
| Potassium | 236 mg |
| Vitamin K | 16.4 µg |
Pomegranates contain a variety of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, dietary fibers, and sugars, and are also very high in antioxidants.
Health Benefits of Pomegranates for Guinea Pigs
Pomegranates contain a lot of fibers. Fibers help maintain the digestive health of these little creatures and also promote bowel movement. This helps in avoiding constipation-related issues in guinea pigs.
Vitamin C
Just like humans, guinea pigs’ bodies also do not produce Vitamin C and must take this from external sources. Vitamin C helps our bodies fight pathogens, strengthens the immune system, and helps in faster recovery from wounds. Since pomegranates are high in Vitamin C, it is a healthy fruit for our furry friend.
Good Heart Health
Pomegranates contain a lot of antioxidants which help in maintaining good heart health. Anti-oxidants also protect the guinea pigs from free radicals which can cause cancer and other health-related issues.
Lots of Minerals
Pomegranates contain a lot of minerals such as folate, magnesium, and phosphorus which are essential for the overall growth of a guinea pig. Hence, this fruit helps in the overall body development of guinea pigs.
Less Risk of Developing Bladder Stones
Since pomegranates contain very little calcium. It is fairly safe for guinea pigs to consume this wonderful fruit.
It is crucial to keep in mind certain points before feeding your guinea pigs pomegranate.
Digestive Issues
Guinea pigs’ digestive system is not like the human digestive system. We can say pomegranates are exotic food for guinea pigs. So, when we are first feeding this to our furry friend, we need to make sure they are not allergic to it. Also, at first, we should feed this fruit in small quantities and spare time for the guinea pigs’ digestive system to get a hang of it.
Pomegranates are Acidic in Nature
Excessive feeding of pomegranates to guinea pigs can result in mouth sores in our little friends as this exotic fruit is acidic. Although it’s not as acidic as a lemon or similar citrus fruits, excessive pomegranates will cause problems in guinea pigs’ mouths.
Choking Hazard
The seeds of pomegranate are very hard and can act as a choking hazard for your little furry friend. Therefore, it is advised to remove the seeds before feeding them to guinea pigs.
High Sugar Content
Pomegranates contain very high amounts of sugar, which can lead to a lot of health issues in guinea pigs. Hence, it is advised to feed pomegranates to guinea pigs in moderation.
Serving Size
One spoonful of pomegranates is a perfect serving for your guinea pigs. It will provide them with all the nutrients that will boost their health and metabolism.
When Can You Feed
You can feed your guinea pigs pomegranates any time of the day. But remember to feed it only once a week. The main diet of guinea pigs is hay and vegetables.
Conclusion for Can Guinea Pigs Eat Pomegranate?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat pomegranates. Just make sure to keep in mind above things that we discussed in this article.
Also Read: Can Guinea Pigs Eat Papaya
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can guinea pigs eat pomegranate seeds?
No, Guinea Pigs cannot eat pomegranate seeds. They are very hard and can act as a choking hazard for your guinea pig.
- Can guinea pigs eat pomegranate skin?
No, Guinea pigs cannot eat pomegranate skin. They are very bitter in taste and your guinea pig will surely not like it.
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