Guinea pigs are one of the most adorable pets. When it comes to feeding, you should always know what food is healthy for this little pet. There are many fruits which are very healthy and are loved by guinea pig including strawberries, watermelon, etc when fed in moderation. People generally ask me this question whether they can feed grapes to Guinea pigs? I am the owner of a 2-year-old healthy adorable guinea pig who loves to eat a lot so, I’ll try to answer this question.
So, can guinea pigs eat grapes? Yes, you can feed grapes to your guinea pig but not more than 1 or 2 grapes per week. Guinea pigs love to eat grapes but because grapes are rich in sugar, these should be fed in very less quantity. Excessive sugar is bad for the health of guinea pigs.
Are Grapes Healthy for Guinea Pigs?
Well, nothing is more adorable than watching a guinea pig eating a grape. The only question is whether grapes are healthy for Guinea pigs or how much quantity is perfect.
Yes, the grapes are very healthy when fed in moderate quantity and less frequently.
Grapes are one of the most favorite fruits of Guinea pigs and they can probably finish them in seconds.
So, as we know grapes are rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Potassium, Carbohydrates, and many more essential nutrients and minerals. But the thing is that grapes are highly rich in sugars and sugar in excess can be harmful to your little pet.
If you feed grapes in large amounts or very frequently, you’ll observe that after a few weeks, your guinea pig will start gaining weight. In short, sugar level rise in guinea pig’s body can lead to obesity which can be dangerous for the pet.
But, there is nothing bad in feeding grapes in moderation. The only thing you need to make sure is that never feed more than 2 grapes in a week and that too if you haven’t fed any sugar-rich fruit to your guinea pig for the whole week.
Which Grapes are Good for a Guinea Pig?
People generally ask these questions:
- Can guinea pigs eat green grapes?
- Can guinea pigs eat red grapes?
- Can guinea pigs eat purple grapes?
- Can guinea pigs eat black grapes?
In general, Guinea pigs can eat all of these grapes but it actually varies from Guinea pig to Guinea pig. My 2-year-old guinea pig likes red grapes more than green or purple grapes but it doesn’t really matter. All of these grape species contain nearly the same amount of nutrition. So, you’ll have to feed the same quantity whether it is black grapes or red grapes.
Feeding Grapes to Guinea Pigs
For, feeding the grapes to guinea pigs, you need to cut a grape into 2 slices or 4 slices and then feed each slice to a guinea pig. Feeding a whole grape at a time is not a very wise decision as it is very sugary.
Grapes can be fed as a periodically treat or reward and I’ll advise you to rotate grapes with other fruits from time to time. You can feed certain other fruits that are low in sugar such as blueberries and kiwis as an alternative to grapes.
Nutrition in Grapes
There are certain health benefits that guinea pigs get by eating grapes when fed in moderation. Grapes are rich in the following nutrients and minerals that are really beneficial for a guinea pig.
- Fiber
- Potassium
- Healthy Carbs
- Magnesium
- Calcium
- Vitamin-C
- Vitamin-B6
- Sugar
Most important thing is that grapes are rich in vitamin-C which is not made in the body of a guinea pig so it has to consume it from foods and grapes fulfill the need of it.
Grapes also contain fiber and a very good source of a range of vitamins that nourish the body of guinea pigs.
Well, grapes may contain a large amount of sugar but if fed in moderation is good for the health of your pet and it will affect it in a positive way.
Grapes are also a good source of water. So, feeding water-rich food such as watermelon and grapes can hydrate their body as well.
Related Questions
Can guinea pigs eat apples? Yes, guinea pigs love to eat apples. Just make sure that the apple is fully ripened and cut into slices so that they can eat comfortably and also avoid overfeeding your guinea pigs. Apples should also be fed as an occasional treat.
Can guinea pigs eat rice? No, guinea pigs can’t eat rice in any form. Rice, either raw or cooked should not be fed to guinea pigs as rice is a grain and is not meant for guinea’s diet. Better to keep on feeding vegetables to your guinea pig.