Can Guinea Pigs Eat Apples? | Diet Safety & Nutritional Benefits 2024

Guinea pigs are furry little animals and all pet parents want to care for them. This becomes easy if you know what they like to eat, and what will suit them. Can guinea pigs eat apples? We all love apples, and in the fall, this fruit has a different feel, but is it necessary that if humans like this fruit, all other creatures do?

Let’s see what happens to guinea pigs if they eat this fruit. Apples are considered a rich source of iron, and we all know that saying, an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Then how does it benefit other creatures like rodent pets? All these questions are about to be answered here so read along.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Apples Or Are They Off The Table

Guinea pigs can eat apples and they enjoy them a lot as well. You can keep apples in the fridge all the time to reward your guinea pig pet now and then. Although their appetite is very less and they will not be able to eat a whole apple, we will discuss that later. For now, you can rest assured that you can feed your guinea pig apples as many as they would eat.

All humans have varied preferences, and so do guinea pigs. There can be some of them that would prefer to eat other fruits while some would not like apples at all. This fruit is generally loved by guinea pigs and they can eat it because it offers the right nutrients for them. Also, find out Can Guinea Pigs Eat Grapes.

What Is In Apples For Your Guinea Pig

Apples contain a lot of nutrients, but in a quick look, these are the most prominent ones:

Vitamin C: Guinea pigs need a lot of Vitamin C because they cannot make their supply. These creatures need to take foods rich in this vitamin. This helps build immunity and is necessary for body tissue growth. Many bodily functions are improved with this vitamin. 100 grams of apples contain 4.6 mg of Vitamin C.

B Complex: This helps regulate the nervous system, and in rodents, it works the same way and strengthens their body functions. It is a good daily feed for your rodent pet.

Fiber: Guinea pigs have to have foods rich in roughage so that their metabolism stays fast. Apples are high in fiber. This fruit can be a great way to keep your guinea pig’s metabolism in check.

Iron: Apples have a good amount of iron, but that is not too relevant to the guinea pig’s daily intake. However, with all the other nutrients in place, the presence of iron does not make it unfavorable for your pet.

Sugar: The sugar content of apples is low, but we had to mention that it is low enough for the pig pets. They will not feel drained with the high sugar that many other fruits have, but apples are low in sugar therefore, it does not pose any danger to them.

Other minor minerals found in apples include magnesium, and potassium, which are good for guinea pigs. For the fruit guide, read Can Guinea Pigs Eat Tomatoes?

Disadvantages Of Eating Apples For Guinea Pigs

Guinea pigs cannot take sugar. We mentioned earlier that apples have lower sugar than many fruits. However, if you feed it in a higher quantity, it can be harmful to these rodents. Seeds are a no forever, even if they are small and green. Apple seeds contain cyanide, which is poisonous to all living creatures.

If you accidentally feed seeds to your guinea pig, take them to a vet so that they can be supervised and treated in time. If the seed has a higher amount of cyanide, it can become lethal for the guinea pig. There are very few fruits that pose this kind of danger, and apples are one of them.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Apples With Peels

While guinea pigs enjoy the fruit, it is best not to serve them any stiff parts like seeds or the twig. The peels are acceptable for guinea pigs. The peel adds more roughage so it is a good thing.

However, the size of the fruit must be such that there is more fruit than peel. If you use under-ripe fruit, it will be stiff, and again, that is not what you would want for your guinea pig pet.

Green apples are bulkier and the juice is less. Feed guinea pigs red or golden apple, which is soft and easy to bite. Rodents have tough teeth and can bite into many foods that other animals can’t bite, but it is better to keep their diet soft so they can digest it. Guinea pigs also have big teeth and they keep growing so it would be good for them to bite into soft fruit that does not hurt their teeth. Also, check Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cucumbers?

How To Feed Apples To Guinea Pigs

You can cut the apples into slices to allow guinea pigs to nibble away. These rodents like to snack on fruit and other foods all day. If you give them a slice of apple with peel, it will be a good snack and they will enjoy it. The size of the apple slice can be average and you do not have to cut it into chunky pieces. This is because these rodents do not have a large appetite.

Make sure that you do not feed apples to these rodents more than once a day or they will stop eating. The diet of guinea pigs must be varied so they keep eating. If you give them an excess of food, they will start avoiding it. The main constituents of a guinea pig’s diet are hay, commercial pellets, fruits, and vegetables. They like aromatic foods, and apples are better than most fruits due to their refreshing smell.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I feed apples with any other fruit?

Yes, you can mix up fruits for your guinea pigs but be sure to keep the sugar content in check. Most fruits are high in sugar and mixing them with apples will mean giving your guinea pig a high sugar dose.

What is the best fruit for guinea pigs?

Guinea pigs can eat low-sugar fruits like apples. This is why apples are a good choice for your guinea pig’s daily intake of an aromatic and juicy snack.

Will guinea pigs get ill if they eat apples every day?

No guinea pigs will not get ill if you feed them apples every day. However, these creatures get bored with the same fruit so try and feed them a varied diet so they eat everything with pleasure.

Conclusion

Can guinea pigs eat apples or are they too high in sugar? The answer is that guinea pigs can eat apples regularly. However, be sure not to feed them with seeds because they can be dangerous for these rodents.

Pet parents must know what is suitable for their rodents and what can be harmful. Apples serve as a good snack because of their Vitamin C and fiber content. For more diet guides, check out Can Guinea Pigs Eat Bananas.