What is the answer to Can guinea pigs eat grapes? Grapes provide your cavy with both vitamin A and vitamin C. Guinea pigs do not naturally produce their own vitamin C and therefore need to be fed fruits that contain vitamin C, such as grapes. This will reduce the risk of your guinea pig getting scurvy, which results from a lack of vitamin C. The answer is yes, guinea pigs can eat grapes, mostly. The grapes can be either red or green and should be seedless. You can feed your guinea pig up to two grapes at a time. Some pet owners suggest cutting them to make it easier for your cavy to eat them. Be sure to wash the grapes before you give them to your cavy and be sure that they were not treated with any chemicals prior to consumption by your guinea pig. Although guinea pigs eat grapes, they Read more [...]

What is the answer to Can guinea pigs eat tomatoes? They can eat all kinds of tomatoes, including cherry tomatoes and Roma tomatoes. However, grape and cherry tomatoes are better for your guinea pig possibly because they have less sugar than larger tomato varieties. Tomatoes are a great source of vitamin C for your guinea pig. As your guinea pig cannot naturally produce vitamin C, they need to get it from the foods that they eat. By allowing your guinea pig to eat tomatoes, you will provide them with essential vitamin C, and therefore prevent your cavy from getting scurvy. When feeding tomatoes to your guinea pig, be sure to remove the vines and green leafy tops, as they are poisonous for your cavy. Also, be sure to remove the seeds before allowing your guinea pig to eat the tomato. A guinea Read more [...]

What is the answer to Can guinea pigs eat strawberries? Strawberries are a great treat for your pet. Guinea pigs cannot naturally produce vitamin C and so must be fed various fruits that contain this essential nutrient. Strawberries are one such fruit that guinea pigs can eat which will provide this valuable vitamin. Berries, including strawberries, are very good for your guinea pig as they also provide your cavy with Omega 3s and antioxidants. This combination of vitamins and nutrients is very beneficial for your guinea pig’s health. The leaves can also reduce the likeliness of diarrhea in your cavy and helps to balance the acids in the cavy’s stomach. The answer is yes, guinea pigs can eat strawberries. Although strawberries are generally good for the health of your cavy, they should Read more [...]

What is the answer to Can guinea pigs eat watermelon? It is especially a nice treat for your guinea pig to eat on hot summer days. The watermelon is a good source of vitamin C for your guinea pig. Because guinea pigs cannot naturally produce this vitamin, their diet must be supplemented with fruits that contain it. Letting your guinea pig eat a little watermelon can help to prevent a vitamin C deficiency, and ultimately scurvy, in your pet. However, watermelon should only be given in small amounts. Guinea pigs can eat one approximately 1x2 inch piece of watermelon a few times a week, but guinea pigs should not eat more. The answer is yes, guinea pigs can eat watermelon. Watermelon is very high in sugar and water content, so too much can cause the guinea pig to have diarrhea. The general Read more [...]

Guinea pigs, like humans, cannot produce their own vitamin C. This essential nutrient must be sourced from food sources or vitamin C supplements. So what are the guinea pig vitamin C requirements? A happy and healthy guinea pig, also known as a cavy, must receive around 25mg of vitamin C each day to produce optimal health. Vitamin C is necessary to prevent scurvy, as well as bone and blood vessel issues.  Guinea pigs eat vitamin C as a part of their natural diet; but sometimes they do not get enough, or they get too much, and problems arise. The recommended daily dose of vitamin C for guinea pigs is 25mg, but some cavies may require substantially more or less. A pregnant cavy should be getting between 30mg and 50mg of vitamin C every day, and a cavy experiencing scurvy must also need around Read more [...]

What is the answer to Can guinea pigs eat hamster food? Guinea pigs eat lots of things and while they might give hamster food a shot, it is not a healthy diet for them. Guinea pigs, also called cavies, need a diet that is high in fiber and nutrients and is low in fat and calories. Hamsters, on the other hand, can do without so much nutrition while taking in more fat and calories. Cavies cannot produce their own vitamin C, making it a necessary part of their diet. Hamster food does not contain the necessary amounts of vitamin C. This could cause many maladies for the pet cavy; things like bone and blood vessel growth problems and scurvy are bound to happen when the cavy does not consume enough vitamin C. The answer is no, guinea pigs cannot eat hamster food. Hamster food contains added nuts Read more [...]

What is the answer to Can guinea pigs eat apples? Apples are a tasty desert for guinea pigs, but should not be eaten regularly. Guinea pigs, also known as cavies, eat apples with great vigor and joy; but too many apples could make them unhealthy. Apples are surprisingly lacking in nutrients and are fairly high in sugar. Guinea pigs eat mostly fiber and high nutrient, low calorie foods; or at least they should. Apples do not satisfy these requirements, but they are fine to feed every once in a while. Apples do not contain very large amounts of nutrition. The answer is yes, guinea pigs can eat apples. They contain, on average, about 8mg of vitamin C. Compared to an orange, which contains around 55mg, they do not fare well; however, they have a little bit. It is necessary for guinea pigs to Read more [...]

What is the answer to Can guinea pigs eat celery? Celery is refreshing, crunchy, and great for dipping, but is it a good choice for guinea pigs ? It is composed of primarily water and a bit of fiber, both things guinea pigs eat normally; but there are some caveats to consider. None of the following information applies if you can get ahold of celery leaves; those are great for guinea pigs. Celery has very long strings attached to it, and those strings could be both hard to digest and a choking hazard. The answer is yes, guinea pigs can eat celery, mostly. When people consume celery, they usually peel these strings away; but a guinea pig is unable to do this. Cutting celery into very small pieces alleviates this problem, as long as the owner is willing to do it. Another thing to consider is Read more [...]

Pet guinea pigs, also known as cavies, have been caught eating shoelaces, paper bags, and latex gloves; but household items are only the beginning of this list of “do nots.” Guinea pigs are naturally herbivorous animals, so many foods are off limits to them. The guinea pig’s digestive system is very specialized, so foods that are not a part of their natural diet can cause them harm. So What Can’t Guinea Pigs Eat? Well processed foods, beans, raw grains, meat, dairy, nuts, seeds, and even certain vegetables are all harmful to our small herbivorous friends. Guinea pigs eat primarily grass when found in their natural habitat; this means that their diet should be rich in fiber and nutrients, without very many calories at all. This means processed snacks intended for people are not goods Read more [...]

Fruit is the ice cream and candy of the guinea pig world.  So what fruits can guinea pigs eat? Well guinea pigs, known colloquially as cavies, eat fruit like it’s going out of style; and they would love to eat it all day, everyday. Sadly, they can only consume fruits in limited amounts. Fruit may be packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber; but it is also packed with sugar. Fructose, or fruit sugar, is metabolized differently in guinea pigs than it is in humans. Guinea pigs convert fructose to glucose in the body, while humans lack the mechanisms to do this. This conversion means fruit sugar, which can make a guinea pig overweight very quickly. Therefore, fruit should be given as a treat. Guinea pigs eat just about any fruit happily, although preferences may vary between pets. Read more [...]