Pomegranates are red-purple in color and are a fruit grown in the northern and southern hemispheres in different seasons.

They have a huge number of seeds in them which can vary from 200 to about 1400.

Botanically, the edible fruit is a berry with seeds and pulp produced from the ovary of a single flower.

The fruit is intermediate in size between a lemon and a grapefruit, 5–12 cm (2.0–4.7 in) in diameter with a rounded shape and thick, reddish husk. (source)

Can guinea pigs eat pomegranate?

Let’s take a look at their nutritional data and find out more.

In particular, their acidic, water, sugar, fat, salt, calciuma and phosphorus content is of particular interest as far as guinea pigs are concerned.

Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy 346 kJ (83 kcal)
Carbohydrates
18.7 g
Sugars 13.67 g
Dietary fiber 4 g
Fat
1.17 g
Protein
1.67 g
Vitamins
Thiamine (B1) (6%) 0.067 mg
Riboflavin (B2) (4%) 0.053 mg
Niacin (B3) (2%) 0.293 mg
Pantothenic acid (B5) (8%) 0.377 mg
Vitamin B6 (6%) 0.075 mg
Folate (B9) (10%) 38 μg
Choline (2%) 7.6 mg
Vitamin C (12%) 10.2 mg
Vit E (4%) 0.6 mg
Vitamin K (16%) 16.4 μg
Minerals
Calcium (1%) 10 mg
Iron (2%) 0.3 mg
Magnesium (3%) 12 mg
Manganese (6%) 0.119 mg
Phosphorus (5%) 36 mg
Potassium (5%) 236 mg
Sodium (0%) 3 mg
Zinc (4%) 0.35 mg

source wikipedia

As you can see, pomegranates contain a hint of salt and fat, a little phosphorus, a hint of calcium, a lot of acidic content and sugar.

This means that unfortunately, guinea pigs cannot eat pomegranate.

It is just too acidic and sweet for guinea pigs to handle and will make them unwell if they eat it.

It is definately a fruit to be avoided as a food for your piggies. If there were to have a nibble of it by accident, then they should be fine but they shouldn’t be fed it purposely.

What fruits can guinea pigs have instead of pomegranate?

There are much better fruits that can be fed to a guinea pig such as apples, strawberries, and melon which are much better for them and will add to a balanced diet for a guinea pig.

Becuase of the sweet nature of fruit, it should be fed in small amounts for piggies and is best served in addition to the main staples of their diet which would be hay, guinea pig mix and water. Added along with a few vegetables, a small amount of select fruit gives will nutritional balance to a guinea pig’s diet.

For more foods that guinea pigs can and can’t eat, check out our guinea pig food list