Tag Archives: fruit

can guinea pigs eat sharon fruit

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Sharon Fruit?

Sharon fruit are also called persimmons.

They are eaten fresh, dried, raw, or cooked.

When eaten fresh, they are usually eaten whole like an apple in bite-size slices and may be peeled. One way to consume ripe Sharon fruit, which may have a soft texture, is to remove the top leaf with a paring knife and scoop out the flesh with a spoon.

Riper persimmons can also be eaten by removing the top leaf, breaking the fruit in half, and eating from the inside out.

The flesh ranges from firm to mushy, and, when firm owing to being unripe, has an apple-like crunch.

They are completely inedible until they are fully ripe.

Can guinea pigs eat Sharon fruit?

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

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

Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy 293 kJ (70 kcal)
Carbohydrates
18.59 g
Sugars 12.53 g
Dietary fiber 3.6 g
Fat
0.19 g
Protein
0.58 g
Vitamins
Vitamin A equiv.
beta-Carotene
lutein zeaxanthin
(10%) 81 μg
(2%) 253 μg
834 μg
Thiamine (B1) (3%) 0.03 mg
Riboflavin (B2) (2%) 0.02 mg
Niacin (B3) (1%) 0.1 mg
Vitamin B6 (8%) 0.1 mg
Folate (B9) (2%) 8 μg
Choline (2%) 7.6 mg
Vitamin C (9%) 7.5 mg
Vit E (5%) 0.73 mg
Vitamin K (2%) 2.6 μg
Minerals
Calcium (1%) 8 mg
Iron (1%) 0.15 mg
Magnesium (3%) 9 mg
Manganese (17%) 0.355 mg
Phosphorus (2%) 17 mg
Potassium (3%) 161 mg
Sodium (0%) 1 mg
Zinc (1%) 0.11 mg

source wikipedia

As you can see, Sharon fruit contains a hint of salt and fat, calcium, quite a lot of acidic content and sugar.

This means that guinea  pigs can eat Sharon fruit but only in small amounts. They are just too acidic and sweet to be eaten regularly. So they are a nice treat for guinea pigs to eat.

A few pieces once a week is sufficient for them to back up their regular diet of hay, water, veggies and guinea pig mix/nuggets.

How should sharon fruit be eaten by guinea pigs?

Sharon fruit are eaten fresh, dried, and raw.

When eaten fresh, they are usually eaten whole like an apple in bite-size slices, and may be peeled.

Those that have a soft texture may not be as appealing to guinea pigs

Riper sharon fruit may be more appealing for them.

Just remove the top leaf, break the fruit into small pieces which are easy for them to consume.

They will prefer smaller pieces that they can easily manage.

Before feeding to them, make sure that it is washed thoroughly so any bacteria is removed for your piggies.

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

can guinea pigs eat pomegranate

Can guinea pigs eat pomegranate?

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

can guinea pigs eat fuji apples

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Fuji Apples?

The Fuji apple is an apple hybrid developed by growers at Tohoku Research Station in Fujisaki, Aomori, Japan, in the late 1930s, and brought to market in 1962.

It originated as a cross between two American apple varieties — the Red Delicious and old Virginia Ralls Genet (sometimes cited as “Rawls Jennet”) apples.

According to the US Apple Association website it is one of the fifteen most popular apple cultivars in the United States.

Its name is derived from the first part of the town where it was developed: Fujisaki.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Fuji Apples?

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

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

Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy 218 kJ (52 kcal)
Carbohydrates
13.81 g
Sugars 10.39
Dietary fiber 2.4 g
Fat
0.17 g
Protein
0.26 g
Vitamins
Vitamin A equiv.
beta-Carotene
lutein zeaxanthin
(0%) 3 μg
(0%) 27 μg
29 μg
Thiamine (B1) (1%) 0.017 mg
Riboflavin (B2) (2%) 0.026 mg
Niacin (B3) (1%) 0.091 mg
Pantothenic acid (B5) (1%) 0.061 mg
Vitamin B6 (3%) 0.041 mg
Folate (B9) (1%) 3 μg
Vitamin C (6%) 4.6 mg
Vit E (1%) 0.18 mg
Vitamin K (2%) 2.2 μg
Minerals
Calcium (1%) 6 mg
Iron (1%) 0.12 mg
Magnesium (1%) 5 mg
Manganese (2%) 0.035 mg
Phosphorus (2%) 11 mg
Potassium (2%) 107 mg
Sodium (0%) 1 mg
Zinc (0%) 0.04 mg
Other constituents
Water 85.56 g
Fluoride 3.3 µg

source wikipedia

Summary

As you can see fuji apples, contain a huge amount of water, a hint of salt, phosphorus acidic content and calcium, a little phosphorus, plus a lot of sugar.

This means that guinea pigs can have a few pieces. But it isn’t recommended that they eat more than that.

Apples have much sugar and water content and so eating fuji apple too much may cause them problems.

Two or three slices will be more than sufficient on a weekly basis. They will enjoy it as it provides a good deal of nutritional content for them.

Why is fruit good for guinea pigs?

Fruit is good for guinea pigs to eat, but don’t feed them too much as it will hurt their stomach’s.

Feeding guinea pigs fruit is great for a well-balanced diet for piggies and fed on a regular basis with vegetables, hay and guinea pig pellets provide them with the nutritional goodness that they need.

Most fruit can be eaten by guinea pigs, however, there are many types of fruits such as citrus fruit which is too sweet or acidic for piggies. Do check their nutritional data before feeding to them.

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

can guinea pigs eat brambles

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Brambles?

In British English, a “bramble” is any rough (usually wild) tangled prickly shrub.

This is specifically the blackberry bush (Rubus fruticosus)—or any hybrid of similar appearance, with thorny stems.

Bramble or brambleberry may also refer to the blackberry fruit or products of its fruit (e.g., bramble jelly).

The shrub grows abundantly in all parts of the British Isles and harvesting the fruits in late summer and autumn is often considered a favorite pastime.

It can also become a nuisance in gardens, sending down its strong suckering roots amongst hedges and shrubs.

Many consider it a weed due to its tendency to grow in neglected areas and it’s sharp, tough thorns which can be hazardous to children and pets. (source)

Can guinea pigs eat brambles?

No, unfortunately, they can’t eat brambles.

They will hurt a guinea pig with their spikes and so are something to avoid giving to guinea pigs.

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

What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Not Eat

What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Not Eat?

We’ve seen that fruits are great additions to a guinea pig’s diet. The vitamin c content that most fruits have to bring a much-needed supplement to their nutritional intake.

However, there are some fruits that they can’t eat as often as others.

What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Not Eat?

Here is a list of those that they shouldn’t eat. Well, not regularly anyway. If they have a nibble at them, they won’t hurt them but nothing more than once or twice a month at the most, if that.

The thing is that some of them actually have a very good amount of vitamin c, but their other content is just not good for them.

So here you go;

Currants – The fresh fruit of currants are very small and sweet, with quite an intense flavor. However, they contain too much acid, calcium and sugar for guinea pigs.

Coconuts – The various parts of the coconut have a number of culinary uses and make a great snack, however, they have too much acidic, sugar and phosphorus content for piggies

Damsons – They are most often used for cooking, and are commercially grown for preparation in jam and other fruit preserves. It as too much water content for guinea pigs though.

Dates –  Dry or soft dates are eaten out-of-hand or may be pitted and stuffed with fillings. However, they are just too sweet for piggies.

Grapefruit – Grapefruit are a popular citrus fruit that are often eaten for breakfast or snacks. They are also used in for the flavorings. However, they are very high in sugar for guinea pigs to eat.

Jackfruit – Jackfruit is commonly used in South and Southeast Asian cuisines, however, it has too much sugar for piggies.

Kumquats – They resemble the orange, but it is much smaller, being approximately the size and shape of a large olive. Kumquat is a fairly cold-hardy citrus. They are too acidic and sugary for guinea pigs.

Lemons – This yellow fruit is used for culinary and non-culinary purposes throughout the world, primarily for its juice, which has both culinary and cleaning uses. It is too sweet and acidic though for piggies.

Olives – It is of major agricultural importance in the Mediterranean region as the source of olive oil; it is one of the core ingredients in Mediterranean cuisine.  It is too high in fat and salt for guinea pigs.

Passionfruit – Passion fruits are round or oval. They can be yellow, red, purple, and green. They are very acidic and sweet for piggies though.

Prunes – A prune is a dried plum of any cultivar. They are too much acid and phosphorus for guinea pigs, however.

 

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

can guinea pigs eat asian pears

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Asian Pears?

Asian pears are large and fragrant fruit that are commonly served either raw or peeled.

They tend to be quite expensive fruit and are often given as gifts in some cultures or eaten in a family setting. They are also used in cooking, used in sauces or used to marinate meat.

So can guinea pigs eat Asian pears, and if they can, how much of them can be eaten?

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Asian Pears?

Lets take a look at their nutritional data and find out more.

In particular, their acidic, calcium, sugar, phosphorus, and fat content are of most interest.

Nashi pear (Pyrus pyrifolia)
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy 176 kJ (42 kcal)
Carbohydrates 10.65 g
– Sugars 7.05 g
– Dietary fiber 3.6 g
Fat 0.23 g
Protein 0.5 g
Thiamine (vit. B1) 0.009 mg (1%)
Riboflavin (vit. B2) 0.01 mg (1%)
Niacin (vit. B3) 0.219 mg (1%)
Pantothenic acid (B5) 0.07 mg (1%)
Vitamin B6 0.022 mg (2%)
Folate (vit. B9) 8 μg (2%)
Choline 5.1 mg (1%)
Vitamin C 3.8 mg (5%)
Vitamin E 0.12 mg (1%)
Vitamin K 4.5 μg (4%)
Calcium 4 mg (0%)
Magnesium 8 mg (2%)
Manganese 0.06 mg (3%)
Phosphorus 11 mg (2%)
Potassium 121 mg (3%)
Sodium 0 mg (0%)

source wikipedia

As you can see Asian pears contain a hint of phosphorus, a little acid, a hint of fat, but are quite sweet.

They also don’t contain a lot of vitamin c.

With that in mind, guinea pigs can eat Asian pears, but only two to three times a week because of their sugar content.

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

can guinea pigs drink pomegranate juice

Can Guinea Pigs Drink Pomegranate Juice?

Pomegranate juice is well known as a healthy drink for humans that has big nutritional benefits. In fact, research suggests that the fruit juice may play a role in reducing the risk of cancer.

image wikipedia

However, it is pretty high in sugar and calories, so with that in mind can guinea pigs drink it at all?

Can Guinea Pigs Drink Pomegranate Juice?

Unfortunately, they can’t at all, it is too acidic and sweet for them. Stick to giving them water, they will much prefer it.

For more food and drink that guinea pigs can and can’t have, check out our guinea pig food list.

Can guinea pigs eat bilberries

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Bilberries?

Bilberries are the name of several Eurasian species of low-growing shrubs bearing edible, nearly blackberries.

Bilberries are distinct from blueberries but closely related to them.

They are also called blaeberries, whortleberries, whinberries, myrtle blueberries, and fraughan.

Image and info Source Wikipedia

But can guinea pigs eat bilberries?

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Bilberries?

We take a look here and out more by checking out its nutritional data and find out more.

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

Proteins 0.7 g
Water 0.2 g
Ash 87.1 g
Calories 44

Carbohydrates
Total Carbohydrates 11.5 g
Dietary Fiber 2.8 g
Starch 0.0 g
Sugar 0.0 g

Fats & Fatty Acids
Total Fat 0.5 g
Saturated Fat 0.0 g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.0 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0 g

Vitamins
Vitamin A 1.08 RE
Vitamin C 44 mg
Thiamin 0.03 mg
Riboflavin 0.03 mg
Niacin 0.583 NE
Vitamin B6 0.06 mg
Folate 6 mcg
Pantothenic Acid 0.16 mg
ß-carotene 13 mcg

Minerals
Calcium 15 mg
Iron 0.8 mg
Magnesium 7 mg
Phosphorus 9 mg
Potassium 103 mg
Sodium 3 mg
Zinc 0.1 mg
Copper 0.11 mg
Manganese 3.3 mg
Selenium 0.0 mcg
Chromium 1 mcg

Source http://recipeclout.india-server.com/bilberry.html

As you can see bilberries contain a hint of fat, a decent amount of phosphorus, quite a bit of calcium, they are also a little acidic.

However, they contain a very good amount of vitamin c.

Because of the above information, guinea pigs can eat bilberries but only a small amount on a once a week basis. This is because of its calcium and phosphorus content.

But because of its vitamin c content, it’s a good addition to a guinea pigs diet.

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

can guinea pigs have orange juice

Can Guinea Pigs Have Orange Juice?

Orange juice is one of those drinks that is often drunk straight from the fruit or it is made into a cordial drink.

We have already looked at whether guinea pigs can have oranges here, and we have seen that they are good for guinea pigs to eat in small amounts, mainly because of their high vitamin c levels.

image wikipedia

But what about juice, can guinea pigs have that on its own?

Can guinea pigs have orange juice?

Unfortunately,  juice which either comes directly from the fruit or from concentrate in cartons far too sweet and acidic for guinea pigs to have.

Orange juice cordial is not as bad as it is not as acidic as fresh orange juice but is far too sweet for guinea pigs to have.

Stick to just feeding guinea pigs water to drink.

That really is the only liquid that they can have, and they do need plenty of it to keep themselves refreshed.

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

can guinea pigs eat cherries?

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cherries?

Cherries are a fruit that we sometimes have in the house mostly to put on deserts and is enjoyed by my kids as well.  

They are not so frequent that we have them all time but occasionally we will treat ourselves.

So if we have them in the house, can guinea pigs eat cherries?

Can guinea pigs eat cherries?

can guinea pigs eat cherries?It is fine to give guinea pigs cherries.

They have plenty of vitamin C so that is a ticked box straight away as it would give the guinea pig a much needed vitamin c supplement.

However there are some considerations to guinea pigs eating cherries which I have noted below.

image: wikipedia

4 considerations to take into account before guinea pigs eat cherries

1. They are high in sugar

2. Cherries can also cause guinea pigs digestion issues if they eat too many.

3. Because they are high in sugar, they can cause the guinea pig to put on weight if too many are had.

4. They need to be cut up and the stem and stone need to be removed before serving them to the guinea pig.

So in summary…

They should be a fruit that is fed to them sparingly, at a maximum of a few times a week with a portion of one or two at a time.

Too many and you will have one sick guinea!

How did my guinea pig get on with them?

So….. I decided to go ahead and give my guinea pig ‘Rocket’ some to see if he would take them.

If we do have them around we don’t want to leave him out if they are okay for him to eat and if he likes them.

As with most fruits I have given him, he did take a look at them but decided not to eat them.

However, it may be different for your guinea pig.

Each guinea pig has differing tastes just like humans, and so their taste for different foods differ to other guinea pig’s.

Verdict – ‘can guinea pigs eat cherries?’

It is perfectly fine for your guinea pig to eat cherries, but only in small portions.

Make sure that you don’t give more than two at a time and more than twice a week.

They are a treat more than a staple meal and you should keep giving your guinea pig Timothy hay, fresh water and vitamin pellets as their main staple diet as well as fresh vegetables.

How have you found your piggies with cherries? Let me know in the comments