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Can Guinea Pigs Eat Kiwi: Learn About the Benefits of This Sweet Fruit

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Kiwi

There are a lot of things that a guinea pig can eat and they can be very persuasive when it comes to treats.

Your small furry friend will love a varied diet. This includes having some delicious and fresh fruit and vegetables.

Have you wondered whether guinea pigs can eat kiwi? Is this a sweet fruit that they are going to enjoy?

Is there a lot of nutrition provided in kiwi and how is best to serve this fruit to a guinea pig? These are all great questions and let’s find out the answers together.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Kiwi?

Kiwis are a sweet type of fruit once you peel back the skin. Can guinea pigs enjoy kiwi? The answer is yes but this should be a treat.

This is a safe fruit for your furry friend to enjoy when it is eaten in moderation, as it can provide essential vitamins and minerals.

In this article, we are going to go into more deal about kiwi and how much you can feed your guinea pig.

Learn About Kiwi Nutrition for Guinea Pigs

If you want a quick explanation about feeding kiwi nutrition, this YouTube video is going to point you in the right direction. It will also highlight some of the best food for your guinea pig’s diet.

What Nutrients Can Kiwi Provide to Guinea Pigs?

Kiwi is a fruit that can be very nutritious for your guinea pig. There are a number of great vitamins and minerals in kiwi, as well as other beneficial nutrients. Here are some of them:

Vitamin C

This smart and round fruit is rich in vitamin C. According to Healthline, this fruit contains 71 mg of vitamin C. This is good for your guinea pig’s immune system and preventing scurvy.

Potassium

Potassium is a good mineral for your guinea pig since it can help keep their central nervous system healthy.

Calcium

Kiwis have calcium in them and this is a mineral that is going to help keep bones strong, as well as help teeth.

Antioxidants

Cell damage and oxidative stress can lead to cancer. But the good thing about the antioxidants in kiwi, according to a study, is that this can help keep your guinea pig healthy.

Do Guinea Pigs Enjoy Kiwi?

Generally, most guinea pigs are going to be curious about kiwi. It is a sweet fruit, which will make them interested. But every guinea pig is unique and there are going to be some that do not enjoy the taste.

Thus, do not force your guinea pig to eat this fruit if they are not interested. You can leave it in their cage for a few hours to see if they want to explore and taste it. But if they do not, simply remove the fruit and you can try again at a later date.

How Much Kiwi Should My Guinea Pig Eat?

We would say treat kiwi as a healthy treat for your guinea pig. You should offer them a small amount of kiwi once a week to see if they like it.

According to Mariposa Veterinary Wellness Center, a guinea pig should enjoy around 10 and 30 mg /kg. Even if your pet enjoys kiwi, this does not mean you should feed them more than this.

Here are some things you should be aware of when it comes to kiwi.

High in Sugar

Inside this fruit, there are naturally occurring sugars. This is something that can lead to obesity for your guinea pig if the amount they eat is not observed. Therefore, it is essential that you feed your pet kiwi in moderation and not free all the time.

Risk of Bladder Stones

In addition, while the nutrients contained in kiwi are good for your guinea pig when they are growing, they can be harmful in large amounts when they are mature.

In particular, too much calcium can lead to bladder stones. Small crystals can form in the bladder, which can be very dangerous for your guinea pig.

High in Acid

You also have to be aware that kiwi is a high-acid fruit. This means that it can be damaging for your guinea pig’s teeth. The high amount of acid can cause erosion, which can expose your pet to dental issues in the future.

How Do I Know I Am Feeding My Guinea Pig too Much Kiwi?

When you are feeding your guinea pig this fruit, keep an eye on their toilet habits. In other words, take a look at their stool.

If it is loose and different from normal, this might mean that they have a stomach upset from eating too much kiwi. Thus, you will want to lower the amount of fruit you are feeding your pet.

Remember that every guinea pig is going to be different. Some will have more sensitive digestive systems than others. You need to ensure that you are feeding the amount that is most comfortable for your pet.

How Should I Prepare Kiwi for My Guinea Pig? 

As we have discovered, kiwi can be a great addition to the diet of your guinea pig. But you will have to prepare it the right way to ensure that they can enjoy eating it.

To begin with, you want to ensure that the kiwi you choose is fresh and ripe. This is going to be important to avoid upsetting your guinea pig’s digestion.

If they eat kiwi that is unripe or it has gone bad, this is going to cause them a lot of upset and make them sick.

The next step is going to wash the kiwi’s skin. The reason for this is to wash away any chemicals that might be present on the skin.

Then you want to peel off the skin with a knife, making sure to keep as much of the fruit inside as possible. You can cut the kiwi into small pieces for your guinea pig to enjoy. Remember that they have small mouths.

Then you can serve the pieces of kiwi to your guinea pig. If they leave any fruit leftover in their cage, make sure that you remove this at the end of the day.

This is going to avoid your pet from becoming sick by eating it when it has gone bad. It is also going to lower the risk of flies being attracted to your guinea pig’s cage.

 Can guinea pigs eat kiwi seeds or Should I Remove them?

Some people ask whether you should deseed the kiwi before feeding it to your guinea pig.

After all, this is something that you have to do with apples and watermelon. However, the seeds are not going to be harmful to your pet. They are usually soft in a kiwi.

Therefore, it is going to be your own personal choice whether you want to do this. Perhaps if your guinea pig is young and small, it may be safer to remove them. This is going to avoid the possibility of them choking.

Can guinea pigs eat kiwi skin or do I have to Remove them before Serving? 

A lot of people eat the skin of the kiwi and according to Healthline, it is safe for humans to consume. Therefore, they wonder it is going to be safe for guinea pigs.

While it is not thought that a kiwi skin would be particularly dangerous, it is not advised to serve the kiwi with its skin on to your pet.

The reason is that it could become a choking hazard. It has quite a rough and hairy texture that could become lodged in your guinea pig’s throat.

In addition, there is a concern if there are any pesticides or chemicals present on the kiwi skin.

This could be harmful to a guinea pig if a lot of it is ingested. With no way to tell how much is present on the skin of a kiwi, it is advised to remove it for peace of mind.

Should Guinea Pigs Eat Kiwi?

Kiwis are a safe fruit that guinea pigs can eat as a snack. They contain beneficial vitamins and minerals that are good in small amounts. Some guinea pigs will enjoy the sweet taste while others may take some time to try it.

But you do have to remember that there is a lot of sugar in this fruit, as well as being a high-acid food with calcium. This means that in large amounts, it could lead to obesity and make your pet sick.

Thus, limit consumption to once per week in small pieces. Be sure to remove the skin before serving and you can decide whether you want to remove the seeds.

Always remove any leftover kiwi at the end of the day to avoid any problems or flies.