Between the end of spring and the beginning of summer, one of the most popular fruits is harvested: cherries. Their excellent flavor and great antioxidant power make cherries highly appreciated fruits all over the world. Therefore, with the arrival of good weather, it is common for many keepers to wonder if guinea pigs can eat cherries or not
If this is your case, we recommend that you join us in the following article on our site, in which we will explain the details you should know about cherries in the diet of guinea pigs.
Are cherries good for guinea pigs?
Before explaining whether guinea pigs can eat cherries, we must make an important point about the diet of these animals. Guinea pigs are herbivorous animals whose diet must be composed of 3 fundamental components:
- Hay (70%)
- I think (10%)
- Fresh Food (20%)
Within fresh food, the vast majority (75%) should be leafy vegetables, such as spinach, Swiss chard, arugula, lamb's lettuce, escarole, watercress, cabbage, collard greens, etc. The remaining 25% must be made up of other vegetables and fruits.
Specifically, cherries are on the list of fruits suitable for guinea pigs, since they provide various nutritional benefits and not contain no compound that is toxic to your body. However, before offering them, it is necessary to take into account a series of considerations, since an inadequate contribution can cause negative effects on your he alth In the following sections, we will explain how to offer cherries safely and he althily to guinea pigs.
Benefits of cherries for guinea pigs
As we have already mentioned, cherries are suitable fruits for guinea pigs that can provide multiple nutritional benefits, including:
- They provide considerable amounts of fiber, which is a fundamental nutrient in the diet of guinea pigs, as it helps maintain their gastrointestinal he alth in the best conditions.
- Have appreciable amounts of vitamins (such as vitamin C, thiamin, folate, and provitamin A), as well as significant levels of potassium and other minerals to a lesser extent, such as magnesium, iron, phosphorus and calcium.
- Contain anthocyanins, bioactive compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties.
- They provide monoterpenes, specifically peryl alcohol, a compound with an antitumor and antioxidant effect that protects the body from cellular aging caused by free radicals.
How to give my guinea pig cherries?
Although cherries are fruits suitable for guinea pigs, before offering them it is important to take into account a series of considerations to prevent their consumption from producing unwanted effects on the he alth of these rodents.
The pulp of cherries provides multiple nutritional benefits for guinea pigs. However, seeds, leaves, and stems (stalks or “stems” that attach cherries to branches) nevermust be provided because:
- They contain cyanide, a toxic compound that can cause intoxication in guinea pigs.
- They can cause choking or suffocation.
- They can cause lesions in the gastrointestinal mucosa.
To offer cherries to guinea pigs (guinea pigs, as they are also known) safely, it is necessary to follow these steps:
- Wash them with plenty of water to remove possible traces of pesticides or contaminants present on their surface.
- Remove stem and seed from each of the cherries.
- Cut them into small pieces that are easy for guinea pigs to handle.
Finally, we must point out that cherries should only be offered fresh, naturalPreparations in the form of jam, syrup or sour cherries should never be added due to their high sugar content. It is also not advisable to offer the fruit too cold (frozen or directly removed from the refrigerator), but it is preferable to serve it at room temperature
Dose of cherries for guinea pigs
As we have seen, cherries are fruits that guinea pigs can eat. However, this does not mean that you can consume them daily or in large quantities.
Guinea pigs should consume a daily portion of fresh food that includes about 5 different vegetables (mainly leafy vegetables). Once a week, this fresh food ration can include a small serving of fruit. If you wish, a few times a month you can contribute cherries as a weekly fruit ration. In terms of quantity, one or two cherries per guinea pig (only the pulp, without stems or seeds) will suffice.
Side effects and contraindications of cherries for guinea pigs
Although guinea pigs can eat cherries, we must bear in mind that when they are fed in excessive amounts they can cause negative effects on their he alth:
- Cherries are rich in simple sugars, which can cause the growth of harmful bacteria in your intestinal tract.
- Its caloric value is higher than that of other fruits, and it can contribute to obesity or overweight of these animals.
- They have an inverted calcium/phosphorus ratio, which can favor the formation of stones in the urinary system.
Likewise, there are certain situations in which the administration of cherries can be counterproductive:
- Guinea pigs with obesity or overweight.
- Guinea pigs with urinary problems.
- Guinea pigs with food allergies or intolerances.
- Some guinea pigs may not tolerate this fruit well and have diarrhea after consumption. Whenever any fruit or vegetable is introduced into the diet of guinea pigs, it should be offered for 2-3 days in a row in small quantities and, if any negative effect on their he alth is observed, it should be removed from the diet and not offered again..
Now that you know all the information about the consumption of cherries in guinea pigs, keep learning and don't miss these articles:
- Can guinea pigs eat strawberries?
- Can guinea pigs eat bread?
