Last updated on January 22nd, 2023 at 07:16 pm
Do guinea pigs eat lemons? No, and Yes, guinea pigs can eat lemons, but certainly in moderation, much less than other fruits and vegetables, as it can be very dangerous to their health.
We need to be very careful about the quantity so that they do not have health problems, and at the same time to make the most of the benefits of this delicious and very healthy fruit.
Due to the high acidity, great care must be taken with the quantity, because larger quantities can create sores in the mouth of guinea pigs, digestive problems, and the like.
Lemon is a fruit that people use every day, for eating, drinking lemon juice, or as an addition to various cocktails, but what about guinea pigs, how much they enjoy consuming it, and what are the negative effects of this fruit, let’s find out together.
How much lemon should guinea pigs eat?
The acidity of the lemon prevents the guinea pig from eating large quantities of this fruit, so a small slice of lemon is enough for your pet, nothing less and nothing more than that.
As for when and how much, it is best to give lemon to the guinea pigs once a month, to maximize all its benefits without any problems for their health.
Even when eating only once a month, you should still pay attention to the reaction of guinea pigs, if something is wrong you should immediately stop giving them lemons.
Can guinea pigs eat a green lemon?
You probably assume the answer will be no, that’s why guinea pigs and ripe lemons want to eat very little, and greens will not want it at all.
The reason is that the green lemon is much sourer than the ripe one, and it is much more dangerous for your pet, there can be much more chances for early, stomach problems.
Our recommendation is that even if they want to eat, you, like their owners, take care of your pet, under no circumstances should you give him a green lemon for consumption.
Can guinea pigs have lemon juice?
No, there is no need to give this juice to your pets, who probably will not like the taste.
There is an option to dilute it with water, but still, there is no need to take risks and do experiments, skip this drink, it is best and healthiest to give only water to your furry pet.
read more: Can Guinea Pigs Eat Oranges? What You Need To Know
What are the health benefits of lemons for guinea pigs
Every fruit or vegetable, there are good and bad sides to guinea pigs, we will do our best to present you all the good sides when guinea pigs eat lemons.
Maintain optimal weight
Since fruits such as lemons do not have many calories, you can be sure that your furry pet will not have weight problems.
Although lemon contains sugar, because of its acidity, guinea pigs can not eat large amounts of this fruit.
Less cholesterol by eating lemon
Less cholesterol in guinea pigs will mean much better health and far fewer heart problems such as heart attacks or hypertension.
Piglets will use all this from the lemon, so it should be included in their diet. Lemons contain very little fat and zero cholesterol, practically an ideal fruit for heart health.
The blood vessels will have free flow and will be discharged, which will eventually result in a healthy heart that will function great in guinea pigs.
Protection against scurvy
Vitamin C is present in large quantities in the composition of lemon, this fruit is very well known for this important vitamin.
And because guinea pigs need a lot of vitamin C, because they can not produce lemon on their own, it is a great option, as well as protection against scurvy.
Scurvy occurs as a deficiency of a sufficient amount of vitamin C in guinea pigs, which causes problems such as swelling of the joints, bleeding, fur problems, loss of appetite, and poor coordination of movements.
Increase energy
Guinea pigs need energy and heat to function properly, they do not tolerate cold, it bothers them and it is not good for their health.
By consuming lemon, intake of its proteins and carbohydrates, although not in excessive quantities, will still benefit them to have more energy and heat.
Antioxidants will extend the life of guinea pigs
Lemon contains a super antioxidant in vitamin A, which protects cells from free radicals.
Free radicals are responsible for damaging healthy cells in guinea pigs, causing premature aging and many diseases, including cancer.
Vitamin A is also needed for healthier bones and teeth, as well as for the formation of soft tissues in your pet.
Vitamin B6 for the overall health of guinea pigs
Vitamin B6, found in lemons, has a number of health benefits for guinea pigs. Starting with the skin because it makes it much healthier, and helps maintain a healthy liver and blood vessels.
Let’s not forget to mention its help in reducing the appearance of anemia, better eyesight and eyes, and relieving pain in your furry pet.
Nutritional ingredients of lemons for the health of guinea pigs
Here are the values in 50 grams of lemon:
- 10 calories – which means that guinea pigs will never gain weight from a lemon
- fat 0.15 g – it is literally perfect for guinea pigs, as well as for humans, will have healthy blood vessels
- Vitamin C 38 mg – with this amount of guinea pigs, they will immediately get a vitamin balance of vitamin C, and will not have scurvy
- Vitamin B6 2.5% – you will get healthy skin, less stress, and cleansing of the body
- fiber 2.8 g – With the fiber guinea pigs will have much better digestion and digestion
- Protein 0.6 g – will contribute to guinea pigs having more heat and energy
Lemon side effects in guinea pigs
Small amounts of phosphorus and calcium can cause problems in the guinea pig’s urinary system, and the formation of kidney and bladder stones, so it is important to eat in moderation.
If they eat too many lemons, guinea pigs will have a problem with lemon fiber and can cause gas, bloating, and stool problems.
Too much lemon can damage their teeth and their enamel, and as we know, teeth are very important for your pet. Many lemons can cause sores in the mouth because their tissue in the mouth is very delicate and easily damaged.
Too much sugar, or too many lemons, can cause indigestion, stomach problems in your furry pet.
read more: Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cucumber? (Benefits and Risks)
What if the guinea pigs do not want to eat a lemon?
Although lemon is good for their health, acidity does not necessarily mean that all guinea pigs will want to eat this fruit, so what do we do?
If your pet does not want to eat a lemon, do not panic, there are solutions in other fruits, especially increasing the intake of very important vitamin C.
Other fruits that contain good amounts of vitamin C for guinea pigs are the following:
- strawberries
- bananas
- blueberries
- cranberry
- melon
- cherries
- apple
Conclusion
Lemon is a good and healthy fruit to eat for guinea pigs with many health benefits. However, due to its acidity, one should be very careful about the quantity, once a month is enough for the guinea pig because the lemon certainly has healthy properties that it should use.
Vitamins, minerals, proteins, and antioxidants are the ones that are important for your pet’s health and are found in lemon.
Side effects of consuming lemon are sores in the mouth, digestive problems, kidney stones, gas, and bloating.
In any case, try to give lemon to the guinea pig, but be prepared that he will refuse to eat, it should not surprise you, we hope that your pet will still want to taste this healthy fruit from time to time.
