Can Guinea Pigs Eat Pomegranate? Benefits And Risks

Last updated on January 22nd, 2023 at 07:28 pm

Guinea pigs are small and friendly pets that love to play with people, and they are excellent.

We should take care of them, give them food, and provide them with a comfortable place to live to give them back in the right way.

The diet of guinea pigs should be varied; in addition to the regular hay diet, they should occasionally eat fruits and vegetables.

Have you ever wondered if you should give your pet some pomegranates?

Can guinea pigs eat pomegranate? Yes, guinea pigs can eat a pomegranate; this fruit will provide them with the nutrients and many vitamins and minerals they need for their health. As long as they eat in moderation, the pomegranate is great for guinea pigs, and if they overeat, side effects can occur.

In today’s article, we will find out what the benefits are, what the risks are and how much pomegranate can be eaten by guinea pigs.

Can guinea pigs eat pomegranate?

Yes, guinea pigs can enjoy eating a pomegranate, but in moderation, for the best health benefits.

The key is to eat pomegranates in moderation, and if they overeat, they can only have side effects.

Pomegranate will enable the intake of vitamins and minerals, proteins, fiber, and other great ingredients.

Will guinea pigs want to eat pomegranate?

Yes, guinea pigs love the taste of pomegranate, and most guinea pigs will love to eat this fruit.

However, although many of your pets love pomegranate, it can always be an exception for a guinea pig to refuse to eat this fruit.

Of course, this should not disappoint you because there is a massive selection of other fruits that guinea pigs will want to eat.

How much pomegranate can guinea pigs eat?

Pomegranate is a healthy dietary option for guinea pigs as long as it is eaten correctly and in moderation.

It is best for guinea pigs to eat 2-4 pieces of pomegranate a week,оr two times weekly 1-2 pieces and never two days in a row.

It may seem insufficient, but this amount is ideal for your furry friends; there is no need to give them more than the above.

How to give pomegranate to guinea pigs?

Whenever you start a new food for guinea pigs, it is best for you, as the owner, to give this fruit directly from your hands so that they can be more easily encouraged to try pomegranate.

The pomegranate you give them should be fresh and ripe enough because that is the best way for them to make the most of the benefits.

If the guinea pig refuses to eat a pomegranate, do not force it because there is no reason to eat something it does not want.

Next time you see that they want pomegranates, put them directly in their cage and after they eat the pieces of pomegranate, remove those left because they will cause the appearance of flies, insects, and the like.

can guinea pigs eat pomegranate

 What to do if guinea pigs eat too many pomegranates?

If guinea pigs accidentally or unintentionally manage to eat a large amount of this fruit, do not worry; nothing terrible will probably happen to them.

Of course, this does not mean that this practice should be repeated often then, it will be bad for their health.

In such moments it is essential to act correctly, and that is to give a larger amount of water and take care of your pets.

Water will help them to process pomegranate in their stomach easier and faster.

When they overeat pomegranate, they can get diarrhea and stomach aches, but all this should pass within a few hours. If the condition does not return to normal, take the guinea pig to a veterinarian.

Can baby guinea pigs eat pomegranate?

Baby guinea pigs can eat pomegranate only after a few weeks of their life.

In the first weeks, they can consume only breast milk, water, and specially designed food. After prior consultation with a veterinarian, they can only be given in small quantities and gradually from this fruit.

The vet will assess whether their development is sufficient to start eating pomegranates.

 Can pregnant guinea pigs eat pomegranate?

The answer is yes and no, and some believe that pregnant guinea pigs can eat a pomegranate; others deny it.

Experts think that if pregnant guinea pigs eat a pomegranate, they will have significant pain because of this fruit’s ingredients.

While the latest research shows that there are no side effects from eating pomegranate in pregnant guinea pigs.

Our recommendation is to give them pomegranate, but smaller quantities, than you give them to ordinary guinea pigs. Because the nutrients in the pomegranate are not to be underestimated, they can improve the health of your furry friends.

What are the benefits of pomegranate for guinea pigs?

As long as guinea pigs eat moderate amounts of pomegranate, they will do their best to improve their health.

So let’s read the benefits of eating this tremendous and healthy fruit in more detail.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is one of the essential vitamins for the health of guinea pigs because they can not produce it themselves, so they must enter it through the diet.

With vitamin C, guinea pigs will protect themselves from scurvy, improve their immunity and protect against all diseases.

With the intake of vitamin C, guinea pigs will recover much easier from possible wounds and injuries to their body.

Vitamin C improves and refreshes the blood of guinea pigs and enables better functioning of the muscles and movements of your furry friends.

When guinea pigs ingest vitamin C, they protect themselves for the winter when prone to multiple diseases and viruses.

Fiber

Fiber is vital for the health of guinea pigs because it helps digest food and the overall functioning of their digestive system.

In addition, by consuming fiber, guinea pigs will have a much better balance of their cholesterol in the body, which is especially important; the better the cholesterol, the lower the chances of heart problems and diseases.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants are essential for your furry friends because they help fight free radicals, thus helping to prevent cancer.

By eating pomegranate with the help of antioxidants, guinea pigs will have a longer lifespan and slow down their aging.

Healthier bones

The presence of calcium in the pomegranate provides better bone health in guinea pigs.

Calcium will help strengthen their bones and teeth and good the overall growth and development of their body.

We only need to pay attention to the amount of pomegranate that we will give to the guinea pigs because they can not process too much calcium.

Folate

They help make it easier to create new red blood cells and better and more accessible to convert carbohydrates into energy for better movement and running of your pets.

By ingesting folate, guinea pigs receive protection from bacteria in their body.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K is also one of the essential vitamins besides vitamin C to improve the health of guinea pigs.

With the help of vitamin K, the blood of guinea pigs will clot much better, and at the same time, any wounds on their body will heal much faster.

Vitamin K, like calcium, helps guinea pigs have stronger and healthier bones.

What are the side effects of pomegranate on guinea pigs?

If guinea pigs overeat pomegranate, i.e., more than the allowed amount, then specific side effects on their health may occur.

Here are some of them:

  • Kidney stones – because if they take in too much calcium from the pomegranate, they will not be able to completely process the calcium, which will eventually result in the appearance of kidney stones.
  • Allergy – Pomegranate acidity can cause allergies in the mouth of your guinea pigs.
  • Obesity and diabetes – because the sugar in pomegranate in large quantities can cause such problems with the health of guinea pigs, moderation is the key to good health for your pets.
  • Diarrhea – if they overeat pomegranate, their digestive system will not be able to fully process such an amount, which will result in diarrhea, which should return to normal within a few hours.

 

What time of day is it best to give pomegranate to guinea pigs?

Many owners give pomegranate and other foods differently, some in the morning and others in the evening, but how is it better for guinea pigs?

Our recommendation is always to give them pomegranates in the morning and avoid late afternoon or evening.

In the morning, the digestive system of guinea pigs works best, so it is the best time to give them pomegranate.

can guinea pigs eat pomegranate

Is Pomegranate Better For Young Or Adult Guinea Pigs?

Pomegranate is better for young guinea pigs because their digestive system is more robust than adults.

Young guinea pigs will make better use of nutrients from the pomegranate, while adults will not be able to process them in the same way.

Therefore, it is recommended that adult guinea pigs be given pomegranate less often; if young eat 2-4 pieces of pomegranate, then adults should eat 1-2 pieces.

Can guinea pigs eat pomegranate seeds?

Pomegranate seeds can cause suffocation in guinea pigs, so care should be taken when giving them to your pets.

They are nutritious, but we recommend splitting them up a bit before giving them to your furry friends.

However, it is tough to separate the seeds from the rest of the fruit, or more precisely, when we remove the seeds, very little of the fruit of this fruit will remain.

Therefore, moderate amounts of pomegranate are recommended for guinea pigs, which will prevent suffocation.

Can guinea pigs eat pomegranate peel?

No, guinea pigs can not eat pomegranate peel.

Pomegranate peel is very heavy on the digestive system, and it can only cause digestive problems and stomach aches.

Pomegranate peel is too rough and can damage their inner walls and cause sores and infections, endangering their health.

Can guinea pigs eat dried pomegranates?

No guinea pigs can not eat dried pomegranates and other dried foods in general.

If your guinea pig eats dried pomegranates, it will consume too much sugar, which is harmful to them. Obesity and diabetes, and other related diseases and problems for your pets can occur.

Can guinea pigs eat frozen pomegranates?

No, guinea pigs can not eat frozen pomegranates or other frozen food.

If they accidentally eat frozen food, damage to the tissues around the gums and bleeding from the mouth can only occur.

If you want to give them frozen pomegranates, you first need to thaw them at room temperature; that’s the only way to eat this fruit.

read more: Can Guinea Pigs Eat Pistachios? All Risks

Can guinea pigs drink pomegranate juice?

No, guinea pigs can not drink pomegranate juice, at least not juice bought in the market.

Because this pomegranate juice contains too much sugar and other additives. Too much sugar will only cause them to develop diabetes, obesity, and other health problems.

The only possible way to give them pomegranate juice is to squeeze the juice from the fruit yourself and mix it with water in a ratio of 50-50, where you can give them a few drops, nothing more.

Water is the best and healthiest drink for your furry friends.

read more: Can Guinea Pigs Eat Pomelo? Benefits and Risks

Conclusion

Pomegranate is a fruit with many nutrients and should be given to guinea pigs for food but in moderation.

If guinea pigs eat in moderation, they will have protection against scurvy, healthier blood, protection against cancer, a better digestive system, and stronger bones and teeth.

If they overeat, they can get diarrhea, stomach aches, and the formation of kidney stones.

Pomegranate is a good and healthy fruit for guinea pigs as long as we ensure that the quantity is always in moderation.

Read more: Do Guinea Pigs Like to Be Kissed?