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Dragon fruits, also known as pitaya, have numerous benefits to humans, including boosting immunity to fight chronic diseases and type 2 diabetes. These fruits are pink on the outside and have white and black spots inside. Dragon fruits have a neutral sweet taste and similar texture to a kiwi.
While these fruits are readily eaten by people, whether in salads, desserts, or smoothies — what about the guinea pig? Can guinea pigs eat dragon fruit?
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Dragon Fruit?
After doing our research here and there, we can confidently say — Yes. Guinea pigs can eat dragon fruit. The fruit offers many nutritional benefits to them, similar to humans.
You have to limit the times you feed the fruit to your guinea pig to 3-4 times per week due to the high amounts of calcium and sodium. Dragon fruits provide sufficient amounts of vitamin C to your guinea pig, among other health benefits.
What Are the Main Health Benefits of Dragon Fruits to Guinea Pigs?
The dragon fruit offers guinea pigs various health benefits that include:
Scurvy prevention
Guinea pigs have a unique body system, and they can’t produce vitamin C independently. In addition, they can’t store vitamin C even after acquiring it from food or supplements. For this reason, they require lots of vitamin C containing foods to maintain good health and have better chances of survival.
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient to guinea pigs — helps prevent scurvy. Scurvy disease in guinea pigs manifests through loss of appetite, fatigue, weight loss, rough coat, and persistent wounds that hardly heal. If you notice these symptoms, it would be best to feed your guinea pig more Vitamin C-rich foods to restore its health.
Antioxidants
Dragon fruits are also rich in vitamin A — the best antioxidant for organisms. Free radicals destroy the body’s immunity, making it susceptible to chronic ailments. Therefore, antioxidants from vitamin A boost the organism’s immune system and provide more energy to ward off diseases.
Healthy Blood and Cardiovascular System
Dragon fruits also provide your guinea pig with iron. Iron is an essential nutrient in the body for bone formation, reduced fatigue, and a stronger immune system. Iron is mostly found in red blood cells to improve healthy blood, boosting overall health. Also, dragon fruit has high potassium levels, which is vital in regulating blood pressure. These nutrients work hand in hand to ensure a healthy cardiovascular system.
Hydration Purposes
Dragon fruit is ideal for your guinea pig due to its high water content, which keeps the pet hydrated and active. Water is a vital requirement for guinea pigs’ health, and they need around 80 to 100 ml of water daily. Therefore, feeding your guinea pig these fruits can supplement the water need.
Do You Know?
Guinea Pigs can eat a variety of foods, we have researched lots of them. Check out this One: Can Guinea Pigs Eat Eat Mandarins?
Is Dragon Fruit Bad for Guinea Pigs?
While the dragon fruit offers myriads of health benefits to your guinea pig, it contains sugar and sodium; therefore, it’s not a proper daily meal. Serving it excessively to the guinea pig poses several hazards that include:
Diabetes
The high levels of sugar in the dragon fruit can harm the guinea pig. Due to the fragile nature of their digestive system, guinea pigs are highly prone to sugar-related ailments, such as diabetes. Their weak digestive system isn’t able to handle the excess sugar.
Obesity
Guinea pigs are also prone to obesity, particularly when constantly fed too many calories. Therefore, for healthy living, insist on feeding guinea pigs a low sugar diet.
Urinary Issues
The amount of calcium in dragon fruits is quite significant. When consumed in excess, it can result in urinary complications in guinea pigs, including kidney stones, pain, and infections in the urinary tract. As the guinea pig advances with age, its requirements for calcium decrease.
Intestinal problems
Guinea pigs have a fragile digestive system, and when fed on dragon fruits excessively, it could result in severe intestinal problems, leading to loss of appetite and health problems.
Is Dragon Fruit Safe for Guinea Pigs?
Dragon fruit is safe for guinea pigs when served as per the suggested quantities. This is because of the excess fructose levels, resulting in digestive problems, obesity, and diarrhea in guinea pigs. Always remember your guinea pig’s staple diet includes hay and vegetables, and not dragon fruits.
