Table of Contents
It is not uncommon to hear people talking about what their guinea pigs can eat and cannot eat, but did you ever wonder, “can guinea pigs eat watermelon?” The answer is yes.
Can Guinea pigs eat Watermelon?
Well, the quick and easy answer is: Yes, guinea pigs can eat watermelon, but it should be given in moderation. Watermelon can be high in sugar and once in a while is just fine for your guinea pig, but the same cannot be said every day.
What are the benefits of feeding my guinea pig watermelon?
If you decide to give him a slice or two of watermelon, he will enjoy the following benefits:
- Watermelon is rich in vitamins like A and C.
- It is rich in minerals like potassium, magnesium, and sodium
- It is also high in antioxidants that can help fight free radicals to keep your guinea pig healthy.
Are there any risks in feeding watermelon to my guinea pig?
By itself, watermelon is a very healthy treat for your guinea pig, but you have to be careful with the number of seeds. Most of the time, you should find seedless watermelons, but if your store only sells ones with seeds, you will have to remove all the seeds before you give them to your cavy.
The seeds can be very harmful if swallowed, so take the necessary precautions.
Even though watermelon is very healthy, it has a lot of sugar content which means that if your guinea pig overeats this treat, there can be some side effects.
Diarrhoea is the one that most people are worried about, but others like weight gain, increase in urination, and dehydration. If you notice that your guinea pig is vomiting or has diarrhoea after eating watermelon, then it is best to contact your vet.
Do You Know?
Lots of snacks are safe for guinea pigs, but some snacks you should just not give your pet. We sat down and did some research and our vet has verified it: Can Guinea Pigs Eat Tomatoes?
How much watermelon can my guinea pig eat?
The answer is not very simple because it depends on your guinea pig’s weight, what they usually eat, and the age.
Smaller guinea pigs should only get about 1 or 2 slices of watermelon, while larger guinea pigs can eat more than that. Remember that watermelon is high in sugar, so it should not be given to guinea pigs who have a hard time losing weight because the excess sugar can make it worse.
You should only feed your guinea pig watermelon every once or twice a week because, as we mentioned earlier, it has a lot of sugar, and your pet can end up getting diarrhoea or other problems if he overeats from this healthy treat.
What other fruits can my guinea pig eat?
Remember that watermelon should only be a treat and not the main part of their diet. Your guinea pig can eat plenty of other fruits, like strawberries, blueberries, bananas, apples, pears, and peaches.
Like with watermelon, remember that these fruits should only be given in moderation because they are also high in sugar. This is why you should only give them one or two fruits per week instead of providing them with all the fruits they can eat in one day.
The best option is to give them vegetables because they will provide your guinea pig with all the vitamins and minerals he needs without having too much sugar. Some of the vegetables you can give your guinea pig include carrots, celery, cucumber, and kale.
Finally, you can add some pellets to his diet because they also have the necessary vitamins and minerals that guinea pigs need.
