Guinea pigs love food, and they’re always open to trying new things, but as a responsible guinea pig owner, we need to make the right choices for our small pets. Suppose you want them to live a long, happy life its always best to check first. So, let’s find out if guinea pigs eat pears.
You should avoid giving your guinea pigs large portion sizes of pears at any one time. They have a high sugar content and can lead to poor dental hygiene, obesity and diabetes in guinea pigs. Overfeeding your guinea pig pears can also give your guinea pig an upset stomach leading to bloating and diarrhoea. Pears are not one of their natural foods; however, a tiny amount of pear will be okay once a week maximum as a treat.
We now know that Guinea pigs can eat pears in very moderate amounts, let’s find out a little more about their diet to understand the guinea pig.
Guinea pigs are herbivores, which means they do not eat meat or dairy. Domesticated guinea pigs survive mainly on hay and processed pellets such as alfalfa timothy, orchard grass or oat hay. The main bulk of there diet, around 80% should be one of these, and It will contain the majority of the daily allowance of all the nutrients that a guinea pig needs.
Pellets Nutritional Information
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
- Vitamin U
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin B1
- Vitamin B2
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin B12
- Niacin
- Pantothenic acid
- Inositol
- Biotin
- Folic Acid
- Fibre
Why Can’t Guinea Pigs Eat Too Many Pears?
Pears are sweet and acidic, and they can cause your guinea pig future problems with their health if giving too often and in large portions. Eating too many pears can cause dental issues, obesity, diabetes, and an upset stomach. Bloating and diarrhoea is a common occurrence when owners overfeed their guinea pigs fruits that are high in sugar. Pears also contain a high amount of calcium and too much calcium in guinea pigs, leading to urinary tract problems. This is why it’s so important not to overfeed your guinea pigs pears.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Pear Seeds?
Please do not feed your guinea pig seeds, as they contain an ingredient that is toxic to your guinea pig called cyanide. Also, pear seeds are a choking hazard to a guinea pig and can become stuck in the throat of your guinea pig.
Cyanide
Cyanide can be toxic to guinea pigs if ingested in high quantities, and it can be fatal. The main symptoms of cyanide poisoning are difficulty breathing and lethargicness.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Dried Pear?
Dried pear often contains more sugar, since the water has been removed from the pear, this concentrates and packs all the sugars together, resulting in a much smaller portion with higher calories. Giving your guinea pig, dried fruit can cause upset stomachs, diarrhoea, obesity and diabetes and poor dental hygiene.
Can Guinea Pigs Have Canned Pears?
Never feed your guinea pig canned pears, they are often preserved in syrup, feeding your guinea pig canned pears will severely affect their health. Such as upset stomachs, diarrhoea, obesity and diabetes and poor dental hygiene.
Feeding Amount
Baby Guinea Pig
Do not provide a baby guinea pig pears of any kind, as their stomachs are too sensitive for the natural sugars and acid.
Healthy Adult Guinea Pig
An adult guinea pig that is healthy can have a few very thin slices of pear once a week maximum as a treat. See in the image below the amount of pear as a guide.
Elderly Guinea Pig
Do not provide an elderly guinea pig pears of any kind, as their stomachs are too sensitive, and they will have trouble digesting the natural sugars and acid.
Health Benefits Of Pear For A Guinea Pig
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin K
- Vitamin A
- Calcium
- Fibre
Advice When Feeding Your Guinea Pig Pears
Only feed your guinea pigs raw pear, never give them canned, juiced or dried. It must be natural! Never give your guinea pig a whole pear. Ensure the pear has not gone bad, you can tell this by touching it, and if you can pierce the skin with your thumb, the pear has gone bad. Make sure you always wash the pear, use a clean knife, remove the stem and seeds, cut the required amount, and feed it to your guinea pig.
First Time Feeding Guinea Pig Pear
If its the first time you will be offering your guinea pig pear, please watch for any unnatural signs they may display. If any is left over, always remove it from their living quarters, as the sweet smell can attract unwanted guests and start to go rancid quite quickly.
On the same day, you feed your guinea pig pear
You should not feed your guinea pig another sweet fruit on the same day you give them pears, which will only increase the sugar content and affect their health.
My Guinea Pig Has Overeaten Pears What Should I Do?
Suppose your guinea pig has over-indulged whatever the reason is. In that case, you must observe them for any signs of toxicity like diarrhoea, difficulty in breathing, or your guinea pig is acting lazy or out of character, then you must contact your veterinarian. The quicker you do, the better the outcome.
Conclusion
If you decide to give your guinea pig pears, please remember only a minimal amount, it may not look much to us, but their stomach is only small, and you will put their health at risk by doing overfeeding them. Baby and elderly guinea pigs is a definite no, due to their sensitive digestive system.
Happy guinea pig parenting
