Can Guinea Pigs Eat Watermelon

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can guinea pigs eat watermelon

Often, when you choose the new foods to include in your pet’s diet, you think of the foods that you are eating and whether or not they are good for it. “Can guinea pigs eat watermelon?” is a question that appears on the lips of many pet owners because watermelon is a delicious fruit that can be easily found. The answer is yes, they can eat watermelon. We will tell you all about the amount your cavy needs and how to give it to your pet in order to not cause any stomach problems.

can guinea pigs eat watermelon

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Watermelon And What Is The Recommended Quantity?

As already mentioned, guinea pigs can eat watermelon. Watermelon is safe for your pet because it has a high content of water, and it will not harm your guinea pig’s health if you give it in small amounts. Out of all the other fresh foods that a guinea pig can eat, the watermelon is the one that you can give daily without worrying that it will cause your pet health problems. Just remember to provide it in small amounts. Large amount of watermelon may cause stomach discomfort and diarrhea.

Watermelons do not have many vitamins and you have to consider that before giving them to your pet. In order to supplement the need of vitamin C in your cavy’s body, you should give your pet other types of fresh foods that contain this vitamin in higher amounts. Because watermelons have a high water content, they are very good for guinea pigs. They keep them hydrated but in large amounts, they can cause tummy problems and even diarrhea. The watermelon that you give to your guinea pig should always be seedless to prevent your pet from choking on a seed.

It’s best to feed your pet only fully ripe watermelon. Feeding a fully ripe watermelon to your cavy can give your pet the most nutrients.

A fully ripened watermelon will feel heavier because the water content increases and will be over 90% in terms of weight. Fully ripe watermelon has smooth rind that is slightly dulled on top and the bottom of a watermelon (ground spot) should not be white or green. If the bottom is white or green, your watermelon is most likely not ripe yet. A fully ripened watermelon’s ground spot is usually creamy yellow in color. Additionally, fully ripened watermelon should have a deeper (hollower) sound.

Once you cut your watermelon, it’s best to refrigerate the leftovers in order to best preserve the taste, juiciness, and freshness. Store your cut watermelon in a sealed, glass or plastic container with a lid.

How Can I Know If My Guinea Pig Likes Watermelon?

guinea pig eating watermelon

Similar to any other fresh foods that you want to introduce in your pet’s diet, you need to see first if it likes its taste. So, the easiest way to see if your guinea pig likes watermelon is to give it a small piece and see if it enjoys the taste. If he eats it, you can give him more and introduce it in its daily diet. If he doesn’t show any interest in it, then you should try other foods instead. Try this method with every fresh food that you want to include in its diet. You will know immediately if your pet likes the fresh food that you have chosen or not.

Nutritional Facts of Watermelon

Watermelon contains vitamin C, copper, pantothenic acid, vitamin A, biotin, potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin B1, and magnesium. It’s great for anti-inflammatory properties and gives antioxidant support.

Antioxidant carotenoids in watermelon include great amounts of beta-carotene which increases with ripening.

Can I Give My Pet A Watermelon Rind?

As mentioned before, the best method to see if a fresh food is good for your little friend is to try it. Yes, watermelon rind is good for your guinea pig but only as a treat, not as a daily meal. It doesn’t have a great taste, like the watermelon has, but it comes with many nutrients that will give your guinea pig energy.

What Are The Foods That Shouldn’t Be In A Guinea Pig’s Diet?

There are many harmful foods that can make your guinea pig sick. Try to avoid them in order to keep your little furry friend healthy and happy. Here is a list of fresh foods that are not good for it:

  • Vegetables: avocado, beans, Christmas pepper, garlic, iceberg lettuce, paprika, potatoes, rhubarb, sweet pea, tomato, olives
  • Fruits: coconut, cherries

Besides these fruits and vegetables, there are seeds and herbs that can harm your guineas pig’s health. Nuts, coffee, hydrangea, iris, jasmine, lilac or meat are all dangerous. Try to avoid them as much as you can, because they can make your guinea pig sick and can even lead to its death.

Make sure that when you introduce new foods to your pet’s diet, you start with small amounts. He doesn’t need to have a diet based on fresh foods because he already gets the nutrients needed from the grass hay, and pellets. Fresh food is just a treat for your pet and should be given in small amounts in order to not harm its life.

Conclusion

As you have seen, watermelon is a good option for your guinea pig but make sure that it is seedless, fresh, and fed in moderation. Watermelon will be an enjoyable meal for your little friend and it will not make him sick if given in small quantities. Lastly, make sure that every new food that you are giving your pet, including the watermelon, is fed gradually. Observe your pet for any unusual behavior  or discomfort. If you don’t notice anything out of ordinary, you can keep feeding watermelon to your cavy friend.

 

 

References:

http://www.onlineguineapigcare.com/can-guinea-pigs-eat-watermelon/

http://www.calicavycollective.com/2013/06/whats-in-our-fridge-watermelon-rind.html

http://www.guineapigmanual.com/guinea-pig-eating/

http://abyssinianguineapigtips.com/ultimate-guinea-pig-food-list/

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=31

 

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