There is an old age adage “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.”
This means that eating apples help one maintain good health. No doubt, apples make a healthy snack for humans but can we say the same about cavies. Can guinea pigs eat apples? Are apples safe for guinea pigs to eat? Or are apples bad for guinea pigs?
Apples and Guinea Pigs
Were you just slicing apples on the kitchen table? Did you happen to drop a slice? Did your guinea pig start nibbling on the slice of apple? This must have got you worried wondering, “can guinea pigs have apples?”
If you are worried about your guinea pig eating apples, it’s high time that we resolve all your concerns regarding apples and guinea pigs.
Keep on reading, in this article, we are going to discuss all about apples and guinea pigs: can guinea pigs eat apples? Can guinea pigs have red apples? Can guinea pigs eat green apples? Are apples safe for guinea pigs to eat? Or are apples bad for guinea pigs? Can guinea pigs eat apple leaves? Can guinea pigs eat apple peels? And can guinea pigs eat apple seeds?
So, without further ado, let’s get to it.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Apples?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat apples. But this does not mean that you can slice up an apple and feed it your cavy. While feeding apples to your little cavy, you have to be careful. Otherwise, your beloved piglet might get into gastrointestinal troubles.
Are Apples Safe for Guinea Pigs to Eat?
Apples make a healthy treat for guinea pigs but before you slice up an apple and give it to your cavy, you should know that if not fed with care, the apple can cause health issues for your beloved piglet.
Are Apples Healthy for Guinea Pigs?
Ok, apples are safe for guinea pigs to eat but are they any good. Are apples good for guinea pigs to eat?
Just like apples make a healthy treat for humans, they also make a great snack for our little guinea pigs. Let the nutrient profile of apples speak for itself.
Below is the nutrient content of a medium-sized apple (100 grams).
| Nutrients | Amount |
| Calories | 94.6 |
| Water | 86% |
| Potassium (mg) | 195 |
| Carbs (g) | 25.1 including 18.9 of sugar |
| Fibers (g) | 4.4 |
| Sugar (g) | 18.9 |
| Vitamin C (mcg) | 8.37 |
| Vitamin K (mcg) | 4 |
Apples Are a Great Source of Vitamin C for Guinea Pigs
Just like humans, our little friends cannot produce their own vitamin C. Therefore, it is crucial that we provide them ample vitamin C in their diet.
To stay healthy and ward off diseases our cavies need around 10 to 50 mg of vitamin C per day, according to the VCA hospital. Vitamin C is not only crucial for normal development but is also quintessential for the maintenance of healthy skin, gums, and joints.
| Vitamin C Deficiency in Guinea Pigs! |
| A guinea pig lacking vitamin C in his diet is prone to many health issues like infection and skin problems like scurvy. |
One of the great ways to make for our cavies’ vitamin C requirements is to feed them apples. Similarly, guinea pigs can also have strawberries as a vitamin C supplement. That said, guinea pigs cannot consume ample fruits to meet their needs for vitamin C.
This is why guinea pig pellets contain vitamin C but given that it is a relatively unstable compound, it is prone to break down. Therefore, it is crucial that you replace the guinea pig’s pellets within 90 days of manufacture. You should also be feeding vitamin C tablets or liquid vitamin c directly by mouth every day.
Dietary Fibers Help Guinea Pigs Maintain Healthy Digestive System
Apples are laden with dietary fibers, which are very useful for guinea pigs in maintaining a healthy digestive system by helping them in food digestion and bowel movement.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Green Apples?
While asking can guinea pigs eat green apples, you probably have Granny Smith apples in mind. So can guinea pigs eat Granny Smith apples?
Yes, you can feed green apples or Granny Smith apples to your guinea pig. But you will have to be extra cautious. Green apples are often sour and acidic, which is not good for guinea pigs. Actually, the acid in apples can cause gastrointestinal discomfort and mouth sores in guinea pigs. Therefore, it is best that you avoid feeding green apples to your guinea pigs.
Can Guinea Pigs Have Red Apples?
Generally, red apples are sweeter than green apples, which often tend to be sour and acidic. Therefore, red apples are considered the best apples for guinea pigs. That said, you have to be cautious about the sugar intake of your cavy. Given that red apples are sweeter, they are higher in sugar content. So, be careful with the red apple serving sizes for guinea pigs.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cooked Apples?
Let alone cooked apples, any fruits cooked fruit or vegetable is a big NO-NO for our little piglets. As far as cooked apples are concerned, they are much sour and tarter in taste. And eating cooked apples will upset their stomachs. So it is best that you only stick to fresh fruits and vegetables.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Apples With Skin?
Apple with skin contains an amazingly high amount of nutrients so one may think twice before wasting apple peels. So, can guinea pigs eat apples with skin? Yes, most definitely, guinea pigs can eat appl with skin, but as with peeled apples, you will have to be cautious as too much apple can be counterproductive.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Apple Peels?
Now that you know apple peels contain more nutrients as compared to the inside of apples, you must be wondering can guinea pigs eat apple peels? Are apple peels healthier than peeled apples?
Well, no doubt, apple peels are nutrient dense. But that does not mean you can go ahead and throw bowls full of apple peels for your guinea pig to eat. With other nutrients, apple peels are loaded with fibers as well. While fibers are good for guinea pigs’ digestive system, too much fiber can lead to loose stool or diarrhea in guinea pigs.
Apple skin is also rich in antioxidants which help our cavies fight free radicals that cause cancer.
| Thoroughly Wash Your Fruits! |
| Unless, you are plucking fresh apples from your own garden, where you are sure that no chemicals or pesticides have been used, you should wash apples thoroughly to get rid of any possible pesticides, which could be harmful to guinea pigs. |
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Apple Leaves?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat apple leaves. In fact, apple tree leaves make a healthier treat for guinea pigs as compared to apples themselves. Actually, the green leaves of apple trees are not only more nutritious than apples but also have no sugar.
That said, apple leaves are said to contain a toxin named cyanide, which is poisonous to guinea pigs. However, there is nothing to worry about if your guinea pig has eaten a bunch of apple tree leaves, he will just be alright.
The wilting leaves are said to be more toxic as compared to fresh leaves.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Apple Seeds?
No, apple seeds are a big NO for our little cavies. One, apple seeds pose a choking hazard to our little fellas. Second, apple seeds contain cyanide, which is poisonous to guinea pigs. That said, there is nothing to worry about if your guinea pig has eaten a couple of apple seeds, he will just be fine. But please, do not make it a habit or feed your guinea pig apple seeds regularly.
Can Guinea Pigs Drink Apple Juice?
While guinea pigs drink a homemade apple juice in small amounts—diluted with water with no added supplements—store-bought apple juice is a big no-no for guinea pigs. Store-bought apple juices contains excessive sugars, preservatives, and artificial flavors, which are harmful for guinea pigs.
Besides that, many manufacturers use artificial sweetners like xylitol in apple juices. This xylitol is highly toxic to guinea pigs and even a small amount could lead to liver failure.
Final Verdict: Can Guinea Pigs Eat Apples?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat apples. Laden with dietary fibers, apples help guinea pigs maintain a healthy digestive system. Apples also make a great source of vitamin C for guinea pigs and help keep scurvy and other skin diseases at bay. That said, you should only offer apple to guinea pigs occasionally and that too in moderate amounts as a treat.
Check out other guides to what guinea pigs can or cannot eat:
