Can Guinea Pigs Eat Strawberries? All You Need to Know!

Person hand feeding a strawberry to a guinea pig with a cookie sitting nearby on a white sheet

Can guinea pigs eat strawberries?

Yes, guinea pigs can eat strawberries. But there is more to the answer than a simple yes as there are many caveats attached.

Strawberry is a versatile fruit—we put it in our beverages, parfaits, on top of desserts, and garnish over cereals. And when we do not find a dish to blend with strawberries, we eat strawberries whole. Strawberries are one of the sweetest and most popular fruits in the whole world. But what about our piggy friends? Can guinea pigs eat strawberries? Are strawberries safe for guinea pigs? Or are strawberries bad for guinea pigs?

Strawberries and Guinea Pigs

Were you chopping strawberries for your fruit salad? Did you happen to drop a piece of strawberry on the floor? Did your guinea pig pounce and started eating strawberries?

This must have got you pretty worried and left you wondering, “Can guinea pigs have strawberries?” or “Are strawberries bad for guinea pigs?”

Well, stop worrying, if your guinea has eaten a piece of strawberry, you need not worry—your piggy friend is going to be just fine. But this does not mean that you go ahead and give your pig a bowl full of strawberries.

If you love strawberries and have a guinea pig living under your roof, at times you will be tempted to share some with your piggy friend. Therefore, it is crucial that you resolve all your confusion surrounding strawberries and guinea pigs. If you want that you should keep on reading.

In this article, we are going to discuss all about strawberries and guinea pigs: Can guinea pigs eat strawberries? Can guinea pigs eat strawberry leaves? Can guinea pigs eat strawberry tops? Are strawberries bad for guinea pigs? Are strawberries good for guinea pigs?

So, without further ado, let’s get to it.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Strawberries?

Guinea pigs can eat strawberries. Strawberries make a healthy treat for guinea pigs but only if it is given occasionally as a treat and that too in moderation. Eating strawberries in excess, your cavy might get in trouble.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Strawberry Leaves?

Guinea pigs are herbivores—they love to eat leafy greens. So can guinea pigs eat strawberry leaves? While there are many misunderstandings about strawberry leaves being dangerous for guinea pigs but it is not the case. Strawberry leaves are totally safe for guinea pigs to eat. However, some guinea pigs might be allergic to strawberry leaves, so you should carefully observe your guinea pig for possible signs of sickness if he is eating strawberry leaves for the first time.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Strawberry Tops?

Just like strawberry leaves, strawberry tops are perfectly fine for guinea pigs to eat. Actually, strawberry tops are healthier for guinea pigs as compared to the actual fruity part as tops contain more vitamin C and fibers but very little sugar.

Given that strawberry leaves and tops both are healthy for guinea pigs to eat, you can give whole strawberries to your piggies to allow them to eat whichever part they enjoy the most.

Are Strawberries Safe for Guinea Pigs

Yes, strawberries are totally safe for guinea pigs to eat but this does not mean that you can add strawberries to their routine diet. Strawberries are only good and safe for cavies in small amounts, occasionally—once or twice a week.

Are Strawberries Good for Guinea Pigs?

Strawberries are loaded with useful nutrients including potassium, manganese, antioxidants, folates, fibers, and vitamins—B9 and C, making them a great fruit for humans. But can we say the same about guinea pigs? Can guinea pigs enjoy the same health benefits as strawberries?

Health Benefits of Strawberries for Guinea Pigs

Strawberries provide a number of health benefits to our little friends. Below we have discussed some of the benefits of strawberries for guinea pigs.

Strawberries are loaded with Vitamin C

Strawberries are not only a great source of vitamin C for humans but also our little friends. Both humans and guinea pigs cannot make our vitamin C so they must get it in their routine diet, otherwise, we develop a condition known as scurvy—a deficiency of vitamin C.

Fun Fact!
Strawberries have more vitamin C than oranges.

Strawberries help regulate guinea pig’s blood pressure

While strawberries do not have to offer as much potassium to offer as bananas, they contain ample potassium to help our little guinea friends keep going by regulating their blood pressure.

Strawberries are loaded with Antioxidants

These antioxidants prevent free radical damage undercutting the chance of our cavies developing cancer. Antioxidants not only help fight free radicals but also help in the reduction of inflammations.

Strawberries promote better Cardiac health

Actually, strawberries contain two useful chemical compounds—quercetin and anthocyanin—which help lower the cholesterol level of guinea pigs. Thereby, promoting better cardiovascular health and increasing your piggy’s life expectancy.

Strawberries have simpler sugars

Strawberries are one of the sweetest fruits on earth but they do not have much sugar. Actually, strawberries have simpler sugar so eating strawberries does not result in an instant spike in the blood sugar level. So many say that eating strawberries in moderate amounts won’t make your cavy any fatty or lead to any diabetic progression.

Strawberries are laden with fibers

The fibrous content of strawberries is very useful for maintaining a good gut and gastrointestinal health in guinea pigs. It is great for smooth bowel movements as well.

Are Strawberries bad for Guinea Pigs?

Ok, we know that strawberries have so many health benefits to offer to our little piggies but they have health risks as well. There is nothing to worry about if your guinea pig has eaten a few slices of strawberries. That said, eating strawberries in excess would most certainly lead to some serious health risks. Below we have discussed some biggest concerns surrounding Guinea pigs and strawberries.

Mind the Food Allergies

Like us humans, our little piggies are also susceptible to food allergies. So if your cavy appears to be allergic to strawberries, you must keep strawberries away from them. To check if your piggy is allergic to strawberries or not, you should give her a piece of two of strawberries and wait for her to develop signs of sickness. If there is no sickness, congratulations, your guinea pig is not allergic to strawberries—you can gradually increase the amount of strawberries you are feeding your guinea pig.

No Strawberries when Piggy is on Beta-Blocker Meds

Beta-Blocker medicines are loaded with potassium and strawberries also contain a considerable amount of potassium. Our little piggy friends are not able to process large amounts of potassium so it is best that if your cat is on Beta-blocker medicines, you avoid giving them any strawberries.

Do Guinea Pigs Like Strawberries?

Most definitely, guinea pigs like strawberries. Our little friends are herbivores so they will devour any fruit that they can lay their paws on, especially sweet fruits like strawberries.

Given that guinea pigs like fruits, they will gobble up any fruit that you offer. Therefore, it is your responsibility you regulate how often and how much strawberries they will get.

Pro Tip!
Before giving any fruit or vegetable to guinea pigs, you should wash thoroughly wash it to get rid of any pesticides or insecticides.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Dried Strawberries?

No guinea pigs should not be eating dried strawberries. Technically, they can eat dried strawberries but given that it is high in calories and sugars, it may cause gastrointestinal issues and other health problems. So, if you do not want your little friend to get sick, you should keep dried strawberries, along with other dry fruits, away from your little friend.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Dried Strawberry Ice-Cream?

Guinea pigs are lactose intolerant, meaning that they do not have the lactase enzyme necessary to metabolize lactose sugar present in dairy products. Given that strawberry ice cream is made of dairy milk, you are advised not to share it with little piggies—it would upset their stomach. On top of that, strawberry ice cream is made using artificial flavors, which makes strawberry ice cream a no-no for guinea pigs.

No Ice-cream for Guinea pigs!
Let alone strawberry ice cream, guinea pigs should not be eating any ice cream at all. They are lactose intolerant and would have an upset stomach if they take even a lick or two of an ice cream.

Can Guinea Pigs Drink Strawberry Juice?

Like whole strawberries, strawberry juice is perfectly safe and healthy for guinea pigs to drink. But keep in mind that the strawberry juice that you are giving to your guinea pig should be 100% natural, and diluted with water.

Store-bought Juices are Forbidden!
All store-bought juices, no matter how organic and natural the labels say they are, are a Big NO-NO for our little piggies. These commercial juices contain a lot of sugar as well as food additives and artificial flavors that are unhealthy for guinea pigs.

Final verdict: Can Guinea Pigs Eat Strawberries?

Yes, guinea pigs can eat strawberries but only in small amounts, once or twice a week. Laden with vitamin C, potassium, fibers, antioxidants, and simpler sugars, strawberries make a super food for guinea pigs. They help keep scurvy away and maintain better cardiac and gastrointestinal health. Potassium in strawberries helps in the maintenance of healthy blood pressure levels in guinea pigs.

Check out other guides to what guinea pigs can or cannot eat:

French FiresCollard GreensPeanut ButterStrawberries
SpinachArugulaPopcornPlums
PeppersFennelOatsNectarines
SquashDandelionsMushroomsHoneydew Melon
CornBasilPicklesPineapple
AvocadoOnionsAloe Vera PlantApples
Sweet PotatoesJicama Lemon
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