Are you thinking of feeding your guinea pig cantaloupe? You are not alone. A lot of guinea pig owners are also in a dilemma as to whether they should offer their cavies cantaloupe.
Let’s find out from this article if guinea pigs can eat cantaloupe.
Here’s If Guinea Pigs Can Eat Cantaloupe.
Guinea pigs can eat cantaloupe. Cantaloupe has good amounts of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, potassium, phosphorus, and other minerals which are beneficial for your guinea pigs’ overall health. You must feed your guinea pigs a small slice of cantaloupe not more than two times a week. Cantaloupe has high sugar content. Overfeeding cantaloupe can lead to digestive issues, diabetes, and obesity.
Nutrition Facts About Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe contains a large amount of water. It has numerous vitamins and minerals which are beneficial for your guinea pigs’ overall health.
Here is the list of nutrients found in one cup of cubes of raw cantaloupe(160g) according to The United State Department of Agriculture(USDA):
- Calories- 54.4Kcal
- Water – 144g
- Protein – 1.34g
- Fat – 0.304g
- Carbohydrate – 13.1g
- Fiber- 1.44g
- Sugars -12.6g
- Calcium -14.4g
- Iron – 0.336mg
- Magnesium – 19.2mg
- Phosphorous – 24mg
- Potassium – 427mg
- Sodium- 25.6mg
- Vitamin C -58.7mg
- Vitamin A – 270mcg
- Vitamin K – 4mcg
Benefits Of Cantaloupe For Guinea Pigs
Cantaloupe has vitamins and minerals which are important for the overall health of your guinea pigs.
Feeding guinea pigs cantaloupe in moderation will help derive all the benefits of cantaloupe.
Here is the list of benefits of cantaloupe for your guinea pigs:
Good hydration
Cantaloupe has about 90% of water. This will serve as good hydration for your guinea pigs in hot weather. That said you must not feed your guinea pigs too many cantaloupes.
Dehydration is dangerous for your guinea pigs.
Here are a few symptoms of a dehydrated guinea pig:
- Poor appetite
- hard dry feces
- crusty eyes
- dark colored urine
- thick sticky saliva
Your guinea pig’s best fluid for good hydration is fresh drinking water. They need about 80-100mls per day. Remember to change their water every day.
Vitamin A
Cantaloupe has a good amount of Vitamin A. Guinea pigs need this vitamin to help with the proper fiction of their eyes.
Vitamin C
Cantaloupe contains a good amount of Vitamin C. Vitamin C is a daily requirement in the diet of guinea pigs.
Guinea pigs don’t make their own Vitamin C. They get it from the food you give them.
So feeding your guinea pigs cantaloupe in moderation should get this Vitamin into their bodies.
The lack of Vitamin C in the diet causes a condition known as scurvy.
Calcium
Guinea pigs need calcium in their diet for strong bones and teeth. This holds true for baby young guinea pigs and pregnant and lactating mothers.
For older guinea pigs, you must limit their intake of excess calcium. Too much calcium can lead to bladder and kidney stones.
Phosphorus
Cantaloupe has a good amount of phosphorous. Phosphorous helps with bones and teeth development.
Pregnant guinea pigs also need a higher amount of phosphorus during pregnancy.
Fiber
Cantaloupe has a good amount of fiber. Fiber is important for the digestive health of your guinea pigs. Fiber also helps with their gut health.
Guinea pigs get most of their fibers from hay(Timothy). So make sure they have unlimited access to hay.
Risks of Feeding Guinea Pigs Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe, no doubt has many nutritional benefits for your guinea pigs. But overfeeding canteloupe eliminates the benefits. So it is important you feed cantaloupe in moderation.
Here are the risks of cantaloupe when you overfeed:
Digestive Issues
Cantaloupe contains a large amount of sugar. Your guinea pig’s digestive system can’t handle a large amount of sugar.
Too much sugar can lead to digestive issues such as diarrhea and vomiting.
So you must limit the amount of cantaloupe you feed your guinea pigs.
Tooth decay
Keeping your guinea pig’s teeth in healthy condition contributes to their well-being. You must make sure you give them things they can chew on so they can maintain their teeth.
Too much sugar can lead to tooth decay. So feed cantaloupe in moderation
Obesity
Guinea pigs’ digestive system can handle sugar in moderation. Cantaloupe has a high amount of sugar.
So overfeeding cantaloupe can lead to obesity. If this is not checked your guinea pigs could develop diabetes.
So everything is in moderation.
How To Prepare A Fresh Cantaloupe
Here is a video on how to prepare a cantaloupe
Here is a few lists of other instructions for you:
- Make sure you wash your cantaloupe well and rinse under a running water
- Cut the cantaloupe flesh into smaller sizes for cavies
- Feed a small slice portion of cantaloupe at a time.
- Remove any leftover cantaloupe in your guinea pig’s cage. This can be a breeding ground for bad bacteria.
How Much Cantaloupe Cantaloupe Can Guinea Pigs Have?
The amount of cantaloupe you feed your guinea pigs is essential. You want your guinea pigs to derive all the numerous benefits found in cantaloupe.
So feed your guinea pig a small portion slice for a start.
If this is the first time your guinea pigs are having cantaloupe, you need to introduce them to it gradually. Monitor them and if you notice any reactions you must stop feeding immediately.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cantaloupe Seeds?
Guinea pigs shouldn’t eat cantaloupe seeds. Seeds do not have any nutritional value for your guinea pigs. So do not bother about them.
The seeds are a choking risk for your guinea pigs.
Give your guinea pigs the flesh of cantaloupe instead of the seeds. You don’t want any seed stuck in their throat.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cantaloupe Rind
Feeding your guinea pigs rind must be given with precautions. Although some guinea pig owners have said they feed cantaloupe rind, you need to bear in mind some risks associated with it.
Here are the risks:
- Salmonella – Cantaloupe rind is known to spread salmonella. The texture of the skin is rough and can trap bacteria easily. If you wash the rind properly, there can still be a residue of bacteria remaining. You must always wash your hands after handling cantaloupe.
- The rind can be a choking hazard too.
Based on the above risks, you should avoid feeding your guinea pigs watermelon rind.
You should speak to a qualified Vet before feeding guinea pigs cantaloupe rind.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Frozen Cantaloupe?
Guinea pigs shouldn’t eat frozen cantaloupe. Guinea pigs’ digestive systems can’t handle frozen food. Frozen cantaloupe is too hard for them.
Frozen fruits tend to lose their nutritional value.
So it is always best to give your guinea pigs fresh-cut cantaloupe
Can Guinea Pigs Drink Cantaloupe Juice?
Guinea pigs shouldn’t drink cantaloupe juice. cantaloupe. Cantaloupe contains too much sugar. Your guinea pig’s digestive system can’t handle too much sugar.
Too much sugar can lead to diarrhea and vomiting.
So feed your guinea a slice of fresh cantaloupe instead of the juice. Always feed cantaloupe in moderation.
Final Thoughts
Can guinea pigs eat cantaloupe? Guinea pigs can eat cantaloupe but in moderation.
Cantaloupe contains a good amount of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that are beneficial to your guinea pigs.
Cantaloupe has aa high water content. It is estimated to be about 90% water. It also has a significant amount of sugar.
So overfeeding your guinea pigs leads to digestive issues, diabetes, and obesity.
You should avoid feeding your guinea pigs frozen cantaloupe, cantaloupe juice, cantaloupe seeds, or cantaloupe rinds.
You should feed your guinea pigs a slice of cantaloupe once or twice a week as treat.