I always wonder if I can share my favorite snacks with my pets! If you’ve recently purchased a container of blueberries, you might wonder: Can guinea pigs eat blueberries? If so, how many can they have?
In this article, we’ll discuss how to feed blueberries to your guinea pig safely, alongside some benefits and risks of blueberries for guinea pigs.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Blueberries?
Guinea pigs can eat blueberries sparingly, but too many can cause digestive issues. This is because blueberries and other fruits are high in sugar.
Blueberries are a good source of several vitamins, including vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and more! However, they’re also mostly water. So, the main reason to feed blueberries is if your piggies enjoy the taste.
Guinea pigs who like blueberries can eat as many as two or three berries a few times a week. Before serving, chop the berries in half so they don’t pose a choking hazard!
Are Guinea Pigs Allergic to Blueberries?
Guinea pigs can be allergic to blueberries or any other food. However, it’s not common. If you think your guinea pig is having an allergic reaction, stop feeding blueberries and call your nearest veterinary clinic for help.
Severe allergic reactions in guinea pigs are called anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock. Symptoms of anaphylaxis in guinea pigs include:
- Itching
- Labored or rapid breathing
- Wheezing or coughing
- Swollen face, throat, or tongue
- Difficulty swallowing
- Lethargy
- Confusion
- Collapse
Anaphylaxis is an emergency, and guinea pigs experiencing it need to see a veterinarian immediately.
How Many Blueberries to Feed a Guinea Pig
Feed your guinea pig 2-3 blueberries a few times a week at most. If this is their first time eating blueberries, consider feeding just one to ensure they don’t react poorly to the fruit.
Here are some more tips for preparing blueberries for your guinea pigs:
- Always wash blueberries before feeding, as they can contain pesticides and other chemicals that are unhealthy to eat
- Slice blueberries in half to prevent choking
- Remove any stems from the blueberries before feeding
Pros and Cons of Blueberries for Guinea Pigs
Below are some pros and cons of blueberries for guinea pigs so that you can decide whether this fruit is the right choice for your piggies. We also provide some tips on feeding blueberries safely.
Contains Key Nutrients
Blueberries contain vitamins and nutrients that are important in a healthy guinea pig diet. These include:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
- Fiber
- Manganese
- Copper
Although blueberries are nutritious, they aren’t necessary in a guinea pig’s diet. This is because guinea pigs can get all of these nutrients from healthier sources such as fresh vegetables or guinea pig pellets.
Blueberries should be treated as an occasional treat and not used to fill in nutritional gaps in the diet.
Hydrating
Did you know that blueberries are 84% water? This makes them a good choice to help hydrate your guinea pig on long car rides or at other times when their water bottle is unavailable. They’re also a great summer snack!
Since blueberries are small and guinea pigs can’t eat too many, you’ll likely want to combine them with hydrating vegetables such as red or green leaf lettuce or cucumber. You can also leave some water on your vegetables after washing them to make your guinea pigs’ diet more hydrating.
Great Taste
The main reason to feed blueberries to your guinea pigs is because they like them! While not all guinea pigs have a taste for blueberries, they can make an excellent treat.
Since fruits must be fed sparingly, you can even use them as a high-value treat for teaching new tricks or as a reward for behaving during nail trims.
Choking Hazard
Whole blueberries may pose a choking hazard for guinea pigs. They’re round, small, and can get easily stuck in their throats. This is why it’s recommended to cut blueberries in half before feeding them to your piggies, just in case.
Can Be Messy
Blueberries might make a mess in your guinea pigs’ cage or even stain the fur on their chins. While some people don’t mind this, others may be bothered by the mess.
It might be best to feed your guinea pigs blueberries during lap time on top of a towel so you can throw it in the wash afterward. Or, you can feed them on a pee pad in the cage and wash that after feeding.
High in Sugar
Blueberries are high in sugar. Though natural sugars are healthy in small amounts, guinea pigs are very small animals. Properly caring for your guinea pig means monitoring their sugar intake to prevent stomach aches and other digestive problems.
Sugary foods have even been found to contribute to deadly bloat or GDV in guinea pigs. It’s important to limit these foods to a few times a week and always feed them in small amounts.
What Fruits are Toxic to Guinea Pigs?
Guinea pigs can safely eat most fruits, but there are exceptions! For instance, avocados are toxic to guinea pigs. This isn’t uncommon, as avocados are also toxic to cats and dogs.
Many other fruits have toxic parts but can otherwise be fed safely. Tomatoes are safe as long as they’re ripe, but unripened tomatoes, as well as the plant’s stems and leaves, are toxic to guinea pigs.
Many fruit pits and seeds are toxic, including the pits of apples and peaches. In addition, there are parts of fruit that are unsafe to feed, though they aren’t toxic, including tough rinds like you’d find on a watermelon or a pumpkin.
Lastly, you’ll typically want to avoid frozen, canned, or dried fruit. This is because they often contain additives or preservatives that may be unsafe for guinea pigs. Dried fruits also contain more concentrated sugars than fresh fruits.
Other Berries for Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs can eat most berries in small amounts. Here are some common ones to try with your piggies:
- Blackberries
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Cranberries
Remember that these shouldn’t be fed at the same time as blueberries because that would be too much sugar for your guinea pigs. Instead, space them out and feed just one fruit every 2-3 days.
