Watermelon is the perfect summer snack. It’s nutritious, hydrating, and tastes great! As you’re hanging out in the backyard with your guinea pigs this summer, you may wonder: Can guinea pigs eat watermelon, too?
In this article, we’ll discuss whether guinea pigs can eat watermelon, which parts they can and can’t eat, and more.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Watermelon?
Guinea pigs can eat watermelon in small amounts, but it contains too much sugar to be fed daily. Watermelon contains important vitamins and nutrients, including vitamins A and C, potassium, protein, and fiber.
Watermelon is a great summer snack because it helps keep your piggies hydrated. It can also be combined with watery vegetables like cucumber to keep your guinea pigs hydrated during long car rides or other times when they can’t have their water bottles.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Watermelon Seeds?
Watermelon seeds aren’t toxic to guinea pigs, so no worries if they’ve eaten a couple in their snack. However, they can pose a choking hazard, so it’s best to pick them out before feeding the watermelon to your guinea pigs. This especially applies to black seeds, as they’re typically larger than the immature white seeds.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Watermelon Rinds?
Watermelon rind isn’t toxic but can cause some severe health issues in guinea pigs. This is because it’s difficult to chew, swallow, and digest.
If your guinea pig eats watermelon rind, especially in large amounts, they may suffer from an intestinal blockage. This may require surgery at the vet and can even be deadly.
The other risk is that they don’t chew the rind well enough, which becomes a choking hazard.
How Much Watermelon Can Guinea Pigs Eat?
Guinea pigs can eat one small slice of watermelon up to a few times a week if it’s the only fruit in their diet that week. You’ll want to limit other sugary foods when feeding watermelon so that your guinea pig doesn’t develop digestive issues from eating too much sugar.
To prepare watermelon for your guinea pigs, cut it into one-inch cubes. Remove the seeds and rind, and give one cube to each piggie.
Guinea pigs shouldn’t eat watermelon every day because it’s very sugary. It’s best to limit fruit and even sugary vegetables and only feed them a few times a week (or less).
Too much sugar in their diet can cause health problems, including digestive upset, diabetes, or deadly bloat (also known as gastric dilatation-volvulus or GDV).
Pros and Cons of Watermelon for Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs don’t need watermelon or other fruits in their diet; watermelon has nutritional value. Here are some benefits of feeding watermelon to your guinea pigs:
- It contains vitamin C, which guinea pigs must have in their daily diet
- Watermelon also contains vitamin A, which is good for guinea pigs’ eyes and immune systems
- It’s a source of fiber, which helps with digestion
- The potassium in watermelon helps to promote good heart health
- The protein in watermelon is good for guinea pigs’ hair, skin, muscles, and bones
- Most guinea pigs like the sweet taste of watermelon and enjoy it as a treat
Of course, moderation is key with any food, and watermelon does have its downsides. Here are some cons to feeding watermelon to guinea pigs:
- Watermelon can cause stomach upset and other health problems when fed in large amounts
- It might make a mess in your guinea pigs’ cage since it’s so watery
- The seeds may pose a choking hazard if not removed before feeding
- The rind can pose a choking hazard or cause intestinal blockages if eaten, especially in large amounts
- Some guinea pigs won’t eat watermelon, perhaps due to its texture
Other Melons Guinea Pigs Can Eat
Guinea pigs can eat other types of melon as well, including honeydew and cantaloupe. Apply the same rules as you would to watermelon: remove the rind and seeds and feed them only in small amounts. One-inch cubes are a great size for guinea pigs and can be fed up to a few times a week, but no more than this. You’ll have to eat the rest of the melon by yourself, so choose your favorite!
Or, you can choose the melon with the most nutritional value for your guinea pigs. Both cantaloupe and honeydew are lower in sugar than watermelon, making them a slightly healthier choice–though they still shouldn’t be fed daily.
Cantaloupe contains a lot more vitamin C and vitamin A than watermelon or honeydew. However, melons still aren’t the best source of vitamin C for guinea pigs. They should get most of their daily dose from dark, leafy greens, bell peppers, and other vegetables.
More About Guinea Pig Diet
Are you struggling to figure out what your guinea pigs’ diet should look like? Here are some tips so that you can care for your guinea pig properly:
Grass Hay
At least 80% of a guinea pig’s diet should consist of fresh grass hay such as timothy hay or orchard grass. You don’t need to measure this out and should never restrict how much hay your guinea pigs eat.
Keep a large amount easily available in their cage and refresh it frequently. Guinea pigs should never have to work for their hay. Avoid small hay racks and opt instead for a rack or bag with large holes or a large hay pile on the cage floor.
Daily Vegetables
Next, feed the guinea pig about a cup of fresh vegetables daily. This should consist primarily of dark, leafy greens. You can also add other vegetables in smaller amounts, such as bell peppers, cucumber, or carrots.
Pellets
Last up is a quality guinea pig pellet. Look for timothy-based pellets made specifically for guinea pigs, not rabbits or other small pets. The best pellets look boring to humans, as they only contain plain brown pellets–not any seeds, dyes, or dried fruit. These are the healthiest for your guinea pig and help to fill in any nutritional gaps in their daily diet.
