Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cantaloupe

FurryTips is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
can guinea pigs eat cantaloupe

Sweet, juicy and delicious – these are only a few of the words that describe a cantaloupe. Thus, a valid question every guinea pig owner might ask is: can guinea pigs eat cantaloupe?

And the answer to the question is yes, occasionally.

Keep on reading to find out more useful tips about feeding your furry pet this flavorful fruit.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cantaloupe?

can guinea pigs eat cantaloupe

Yes, guinea pigs can eat cantaloupe.

The reason you can consider implementing this fruit into your furry pet’s diet is because it is filled with vitamin C. This vitamin is a central nutrient your guinea pigs body utterly requires, given the fact that cavies are unable to produce it on their own.

Thus, there’s no reason you shouldn’t share a slice of juicy cantaloupe with your guinea pig, as long as you keep the portions fresh, moderate, and rather low. Couple little cubes of cantaloupe would be enough for one guinea pig.

Remember, as much as you enjoy spoiling your guinea pig buddy with cantaloupe, you shouldn’t exceed feeding him more than two portions weekly, as it contains sizable amounts of sugar, which in excess presents harmful effects.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat the Seeds of the Cantaloupe?

Now that we’ve established that you can spoil your guinea pig with cantaloupe treats, you should always remove the seeds before giving these snacks to your pet.

Guinea pigs are small with tiny throats and digestive tracts and cantaloupe seeds pose a risk for your piggy.

More Reading

Can Guinea Pigs Eat the Rind of the Cantaloupe?

Generally speaking, it is best you remove the rind of the cantaloupe before feeding it to your guinea pig. Eating the rind of the cantaloupe can lead to digestive upset and diarrhea in your furry pet.

Cantaloupe – an Ideal Source for Vitamin C

Cantaloupe is an ideal source for vitamin C. This makes it great for your furry pet to chew on. A sufficient vitamin C intake will help your little friend fight various infections and diseases. Additionally, vitamin C contributes to maintaining your cavy’s overall health.

In addition, if your furry buddy’s diet is filled with vitamin C, it ensures that your piggy won’t develop a health condition known as scurvy. This is pretty common among guinea pigs that present vitamin C insufficiency. I cup of fresh, cubes cantaloupe contains 78 % of vitamin C.

Cantaloupe Presents Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Support

Besides being rich in vitamin C, cantaloupe is an excellent source of powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds.

The wide range of effective phytonutrients found in cantaloupe can genuinely contribute to deterring oxidative stress from presenting negative impact on the body’s health, while at the same time preventing various inflammatory infections from occurring.

There is clear evidence pointing that cantaloupe consumption genuinely grows the body’s protection against oxidative stress and mild to severe forms of inflammation.

Moderation – the Key to a Balanced Diet

Given the high content of sugar that cantaloupe contains, we recommend feeding it to your pet once or twice a week. As a matter of fact, this principle applies to the majority of fruits and vegetables you provide as fun treats for your furry family members.

Besides that, it is utterly healthy and beneficial when given in moderate amounts, keep in mind that if you feed too much cantaloupe to your guinea pig, it can lead to diabetes and obesity.

Cantaloupe is rich in sugar content, but it also presents a great amount of water. While it is important that you maintain your pet’s hydration throughout the day, a higher water intake than necessary will affect your little pal’s digestive system and can lead to diarrhea and vomiting.

Remember, your guinea pig’s digestive system is very sensitive.

Preparing Cantaloupe Treats for your Guinea Pig

Last, but not least, when preparing cantaloupe snacks for your guinea pig, the general rule is making sure the juicy fruit is fresh and at room’s temperature.

Cold cantaloupe treats will only cause diarrhea. Additionally, another important pointer is to remove the seeds and peel off the rind.

Offer your furry buddy relatively small pieces of cantaloupe, this way these treats won’t remain in the cage in case your piggies don’t show any real interest to these fruits.

Conclusion

Next time when you have a delicious slice of cantaloupe, save some for your guinea pig as well.

We established that cantaloupe is a safe fruit for your furry pet, as it is an ideal source of vitamin C that strengthens your guinea pig’s tiny body and protects it against serious infections and diseases.

However, we recommend feeding it only occasionally and not as an everyday staple food. Also, steer clear of the seeds and rind.

Additionally, be cautious when feeding new foods to your pet. Always observe your pet afterwards. If you notice any unusual behavior or discomfort your cavy experiences, stop feeding him this food, and consult with your pet.

Related articles:

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Watermelon
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Broccoli

References:

https://smallpetselect.com/nutrition-questions/guinea-pigs-nutrition-questions/can-guinea-pigs-eat-cantaloupe
http://whatcanguineapigseat.com/can-guinea-pigs-eat-cantaloupe/
http://www.onlineguineapigcare.com/can-guinea-pigs-eat-cantaloupe/
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=17

Leave a Comment

0 Shares
Pin
Share
Tweet