Many people enjoy pears since they are delicious and healthy fruits, but can guinea pigs eat pears? This is a question we are going to focus our attention to in this article. Who doesn’t love guinea pigs? These small, cute and sensitive fur balls are great pets to have. They like spending time with their owners and vice versa.
All guinea pig owners want the best for their pets, including the foods we feed them. Let’s talk about pears. Are they good for these pets? Are they rich in nutrients or will they cause damaging effects to their tiny bodies?
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Pears?
The great thing about pears is that they are healthy and can be eaten as a nutritious snack. This is why they should be present in everyone’s home. Going back to the question, yes guinea pigs can eat pears. If you have a pear tree in your garden, you are one of the lucky ones. It means that the fruits are all natural, juicy and filled with tasty flavor.
If you do not have a garden or a pear tree, try to buy the ones that look the most natural to you. These are usually not so good looking and definitely not shiny. Look for those, instead of choosing pears that look great. The good looking pears are most likely grown and filled with pesticides and preservatives!
However, just like in the case of apples, there are some restrictions you should take into consideration. Pears contain sugars and should be given moderately. Other than that, giving your guinea pig this kind of treat, every now and then, is not only healthy, but it can also be seen as a change of usual regimen. It’s a great way for your pet to get out of his daily dietary routine and try something else. New foods will definitely catch your cavy’s attention.
Health Benefits of Pears
Test your pet before giving him the amount of pears you have set aside. When your pet smells the pears and eats it right away, it’s a signs that he likes the new treat. You will easily know if your guinea pig enjoys his new snack.
If you notice that your pet loves these fruits, here are some things to know. Pears are loaded with vitamin C, which is needed for guinea pigs. Guinea pigs are not able to make their own vitamin C. So, they will need a supplement of vitamin C to maintain their immunity. We can agree that pears come in handy for that purpose.
However, pears should not replace your piggy’s daily diet. Guinea pigs need top quality hay, pellets and fresh water. A sensible amount of fruits and vegetables can round out the diet.
Disadvantages of Pears
The downside of these fruits is the fact that they are very acidic. What does this mean? Basically, if your guinea pigs eat large amount of pears than they normally should, they may start having stomach problems. Diarrhea is just one of these unpleasant consequences.
Pears are also high in sugar and guinea pigs have hard time digesting excess sugar. Pears should be offered occasionally and only as treats. Couple slices, once a week is enough for one guinea pig. So, make sure that the amount they take in is within normal limits.
1 medium pear has approximately 17.4 grams of sugar.
Can Your Piggy Eat Pear Skin, Stem, Core or Juice?
Besides the amount of pears guinea pigs should consume, there are also other things to take into consideration. Can they eat the skin of a pear or will this harm their health? Can they eat the pear stems? Can they drink pear juice? Here are some questions that need to be answered.
First of all, you should cut the pear core and throw it away. The stems should be offered the same treatment, as they can choke your furry friend. The pear skin, on the other hand, is something they can eat. Moreover, they will find it very nutritious and will chew on it with a great appetite.
The pear juice is out of the question. It contains too much sugar and can lead to tummy issues. Tinned pears are also not an option. They are too sweet and strong for their tummies. Not to mention that they are really hard to digest!
If you have a pear tree in your garden, it’s fine to give your pet a small branch to chew on. It will help with his teeth!
As you can see, pears are definitely on the approved list of foods to eat. Guinea pigs can eat pears, but moderation is always the key. Proceed with caution and there should not be any problems!
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References:
http://www.onlineguineapigcare.com/can-guinea-pigs-eat-pears/
http://whatcanguineapigseat.com/can-guinea-pigs-eat-pears/
http://www.calorieking.com/foods/calories-in-fresh-fruits-pears-raw_f-ZmlkPTYzNjg2.html
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