If you own a cavy, you may have thought about feeding your pet some peaches.
You’re in luck, as we’re just about to dig into the nitty-gritty of feeding peaches to piggies!
Is this fruit great for your guinea pig?
Are there parts you shouldn’t feed?
Read on to find out!
What are the things that you should know?
Peaches are sweet, juicy, and mouth-watering.
So, we understand if you want your pet to have some of that goodness.
As a cavy owner, you should know that your piggy cannot produce its own vitamin C.
So, your furry friend needs as much of it as it can get from the meals it’s given.
Peaches can meet up with your piggy’s requirement for this vitamin; it is a rich source.
A large peach contains about 19% of vitamin C.
What is the nutrient content of peaches?
Peaches have lots of sugar in them. For this reason, this juicy fruit should be eaten only one or two times a week.
It would do well as a treat for your furry friend, supplementing your cavy’s main diet.
Feeding peaches once or twice a week to your cavy in the right quantities will not cause any harm.
Minerals and nutrients like phosphorus, fat, oxalate, and calcium are present in small amounts in peaches.
These are substances that should not be found in high quantities in your piggy’s diet.
However, these do not cause as much worry as the quantity of excess sugar in peaches.
It is why the recommended size of this juicy fruit is one cubic inch for your furry friend.
Can guinea pigs eat the outer covering of peaches?
Your furry piggy can wolf down the outer covering of this fruit with ease.
Organic peaches would be great for your pet. You wouldn’t need to peel off the rind first before feeding your cavy.
Your guinea pig would gladly chew on them.
However, if you did not buy organic peaches, you will have to peel the skin off first.
This is because of harmful chemicals and pesticides which might have been used to grow the peaches.
Removing the outer cover before giving your pet this fruit will keep your piggy safe.
The seed of the peach fruit is also not right for your cavy. It is too big and hard for your furry friend to chew.
If your pet manages to break into the seed by luck, your cavy will end up eating cyanide.
Cyanide is a poisonous substance that will harm your piggy if it is consumed.
Do not make the mistake of feeding the seed/pit to your furry friend.
Can piggies enjoy dried peaches?
Dried peaches are sweeter than fresh ones.
As a result of this, they also contain more sugar.
It is worth considering this before feeding your pet with it.
Feed your furry friend with fresh peaches.
These are better for your furry friend because they don’t contain as much sugar.
Should you feed your piggy with canned peaches?
No, canned peaches contain much more sugar when compared to the fresh ones.
Your pet has a sensitive tummy. Its digestive system can also get worked up easily if it feeds on the wrong things.
Excess sugar is bad for your pet.
Giving your furry friend tin peaches will hurt it.
Are white peaches good for your cavy?
The difference between ordinary peaches and white ones is in the amount of acid present in them.
Regular peaches contain lower amounts of acids.
This makes them sweeter than the white ones, no matter how soft or firm they may seem.
It is safe to give this fruit to your pet, but not more than twice a week.
What are the side effects of giving your piggy too many peaches?
With fruits that contain lots of sugar, it is always best to feed them in small quantities.
As said earlier, the sugar content in peaches should prevent you from wanting to overfeed your furry friend.
If you give your cavy peaches in excess, your furry friend can suffer from diarrhea.
It can cause stomach upset and vomiting. The excess sugar in this fruit can also cause unexpected weight gain in your pet.
All of these will only negatively affect your piggy’s health. It might even get worse in the long run.
An ideal guinea pig diet should contain pellets, hay, and fresh green veggies.
These should be supplied with clean water daily. Also, replace leftovers daily.
As a cavy owner, trying to avoid spoiling your furry friend can be a bit difficult.
However, it’s not just about feeding your pet, some of what is on your plate.
You have to make sure that your cavy’s diet meets all its nutritional needs.
Make sure to research new ingredients before adding them to your pet’s meal.
Also, give your cavy these foods in small quantities. Then, observe how your guinea pig responds and make adjustments based on this.
Do you have other pets?
Are you worried about feeding the right thing?
Click here to learn about great foods for your pet, and here to discover so much more about guinea pigs!
