Can Guinea Pigs Eat Kiwi Fruit? Nutritional Benefits, Risks & Size

Can Guinea Pigs eat Kiwi without any problem? Fruits like Kiwi are tasty with good flavors and a whole lot of health benefits for humans. What if you decided to furnish your Guinea Pigs food with some Kiwi? 

Let’s find out from this article if truly Guinea Pigs can eat Kiwi, how much, its health benefits and risks and also the big question “can guinea pigs eat kiwi skin?“

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Kiwi?

Kiwi fruit which is also known as Kiwi is a round or oval-shaped fruit with a thin brown rough skin. The fruit is very tasty due to its high sugar content with a lot of fleshy juices. Kiwi fruit has a lot of nutrients and minerals which are essential for the growth of your Guinea Pigs.

It contains numerous vitamins including Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K. Also minerals like Calcium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, fiber, folates and so on can be derived from eating Kiwi. Should your Guinea Pigs eat Kiwi and derive all these nutrients, it will help them to grow healthily.

Although this depends on the part you are feeding them and how often. Kiwi fruits, seeds, and other soft parts can be fed to Guinea Pigs without any problem. This is because these parts are soft, easy to digest and contain the necessary nutrients.

Unlike the Kiwi skin which is rough and too tough for the pig’s stomach. Kiwi skin should not be given to pigs as it is hard to digest which can result in indigestion as well as stomach ache.

Therefore, Guinea Pigs can eat Kiwi fruit, seeds as well as other soft parts without any problem. As long as the skin is peeled off before giving it to them.

How Much Kiwi Can Guinea Pigs Eat?

Although we have established that Guinea Pigs can eat Kiwi fruit without any danger, it is important to consider how much of it is safe to eat.

Guinea Pig’s stomach is very sensitive and is only accustomed to grasses and hays. Therefore, it is important when introducing fruits like Kiwi to give little. Apart from that, Kiwi contains a high amount of fiber which can result in loose stool and stomach upset if eaten frequently and too much. Thus, it is very important to give little first, watch your pigs reaction before giving the rest.

Many experts recommended that Guinea pigs’ food should be mainly grasses and hays because of their fragile stomachs. At most 5% of their food can be substituted with fruits for nutrient supplementation. Thus, Kiwi should be given in smaller portions to pigs and not more than 2 to 3 times a week.

Read Also: Can Guinea Pigs Eat Tomatoes? Health Benefits and Risks

Can Guinea Pigs eat Kiwi Seeds?

Yes, Guinea Pigs can eat Kiwi seeds without any problem. The Kiwi seeds unlike many fruits seeds are soft, small, and chewable by the pigs. This gives your pet the liberty to consume the seeds without any risk of obstruction.

As long as the Kiwi seeds are given seldomly and in small portions, there will be no danger to your Guinea Pigs.

Can Guinea Pigs eat Kiwi Fruits?

Kiwi fruits are succulent, soft with juices. When you feed Guinea Pigs with Kiwi fruit, they stand the chances of growing healthy. As most nutrients and minerals are embedded in the fruits.

Just ensure you wash the skin of the fruit very well before giving to avoid chemical poisoning. Also, it is very important to peel off the Kiwi skin to avoid stomach upset and other GIT problems. Thus, it is healthy and safe for your Guinea Pigs to eat Kiwi fruits as long as you follow the necessary rules.

Can Guinea Pigs eat Kiwi Berries?

Ever heard of Kiwi Berries? It is a type of fruit that is similar to Kiwi. Just that it is smaller and softer when compared to the normal Kiwi. It contains almost the same content of nutrients and serves the same purpose. Although Kiwi berries peels or skins are not tough to digest and healthy for Guinea pigs.

Since it is healthy for Guinea Pigs to eat Kiwi especially in the right amount, there is no harm in giving Kiwi berries also. Guinea Pigs can digest Kiwi berries peel or skin as it is not tough and rough like the ordinary Kiwi.

Can Guinea Pigs eat Kiwi Green fruits?

No doubt, Kiwi fruits irrespective of their color and types are healthy and safe for Guinea Pigs. As long as they are fed the right parts like the seeds, fruits, and other succulent parts and the peel or skin is shunned.

In case you are wondering if your Guinea Pigs can eat Kiwi green fruits, you should know they can.  Although not all pigs like Kiwi taste as some pigs may not eat it all. It all falls on your pig preferences but averagely, Guinea Pigs can eat green Kiwi fruits without any harmful effects, so far it is washed adequately and free from chemicals.

Can Guinea Pigs eat Yellow Kiwi?

As mentioned earlier, Guinea Pigs can consume almost all types of Kiwi whether green or Yellow. Therefore, you can give your Guinea Pigs yellow Kiwi without fear. Just ensure you give in smaller portions and less frequently. Also, pay attention to the skin or peels and remove them all to avoid poisoning.

Still doubting whether it is safe for your Guinea Pigs to eat Kiwi, find below some of the nutrients and benefits of Kiwi fruit.

Health Benefits of Guinea Pigs Eating Kiwi

Kiwi is a highly nutritious fruit that is capable of supplementing your Guinea Pigs food with the necessary nutrients.

100g of Kiwi fruit according to USDA National Nutrients Database contains the following nutrients value:

• Calories (Energy) – 61 kcal
• Carbs – 14.66 g
• Sugars – 8.99 g
• Protein – 1.14 g
• Total fat – 0.52 g
• Dietary Fiber – 3 g
• Folate – 25 µg
• Calcium – 34 mg
• Potassium – 312 mg
• Phosphorus – 34 mg
• Magnesium – 17 mg
• Vitamin A – 4 µg
• Vitamin B-6 – 0.063 mg
• Vitamin C – 92.7 mg
• Vitamin E – 1.46 mg
• Vitamin K – 40.3 µg
• Beta Carotene – 52 µg
• Lutein + zeaxanthin – 122 µg

Want to know more about the importance of these nutrients in Kiwi? Below are the health benefits the nutrients offer.

1. Boost Immunity

Feeding your Guinea Pigs Kiwi fruits and other succulent parts helps to enhance their immunity. This is because Kiwi fruits contain many antioxidants including Carotenoid which fights free radicals.

Not only that, there are enough amounts of Calcium in the fruits which helps to boost the immune system. Adding Kiwi fruits to your Guinea Pigs food once is in a while might be a good decision because of this.

2. Aids Digestion and Weight Loss

Kiwi fruits and other succulent parts contain fiber as well as low fats and calories. The Fibers in Kiwi help to aid digestion thereby preventing constipation and any other related problem.

Furthermore, Kiwi food has high moisture content and when consumed gives a feeling of fullness and satiety. This helps to reduce the amount of food normally eaten by pigs. Thereby encouraging weight loss while hydrating your pets’ bodies.

3. Improves Skin and Reduces Aging process

When you feed your pets with enough Kiwi frequently, they become healthy with shiny and smooth skin. Also, the antioxidants in the fruits delay the aging process as well as reduce terminal diseases like cancer.

4. Prevent Scurvy

No doubt, vitamin C is essential for the healthy growth of Guinea Pigs. When you snack your pet’s food with fruits like Kiwi, they get enough vitamin C from it.

Thereby reducing Scurvy that would have caused a whole of symptoms like swollen joints, rough coats, little or no appetites, internal bleedings, and so on.

5. Good Energy Source

kiwi fruits contain the right amount of calories as well as protein needed by Guinea Pigs for daily activities.

Risks of Guinea Pigs eating Kiwi

Despite the huge health benefits that Kiwi confer on Guinea pigs, there may be dangers if not consumed appropriately. That is why we recommend washing thoroughly and removing all the rough skin or peels before giving them to your pets.

Also, if you feed your pets with a large portion or feed them with Kiwi daily, they may be at risk of the following problems

• Skin rashes
• Loss of Appetite
• Stomach Upset and Ache
• Loose or Watery Stool (Diarrhea)
• Bladder stone and other related Urinary problems
• Diabetes

In case you noticed any of these symptoms after feeding your pets with Kiwi fruits, we advised you to stop giving immediately and seek the help of a veterinarian.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Read Also: Can Guinea Pigs Eat Avocado? Benefits and Risks🥑

Conclusion

Guinea Pigs can eat Kiwi fruits if they find them tasty and are willing to consume them. Kiwi fruits, seeds, and other succulent parts are safe and healthy for consumption while the rough skin or peels should be shunned to avoid any danger.