Our beloved guinea pigs, as you already know, are herbivores, which means they need a diet consisting exclusively of plants. Hay forms the largest portion of their diet, but they can also have certain fruits and veggies, as well as pellets, which should make up around 20% of their overall nutrition.
Are grapes on that list though? Can guinea pigs eat them, or are there better choices out there?
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Grapes?
Guinea pigs can eat grapes, but only in moderation, as they are high in sugars. They shouldn’t be a staple in your cavy’s diet, rather only given once a week.
Grapes are a great source of vitamins and minerals, and they are also quite refreshing, especially on a hot summer day. They are however, as all fruits, high in natural sugars. Since guinea pigs don’t actually need sugar in their diet, and since their tiny bodies can quickly overdose on it, it’s best to only offer them the occasional grape.
There is also some concern about the connection between grapes and kidney failure in some dogs. While there is no proof yet that the same can happen to guinea pigs, it’s better to be safe than sorry, and only give them a limited amount of grapes: one or two, once a week.
Can Baby Guinea Pigs Eat Grapes?
Baby guinea pigs shouldn’t eat grapes, as what they really need is their mother’s milk, some hay and water.
As they get older, after 6 or so weeks, you can slowly start introducing other foods, grapes included. Make sure to do so slowly and in moderation, and monitor what effect each new item has on your young guinea pig.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Grape Skin?
Yes, guinea pigs can certainly eat grape skin. It is the healthiest part of the fruit, and is loaded with vitamins and minerals.
You don’t have to peel the grapes you give your guinea pig. Quite the opposite, they should be encouraged to munch on the skin, and treat the flesh as a welcome refreshment that is high in water.
Make sure to wash the grapes first, especially if they are not organic, as you want to remove any pesticides that they may have ben exposed to.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Grapes with Seeds?
No, guinea pigs shouldn’t eat grapes with seeds, as they are a choking hazard. Remove the seeds before giving your guinea a grape.
You probably don’t like eating the seeds of grapes either: they are hard, don’t actually taste good, but they aren’t as much of a nuisance to us humans.
Due to their size, guinea pigs can easily choke on a grape seed, so just remove them before you serve any grapes. It will literally take you half a minute, as you only need to cut open two grapes at most.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Dried Grapes or Raisins?
Guinea pigs shouldn’t eat either raisins or dried grapes, as they are full of sugar and potentially other preservatives, which are bad for guinea health.
A guinea’s diet should consist of fresh, raw food. Anything that has been dried or prepared in any other way is not something they will ultimately enjoy, even if they do like the taste. They can easily upset their stomach when eating too much sugar, so don’t offer them any raisins.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Grape Leaves?
Guinea pigs shouldn’t be eating grape leaves. While there is no proof it’s actually bad for them, it’s better to stick to feeding them leaves we know are beneficial for their health.
There are plenty of other foods you can be giving your guinea pig, so you don’t have to experiment with grape leaves just to keep their diet varied.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Frozen Grapes?
Guinea pigs can only eat frozen grapes if they have been defrosted, and if you have frozen them raw. It is however easier to feed them the fresh kind.
Frozen grapes are a great summer snack for us, but are not a good choice for your cavies. They can’t eat anything frozen, as it’s too cold for them and it might upset their stomach. You can let a grape defrost, but you can also offer them something else, like a cucumber or some apples.
How Many Grapes Can Guinea Pigs Have?
Guinea pigs can have 1 or 2 medium grapes once a week. This will be quite enough to provide plenty of vitamins, but will keep their sugar intake low.
Grapes should be viewed more as a snack and a way to add some variety to your pet’s diet. They are not a staple, and you don’t even need to think about buying grapes for your guinea pig. If you’ve bought some for yourself, you can let them have a couple, but make sure you aren’t giving them other fruits high in sugar on the same day.
How Often Can Guinea Pigs Eat Grapes?
Guinea pigs should eat grapes just once a week. Limit their intake to 2 medium grapes per week, and they should be satisfied with the variety in taste, without overloading on sugar.
Make sure to also monitor how your guinea pig feels after eating grapes. Some may quite enjoy the taste, but get an upset stomach afterwards.
Are Grapes Good For Guinea Pigs?
Grapes contain numerous vitamins and minerals that are good for guinea pig health. They are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, as well as magnesium and phosphorus.
The antioxidants in grapes protect a guinea pig from the effects of free radicals which can cause all kinds of health problems, including heart conditions and certain cancers.
The calcium and magnesium found in grapes is also good for bone and teeth health, but be mindful that too much of these minerals leads to bladder and kidney stones in piggies. Only give them moderate amounts of foods rich in these minerals.
Grapes are also good for lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels, so your guinea pig should experience all kinds of health benefits when munching on a couple of tasty grapes a week.
Can Grapes Be Bad for Guinea Pigs?
Grapes can be bad for guinea pigs when eaten in excess, as they are high in sugars that can damage their health in the long term.
Eating foods high in sugar can make guinea pigs overweight, develop diabetes, and cause a disruption to the delicate balance of bacteria in their guts. Overweight cavies live shorter lives, as all of their organs are put under more strain, trying to keep up with the demand of their larger body.
Since grapes are also high in water, your guinea may get diarrhea when eating too many of them in one go.
If the grapes you give your guinea pig have been treated with pesticides, there is also a chance they will get poisoned by whatever chemical was used. To prevent this, always wash the grapes thoroughly before giving them to your pet.
Which Grapes Can Guinea Pigs Eat?
Guinea pigs can eat all kinds of grapes in moderation. Red grapes are your best choice, but you can serve green and purple ones as well.
You may notice that your guinea pig prefers certain types of grapes over others, so the choice will be an easier one. No matter what kinds of grapes you give your piggie, the amount they can have remains the same: no more than one or two grapes, just once per week.
Wrapping It Up
Grapes can be a good treat for your guinea pig, especially when it’s hot and they need a bit more water in their system. Limit their intake to just one or two grapes per week though, as you don’t want to be feeding them too much sugar.
Wondering whether guinea pigs can eat carrots? Or perhaps can you give apples to a guinea pig? Read some of our other posts to find out!