Owning a Guinea Pig is one of the most adorable, cute little things you can ever have. Those large eyes could melt any heart with an out poring love. Raising a Guinea Pig needs as much attention and care as other pets. Among the most considerable facts, their diet comes first. Can Guinea Pigs have plums? This could be a probable question you meet when arranging the meals for your rodent friend. Let’s discuss the fact here.
Can Guinea Pigs have Plums?
Guinea Pigs are a set with distinct characters. As the same, their diet is also unique. You are not allowed to give them all the things that are included in your meals. Because if they intake an excessive dose of certain nutrients, there is a high chance of facing illnesses and being sick.
Guinea Pigs can have plums. But you have to make sure they do not consume more than two small slices twice a week. Your piggy will surely love this fruit as all the other sweets. Sometimes they will request more until you feel fed up with their begging, but never feed them more. Now we will discuss why with reference to the nutrient facts of plums.
Plums are a rich source of essential minerals like Potassium, Magnesium, and Phosphorus. If we take a plum that weighs 66 grams, it contains 103.6 mg of Potassium, 4.62 mg of Magnesium, and 10.56 mg of Phosphorus. 66 grams of plums will be contained in one mid-sized fruit.
Potassium – This is an essential mineral for the metabolism of piggies. Potassium is required for the proper functioning of muscles and the nervous system. Potassium does a great job of decreasing the risk of cardiac arrests. But if it exceeds the required levels, Potassium overdose may result in weakness in muscle movements, nausea, cardiovascular diseases, and even the death of your beloved pet.
Magnesium – Magnesium is also an essential participant in strengthening bones, increasing immunity, and recovering metabolisms, for instance. Magnesium deficiency and overdose are other boundaries that a pet parent must take good care of. If your pet lacks Magnesium, it will face a situation where blood clot form inside the cells. In overdose situations, your pet friend will undergo respiratory and heart issues. Their muscular and skeletal system, too, will affect by hypermagnesemia.
Phosphorus – This is the most important nutrient that takes part in the growth of the teeth and bones of your pig. Phosphorus is an active participant in the metabolism of carbohydrates taken via food, and it also participates in the functioning mechanism of proteins. If your Guinea Pig consumes plenty of food rich in Phosphorus, it will surely face dehydration and will start drinking more water. You will also observe irregular urination with issues.
Is it Okay to Give Guinea Pigs Grapes?
Before introducing a fruit or any kind of food to your Guinea Pig, a nutrient check is a must. As we discussed, although fruits satisfy their nutrient requirements, overdose presents a risk even for life.
Guinea Pigs can eat grapes. But the portion must be limited, as same as we discussed for the plums. If you provide them with the right portion, grapes will give them a lot of advantages with their rich nutrients. On the contrary, an overdose will surely result in serious physical illnesses.
How Many Grapes Can a Guinea Pig Have?
You should have experienced that your Guinea Pig has an extreme interest in this sour fruit. But it is not wise to give it plenty as of the interest they show. Generally, you can feed up to two complete grapes a week, but it is highly prohibited to feed them more than two within a week.
Grapes present sugar in excessive fractions. 151 grams of grapes present 23.37 grams of sugar. Therefore, if you exceed the safe boundary, you will see that the pig is ill and not the active rodent who wandered all around your premises. High sugar levels have a tendency to cause damage to the nervous system. This will sometimes end in non-movable legs. When there is a high percentage of sugar in your pet’s body, the defensive mechanism of its immune system also decreases. In other words, your pet will be ill easily because of fungi, viruses, and bacteria so often.
151 grams or one cup of grapes contain a lot of minerals too. There is 15 milligrams of Calcium, 11 mg of Magnesium, 30mg of Phosphorous, and 288mg of Potassium. We had mentioned the effects of an overdose of these minerals when we discussed the plum matter. Please refer to that to get a clear understanding.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Black Plums?
If you raise a Guinea Pig, you must have proper knowledge of the nutrient balancing of its diet. Because the foods it takes directly impact its health. They may get sick, and sometimes you will lose your tiny friend if some nutrients are intake in massive amounts.
Any plum, including black plums, can be given to your rodent partner. But wait! It must be done in the proper scales. You can give two small fruits once a week. This is totally enough for their nutrient balance. If there are overdose symptoms, you must immediately seek medical assistance.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Plums Seeds?
Now you must have a clear idea about offering them plums as a treat. But you must ensure that you do not let them eat the seed. This is because of the cyanide composition within its seed. It will be a medical situation if your piggy eats a plum seed. Run for the vet ASAP. He will determine the treatment after the X-rays and necessary tests.
Conclusion
Plums are a sweet dessert and a common snack in most houses. It provides many benefits for us. Boosting immunity and balancing the hormones and strength of bones and muscle system are some of the major benefits.
If you balance the amounts as we have discussed in this article, you will have a healthier Guinea Pig for a long time.
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