Guinea pigs are the most adorable pocket pets that you can easily find.
If you also have a guinea pig, you will undoubtedly want to keep it happy and healthy. It means that you want to give them a healthy and nutritious diet. So, what about juicy blackberries? Can Guinea pigs eat Blackberries?
The simple answer is: Yes, Guinea pigs can eat blackberries but in a moderate amount. Feed them as an occasional treat only once or twice a week. However, baby guinea can’t process sweet food at all. Overfeeding your little guinea pig with blackberries can upset the guinea pig’s stomach.
Are blackberries a great source of nutrients or toxic? Which parts of the blackberry plant can you feed your fluffy guinea pig?
You will find all the answers to your questions about blackberries and guinea pigs in this blog.
Let’s get started!
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Blackberries?
Blackberries are delicious, and guinea pigs love to eat them. It is an edible fruit rich in vitamins, minerals, and other healthy nutrients that benefit your pet’s health. Guinea pigs can eat blackberries, including their seeds and skin. However, don’t feed canned berries to your little pet because it can be harmful to them.
Blackberries have an upgrade amount of sugar that means feeding them in a high amount can lead to several digestive issues in guinea pigs. Blackberries are used in several products like jam, seedless jelly, wine, and desserts, but it does not mean you can feed them all to your little guinea pig.
Only feed fresh blackberries in a moderate amount, like once or twice a week, as a treat to your guinea pig.
Are Blackberries Safe for Guinea Pigs?
Blackberries are entirely safe for guinea pigs. They are not allergic to this sweet fruit. However, it is an exotic fruit that you can add to your guinea pigs’ diet. Including this fruit into guinea pig’s diet keep them healthy and happy.
Guinea pigs can enjoy blackberries only in a moderate amount. If they are fed too much, then they will be harmful.
Blackberry is an excellent food that has no side effects.
Also, it contains many essential nutrients, and this natural product is radiating with well-being benefits.
Can Blackberries make my Guinea Pig sick?
Only a moderate amount of blackberries can’t make guinea pigs sick. However, an excessive amount of blackberries can lead to several digestive problems.
Health Benefits of Blackberries
Blackberries are high in fiber, and guinea pig’s diet must be high in fiber. This fruit contains both soluble and insoluble fiber.
Soluble fibers are readily soluble in water and help lower blood sugar levels and maintain cholesterol levels. On the other hand, insoluble fibers are not soluble in water, and they help indigestion. Following are their health benefits:
- They increase the regular movement of the intestine
- They help in controlling sugar levels
- It is also aids in losing weight
Scurvy protection
Guinea pigs are prone to scurvy because their diet does not contain enough vitamin C. Blackberries have enough vitamin C to protect against scurvy in guinea pigs. However, early scurvy symptoms are fatigue, diarrhea, bleedings, etc.
Cure for digestion problems
Blackberries are rich in zinc and betaine, and the nutrients are essential for guinea pig’s gut health. Sometimes, guinea pigs have some digestion issues like cramps or diarrhea. Blackberries can treat these digestion problems.
Healthy Blood
Blackberries are rich in iron, and iron keeps the blood healthy in the little guinea pig’s body.
What are the Nutritional Facts of Blackberries?
Following are the nutritional facts of blackberries that help in a healthy guinea pig’s life:
Vitamin A
Blackberries are rich in vitamin A that positively impacts guinea pig’s brains, skin, kidneys, lungs, heart, and vision.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 aids in relaxation, better sleep and boosts serotonin production (the happy hormone)
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is the essential vitamin for guinea pigs to get through blackberries. Because vitamin C is not produced in guinea pig’s body naturally, this also helps prevent scurvy.
Zinc
Zinc treats diarrhea, boosts the overall immunity, and prevents chronic diseases in the guinea pig’s body.
Potassium
Potassium lowers the blood pressure in the guinea pig’s body.
Calcium
Blackberries have just a tiny amount of calcium. However, an excessive amount can lead to guinea pigs’ urinary tract diseases.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Wild Blackberries?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat wild blackberries too. Wild blackberries are just like regular blackberries, and guinea pigs love them. But sometimes, wild blackberries can contain worms that can be poisonous. So, before feeding wild blackberries to your guinea pig, make sure they are free from all worms.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Dried Blackberries?
No, it would not be a good idea to feed guinea pigs dried blackberries. As we know, dried blackberries are high in sugar, and sugar is very harmful to guinea pigs. They can also stick to their teeth while chewing.
How Often Can A Guinea Pig Eat Blackberries?
Blackberries can only be fed as an occasional treat to guinea pigs like once or twice a week. An excessive amount can lead to several health problems.
What Serving Size of Blackberries Can You Feed to Guinea Pigs?
Serve two to three medium-sized blackberries to your medium-sized guinea pig. Feed one to two medium-sized blackberries to a smaller guinea pig.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Blackberry leave?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat blackberry along with its leaves. Their leaves have a coconut flavor that your little guinea pig will love to eat occasionally.
Blackberry leaves can be used for medical purposes like:
- Tinnitus marks on their leaves help treat sore throat, mouth ulcers, and gingivitis and prevent dysentery.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Blackberries Jam?
No, blackberries jam is not healthy for your little guinea pig due to preservatives added into it. Jam contains a lot of sugar that is not good for your little guinea pig’s health.
Jam is a processed product that is not healthy for guinea pigs’ health.
What Berries can Guinea Pigs Eat?
Guinea pig is an adorable pet animal who can eat most berries. You need to consider the number of berries you are feeding because they are rich in Vitamin C and other healthy nutrients for guinea pig’s health.
Some of the berries that you can offer to guinea pig are:
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Blackberries
- Elderberries
- Cranberries
Blueberries are entirely safe, just like grapes to feed your adorable guinea pig.
Are Guinea Pigs Allowed to Eat Strawberries?
Guinea pigs can eat several types of berries, including blueberries and strawberries. All these berries contain several healthy nutrients for guinea pig’s health.
Final Thoughts
Guinea pigs can eat blackberries but in a moderate amount. If we talk about baby guinea, they can’t process sweet food at all. Don’t feed blackberries or any other sweet fruit to them; only Alfalfa is enough for them. These are rich in fiber, magnesium, calcium, antioxidants, Vitamin B9, and folate that have their benefits. The only drawback that blueberries have is their high sugar content.
Guinea Pigs need high fiber and low sugar content. Overfeeding your little guinea pig with blackberries can upset the guinea pig’s stomach. So, it would be best if you kept an eye on the number of blackberries you are feeding your little guinea pig.
SmallPetsX.Com does not provide veterinary advice. Our aim to help small pet owners understand their pets a little better so that they can provide their pets with the life they deserve. All content is therefore for informational purposes only. If you're concerned about the health of your pet you should seek medical advice from a vet.