People and some animals really love bananas. We can say that bananas are one of the most popular fruits in the whole world and they also have a lot of health benefits. Now let’s see if you can feed guinea pigs with bananas.
So, can guinea pigs eat bananas? Guinea pigs can eat bananas but not in large serving sizes and also not very often. The reason for this is the amount of sugar in bananas. Still, guinea pigs can consume bananas in moderate amounts as a treat.
In the next part, we are going to talk about the possible risks and health benefits of a guinea pig eating a banana. Also, we are going to go over the nutritional chart for bananas and how to feed them to guinea pigs. Now, let’s begin!
Table of Content
Are Bananas Good for Guinea Pigs? | Health Benefits
Bananas Are Good for Young Guinea Pigs
Bananas are very healthy for humans and are especially consumed by sports players due to the high amount of potassium. The same is applied to the guinea pigs but not for the adult ones, in this case, potassium is most beneficial for the baby guinea pigs. Combined with a high protein diet, potassium improves growth in young guinea pigs.
Lowers the Chance of Getting Kidney Stones
Guinea pigs are prone to kidney stones. Bananas with a high amount of potassium are a great way to prevent this. In order for guinea pigs to have healthy kidneys, they need a regular intake of potassium.
Scurvy Prevention
Bananas contain vitamin C which is also extremely important to guinea pigs. Just like us, they can’t produce vitamin C within their bodies and they need an external source. Lack of vitamin C can cause a disease called scurvy. This is where bananas can help because they contain vitamin C but are only helpful if consumed moderately.
Nutrition Facts of Bananas for Guinea Pigs
Bananas are very nutritious and they contain many vitamins and minerals. One banana depending on the size has around 100 to 120 calories. It is mostly made of carbohydrates, which means that it is low on the protein side. Bananas are low in fats and cholesterol but at the same time, are high in sugar and this is why you have to be careful when giving them to guinea pigs.
This is the nutritional chart for 100 g of bananas (around 3.5 oz of bananas):
- Energy – 89 kcal
- Carbs – 22.84 g
- Total fats – 0.33 g
- Sugars – 12.23 g
- Dietary Fiber – 2.6 g
- Potassium – 358 mg
- Magnesium – 27 mg
- Manganese – 0.27 mg
- Calcium – 5 mg
- Sodium – 1 mg
- Iron – 0.26 mg
- Vitamin C – 8.7 mg
- Vitamin B6 – 0.367 mg
- Vitamin A – 64 IU
- Riboflavin – 0.073 mg
- Protein – 1.09 g
- Niacin – 0.665 mg
- Folate – 20 µg
As you can see from the nutritional data, the amount of potassium and vitamin C is just amazing but so is the amount of sugar.
Risks to Consider When Guinea Pigs Eat Bananas
As much as bananas are good for growth and for the health of the kidneys, they also contain certain risks. Now let’s explore these risks.
Problems With Kidneys
Even though we said that bananas can help with preventing kidney stones, if the guinea pig’s kidneys are not functioning well, the bananas and the potassium that they contain can result in the guinea pig’s death. When kidneys are not working properly, they are not able to remove the excess potassium from the body. If that happens, the guinea pig can die.
This is why it is very important not to feed them bananas if they have any form of kidney disease. Only feed them bananas to maintain the health of the kidneys and if kidneys are healthy.
Guinea Pigs Can’t Consume Sugars
Also, bananas contain lots of sugar that can cause problems and constipation for guinea pigs. Bananas are fibrous food and lots of fiber can also cause problems. These problems can manifest in the form of stomach bloat, gases, and cramps. All of this can cause the guinea pig extreme pain. So, avoid giving them too much of anything and this includes bananas as well.
Tips on How to Feed Bananas To Guinea Pigs | Serving Size and Frequency
Can Guinea Pigs Have Bananas Every Day?
We know that there are many health benefits for guinea pigs if they eat bananas. But everything above the normal limit can cause serious problems.
It is recommended to give guinea pigs bananas once or twice a week in small serving sizes. If the guinea pig just ate too much of the banana, nothing fatal can happen. There could be serious stomach bloat, gases, constipation, and possible cramps that will give a guinea pig sharp pains.
The guinea pig will probably look frozen and in discomfort producing sharp noises to tell you that it is in pain. Just be careful with bananas because the fiber and the sugar content in them can really hurt your guinea pig.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat the Entire Banana?
Guinea pigs can eat only a tiny bit of banana, and never the entire banana. Just keep in mind that they are very small compared to us and we can’t give them a whole or a half of the banana, it is simply not logical.
One or three slices of one banana are more than enough for one guinea pig. As for the banana peels, well if the guinea pig even likes them, you can’t just throw the whole banana peel in the cage. Also, one or two small pieces should do the trick.
Do Guinea Pigs Like Bananas?
Guinea pigs enjoy eating bananas because they’re very tasty and sweet. Generally, guinea pigs like to eat all kinds of fruits such as blueberries, apples, grapes, raspberries, oranges, and many others, because fruits are like a treat for them.
The guinea pig will eat a banana every time you give it to them. So, you need to be careful because of the high amount of sugar which isn’t good for their health.
Can Baby Guinea Pigs Eat Bananas?
You shouldn’t feed bananas to baby guinea pigs in the first few weeks after they were born. During that period, baby guinea pigs just need mother’s milk and alfalfa hay.
After a few weeks, you can introduce to a baby guinea pig vegetables and fruits, but only in small amounts and not very often. At that time, bananas can be good for them because of potassium which is good for baby guinea pigs’ growth.
More Information About Guinea Pigs and Bananas
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Banana Peels?
Guinea pigs can eat banana peels/skin but not very often. Also, there is a possibility that your guinea pig won’t even like it. Guinea pigs have different tastes. This means if you have two of them one can like banana peels and the other one won’t.
The banana peels are almost the same as the banana but they contain a lot less sugar. Now the problem is that they contain just too much fiber that can make guinea pigs constipated. Just try to give banana peels to guinea pigs once or twice a week and never as a regular daily diet plan.
Most owners give their pets leftovers. For some pets, this is not a problem but guinea pigs are somewhat sensitive even if they do not require lots of maintenance.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Banana Peppers?
Guinea pigs can’t eat banana peppers. These peppers are members of the chili pepper family and they have a milder taste than jalapenos peppers but still are considered to be hot. They shouldn’t eat chili peppers because they have a sensitive digestive system. These peppers can cause serious stomach and other problems in guinea pigs.
However, guinea pigs can eat sweet banana peppers. These peppers are almost like bell peppers but are named banana peppers only named for their banana-like shape. Guinea pigs enjoy eating sweet peppers as well.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Banana Chips?
Guinea pigs can’t eat banana chips because they contain more sugar than a fresh banana. According to the vets, too much sugar isn’t good for the well-being of your little pets and they need to eat only fresh fruits and vegetables.
All dried fruits, such as dried bananas and dried apricots, are high in sugars and aren’t good for guinea pigs. So, guinea pigs aren’t allowed to eat banana chips or any other chips even if they technically can eat them.
What About Banana Cookies for Guinea Pigs?
Guinea pigs can eat banana cookies, but only the ones that are made for them or the ones that you can buy in the pet stores. Don’t give guinea pig banana cookies that are made for humans.
Guinea pigs have a very sensitive digestive system and they can’t eat any cooked food. But these cookies can be given to them only occasionally and in small amounts. Some owners make their own banana cookies for guinea pigs. But in order for them to have a healthy and long life, feed your guinea pig with fresh vegetables, fruits, and hay.
Are Green Bananas Good for Guinea Pigs?
Guinea pigs can eat green bananas but some guinea pigs maybe won’t like them. Yellow and green bananas are different in texture and also in taste, but both of them have many healthy nutrients.
The major difference is the taste, green bananas have a somewhat bitter taste because they have a smaller amount of sugar. Green bananas are also harder in texture than yellow bananas. So, guinea pigs can eat green bananas, but only in moderation just like any other fruit.
Can Guinea Pig Eat Banana Leaves?
Banana leaves are large, hard, and waterproof, so many people use them for cooking, food-serving, or wrapping. Guinea pigs can eat banana leaves, but only in moderation. There are not really any reported problems with banana leaves but they are pretty hard in texture for guinea pigs.
Some owners have even reported that banana leaves are one of the most favorite foods for their guinea pigs. But just like with any type of fruit and vegetables, banana leaves should be fed only one or two times a week. Hay needs to be the main food in the guinea pig’s diet.
Can a Guinea Pig Eat a Banana If It’s Brown?
For people, brown bananas are good because that type of banana contains more antioxidants than a regular banana. Guinea pigs can eat a brown banana. It can provide them with antioxidants but it’s not recommended to have this type of banana in their diet.
Guinea pigs like fresh fruits. However, in brown bananas, the starch is transforming into simple sugars, which isn’t so good for guinea pigs. Brown bananas are even sweeter than the regular ones. So, it’s better to give them small amounts of fresh, yellow banana than a brown banana.
Can Guinea Pigs Drink Strawberry Banana Juice?
Guinea pigs can’t drink any type of juice that you’ve bought in the store and this includes the strawberry banana juice. These juices contain a lot of sugar and other ingredients that aren’t good for guinea pigs’ health.
Guinea pigs can eat strawberries and bananas. You can give them only home-prepared strawberry banana juice that you’ve made from fresh fruits and water without any added sugars, dairy products, or something else. Just don’t give them large serving sizes and not very often as it’s not good for their health.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Banana Bread?
Guinea pigs can’t eat banana bread or any other type of bread. Banana bread isn’t poisonous for guinea pigs and a little piece of banana bread will not lead to death, but you should avoid feeding them with it because bread is sticky can cause serious health complications.
Generally, guinea pigs can’t eat any cooked food or any human food. They are herbivores and need only fresh plants or fruits in their diet.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Banana Squash?
Guinea pigs can eat banana squash as it contains many healthy nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin A, some vitamins B, iron, and fiber. However, because of calcium, it should be given only in moderation.
Banana squash doesn’t have similarities with bananas in taste or texture, except for the yellow color and elongated shape. However, although people use it as a vegetable, botanically banana squash is a fruit because it contains seeds.
Quick Facts on Banana
The following are some fantastic facts about bananas that you need to know:
- Apart from watermelons and apples, bananas can also float on water.
- Bananas are planted in over 150 countries.
- There are wild bananas that are full of seeds and are not edible.
- There are over 50 banana species in the world.
- California has a banana club museum that has 17,000 banana items.
- India is the largest producer of bananas.
With food, you should be careful what to choose. If you are not sure what to feed them but believe your little piggies deserve some great treats, check our Helpful Guide to the Best Guinea Pig Treats to get some ideas.
We have also made a full list of foods that guinea pigs can and can’t eat (150+ Types of Foods). Be sure to also check our recommended products page for everything you will ever need to assure a happy life for your Guinea Pigs. Hope this information was helpful and you have found the answer you were looking for.
Summary
The most important thing to understand when giving your guinea pig bananas is that they should be given occasionally as a treat and not as a regular part of their diet.
Love your pet and always do some research before giving it new foods. When you give a guinea pig a new type of food always keep track of its behavior in order to see how its body reacts to the new food.
List of Sources
Vitamin C Requirements of the Guinea-Pig
Diet Composition and Mineral Balance in Guinea Pigs
Dietary Requirements of the Guinea Pig With Reference to the Need for a Special Factor
Metabolic Availability of Vitamin C in the Guinea-Pig
The Effects of Diet on Anatomy, Physiology and Health in the Guinea Pig