Light green in color, green apples contains white flesh that is crisp and delicious. As they are high in fiber and antioxidants, it has several health advantages. Not just for people, but guinea pigs can consume them as well.
Guinea pigs can eat green apples, but only as a treat. Green apples are packed with good nutrients for guinea pigs, but they also contain sugar and are slightly sour. For these reasons, they should only be given in moderation.
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Are Green Apples Good for Guinea Pigs? | Health Benefits
Apart from their great taste, green apples have many benefits for your guinea pigs. The following are some of these benefits:
- Green apples help with bad cholesterol and minimize some of the symptoms that come with it. According to recent studies, green apples can reduce higher levels of cholesterol.
- Green apples have several bioactive compounds that are known to enhance the loss of weight and reduce obesity.
- Green apples can improve your guinea pig’s immune system through the nutrients present in them. There are complex B vitamins in green apples, which include thiamine, riboflavin, and vitamin B-6. These are beneficial for developing a strong immune and healthy nervous system.
- Green apples help in eliminating free radicals from the guinea pig’s body. Due to the antioxidants present in green apples, they can remove free radicals from the guinea pigs’ bodies, thus reducing infections and diseases
- Green apples are filled with dietary fiber that helps the guinea pigs during digestion and prevents constipation if given to them in normal amounts and occasionally as a treat.
- Vitamin C present in green apples prevents a dangerous disease in guinea pigs called scurvy. Apart from preventing scurvy, this vitamin is equally a powerful antioxidant. It helps eliminate free radicals from the guinea pig’s body and increases resistance to disease-causing micro-organisms and infection.
Nutrition Facts of Green Apples for Guinea Pigs
Green apples are highly nutritious fruits. They are packed with numerous nutrients that are going to benefit your guinea pigs. The following are some of these nutrients. A serving of 3 oz (100 g) of green apples contains:
- Energy – 52.3 kcal
- Protein – 0.3 g
- Total lipid (fat) – 0.2 g
- Carbs – 13.8 g
- Dietary fiber – 2.4 g
- Sugars – 10.5 g
- Calcium – 0.5 %
- Iron – 0.7 %
- Potassium – 107.3 mg
- Sodium – 1 mg
- Vitamin C – 7.7 %
- Vitamin A – 1.1 %
- Cholesterol – 0 mg
Risks to Consider When Feeding Green Apples to Guinea Pigs
There are certain health risks associated with green apples, especially for guinea pigs. The following are some of these risks that you need to know:
- Green apples tend to have a lot of sugar in them. This may affect the health of your guinea pigs and even lead to some health complications in their body. They will get symptoms like throwing up or diarrhea.
- Green apple seeds can cause serious problems to your guinea pigs due to the presence of a potent poison known as cyanide in the seeds. Eating too many of these seeds can be fatal for your cavy. Besides, guinea pigs should not eat any type of food that contains seeds because of a possible choking hazard.
- If your guinea pig consumes too many apples, it can get stomach pains. This is because of the sugar and acidity in the green apples.
Serving Size and Frequency of Green Apples for Guinea Pigs
Can Guinea Pigs Have Green Apples Every Day?
Guinea pigs can’t eat green apples every day. Because green apples have a lot of sugar in them, you should feed the guinea pig with them two or three times per week. This fruit equally has its fair share of nutrients and benefits, and that is why they are suitable food for the guinea pig’s diet.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat an Entire Green Apple?
One guinea pig can’t eat an entire green apple at once. Guinea pigs don’t know how to control the quantities they eat, and this is, therefore, your work to do. You need to ensure that the amount of food you feed them is not too much for them. Feed them one or two slices of green apples a few times a week. That’s enough to provide them with beneficial nutrients.
Do Guinea Pigs Like Green Apples?
Guinea pigs like to eat green apples. But, there is always a possibility that some of your guinea pigs will not like to eat these apples. That’s completely normal because guinea pigs have their own taste preferences, just like us humans. There are many other fruits that you can give to them as well, such as strawberries, blueberries, nectarines, melons, kiwi, grapes, and so on.
More Information About Guinea Pigs and Green Apples
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Green Apple Skin?
Guinea pigs can eat green apple skin, but also only in moderation due to the fiber content. A lot of fiber for guinea pigs can cause diarrhea or vomiting. Green apple skin has many benefits for guinea pigs as it’s known that green apple skin contains more nutrients than the inner part of the apple, as it is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
So never peel green apples when feeding them to guinea pigs. Just be sure to wash them thoroughly with water due to the possibility of pesticide and dust residue on the skin.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Green Apple Seeds?
Guinea pigs cannot eat green apple seeds because they are potential choking hazards for them. And even if they could eat the seeds, green apple seeds, in particular, are filled with a potent poison known as cyanide. This toxin may drastically affect the life and health of your little pet. So, the best option is to remove the seeds before giving the green apples to your guinea pigs.
Quick Facts on Green Apples
- The first green apple was identified in Australia in 1868.
- Green apples were discovered by Maria Ann Smith.
- These apples are also known as Granny Smith apples.
- In 2019, the US Apple Association reported that the Granny Smith apple was the third most popular apple in America.
- The first written description of Granny Smith apple’s origin was published in 1924.
- Green apples grown in South Africa can be sweeter than green apples grown in other parts of the world.
- People celebrate the Granny Smith Festival in Eastwood annually.
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.
List of Sources
Nutrient Requirements of Laboratory Animals: Fourth Revised Edition
The Effects of Diet on Anatomy, Physiology and Health in the Guinea Pig