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Can Guinea Pigs Eat Pumpkin?

If you own a guinea pig it can be funny, but it is not so easy. You have to take responsibility for your pet’s health. It is necessary to provide him a varied diet.

Apart from grass hay and high quality pellets, you can also feed your guinea pig vegetables and fruits but only as occasional treats.

In this article we will tell you if pumpkin can be a part of your guinea pig’s diet.

More about Pumpkin

Pumpkin is actually a cultivar of a squash plant which is round and deep yellow or orange in color. The thick shell of this plant contains the seeds and the pulp. Pumpkin is native to North America, but today it is grown all over the world for agricultural or commercial purposes. You have probably heard for a pumpkin pie that is a traditional meal on the Thanksgiving Day in America and Canada. Pumpkin is a great source of vitamin A and beta carotene, but other nutrients are present only in small amounts. Pumpkin is low in calories, so it can help in weight loss. There is a variety of recipes in which you can use pumpkin and prepare delicious meals.

Is Pumpkin Safe for Guinea Pigs?

If you are a guinea pig’s owner you may be wondering if pumpkin is safe for your pet. We have good news for you. You can feed your guinea pig pumpkin, but you should be careful. It is recommended to feed guinea pigs pumpkin in very small amounts. As long as you feed your guinea pig small amounts of pumpkin, it won’t do any harm to your little pet. In this case, pumpkin can also be beneficial for your guinea pig. Pumpkin doesn’t contain oxalic acid and it is low in phosphorus, which is good for the health of guinea pigs.

Also, pumpkin is very high in vitamin A and it contains vitamin C but in very small amounts. You can also see the information we wrote on red peppers and guinea pigs.

How Much Pumpkin Can Guinea Pigs Eat?

Now when we have told you that your guinea pig can eat pumpkin, it is necessary to know what amount of this vegetable you can give to your pet.

As we have already said, pumpkin is safe for guinea pigs, but you should feed your pet only a small amount of pumpkin once or twice a week at a maximum. This is more than enough for your guinea pig. If you feed your guinea pig too much pumpkin, it can lead to many problems in the gastrointestinal tract of your guinea pig, such as bloating, diarrhea or vomiting. Sometimes large amounts of pumpkin can lead to some serious health complications with your guinea pig.

But have in mind that every guinea pig has its own unique taste. It is best to feed your guinea pig a small amount of pumpkin and to watch the reaction of your pet. If there are no side effects, then you can keep feeding your guinea pig pumpkin but do it only occasionally. If you notice that your guinea pig feels bad and if you notice any side effects, stop feeding him.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Other Parts of the Pumpkin?

Guinea pigs can also nibble on pumpkin leaves, but these leaves are high in calcium, so you should be careful. You can serve your guinea pig pumpkin leaves as an occasional treat only. Guinea pigs can also it pumpkin skin, because it can be beneficial. But, you should never feed guinea pigs pumpkin seeds because they can get stuck in their teeth or throats.

When it comes to the pumpkin pie, it is best to avoid giving it to your guinea pig because pumpkin pie is high in sugar and preservatives.

Summary

As you have seen in this article, you can feed your guinea pig a pumpkin. Pumpkin is safe for guinea pigs, but it should be eaten only in small amounts and once in a while. Large amounts of pumpkin can lead to many health problems, so this vegetable should not be a regular part of your guinea pig’s diet. It should be used only as an occasional treat. The same goes with pears.

But, it is very important not to feed guinea pigs pumpkin seeds because they are not safe for them.