Will Eating Dates Hurt Your Guinea Pig? (Find Out Here)

Figuring out what to feed your guinea pig can be a daunting task. There are so many different foods that seem safe, but how do you know which ones are actually good for them? And, more importantly, which ones will make them sick? Like dates, for example. Can guinea pigs eat dates?

Yes, guinea pigs can eat dates, but only a little bit. Dates have vitamins, minerals, and fiber which is good for them. But there is a lot of sugar in dates. If you want to give them to your guinea pig, make it only once in a while as a special treat. Otherwise, too many dates will make your guinea pig fat and sick.

Dates have a lot of nutrients and minerals. They are also low in fat (definitely a win!).

But, there’s a catch (and isn’t there always a catch?).

You have to be careful of how much and when you feed dates to your guinea pigs, so that your little friend don’t get sick.

So, let’s get started. Shall we?

What Are Dates?

Dates are the sweet fruits that grow on date palms. They have a thin, papery skin that can be either yellow, red, or brown when ripe. Underneath, the flesh is soft and deep reddish color.

The fruit is sweet because it has a lot of sugar. Dates are about 60-70% sugar. They have a taste like caramel with a little bit of cloves, vanilla, and honey. You can eat them as a fruit, use them in baking, or even make date syrup.

Are Dates Bad For Guinea Pigs?

Dates aren’t bad for guinea pigs if you only feed them dates in small amounts.

Dates can improve your guinea pig’s health because they contain essential nutrients. But make sure you follow the feeding guidelines, or you might end up doing more harm than good.

Dates have a lot of the things guinea pigs need for healthy growth. They have fiber, vitamins, and minerals. But they’re not perfect. Like any other treat, dates have got a dark side. *insert Darth Vader-like heavy breathing*

Let’s look at some of the health risks associated with feeding guinea pigs dates:

1. Obesity

Guinea pigs are pure vegetarians, which means that their diet does not have a lot of fat. Obesity is a problem for guinea pigs when people feed them too many high-sugar treats, like dates.

I said that dates are mostly sugar. So, if you give your pet too many of them, they’ll start to get fat. And you know that your little friend is overweight if their belly is almost touching the ground. Check out Is Your Guinea Pig Fat? (What You Need to Know) for other signs that your guinea pig is overweight.

2. Diabetes

Yes, piggies can also get diabetes. It’s rare, but it can happen. That’s why you shouldn’t feed them many sweet treats like dates. Otherwise, they might develop diabetes mellitus due to too much sugar in the blood.

Dates contain a lot of sugar, which can jump-start diabetes. And as you probably know, diabetes makes people more likely to get other health problems, which can be severe or even deadly.

3. Dental Problems

Remember when you were taught not to eat too much candy because it would damage your teeth? The same goes for guinea pigs. Their teeth are just as delicate, and if you feed them too many sweet treats, they can develop dental problems.

Cavies are susceptible to overgrown teeth, which is the most common dental problem in guineas. They’re also susceptible to other dental problems. Sugar is the number one enemy of teeth, so if you give them too many dates, they might have tooth problems.

4. Bloat

Bloat is a serious condition that can be deadly if not treated right away. It happens when the stomach gets full of gas and presses down on other organs. The condition can make it hard to breathe and also cause heart arrhythmias.

Arrhythmias are a type of heart problem that can be caused by the bloat. Guinea pigs are prone to this condition, especially when they’re overfed high-sugar treats like dates.

So, if you’re wondering if dates are bad for guinea pigs, the answer is yes and no. In small amounts, they can be a healthy treat. But don’t overdo it or your piggie could end up with serious health issues.

Wanna know why you should steer clear of candy with your fuzz spuds? Check out: Why Guinea Pigs Shouldn’t Eat Candy (7 Simple Reasons)

5. Diarrhea

As a guinea pig parent, you know that guinea pigs are prone to diarrhea. And it doesn’t always mean that your pet ate something bad.

For instance, it could be a reaction to something new in their diet. Sometimes, it can happen when they eat too much of something they are already used to.

But anyway, the point is that it’s easy for guinea pigs to get diarrhea if you’re not careful about what they eat.

It’s one potential risk of feeding them dates. And yes, when it happens, the repercussions can be severe. For instance, it can cause dehydration and weight loss.

6. Digestive Issues

Guinea pigs are also susceptible to all sorts of digestive issues. Most common include gas, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea.

Now, sugar is one of the main culprits of digestive problems. And being the main component in dates, it goes without saying that they can cause digestive issues in piggies.

7. Choking Hazard

Dates are small-sized with a hard pit in the center. It’s this hard pit that can pose a choking hazard. And if your piggie swallows it, it can get stuck in their throat and they can choke to death. It’s next to impossible to perform the Heimlich maneuver on a guinea pig, so you don’t want to risk it.

So, if you must feed your piggie dates, make sure that the pits are removed. If not, skip them all together to avoid putting your pet’s life in danger.

Nutritional Facts for Dates

Even with the numerous health risks, dates have their attractive side. Let’s discover how much of each compound they offer per 100 grams as per USDA;

• Energy – 277 cal:Pigs need this compound to stay active. It’s what helps them do those popcorning and zoomies sessions.
• Carbohydrates – 75g: Carbs gives guinea pigs energy, too.
• Sugar – 66.5g: Higher than necessary. Another reasons why you should limit the number of dates you give your piggie.
• Fiber – 6.7g:Fiber is an important part of a piggie’s diet. It helps with digestion and also keeps them feeling full, which is especially important for obese piggies who need to lose weight.
• Fat – 0.15g: Although there’s not much fat in dates, the little there is benefits piggies. It helps with energy production and also keeps their coat healthy and shiny.
• Protein – 1.81g: This is the nutrient responsible for tissue repair. It also has other roles including facilitating the production of enzymes and hormones.
• Calcium – 64mg: Your piggie’s teeth need calcium to remain strong. And that’s not all – the mineral also helps with blood clotting and nerve transmission.
• Iron – 0.9mg: Iron is essential for transporting oxygen in the blood. Other roles include promoting a healthy immune system.
• Magnesium – 54mg: Magnesium helps guinea pigs with energy production, muscle contractions, and cell function.
• Phosphorus – 62mg: Phosphorus is important for many things in the body, like helping to form bones, produce energy, and keep cells healthy.
• Potassium – 696mg: The mineral helps the body by regulating how much sodium is in the body. The mineral also helps with fluid balance and muscle function.

How Do Dates Compare To Other Fruits?

Now that you understand the nutritional value of dates, let’s compare them to other fruits.

And here, I’ll work with dates, figs, grapes, and plums. The comparison will be based on how much sugar, fiber, vitamin C, and fat these fruits have per 100g.

	Sugar	Fiber	Vitamin C	Calcium
Dates	66.5g	6.7g	0	64mg
Figs	16.3g	2.9g	2mg	35mg
Grapes	15.5g	0.9g	3.2mg	10mg
Plums	9.92g	1.4g	9.5mg	6mg

So, we can make some conclusions from the data above:

• Dates are the sweetest of all these fruits. They’ve at least four times the sugar you’ll find in grapes and figs. Plums are the lowest, with only 9.92 g in every 100 grams.
• Dates are the highest in the fiber of all four fruits. They have a tad above double the amount of fiber found in figs.
• Plums have the highest content of Vitamin C, while dates don’t contain any.
• All four fruits have calcium. But dates have the highest content in this mineral. It’s almost twice that of figs, six times that of grapes, and approximately ten times that of plums.

As you can see, there’s no one fruit that is better than the others. Each fruit has its own nutritional value that can benefit your piggie in different ways.

But from the overall score of the four, the healthiest fruit for your guinea pig is plums. It’s the lowest in sugar and calcium, but highest in vitamin C. It doesn’t contain a lot of fiber, though. That’s something you need to keep in mind.

The least healthy of the 4 (based on the four comparison criteria) is dates. It’s the highest in sugar and calcium but lowest in vitamin C. But, at least it’s a good source of fiber.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Dates Everyday?

You shouldn’t feed your guinea pig dates every day. If you do, your little friend will probably get sick. Feed your guinea pig dates as a treat once in a while instead of every day.

Now, just because a food has a lot of healthy nutrients doesn’t mean it’s good for your guinea pigs in large amounts – especially if it’s high in “not-so-good” stuff like sugar and calcium. Dates are an example of this.

To keep your guinea pigs healthy, only give them a few pieces of dates once in a while. Or, find other nutritious treats with less sugar. This is safer for them. There are many healthy options for treats.

How Many Dates Can Guinea Pigs Eat?

Only give your guinea pigs to 1-2 small dates per week. You can give them a whole date (minus the pit) or cut one into halves or quarters. It depends on the size of the date, but remember – keep it small!

The most important part is to watch the portion size and make sure to feed them in moderation. Or you’ll risk making your guinea pig sick due to its sugar content.

You should also consider other factors such as the age of your guinea pig, any existing health issues they may have, and their weight when deciding if dates are a suitable treat.

Here’s some other tips

• Go for an organic variety when you can. Non-organic brands may have harmful chemicals that can jeopardize your piggie’s health.
• Wash the dates to get rid of any dirt or pesticide residue – especially if you’re buying non-organic
• Remove the pit, as it can be a choking hazard to piggies.
• Cut the dates into tiny pieces before feeding them to your piggie.
• Begin small and grow the quantity if all goes well. Otherwise, stop immediately and seek professional help.

Can Baby Guinea Pigs Eat Dates?

No, baby guinea pigs shouldn’t eat dates. While dates aren’t toxic to young guinea pigs, the sugar is too high for their body to handle.

So, it’s best to steer clear of dates until your piggie is about six months old. Otherwise, you risk making their digestive system very uncomfortable. And, as always, don’t forget to check with your veterinarian before introducing new foods into your piggie’s diet.

Can Pregnant Guinea Pigs Eat Dates?

No, we don’t recommend feeding pregnant guinea pigs dates. Pregnant guinea pigs need twice as much Vitamin C as the non-pregnant ones.

Unfortunately, dates don’t have a lot of this nutrient. So, it’s better to stick with foods and treats that can help them fulfill this nutritional need.

Vitamin C is a nutrient that is important for all guinea pigs. But it’s especially important for pregnant guinea pigs because it helps the body absorb iron.

Pregnant guinea pigs need more iron, so feeding them foods that are rich in Vitamin C is especially important.

What Are Some Alternatives To Dates?

If you don’t want to give your piggie dates, try giving them other treats like plums, figs, grapes, strawberries, blueberries or cranberries instead.

Let’s see how each of these tasty fruits will benefit piggies:

• Plums: These are excellent sources of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. All these are vital for your piggie’s well-being.
• Figs: Figs are a good source of dietary fiber. That’s essential for a healthy digestive system. But they’re also high in acidity, which can cause digestive issues. And yes, don’t offer leaves or branches, as they can cause severe discomfort to piggies.
• Grapes: Grapes are rich in antioxidants, essential for preventing certain cancers. These fruits also have powerful anti-inflammatory properties, crucial for relieving pain.
• Strawberries: These lovely berries are a superfood for piggies. They’ll prevent many conditions and boost your pet’s general health. And while they’re lower in sugar, the level is still higher than your piggie’s staple diet. So, only offer a few pieces at most twice a week.
• Blueberries: Like some other options on the list, blueberries are also rich in antioxidants. Offer a piece or two to your piggie a couple of times per week. But if your pet is prone to upset stomach or oral sores, you better avoid them.
• Cranberries: They are healthy for piggies as long they don’t come as jelly or paste. The carbs, vitamins, fiber, and minerals in them will benefit piggies. And yes, you won’t even need to peel the skin. It’s safe for piggies, if you wash the fruits well.

Final Thoughts

Dates are generally healthy for guinea pigs. But since they’re high in sugar, it’s safe to give them within limits. Even safer is to offer other fruits.

Fortunately, we’ve lots of healthy options. Plums, figs, grapes, strawberries, blueberries, and cranberries are all excellent fruits.

And remember, even with these alternative fruits, don’t go overboard with the treats. Like anything else, too much of a good thing can turn bad.