Can Guinea Pigs Eat Raisins? (Explained Here)
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Can guinea pigs eat raisins? This is a question that many guinea pig parents ask. Well…
Techically, guinea pigs can eat raisins, but they shouldn’t. Raisins are high in sugar, which isn’t good for them. The sugar content can attract digestive and dental issues in guinea pigs. So, while your guinea pig may love the taste of raisins, these sweet treats shouldn’t appear on their menu.
Raisins are a healthy snack for you. But that’s not the case for your fuzz spuds.
Raisins can be a bit hazardous to your piggies’ health.
Keep reading to find out more about guinea pigs and raisins.
What Are Raisins, Anyway?
Raisins are simply, dried grapes. The drying process evaporates the water in grapes, leaving behind the fruit’s concentrate. The resultant product is a chewy, sweet, and often wrinkled fruit that we call raisins.
Raisins are often eaten as a snack. But they can be a part of some dishes. For instance, you can sprinkle the treat over oatmeal or various salads. It all comes down to how you want them.
Health Risks of Feeding Raisins To Guinea Pig
As much as they serve you just fine, raisins aren’t a healthy choice for guinea pigs. Your little piggie may pick up all manner of issues from those wrinkled, little treats.
And with that said, here are some of the health risks of giving your piggie raisins;
Diarrhea
Unless you are a new guinea parent, you already know piggies are susceptible to diarrhea. Now, feeding your guinea raisins can worsen the condition. The high sugar levels in raisins may upset your guinea’s stomach, causing diarrhea.
Not the best news, huh?
Well, that’s why when you should think again before giving in to your piggy’s endearing eyes.
Dental Issues
We hear it all the time. That sugar isn’t good for our teeth. And yes, that also cuts across guinea pigs. Sugar will cause guinea pigs all sorts of dental issues.
Unfortunately, raisins pack a great deal of sugar. Precisely, sugar makes up 65-72% of raisin’s weight.
That’s quite much, right? Well, it should tell you how likely dental issues are from raisins.
The dental health of your guinea pig is essential. So, you should always ensure their teeth are in good shape. If your little friend can’t properly eat, then it’ll start a domino effect of health issues (ex. gut stasis, bloat) that might lead to death.
Weight Gain
You might not have thought about it. But like you, your piggie can become overweight. Even worse, it can come from your favorite treat – raisins!
Even though raisins are small, they have a lot of calories. If you give your guinea pig too many of them, it’ll make them gain weight.
Digestive Issues
Sugar effects won’t end in the mouth. Not at all! The moment it gets to the stomach, sugar can attract digestive problems.
Perhaps you don’t know it. But your piggy’s digestive system can’t handle too much sugar. A lot of it will cause stomach pain, loose stool, painful cramps, and so much more.
You definitely wouldn’t wish any of that on your beloved guinea, would you?
So again, DON’T OFFER GUINEA PIGS RAISINS!
Diabetes
Don’t let your pig’s little size fool you. Guineas can get diabetes. In fact, they are quite susceptible to the disease.
And feeding them raisins will only up their chances of getting diabetes. That’s because, as we said earlier, raisins have plenty of sugar. And as we all know, too much sugar can cause diabetes.
To learn more about how guinea pigs and diabetes, check out the post: Can Diabetes Kill Guinea Pigs? (Explained Here)
Urinary Tract Infections
Sugar isn’t the only threat about raisins. These treats also pack some amount of calcium. Now, calcium is essential for your guinea. But everything, including this very mineral, has its downside.
The calcium in raisins can cause urinary tract infections. The stones will form in your guinea’s urinary tract, blocking the way. Then, your piggy will have a hard time urinating.
A buildup of urine in the bladder can cause all sorts of infections. So, you certainly don’t want your guinea eating raisins.
Are There Any Benefits To Feeding Raisins To Guinea Pigs?
Yes, guinea pigs will benefit health-wise from feeding raisins. Raisins have fiber, vitamin C, and iron. All of these are essential for your pig’s well-being. Even so, the side effects of feeding pigs raisins outweigh the benefits thereof.
Here are the benefits of feeding raisins to guinea pigs;
Rich In Fiber
One benefit of feeding your guinea pigs raisins is that they are rich in fiber. And we all know how essential fiber is to guinea pigs.
Fiber helps with digestion. It also prevents gastrointestinal issues like constipation, bloating, and so on.
High In Vitamin C
Guinea pigs don’t manufacture vitamin C. They have to get it from external sources. And yes, raisins are a good source of vitamin C for guinea pigs. Hence, they may boost your pig’s immune system, prevent scurvy, and so on.
Iron
Iron helps in the production of hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen in the blood. Without enough of this mineral, pigs can suffer from anemia, a lethal condition.
Now, raisins are super-rich in iron. So, if feeding them to your guinea pig was okay, then they definitely would help prevent anemia.
If you want some more information on what guinea pigs can and can’t eat, check out these posts: What Guinea Pigs Can Eat (Everything You Need To Know) and What Herbs Can Guinea Pigs Eat? (The Good, The Bad, The Tasty)
Raisin Nutritional Information
To better understand the nutritional value of raisins, let’s take a look at what USDA says about the fruit. Here, we’ll see how much of each nutrient 100 grams of raisins contain as per the USDA.
- Water – 15.5g – Raisins have about a fifth as much water as grapes. Even so, little water content in raisins helps them last longer than grapes. You can store raisins for up to a year without them going bad.
- Energy – 299kCal. – Your pig needs energy to grow, play, and so on. The carbs in raisins will provide them with this energy.
- Protein – 3.3g – Proteins are the building blocks of your guinea’s body. They help with growth, repair damage, and so on.
- Fat – 0.25g – Fat is essential for the absorption of vitamins and minerals. It also provides energy and keeps the skin and coat healthy.
- Carbohydrate – 79.3g – As we said earlier, carbs are essential for energy. But too much of it can lead to obesity and other problems.
- Fiber – 4.5g – Fiber is essential for proper digestion. It also prevents gastrointestinal issues like constipation, bloating, and so on.
- Sugars – 65.2g – Raisins are high in sugar. And as we all know, too much sugar can lead to obesity and other problems.
- Calcium – 62mg – Calcium is essential for strong bones and teeth. It also helps with blood clotting and nerve function.
- Iron – 1.79 mg – Iron plays a crucial role in the production of hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen in the blood.
- Magnesium – 36mg – Magnesium plays a big role in energy production and protein synthesis.
- Phosphorus – 98mg – This mineral promotes the growth and repair of tissues. It also helps with kidney function and calcium absorption.
- Potassium – 744mg – Your guinea pig needs potassium for proper muscle function.
- Sodium – 26mg – Want your little friends to have proper muscle and nerve function? Then a little sodium is what you need. And like potassium, it also helps with electrolyte balance.
- Zinc – 0.36mg – This mineral helps with growth, immune function, and other functions.
- Copper – 0.272mg – Copper helps with the absorption of iron. It’s also essential for proper immune function and energy production.
- Manganese – 0.281mg – Manganese is important for bone growth and wound healing. It’s the mineral that helps your pig’s body make use of vitamins and minerals.
- Vitamin C – 2.3mg – It’s the nutrient that your pig needs the most. It’s imperative for proper immune function, scurvy prevention, and so on.
- Vitamin B6 – 0.174mg – This vitamin helps with the metabolism of proteins and carbs. It gives the immune system a boost, too.
- Riboflavin/Vitamin B2 – 0.125mg – it’s the vitamin responsible for energy production. It also keeps your pig’s vision and skin health.
- Thiamin/Vitamin B1 – 0.106mg – Thiamin is essential for the metabolism of carbs. But that’s not all. Thiamin plays a role in ensuring proper nervous system function.
- Niacin/Vitamin B3 – 0.766mg – It helps with the metabolism of carbs, fats, and proteins. Other functions include ensuring proper skin and brain function.
How Do Raisins Compare to Other Similar Fruits?
After examining the nutritional composition of raisins, let’s compare them with other fruits. Let’s see how they differ with grapes, dates, figs, and plums.
- Grapes: They have 80.5g of water per 100 grams, which is more than raisins. The high-water content keeps guinea pigs hydrated and facilitates digestion.
- Dates: This fruit offers 6.7g of fiber for every 100 grams. That’s higher than what raisins offer. The extra fiber can help with gastrointestinal issues like constipation and bloating.
- Figs: This fruit has lower calcium than raisins. With only 35mg of this mineral per 100 grams, figs are unlikely to cause urinary stones.
- Plums: It has 9.5mg of Vitamin C per 100 grams. That’s almost four times as much as what raisins offer. This vitamin is essential for proper immune function, scurvy prevention, and so on.
What Dried Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat?
Unfortunately, guinea pigs shouldn’t eat dried fruits. Dried fruits have high sugar and massive calorie content. Hence, they can lead to obesity and other side effects that come along with it.
When it comes to dried fruits, always err on the side of caution. In other words, avoid giving them to your guinea pig altogether.
Sure, the taste may be pleasant to guineas. But the potential problems that they can cause are just not worth it.
Related: You should find this post pretty useful: How to Easily Reduce Calcium In A Guinea Pig’s Diet and Guinea Pig Killing Foods (What You Need to Avoid)
What Is Poisonous To Guinea Pigs?
Avocados, chocolate, rhubarb leaves, and potatoes are poisonous to guinea pigs. These foods can cause gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, and diarrhea. In severe cases, they can even lead to death.
Thus, It’s important to be aware of what your guinea pig can and cannot eat. When in doubt, avoid whatever you want to offer altogether.
Other dangerous foods for guinea pigs include:
- Cooked foods
- Dairy products
- Garlic
- Gassy vegetables
- Green parts of tomato
- Meat
- Mushrooms
- Nuts
- Onions
- Anything else not recommended by the vet.
It’s always better to keep track of everything that your guinea pig eats. This way, you can quickly identify any potential problems and address them right away.
What Veggies Can Guinea Pigs Eat Everyday?
Guinea pigs can only eat vegetables high in Vitamin C every day. That makes broccoli and green pepper among the best daily options for guinea pigs. Only ensure that you offer them in moderation.
The rule of thumb is that fruits and veggies should only take 10% of your guinea pigs’ diet. The other 90% should be hay, fresh water, and a small number of pellets.
If you want an everyday veggie option for your guinea, then green peppers are the way to go. They’re high in vitamin C and piggies can eat them daily.
Other options work best when offered in moderation. You don’t want to overfeed these foods to your little friends. They include:
- Arugula
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Celery
- Cilantro
- Collard greens
- Kale
- Mustard Greens
- Parsley
- Sweet potatoes
- Mint
You should always give your guinea pig fresh vegetables. Do not give them vegetables that are moldy or wilted because they might get sick. And cooked veggies are a big no-no, too. Guinea pigs’ digestive systems aren’t designed to easily digest cooked foods.
What’s The Best Diet For A Guinea Pig?
The best diet for guinea pigs includes plenty of hay, vegetables & fruits, and a small number of pellets. Hay should take up 80% of their diet while pellets and produce should only make up 10% each.
An ideal guinea’s diet should be high in Vitamin C and fiber. It should also be low in sugar, calcium, and other nutrients that can lead to health problems.
Hay provides plenty of vitamin C and fiber, and that’s why it should be the foundation of every guinea pig’s diet.
Final Thoughts
Raisins are generally not healthy for guinea pigs. In fact, you should avoid offering any dried fruit to your piggie. The dried variety is just too high in sugar and calories.
If you want to offer a treat, then go for small amounts fresh fruits and veggies instead. But remember to wash them well and offer them in moderation.