The short answer is yes, guinea pigs can eat nectarines! However, just like most fruits and vegetables that you choose to include into their diet, they can only be given in moderation. It’s important to know they positives and negatives of nectarines before you make this decision!
We've also got a Fruit Master List that lists common fruits that your piggy can and can't eat!
What vitamins and other nutrients do nectarines contain?
Vitamin C
This is necessary for growth, development, and repair of your guinea pig’s body tissues! It also helps maintain their immune system. Guinea pigs throughout their lives will require high amounts of vitamin C, regardless of their age, sex, or health condition.
Generally, piggies are very prone to catching infections, and the likelihood becomes greater as they age. This is why it’s important to build up their immune systems from the very beginning so they’re equipped to fight off the infections and prevent them from occurring in the first place. There is 5.4 mg in 100 g of nectarines.
Calcium
Guinea pigs need calcium to build and maintain strong bones! This is especially the case in guinea pigs that are younger because they’re still growing and developing. They’ll need more calcium than the average fully-grown adult guinea pig!
Pregnant guinea pigs will need plenty of it as well, as they need the calcium to help with nursing and lactation, while older guinea pigs need more calcium in order to strengthen their bones as they age. Guinea pig Their hearts, muscles, and nerves also need it in order to function properly.
We shouldn't underestimate the importance of the nerves—they control virtually everything that happens in the body, and it’s vital that the nerves are sending the correct signals to the brain and body to perform the correct functions. There is 6 mg in 100 g of nectarines.
Phosphorus
Its main function is in the formation of bones and teeth, and it works hand-in-hand with calcium in order to perform this job! That’s why the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio is so important—there needs to be a good proportion of both for them to properly work together.
It also is important for helping the body properly use carbohydrates and fats. This is more important than you think! Allocating which parts of the body the energy from carbohydrates goes to is vital in normal body function! They need energy not only for popcorning and zooming around, but for their body to perform other internal functions. There is 26 mg in 100 g in nectarines.
What other benefits do nectarines provide for your guinea pig?
Nectarines are great because they can help with the cardiovascular system! They have no cholesterol, and are very low in fats. The iron that it contains is also very good at making your guinea pig less likely to become anemic! It also helps in maintaining blood pressure. This fruit also contains antioxidants, which will keep their immune system on track. The Vitamin A that nectarines contain can block the damaging effects of free radicals that cause disease and early gang.
What are the downsides about nectarines for guinea pigs?
Unfortunately, there are some negatives despite all the benefits. Consumption of nectarines can cause some stomach discomfort because of too much sugar. Our guinea pigs can’t process sugar as well as we can, which is why it can mess with their bellies if they have too much. There is also the risk of urinary issues from overconsumption as well, because nectarines do contain calcium. Make sure when you're choosing other veggies and fruits to include in their meals that all the calcium is balanced and in moderation.
Guinea pigs can eat nectarines, but do they like it?
Yes! Nectarines are sweet and crunchy, making them the perfect piggy treat.
How should you go about feeding your guinea pig nectarines?
Because this fruit needs to be fed to your piggy in moderation, the best way to include this into their diet would be feeding them small chunks (equating to around maybe two, one-inch wedges) once or twice a week at most.
Overall, it is OK to feed your guinea pigs nectarines!
Just make sure to carefully monitor the way your guinea pig’s body responds to the fruit! Any time you introduce something new into their diet, you should make sure there aren’t any major, negative changes in their body or their waste input.
What else can guinea pigs eat?
Check out our Fruit Master List for quick facts on common fruits that your guinea pig can and can't eat.
1 comment
I love that I’m having to read and look up what Guinea pigs can and can’t eat. Also I’ve been loving about what they can and can’t do or can and can’t eat. To me it’s like I’m going back to taking care of a baby again. Cause some of the things is just like the same. I love being able to being a Guinea pig mom.