Are you considering including dragon fruits in your guinea pigs’ diet but wondering if that is a good idea? Keep reading this article to find out if guinea pigs can eat dragon fruit.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Dragon Fruit?
The simple answer is YES. Guinea pigs can eat dragon fruit as well as its seeds. However, the peels are not safe for their consumption.
Dragon fruits are a decent source of vitamins and other nutrients yet low in sugar and calories with a neutral sweet taste. Therefore, it is a great feed option for guinea pigs but it should be added to their meals in moderation.
Meanwhile, dragon fruit also known as Pitaya is packed with good nutrients that are beneficial to humans and animals alike. This exotic fruit has the potential to boost immunity and fight against chronic diseases.
The vitamins C and A contained in dragon fruits help to fight scurvy in guinea pigs. These vitamins also act as anti-inflammatories and antioxidants that ward off other chronic diseases. Additionally, the dietary fiber contained in dragon fruits promotes the growth of good bacteria which helps improve metabolic health.
For guinea pigs to get the appropriate nutritional value from dragon fruit, it is required that they are fed small amounts about 3 to 4 times weekly. An excessive intake of this fruit can lead to diabetes, stomach cramps, loose stool, fatigue, and other related issues.
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Health Benefits Of Dragon Fruit To Guinea Pigs
Dragon fruits boast many health benefits for guinea pigs, let’s talk about them below.:
- Dragon fruit is a good source of vitamin C which is an essential nutrient in the prevention of diseases including scurvy which is common in guinea pigs. Fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, diarrhea, and wounds that hardly heal are some symptoms associated with the scurvy disease. To remedy this, an adequate amount of Vitamin C-rich foods like dragon fruit is required.
- Iron and potassium are nutrients contained in dragon fruits and are very beneficial for a healthy body and blood in guinea pigs. These nutrients work hand in hand to ensure the cardiovascular system is healthy.
- Antioxidants are contained in Vitamin A which is a part of the vitamins in dragon fruits. It can help prevent or slow damage by free radicals that wrack the immune system.
Nutritional Fact Of Dragon Fruit
For every 100 grams of dragon fruit consumed, the following are the nutrients you will get:
- Calories: 60
- Protein: 1.2 grams
- Sugar: 9.6 grams
- Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrate: 12.38 grams
- Fiber: 1.7 grams
- Calcium: 0.16 grams
- Potassium: 1.92 grams
- Magnesium: 10% of RDI (regular daily intake)
- Phosphorous: 0.225 grams
- Iron: 0.031 grams
- Vitamin A: 100 IU (International unit) or 30 mcg
- Vitamin C: 0.004 grams
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Can Baby Guinea Pigs Eat Dragon Fruit?
Having said that dragon fruit is safe for guinea pigs’ consumption, however, can the younger ones do the same?
We can confidently say that younger guinea pigs or pups can as well eat dragon fruit. When they do, they stand to gain the same nutrients as the adult guinea pigs. However, dragon fruits should be fed to pups in small quantities and without the peels.
Are Dragon Fruits Peels Safe To Eat?
Dragon fruits have red or yellow skin with green spikes over their body which gives them a bumpy appearance. When fully ripped, they have a cross taste between kiwi, watermelon, and pear.
Dividing a dragon fruit will expose its soft and juicy internal part that is edible. Unlike the soft and juicy internals, the skin on the other hand is hard and inedible.
Conclusion
Dragon fruits are healthy fruits with low calories and sugar content. They are good sources of vitamins and minerals that help fight against diseases and boost the immune system.
Dragon fruits can be consumed by humans and animals and guinea pigs are no exception. Due to its mild sweetness, guinea pigs can feed on this fruit and have no complications if taken moderately.
I am a huge animal lover and have four dogs, a Labrador, Jack Russell, Pug, and Teacup Yorkie. I also have a cat and a Cockatiel. I have had pets since I was a toddler, and there was not a day when there wasn’t an animal in my house.