Can Guinea Pigs Eat Pineapple? (Good or Bad)

guinea pig eating pineapple

Affiliate Disclaimer

As an affiliate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. We get commissions for purchases made through links on this website from Amazon and other third parties.

Pineapple is one of the most popular fruits worldwide, but can Guinea Pigs eat pineapple? Let’s find out!

Guinea pigs can be given pineapples but this has to be in small amounts. They must be given occasionally as a treat and not an everyday meal. Pineapples contain 10g of natural sugar per 100 grams of pineapple. Excess sugar can cause a violation of carbohydrate metabolism and cause diabetes in Guinea Pigs.

Its exquisite flavor and refreshing texture make it a popular treat for guinea pigs. However, before offering your guinea pig this delicious fruit, you need to know if they can eat it or not. It could otherwise be harmful.

Some guinea pigs can be very greedy, so it is your responsibility to watch what they eat to preserve their health. Some fruits are recommended for them; find out in this article if a pineapple is one of them. Keep reading!

guinea pig eating pineapple
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Pineapple?

How to Give Pineapple to a Guinea Pig

Now that you know that guinea pigs can eat pineapple, it must be understood how you can give it. As said, the fruit is only a complement to its diet, it cannot form the basis of a guinea pig’s nutrition. The perfection would be that this fruit makes up about 10% of its diet, so you can offer it as a reward or as an occasional supplement.

Before giving pineapple to a guinea pig, we recommend that:

  1. Choose a nice ripe pineapple, recognized by its orange color, and the intense green color of the leaves. If the pineapple is ripe, it is easier to clean and it is sweet.
  2. Cut the pineapple on a cutting board and with a well-sharpened knife. Place the fruit on the cutting board (on its side) and cut off the top section (the part with the leaves).
  3. Repeat the procedure at the base, avoiding cutting too much off because you would waste part of the pulp.
  4. Once cut at both ends, put the pineapple on its feet and cut the peel into vertical strips.
  5. Done! In case you want to remove any black dots, you can do it with a small knife or a potato peeler

Once the pineapple is ready, it is recommended to check if it is sweet, since guinea pigs do not like sour fruit. The average norm of this fruit for an adult animal per feeding is not more than 10 g. It is recommended to give a guinea pig pineapple a maximum of 2-3 times a week and never in large quantities.

If your guinea pig likes this tropical fruit, it will try to beg another piece. Do not give it more than the specified norm. Excess sugar can cause a violation of carbohydrate metabolism and cause diabetes in the pet. In days when there are apples, rosehips, strawberries, parsley on the menu, pineapple should also not be given.

The Nutritional Content of Pineapple

Pineapple pulp contains:

  • iron
  • phosphorus
  • potassium
  • magnesium
  • B vitamins
  • Vitamin E
  • vitamin A.
Can guinea pigs eat cucumber

Benefits of Pineapple in Guinea Pigs

Pineapple offers your guinea pig great benefits. They include the following.

  • Helps in blood circulation: Has anticoagulant properties, greatly improves blood circulation, and prevents cardiovascular disease and hypertension.
  • Boosts the immune system: pineapple is an excellent source of folic acid, a vital vitamin for strengthening the immune system of guinea pigs.
  • Contains helpful nutrients and minerals: potassium, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals such as magnesium, which help strengthen bones.
  • It is rich in water: pineapple is one of the fruits made up of a high quantity of water, an ideal factor for cooling your guinea pig in the summer and avoiding dehydration, which could cause the feared heat stroke.
  • Provides bromelain: an enzyme that helps digest proteins, the essential basis of the guinea pig’s diet.

Can I Offer My Guinea Pig Pineapple Leaves and Skin?

No. Guinea Pigs should never be given pineapple leaves and skin because they are harsh on the animal and may cause some mouth injuries.

What Form is the Best to Give Pineapple to a Guinea Pig?

The rodent can only be fed fresh fruit. Canned pineapple contains too much sugar and few vitamins. Canned fruit will only harm the pet. Besides, Vitamin C, useful for these animals, is destroyed during conservation.

See our recommendations for the Best Guinea Pig cage?

What Should You Avoid?

It is not recommended to give pineapple to a guinea pig in the form of juice, in this way the fruit is too concentrated and it is not healthy for the guinea pig. It is also not recommended to give a guinea pig an industrial pineapple juice, because it contains added preservatives and sugars which may be harmful to its health. Also never add sweet substances to fruit, such as sugar or honey. A ripe pineapple is all that it needs.

Keep in mind that pineapple contains a large amount of sugar, more than other fruits that are more suitable for guinea pigs. For this reason, the quantity you offer must be contained, and never in the form of juice.

The reason is that when we blend fruit, the sugar contained in it is assimilated much faster in the circulatory system, with the result that it does not convert into glucose but into lipids.

Avoid Excess Sugar

Like all things in life, too much can be bad for you and we all know how bad sugar can be. Well, in Guinea Pigs it’s no different. Too much sugar can be detrimental to your guinea pig’s health.

Even natural sugar found in most fruits can cause a violation of carbohydrate metabolism and cause diabetes.

Here is a guide for natural sugar amounts found in any 100grams of fruit.

FruitsPer 100 Grams
Apples10 g
Bananas12 g
Grapes16 g
Kiwi9 g
Pineapples10 g
Pumpkin3 g
Watermelon6 g
Avocados0.7 g
Passion Fruit11 g

When Should I Avoid Giving My Guinea Pig Pineapple?

If after feeding your guinea pig some pineapple, you see signs of allergy, then you should not continue giving it and eliminate it from its diet. Since each pet may have unique characteristics, when making your pet’s menu, do not forget about the individual characteristics of your animals.

What to do if Your Guinea Pig Has Eaten Pineapple in Excess? 

Guinea pigs can be mischievous and eat in excess when not being watched. In the event that your guinea pig has eaten too much pineapple, do not panic. Often after 24 hours, your pet will be fine as pineapple has been found not to be toxic. The pet may, however, experience accumulated intestinal gas which may cause diarrhea or stomach discomfort. If your guinea pig is still unwell the following day, consider contacting your veterinarian.

Your veterinary practice may prescribe some medicines to help relieve your guinea pig’s discomfort. During this time ensure you keep your guinea pig hydrated by giving it plenty of drinking water. This prevents dehydration that may result from diarrhea.

Can guinea pigs eat pineapple skin?

Never give your guinea pig the skin of a pineapple. The skin of a pineapple is sharp and can damage your guinea pig’s esophagus, stomach, and intestines.

Can guinea pigs eat canned pineapple?

Canned or jarred pineapple is usually cooked before being put in the car or jar, and they contain extra sugar. Guinea pigs shouldn’t be eating the extra sugar, and they can’t eat cooked pineapple, so you should not give these to your guinea pig.

Why can’t guinea pigs eat cooked pineapple?

Guinea pigs aren’t able to digest cooked foods properly. Eating cooked foods can cause stomach ulcers.

Can guinea pigs eat pickles?

Guinea pigs cannot eat pickles. Pickles are made in an acidic liquid which is harmful to your guinea pigs.

Conclusion – Can Guinea Pigs Eat Pineapple?

Getting back to our initial question “can guinea pigs eat pineapple?” This question cannot be answered literally with a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. There are a number of factors that one should consider, among them including your guinea pig’s health and the type of diet you are planning to give him. However, pineapple is generally a safe food for guinea pigs and provides great health benefits.

About the author

Latest posts