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Avocados are a super fruit that is beneficial to human beings. It contains a high concentration of vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids, all of which are required by our bodies. However, can guinea pigs consume avocado? Is avocado okay for them to eat? Lots of people who have guinea pigs are baffled by this one simple question. So I decided to conduct some research, and the following is what I discovered!Avocados are not suitable for guinea pigs. An avocado contains an acid-like chemical known as persin, which can be harmful to your guinea pig’s digestive system if consumed in large quantities. When given to guinea pigs, it can cause diarrhea and other digestive issues. Although a small bite of flesh will not harm your guinea pigs, it is best to avoid giving them any at all.Avocados contain a high concentration of fatty acids, which can cause digestive problems and intestinal issues in guinea pigs when consumed in large quantities. Apart from that, Persin is another chemical that is present and is extremely harmful to our guinea pigs’ health. Although cats and dogs can tolerate it in small doses, our guinea pigs have a difficult time with the same in large quantities.So, now that you are aware that we cannot feed avocados to our guinea pigs, let’s look at what nutrients they contain and what potential hazards you should be aware of if you have fed avocados to your guinea pigs. Besides apples, we’ll look into other delicious fruits that we can feed to our little guinea pigs.

 

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Nutrition in avocado

Avocado contains a lot of Vitamins, Minerals, and Antioxidants. Let us check out some major nutritional value of 100 grams of avocado below:

Vitamin C 10 mg/ 100 g
Vitamin K 21 mg/ 100 g
Vitamin E 2.07 mg/100 g
Vitamin A 7 µg/ 100 g
Calcium 12 mg/ 100 g
Phosphorous 52 mg/ 100 g
Potassium 485 mg/ 100 g
Carotene, Beta 62 µg
Carotene, Alpha 24 µg
Folate 81 µg
Lutein + zeaxanthin 271 µg
Fiber 6.7 g/ 100 g
Sugar 0.66 g/ 100 g
Protein 2 g/ 100 g
Carbs 8.53 g/ 100 g
Calories 160 Kcal
Fat 14.66 g/ 100 g
Water 73.23 g/ 100 g

Source: USDA National Nutrient database

As you can see, avocados contain a lot of Vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in it. However, they are also rich in Carbs and Fatty acids, which are not suitable for our guinea pig’s health.

The risk to consider if you fed avocado to guinea pigs?

Digestive issue

Avocados are high in potassium and Persin, which can cause a variety of digestive issues in guinea pigs when consumed in large quantities. Guinea pigs have a delicate digestive system that can become out of balance very quickly if not cared for properly.

Because of this, if you end up feeding your Guinea pig avocados, they will suffer from a variety of digestive issues, such as diarrhea and slow digestion, in addition to other health problems.

Intestinal issue

Occasionally, some guinea pigs will develop a digestive system that is particularly sensitive. A wide variety of foods can be digested by some individuals while others are unable to do so.

It has been reported that avocados have been fed to guinea pigs, and that the food has become stuck halfway through the animals’ digestive tract. Avocado obstruction is the term used to describe this condition.

They were taken to the veterinarian as soon as possible, and the food was removed from their stomachs with minor surgical intervention.

Obesity

Avocado is high in both carbohydrates and fatty acids, both of which can cause weight gain in guinea pigs when consumed in large quantities.

Pound-for-pound, overweight pigs are more likely to develop obesity, which can result in a variety of health problems in the long run.

Guinea pigs and Avocado: FAQ

Can guinea pigs eat avocado leaves?

Avocado leaves are not suitable for guinea pig consumption because they contain a high concentration of Persin. A high concentration of the pesticide Persin in the food can cause poisoning in guinea pigs who consume it.

Can guinea pigs eat avocado pit?

Avocado pits are not suitable for guinea pig consumption due to the presence of persin in them.
Additionally, the pit poses a choking hazard to guinea pigs, so it should be avoided at all costs.

Can guinea pigs eat avocado skin?

Avocado skin is not suitable for consumption by guinea pigs. Avocado skin has a rough texture, which can become lodged in the guinea pi’s throat if it gets caught there.
Aside from that, it contains a high concentration of persin, which is lethal in and of itself.

Can guinea pigs eat raw avocados?

Avocados are not allowed to be consumed by guinea pigs because they are harmful to their health. However, if you don’t want to waste any, you can serve a small piece of flesh that has reached its peak of ripeness.
Make sure, however, that you only contribute a small amount once in a blue moon. Avocados should never be included in your guinea pig’s regular diet. They are toxic to them.

What are other fruits guinea pigs can eat? (Best alternative to avocado for guinea pigs)

So, by now, you’ve probably figured out that avocado is one of those fruits that you should stay away from at all costs. But, what are some other fruits that you can give to your guinea pigs as an alternative?

Let us take a look at some fruits that are safe for guinea pigs to consume. They also contain a significant amount of nutritional value, which our guinea pigs require in large quantities.

Top-Rated Guinea Pig Supplies: Our Top Picks! Recommended Guinea Pig Supplies: Our Top Picks!

Before you read on, here are some supplies for your guinea pigs that have been hand-picked by our experts and that you should add to your wishlist right away:

Apple

A slice of apple is a delicious addition to our guinea pig’s diet. This food is high in fiber and contains a variety of vitamins and antioxidants that are beneficial to our guinea pigs.

It does contain a small amount of sugar and calcium, but overall, it contributes significantly to the guinea pig’s nutritional needs. More information on serving size, health risks, and other topics can be found in our in-depth guide:

Is it possible for guinea pigs to consume an apple?

Banana

In addition to providing fiber and Vitamin A, bananas also contain other essential nutrients that our guinea pigs require.

It also contains a high concentration of Vitamin B-6, which helps to keep their skin and fur soft and healthy. It is, however, high in sugar, and as a result, it should only be fed in small quantities.

Our in-depth guide will teach you everything you need to know about serving size, health risks, and more:

Is it possible for guinea pigs to eat bananas?

Blueberries

Blueberries are also a wonderful treat for your guinea pigs, which they will love. It is high in vitamin A, vitamin K, and vitamin C, all of which are necessary for our guinea pigs to thrive.

Blueberries also contain a high concentration of antioxidants and minerals, which are beneficial to our guinea pig’s health in additional ways.

However, it should be consumed in moderation, just as with other fruits, in order to avoid serious health consequences. If you’d like to learn more about it, you can check out our comprehensive guide:

Can guinea pigs eat blueberries?

Strawberry

Vitamin C is abundant in strawberries, which is an important nutrient for our guinea pigs because it helps them fight infection.

Because guinea pigs are unable to synthesize Vitamin C on their own, they require a diet high in Vitamin C to keep up with their nutritional requirements.

The antioxidants found in strawberries, in addition to being high in vitamins, contribute to the overall health and well-being of our guinea pig companions.

More information on strawberries for guinea pigs can be found in our guide:

Can guinea pigs eat strawberries?

Kiwi

When it comes to guinea pigs, kiwi is an excellent source of Vitamin C and potassium. These vitamins aid in the prevention of scurvy, the prevention of bladder stone formation, and the smooth functioning of their bodies’ internal organs.

Because of the high sugar content in kiwi, we are only able to provide a limited amount of it to our guinea pigs.

You can learn more about serving size, benefits of serving kiwi, and potential hazards of serving kiwi by visiting our guide at:

Can guinea pigs eat kiwi?

Orange

Oranges are a great treat for your guinea pigs to munch on. Oranges are high in both Vitamin C and Vitamin A content, making them a healthy snack option.

Guinea pigs require these vitamins because they aid in the overall development of their bodies as well as the prevention of scurvy in them.

In spite of the fact that it is a citrus fruit, it can only be served in small quantities because overfeeding can cause mouth sores and digestive problems in guinea pigs.

More information on oranges for guinea pigs can be found in our guide:

Can guinea pigs eat oranges?

Watermelon

Watermelon is one of our guinea pigs’ favorite summer snacks, and it’s easy to see why. Despite the fact that it is not high in nutrients, it does contain Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and other nutrients in minute amounts.

It contains a high concentration of water, which helps to keep our guinea pigs cool and hydrated throughout the summer. The food should be served in moderation, however, in order to avoid any health issues in our test subjects.

For more information, please see our in-depth guide:

Can guinea pigs eat watermelon?

Grapes

The antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals found in grapes are particularly beneficial to guinea pigs’ health. Despite the fact that it is not the best source of vitamins, it is a tasty snack for our guinea pigs.

Guinea pigs enjoy consuming these small berries whenever they have the opportunity. However, it also contains 16 percent sugar, which is detrimental to your guinea pigs’ overall health. As a result, we should only feed it in small amounts.

You can learn more about serving size, benefits, and risks of serving grapes to your guinea pigs by reading our guide: Serving Grapes to Guinea Pigs

Can guinea pigs eat grapes?