Can Guinea Pigs Eat Red or Yellow Apples? (Yes! – Here’s Why)

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Guinea pigs love eating so much, but as their owners, sometimes you have trouble figuring out what they can and cannot eat. One of the most popular fruits that owners feed them is the apple.

But, can guinea pigs eat red or yellow apples?

The short answer is yes. Guinea pigs can eat red or yellow apples, but only in moderation. That’s because apples contain higher sugar than grass.

As we all know anything that is too much is never good – especially for guinea pigs.

Now, we have more questions to answer. There are so many types of apples; are they all suitable for my guinea pig? Does it matter if guinea pigs eat red or yellow apples?

This article will help you to determine if your guinea pig should be fed apples or not.

Let’s dive in!

Can Guinea Pigs Eat the Whole Apple?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcmsY3qTbY4

Yes, guinea pigs can eat the whole apple but not all of its parts are recommended. The best way to feed your pet an apple is by peeling it and cutting it into slices so that they’re easier for them to chew on.

Let’s be nice to our pets, serve the apples, and slice them nicely.

Now, it’s time to find out which parts of the apple are good or bad for guinea pigs. Stay, explore, and get equipped with the knowledge that can help you keep your guinea pigs healthy!

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Apple Skin Peels?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ncbdfu6NJb4

Yes, guinea pigs can eat apple skin peels as long as they are organic. The reason behind it is that they are generally free from pesticides.

Apples from non-organic sources exposed to pesticides or other chemicals can make the guinea pig sick.

Does that mean we should peel away those peels? Not so! Guinea pigs also need a source of Vitamin C to keep their immune systems healthy, and apple peels provide this vital nutrient.

Our advice is, if you are not sure if the apples are treated with pesticides, we recommend soaking the apples in baking soda for 15 minutes before feeding.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Apple Cores?

apple cores not for guinea pigs

No, they cannot. While many experts believe that it is okay, we want to be on the safer end.

You see, the apple core itself isn’t the issue. It’s the seeds that are in the core that we are concerned with. Apple seeds contain a small amount of cyanide, and that is dangerous for our tiny animals!

They should not have any of the seeds in the apples. That is why we prefer not to feed them with the apple core.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Apple Tree Leaves?

apple tree leaves for guinea pigs

Yes, guinea pigs can eat apple tree leaves, but they should not have any more than a few each day. Guinea pigs will consume the entire leaf, and you may see them chewing on it for some time before swallowing.

If there is too much of this type of food in their diet, guinea pigs could experience digestion problems because apple trees contain high levels of toxic tannins in guinea pigs’ digestive systems.

Can Guinea Pigs Have Apple Sticks?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njo6S88JaBY

Yes, but apple sticks are not that highly recommended for guinea pigs.

Simply because they do not have the proper chewing teeth, and their digestive system is too sensitive to digest any wood.

It’s a good idea to offer apples in slices or chunks and apple pieces that can be chopped up into small portions.

Can Guinea Peat Apple Seeds?

apple seeds not for guinea pigs

No, as mentioned above, we do not recommend feeding guinea pigs with apple seeds.

Seeds usually contain a small amount of cyanide, so we do not recommend apple core, which generally includes apple seeds.

We know there are “experts” claiming that it’s OK for the guinea pigs to eat the core and the seeds, but hey, we prefer to be on the safer side. Why risk the lives of your beloved pets?

What Nutrition Can Guinea Pigs Get On Apples?

Generally, apples are nutritious, and it’s a fruit of choice for many mammals. They contain a lot of Vitamin C, B vitamins, and fiber. In addition, apples help with digestion, and they are low in calories.

Guinea pigs don’t need to be on a special diet, but apples could make for a tasty treat if you want them there. If your guinea pig eats commercial pellets or vegetables, the apple must have little or no skin because of pesticides.

Red or yellow apples have less pesticide residue than green ones do, so those are safer options (unless your vet recommends otherwise).

Nutrition Facts in Apples

apple nutrition facts
Photo Source: Vecteezy

Apples are a very healthy fruit, and guinea pigs can eat apples. Apple contains the following nutrients that are important:

  • The skin provides vitamin C and fiber.
  • Vitamin B helps form red blood cells.
  • Apples are high in fructose that the body converts into glucose for energy production.
  • Carbohydrates provide nutrients like water, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients (antioxidants).
  • There’s also an abundance of potassium found in apples, making them great for heart health.

Hey, that’s great! Now that we see the benefits of apples for guinea pigs, let’s give them apples every day! Wait! Hold on!

Remember that guinea pigs are not humans. In the end, their requirements are still different from ours.

To give an example: Apples have sugar content. The sugar content is considered low for the human body, even suitable for people with diabetes. However, the same sugar content in apples is deemed to be high for guinea pigs.

So, what is suitable for humans may not be ideal for our pets. With this fact in mind, let’s look at some of the essential points that you need to know before putting an apple into the bowl of your guinea pigs.

How To Prepare Apple For Guinea Pigs?

Here are the steps that you can do to prepare apples for your guinea pigs.

STEP 1. You can peel the apple (if it’s a ‘dirty’ variety) or leave the skin on (and soak them in baking soda).

STEP 2. Cut into slices, chunks, quarters, and so forth for easy eating, as mentioned previously.

STEP 3. To make apples more of a meal, you can try grating them with cheese to see if your guinea pig likes an apple-cheese combo!

Take Note!

  • Remember that apples are high in sugar content which makes them bad for long-term consumption but acceptable as occasional snacks.
  • Feeding fruit too regularly will lead to diarrhea over time because guinea pigs have lower digestive systems than humans and cannot process sugars well without any fiber.

What Types Of Apples Can Guinea Pigs Eat?

Guinea pigs can eat almost all types of apples, whether skin or flesh. However, note that some of the more acidic varieties should be avoided because they can cause digestive problems and oral stress.

Some of those varieties that tend to have higher acidic content will include:

  • Jersey Mac
  • Akane
  • Granny Smith
  • Sir Prize

When you see these types of apples, please do not feed them to your guinea pigs. When in doubt, ask the grocer for the name or type of apple and check the name online for the acidic content.

With these in mind, let’s look at some of the popular types of apples and let’s see if they are okay for our pets.

Can Guinea Pigs Have Apple Gala Apples?

Yes, guinea pigs can eat them in small portions, a few at a time. Don’t forget to remove the seeds from the inside of the apple while you’re preparing it for your guinea pig.

Gala apples are a mild variety of crisp and sweet apple that is usually yellow-orange. Gala apples are one of the most popular apples that are used for baking and making cider. It can be eaten fresh too.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Bramley Apples?

No, they are the type of apples that are typically eaten cooked due to their sourness. With that in mind, always note that we should not feed our pets with any cooked apples.

They are not suitable at all and will cause digestive issues for guinea pigs.

Because they are too sour and much too tart in taste, these types of apples are not suitable for guinea pigs and will hurt their stomachs if eaten.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Apple Pears?

Yes, they love it. Apple pears are round-shaped apples, but the texture and taste are similar to a pear. Commonly known as Asian pear, Japanese pear, Chinese pear, Korean pear, and Taiwanese pear, our guinea pigs can eat apple pears.

Can You Feed Cooked Apples On Guinea Pigs?

cooked sweetened apple not for guinea pigs

No, guinea pigs need to be fed fresh food only. Cooked apples are not suitable for guinea pig stomachs and will cause illness if the guinea pig eats them regularly or in large quantities.

Remember that a guinea pig’s digestive system is different from ours, so let’s keep fresh food as the choice of food for them.

Can You Feed Your Guinea Pigs Apple Jacks?

apple jack cereals not for guinea pigs

No, guinea pigs can’t eat apple jacks due to their sugar content. Food with high sugar content is not suitable for guinea pig stomachs and will cause illness if they consume it regularly or in large amounts.

This applies to most apple-related products that we see in the store, be it applesauce, apple cereals, or any other processed food.

They tend to have higher sugar content, and they are not prepared fresh. Keep them away from guinea pigs.

Can Guinea Pigs Have Dried Apples?

slices of dried apples for guinea pigs

Yes, guinea pigs can eat dried apples in small amounts. Dried apples are free of any sugars or preservatives, and guinea pigs should be able to have as many as they regularly want without causing illness.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Apple Chips?

apple chips in a bowl for guinea pigs

Yes, guinea pigs can eat apple chips in small amounts. Apple chips are a healthy, low-sugar snack that guinea pigs should regularly have without any side effects in most cases.

Here are the related questions that you might want to know.

Red apples are better food for guinea pigs than green apples.

Let’s find out the reason behind it.

green apples not recommended for guinea pigs

We don’t recommend green apples for guinea pigs to eat. Though apples are generally safe for guinea pigs to eat, some types can be harmful.

It’s important not to give guinea pigs unripe or sour apples due to the high acid content of these fruits.

They have sensitive mouths and can’t handle acidic fruit. It would help if you opted for red apples with less apple flavor for your guinea pig.

red apples better for guinea pigs

On the other hand, red apples are recommended for guinea pigs to eat. As mentioned, they are less acidic fruits and are suitable for guinea pigs.

Note that red apples tend to be sweet, so we have to be mindful of how much to give.

The bottom line is to give them apples in moderation.

How Many Apples Should I Give My Guinea Pig?

We recommend no more than one apple for every guinea pig you have for each feed. Keep in mind that apples should always be given as treats, not as a main meal.

Us, we feed our three guinea pigs a quarter or half a cup of apples per day.

How Often Can Guinea Pigs Eat Apples?

Our advice is to give it once a day or several times per week. Additionally, it is wise to keep portions small since apples are high in sugar. In short, keep this one as a now-and-again treat.

Can Guinea Pigs Have Apple Juice?

juiced apples not for guinea pigs

No, you should not give guinea pigs apple juice. Apple juice is very high in sugar and can be dangerous for your guinea pig if given too often or in large quantities. Giving your pets plain water is always the best for them.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Apple Mint?

apple mint safe for guinea pigs

Apple mint is safe for guinea pigs if given in moderation, but too much can be unsafe. Apple mints are rich in nutrients, containing Vitamin A, B6, C, and antioxidants which makes them an excellent treat for guinea pigs.

Final Thoughts

Apples, in general, are great for your guinea pigs. Remember that we are different from our guinea pigs. They have a different tolerance level than ours.

With that in mind, we have to be careful with what we give to our pets. This applies not only to apples but to almost any food that we give. So let’s keep in mind the following:

  • treat apples as a treat, not as a main meal
  • cut the fruit into smaller pieces for easy chewing
  • remove the core and seeds
  • feed only fresh apples
  • all food should be given in moderation

You may also want to read this article: Are Guinea Pigs Herbivores, Carnivores, Or Omnivores?


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