Can Guinea Pigs Eat Bananas?
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We love bananas: They’re sweet, tasty, satisfying, and wonderful when whipped into tasty banana bread or dried into banana chips. The question is, are bananas OK to give a guinea pig?
The short answer is yes – but before you treat your cavy to a ripe banana, there are some very important things you need to know.
Read on for our complete guide to bananas for guinea pigs.
Banana Nutrition Stats
There’s nothing quite like the summery, sweet taste of a fresh, ripe banana. These fruits aren’t just satisfying: They’re also a great source of vitamin C (essential for your guinea pig!) plus they contain lots of potassium and soluble fiber.
A medium-sized banana offers approximately:
- 105 calories
- 27 g carbohydrates
- 3 g fiber
- 3 g protein
- .4 g fat
Bananas Nutritional Facts
It’s true that bananas have quite a high calorie count compared side-by-side with other fruits, but don’t let that stop you from enjoying them.
Besides calories for energy, that same medium-sized banana provides:
- 6 mg calcium
- 76 IU vitamin A
- 3 mg vitamin C
- .31 mg iron
- 14 mcg folate
- 0.5 mg riboflavin
- 5 mg vitamin B6
- 5 mg manganese
- 17 mg magnesium
- 24 mg phosphorus
Can Guinea Pigs Have Banana?
Absolutely! Banana is a good natural guinea pig treat thanks to its nutritional content. There are quite a few other things you need to remember before you give banana to a cavy though:
First, don’t offer banana chips with added sugar. These aren’t good for your pet.
Second, be sure to offer only fresh, ripe banana. You can leave the skin on if you want, but remember to wash the banana well if you decide to go this route.
Are Bananas Good For Guinea Pigs?
Thanks to the nutrients inside that bright yellow peel, bananas are great for guinea pigs – particularly when you leave that peel on. The antioxidants, vitamin B12, magnesium, and potassium in the banana peel can help your cavy stay healthy.
Do Guinea Pigs Like Bananas?
Most guinea pigs go nuts for bananas! Once they’ve tried this natural treat, it’s almost certain to be a favorite. As for banana skin, most guinea pigs like it, while others never develop a taste for it.
You’ll want to offer the peel separate from the banana (just cut a small piece of it for them to try) to determine whether your guinea pig likes banana peels or prefers the fruit without its skin.
How Much Banana Can A Guinea Pig Eat?
That’s a great question and we’re glad you asked! Here’s how much banana a to feed your guinea pig:
| Age | Amount |
| Baby guinea pig | None |
| Adult guinea pig | 1 ½ inch thick slice of banana |
Can you tell that we want to make sure you know that guinea pigs shouldn’t eat too much sugar at once? We hope so!
Here’s the thing: Guinea pigs can develop diabetes from eating a diet that’s too high in sugar, and diabetes often occurs in guinea pigs that are overweight. You want your pet to enjoy treats, but you don’t want them to suffer.
So be very careful not to overdo it when offering guinea pigs fruit that’s high in sugar.
There are adorable photos all over, featuring guinea pigs excitedly eating entire bananas. The truth is that these little creatures should not be eating so much banana at once! A single one-half inch thick slice of banana (with or without peel) is plenty.
How Often Can A Guinea Pig Eat Bananas?
Since bananas are so high in sugar, your guinea pig should have one slice, once per week, and no more than that. We hope that you like bananas, because the best way to treat your guinea pig to this snack is to simply offer them a small slice of your banana, again, only one time per week.
The Correct Diet is Important
A guinea pig’s natural diet is made up of grasses and other low-lying plants. That’s why your pet thrives when treated to a diet consisting mostly of Timothy hay and fresh, clean water. Remember to refill your pet’s drinking bottle daily!
Besides these two essentials, what else should you be feeding your guinea pig? Here’s what else to feed your cavy each day:
- Guinea pig pellets fortified with vitamin C (Check the package label for serving size information since it varies from one brand to the next)
- Approximately one cup of fresh vegetables daily, preferably split into two smaller meals; it’s best to rotate different leafy greens and crunchy veggies
What Are Other Healthy Alternatives To Bananas In A Guinea Pig’s Diet?
Guinea pigs love lots of vegetables and fruits, so you’ve got quite a few options when it comes time to decide what to put in their dish each day!
Here’s a list of some veggies guinea pigs normally like:
- artichoke
- cilantro
- parsley
- basil
- carrot
- carrot tops
- romaine
- mint
- beets
- beet tops
- arugula
- swiss chard
- spinach
- bell pepper
- endive
- cabbage
- butter lettuce
- cucumber
- buttercrunch lettuce
- bibb lettuce
- escarole
- rocket
- cabbage
- parsnip
- green beans
- zucchini
- summer squash
- pumpkin
- tomato
- broccolini
- broccoli
- brussels sprouts
- bok choy
- asparagus
- yu choy
- cauliflower
- watercress
- sweet potato
This is just a short list of options; after all, the world is full of tasty veggies!
Our best advice is to always research new food before offering it to a guinea pig. This way, you’ll know that your cavy’s treats are safe and you’ll know exactly how much to give them, as well as how often.
Giving your guinea pig banana – just a little at a time – is a fun way to show you care while adding a variety of nutrients to their overall intake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are bananas safe for guinea pigs?
Absolutely! Bananas are OK for guinea pigs so long as you remember the rule about feeding one tiny slice one time per week.
Can bananas make my guinea pig sick?
Yes – just like other sweet foods, bananas can cause diarrhea. And if you offer them too often or feed a high-sugar diet in general, your guinea pig is at risk of developing diabetes and obesity.
When you first feed a guinea pig bananas, offer about ¼ of a slice and watch for signs of digestive upset for the next 12 hours. If nothing bad happens, you can offer ½ a slice next time and then graduate to the full slice. Be sure to only feed your guinea pig banana on a day when other sugary foods haven’t been offered.
