Plum! It is a sweet, juicy stone fruit with a rock-like pit or stone inside, it belongs to the same family of the genus Prunus as nectarines, peaches, and apricots. Plums contain fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants with a variety of health benefits to offer. But a question comes to mind can guinea pigs eat plums? And If Guinea pigs can eat plums, but do they like it? To get these health benefits from plums for guinea pigs.
Yes, remove the pit or stone as it contains cyanide or causes choking hazards, plums are safe to feed your guinea pigs as an occasional treat in moderation. Like most fruits, Plums have both positive and negative sides to feeding your guinea pig, it also contains high sugar content as well as high acid, which may cause serious health issues. In contrast, there are many health benefits of feeding plums in moderation to guinea pigs. They contain many vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants that may help reduce your risk of several chronic diseases. They may help reduce constipation and benefit your overall health.
During this long guinea pig journey, I have seen my lovely guinea pigs like, in fact, love to eat plums, and their love for these sweet fruits made me responsible for doing thorough research about any new fruit including plums, cherries, dragon fruit, pears, grapefruit, honeydew melon, blackberries, pomegranate, etc. for guinea pigs and led me a desire to share this valuable knowledge with my fellow guinea parents for the safety and healthy life of these little furry friends.
Nutritional Requirements of Guinea Pigs:
Guinea pigs have very sensitive and delicate nutritional requirements which require great care and responsible handling by their owners. To fulfill the nutritional requirements of guinea pigs it is very necessary to offer them the best and recommended diet so that they can achieve optimum nutrients and health benefits through the best way to feed your guinea pigs to live a long and healthy life.
While guinea pigs love to nibble on many foods, there are still some toxic or unhealthy foods that are not recommended to feed your guinea pigs such as Pickles, jalapenos, olives, Cheerios, Meat, Cat or Dog food, etc. to ensure their safety and healthy life.
In general, Guinea pigs require good quality hay which makes up 80-90 % of most of their diet along with 10 % of fresh and good quality fruits, leafy greens, and vegetables like Swiss chard, Bok choy, sugar snap peas, cilantro, rosemary, basil, arugula, dandelions, mustard greens, wheatgrass, jicama, green beans, broccoli, asparagus, zucchini, etc. as a treat in moderation.
Guinea pigs can also be served with some amount of only dedicated guinea pig pallets but it should not be part of their main staple and should be served the recommended portion or mentioned on pallets bag for guinea pigs. Guinea pigs should also be served with fresh, clean, chlorine-free drinking water at all times and must be checked and changed twice a day for their good health.
Is Plum Safe For Guinea Pigs?
Yes, plums are not toxic for guinea pigs and safe to feed your guinea pigs in moderation and with the gradual introduction, although they contain some natural sugar which is a serious concern for our furry friends, which in excess can lead to weight gain, obesity, and diabetes. Plums for guinea pigs can be acidic too, so do not overfeed your guinea pigs.
One important concern about the safety of guinea pigs is to remove the pits or stones before serving plums to guinea pigs, as it can cause choking hazards and is not considered good for humans as well as guinea pigs because stones of plums contain amygdalin which turns into cyanide when eaten raw by guinea pigs which can pose serious health issues. Some guinea pigs may also experience allergic reactions to plums which may cause itching and swelling of the mouth or throat in those affected areas. However, if you notice any allergic reaction immediately rush to your veterinarian for a medical emergency.
Plums for guinea pigs can be a healthy and nutritious addition to guinea pigs’ diet if fed in moderation and offer many health benefits, some of the benefits of plums are as follows:
Heart Disease: Plums contain phytochemicals and nutrients that lower the inflammation that triggers heart disease.
Constipation: Plums for guinea pigs are a good source of fiber, and have a lot of sorbitol and a sugar alcohol that acts as a natural laxative, which can help bowl regulation and help to keep things moving throughout the system.
Anxiety: Plums also help to keep anxiety away because they provide antioxidants and when your antioxidants are low, anxiety can be high.
Bone Health: Plums for guinea pigs may also reduce bone loss and keep bones preserved for a longer time.
Age-Related Cognitive Decline: One animal study suggests that plums are rich in polyphenols, which may help mitigate age-related cognitive decline for animals.
Nutritional Analysis of Plums for Guinea Pigs:
Plums for guinea pigs are relatively low in calories but contain a fair amount of important vitamins and minerals, a small amount of B vitamins, phosphorus, and magnesium which can be very beneficial for the overall health of your guinea pigs. So, it is very crucial to understand these nutrients before deciding to introduce plums into the guinea pigs’ diet. According to the USDA Food Data Central, listed below are the nutritional values and percentage per 100 grams of raw, plums for guinea pigs to understand the values and percentage of these important nutrients plums contain for guinea pigs and how much is required for your lovely pets for optimum health benefits.
| Nutrients | Value per 100 grams | Daily Value / 100 gm. (DV %) |
| Calories | 46 kcal | |
| Carbohydrates | 11.4 grams | 4 % |
| Water | 87.2 grams | |
| Fat | 0.28 gram | 0 % |
| Protein | 0.7 grams | 1 % |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.4 grams | 5 % |
| Sugar | 9.92 grams | |
| Net Carbs | 10.02 grams | |
| Ash | 0.37 grams | |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 9.5 mg | 11 % |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 17 µg | 2 % |
| Vitamin E | 0.26 mg | 2 % |
| Vitamin K | 6.4 µg | 5 % |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.029 mg | 2 % |
| Vitamin D | 0 mcg | 0 % |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg | 0 % |
| Fatty Acid (Saturated) | 0.017 g | 0 % |
| Folate | 5 µg | |
| Calcium, Ca | 6 mg | 0 % |
| Phosphorus, P | 16 mg | 1 % |
| Potassium, K | 157 mg | 3 % |
| Iron, Fe | 0.17 mg | 1 % |
| Magnesium, Mg | 7 mg | 2 % |
| Manganese | 0.052 mg | 2 % |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.1 mg | 1 % |
| Sodium, Na | 0 mg | 0 % |
| Copper, Cu | 0.057 mg | 7 % |
Note: * The % Daily Value (DV) indicates how much a nutrient in a serving of food subsidizes a daily diet.
What Are The Nutritional Benefits Of Plums For Guinea Pigs?
Antioxidants: Plums for guinea pigs contain antioxidants that protect the body against cell and tissue damage that can lead to diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and cancer. They are particularly high in polyphenol antioxidants, which positively affect bone health and may help reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Some studies have shown that plums contain more than twice the amount of polyphenol antioxidants as other popular fruits, such as nectarines and peaches which have powerful anti-inflammatory effects, as well as the ability to prevent damage to cells that often leads to disease.
Fiber: Plums for guinea pigs also contain a good amount of fiber partially responsible for their effects on blood sugar. Fiber for guinea pigs slows the rate at which their body absorbs carbs after a meal, causing blood sugar to rise gradually rather than rapidly. There are almost 1.4 grams of vitamin C per 100 grams of plums.
Vitamin C: Plums for guinea pigs also contain a moderate amount of vitamin C useful for boosting the immune system of guinea pigs. It also protects guinea pigs from a dangerous disease known as scurvy which may even lead to malnutrition in guinea pigs. Vitamin C also helps guinea pigs in the proper growth, development, and repair of body tissues and cells. There are almost 9.5 mg of vitamin C per 100 grams of plums.
Potassium: Plums for guinea pigs contain almost 157 mg per 100 gm. Which plays a key role in maintaining the good health of nerves and muscles to function properly whatever stage guinea pigs are. Potassium helps to create proteins and carbohydrates in humans as well as in humans and regulates the heartbeat and oxygen support for guinea pigs.
What Are The Risks Of Plums For Guinea Pigs?
Formation of Kidney Stones: Plums for guinea pigs also have moderate amounts of oxalate which in excessive feeding can lead to the formation of kidney stones due to the binding of minerals in the body of guinea pigs which can lead to serious health-related issues for guinea pigs.
Cyanide Toxicity: The pits of plums contain amygdalin and when eaten by guinea pigs, this becomes cyanide. Choking is not the only hazard or risk that the pit poses for Guinea Pigs as they are small so it only takes a small amount of cyanide to cause poisoning. The amygdalin is only released if the pit is chewed or otherwise broken open, but this is a very real risk that is easily avoided by simply removing the pit before cutting and feeding to your furry friends.
Allergic Reactions: Guinea pigs are sensitive to any kind of infection and without proper care and the right food at the right time can lead to many complications like allergic reactions if not observed or monitored carefully while feeding plums to guinea pigs. Plums may cause “birch pollen” a category of allergens along with other fruits like nectarines, peaches, or apples that may cause itching and swelling in guinea pigs which can develop within minutes. Always look for the right and best food for your guinea pigs’ individual preference for any new food.
High Sugar Content: Plums for guinea pigs are comparatively high in sugar and carbohydrates and our little friends do not perform well with both these high and are sensitive to digest it easily. So, high sugar and carbohydrates can contribute to weight gain, obesity, and diabetes in guinea pigs if fed excessively.
Digestive Upset: Guinea pigs have a very digestive system and plums if fed excessively can upset their stomach due to a good amount of fiber and sugar which can lead to many digestive issues, cramps, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, etc. and that may also lead to dehydration.
Pesticides and Chemicals: Plums for guinea pigs can have some pesticides unwanted chemicals, and fertilizers sprayed during harvesting and in stores. It is recommended to thoroughly wash the plums before feeding. It is also recommended that buy organically produced plums from any verified dealer or store having a non-GMO label to ensure a safe product for your guinea pigs.
Bladder Stones: Plums for guinea pigs also contain a moderate amount of oxalate content which can be harmful in excess and can lead to the formation of bladder stones.
Choking Hazards: Always remove the pits or stones from plums before offering them to your guinea pigs because they can cause choking hazards for your guinea pigs. Stones or pits also contain cyanide which is also very dangerous and poisonous for guinea pigs.
How Often Can Guinea Pigs Eat Plums? (Frequency and Size of Serving Plums)
Just like all fruits, it is very important to offer fruits as a treat and occasionally in very little quantity and moderation because fruits are rich in sugar and can be dangerous for guinea pigs. So, it is recommended to offer plums no more than one or two times a week per guinea pig in moderation and rotate the types of fruits so that they can have variety and nutritional boost in their diet.
How Much Plums Can Guinea Pigs Eat A Time?
It is recommended to serve not more than one or two slices of fleshy parts of plums for guinea pigs by cutting them into small pieces so that they can enjoy this treat. It is very important to remove the pit or stone before offering plums to guinea pigs to avoid any kind of complications.
You can also serve ½ in the morning and the other half in the evening by mixing it with other suitable fruits in moderation and small quantities to add a nutritional boost and variety to their diet.
How To Prepare Plums For Guinea Pigs?
It is alwyas recommended to ensure that the plum is washed thoroughly in cold running water to remove any pesticides, dust, and other chemicals from the exterior of the plum to avoid any risk factor. Remove the pits or seed, and then cut or chop the fruit into about eight pieces. Give one-eighth of the fruit to your Cavie, in a bowl, and remove any of the fruit that is left after approximately half an hour to avoid the multiplication of dangerous bacterias and flies in the cage or around that can make your guinea pigs ill.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Plums Every Day?
No, it is not recommended to feed plums every day to your guinea pigs as fruits are not the main staple of their daily or regular diet and they must be served as an occasional treat in moderation to ensure the good health and prosperity of your guinea pigs. Fruits like plums for guinea pigs are rich in oxalate, sugar, and acid properties that can be harmful to their digestive system and overall health.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Plums Jam?
No, plum jam is not the safe and healthy option for our guinea pigs because plums are already rich in natural sugar after going through processing jam is added with more sugar which would be more dangerous for guinea pigs’ overall health causing obesity and weight gain subsequently leading to diabetes. Plum jam can also lead to stomach upset causing cramps and bloating. Always offer raw and fresh plums for guinea pigs to ensure their safety.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Canned Plums?
No, canned plums are not a healthy option for your guinea pigs because they go through processing and contain some additives, sugar, syrup, chemicals, flavors, etc. which are dangerous for guinea pigs’ sensitive digestive systems causing diarrhea and constipation leading to dehydration. So, Raw and fresh plums for guinea pigs are the safe and best option in moderation.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Frozen Plums?
No, Frozen food is not safe for guinea pigs including plums, which can cause diarrhea in guinea pigs and it can also harm the teeth of your guinea pigs causing toothache and gums swelling. However, you can feed them the plums once deforested and cooled down at room temperature to avoid any issues, but offering the raw and fresh plums for guinea pigs in moderation would be the better option.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Plums Puree?
No, do not feed your guinea pigs the puree of plum because it would have some additives like sugar and syrup in it which can cause digestive upset for guinea pigs. The commercial puree is entirely avoided as it contains additives, extra sugar, syrups, etc.
Yes, if you make it yourself by your hands after washing plums and removing their skin and pits or stones and mash it to make it a paste for your guinea pigs and offer them in little quantity, but observe your guinea pigs’ reaction once you offer them the plums puree because they may dislike it and like to eat fresh and raw plums.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Plums Tree Leaves?
No, do not feed the plum tree leaves to your guinea pigs in any case as it can be very dangerous for them due to the presence of hydrogen cyanide in plum tree leaves which can cause allergic reactions, difficulty breathing as well as gastric issues leading to serious health conditions.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Plum Tree Branches?
No, it is not recommended to feed plum tree branches to your guinea pigs because just like plum tree leaves and plum pits, branches also contain traces of harmful chemicals that once ingested metabolize into cyanide which causes serious health issues like panting, difficulty breathing, seizures, and shock leading to even death of your pet.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Plum Skin?
Yes, the skin of a plum is edible and guinea pigs can eat the plum with skin there is no need to peel the skin as it also contains good nutrients for your guinea pigs, but if you want to treat your guinea pigs with good hands than I would recommend to peel off the skin of plum because the skin of plum is not easily digestible by our furry friend and takes time so it would be better to peel the skin and offer them the slice of plum in moderation.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Plum Seeds?
No, guinea pigs should not be served with plum seeds as they contain cyanide chemicals in their seeds which is toxic for our lovely pets. Plum seeds and their cores also contain much degree of cyanogen glycosides which can lead to intoxication and even death. So it is advised to offer your pets only the flesh part of plums.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Prunes?
Prunes also known as dried plums are higher in calories, fiber, and carbs than raw and fresh plums, and feeding too many prunes at once may lead to undesirable effects, such as diarrhea, bloating, stomach upset, and other health issues. Prunes also contain more sugar than raw plums as these are dried plums which can also be dangerous if fed excessively to our guinea pigs.
So, it is recommended to avoid feeding prunes to your guinea pigs to avoid any kind of complication or health issues in guinea pigs.
Can Baby Guinea Pigs Eat Plum?
It is best to avoid feeding plums to Baby guinea pigs (Pups) because plums just like other fruits are high in sugar and fiber which baby guinea pigs cannot tolerate easily leading to serious complications.
You can start offering the plums to baby guinea pigs at the age of almost 4-6 weeks old with gradual introduction and a small quantity in start to check their reaction. Remember, introduce the plums gradually and see the reaction of baby guinea pigs. If you observe any change or reaction, immediately run to the veterinarian for guidance and a check-up.
Alternatives of Plums for Guinea Pigs:
Guinea pigs are very lovely creatures and love to nibble on sweet fruit like plums, but some individuals may dislike or go through any kind of risk factor like allergic reaction, etc. so there must be a healthy alternative to plums for guinea pigs. Let’s know some of them to add to guinea pigs’ diet to gain important nutrients.
Conclusion: Plums for Guinea Pigs
Overall! It is OK to feed plums to your guinea pigs as an occasional treat in moderation, they would love to nibble on this juicy fruit but before deciding to offer plum it is very important to remove the seeds, pits, stones, leaves, and branches of plum tree. It is recommended to offer only the fleshy part of the plum and the skin is also edible.
Do not overfeed your guinea pigs with fruits like plums contain high sugar and fiber. Only feed them the eighth part or 1-2 slices no more than twice a week to ensure the safety and healthy diet plan. You should also rotate their diet plan every week to add variety and nutritional value to the guinea pigs’ diet.
