Can Guinea Pigs Eat Mulberry – The Surprising Diet of Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs are rodents and, therefore, herbivores. But it can be challenging to feed them fruits and vegetables that aren’t usually included in their diet. One fruit you may have considered feeding your pet guinea pig is mulberry.
So, can guinea pigs eat mulberry? Yes, you can give them a couple of fresh mulberries every once in a while as a treat. However, mulberry should never be a staple of their diet. It has too much sugar, that’s not good for guinea pigs on a regular basis.
But how safe is it to feed them mulberry? And what are the specific nutritional benefits of this fruit? Read on to find out!
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Mulberry?
Yes, you can feed your guinea pigs a small portion of mulberries.
There are multiple species of mulberry, and while they do vary, they are all safe for guinea pigs to eat. This includes black, white, and red mulberries.
White mulberries are more bitter than other types of mulberries. Nonetheless, guinea pigs can eat them without any negative consequences. Black mulberries have less sugar than other varieties of mulberry. Therefore, they can be given to your guinea pig as an occasional treat (up to twice per week).
Mulberry combines sweet flavor and impressive nutritional value. Here is the nutritional profile of a 100-gram serving of fresh mulberry fruit.
| Water | 88% |
| Calories | 43 |
| Carb | 9.8 g |
| Fiber | 1.7 g |
| Fat | 0.4 g |
| Sugar | 8.1 g |
| Protein | 1..4 g |
Guinea pigs can also consume dried mulberry fruits. In fact, it packs more nutrients in dried form. Mulberries are often consumed dried, similar to raisins. This form contains 70% carbs, 12% protein, 14% fiber, and 3% fat. High dietary fiber in mulberry fruit is important for keeping the digestive system healthy. Also, mulberries are low in calories, which helps with weight control.
This berry also contains some beneficial vitamins and minerals.
It has vitamin C, which protects immune function and helps prevent cellular damage. In fact, a single serving might fulfill your pet’s entire requirement of vitamin C for the day.
The fruits also contain vitamin K, calcium, magnesium, and iron. All of these nutrients help to keep bones strong and healthy.
Mulberries also contain potent antioxidants that can fight against free radicals.
Mulberry has zeaxanthin, a carotenoid that can reduce the degenerative diseases of the eyes and also clean the retina. By doing so, mulberry helps improve vision in guinea pigs.
Do Guinea Pigs Love Mulberries?
Guinea pigs love mulberries, but it’s important to keep in mind that some guinea pigs are allergic to them. Guinea pigs who are allergic might suffer from diarrhea if they eat mulberries.
You should always let your guinea pig sniff the fruit before giving it to them to see if they have an allergy beforehand. Other than those with allergies, most guinea pigs find the sweet treat irresistible.
Why Is Too Much Mulberry Bad For Guinea Pigs – Health Risks
While a few berries here and there won’t hurt your pet, it’s important to avoid feeding them too many for the sake of their health.
- Mulberries have a high sugar content, which can lead to obesity, diabetes, diarrhea, and other potentially life-threatening diseases in guinea pigs.
- Too much fruit can cause gas, bloating, and other uncomfortable symptoms.
- The mulberry contains an adequate amount of nutritional fiber. In general, dietary fiber aids in digestion. However, excessive dietary fiber consumption in guinea pigs might result in constipation.
- Calcium is essential for guinea pigs to maintain strong bones and teeth. However, too much calcium in the diet can lead to calcium oxalate stones, which can then become lodged as kidney stones.
How Many Mulberries Should Guinea Pigs Eat?
A serving of 1-2 mulberries is good for your guinea pig’s digestive system. As for the timeline, you can serve them mulberries once or twice a week.
How To Feed Mulberry To Your Guinea Pig
Mulberry can be fed dried or fresh to guinea pigs. However, it is preferable to feed fresh mulberry to your guinea pig. Dried mulberries have more concentrated sugars. If you must feed dried mulberries, cut them into smaller pieces so they don’t cause choking hazards.
Avoid unripe berries as they have a laxative effect. Also, wash the berries just before serving to remove pesticides.
When purchasing mulberry for your guinea pigs, be sure it is certified pesticide-free and preservative-free so that you know it’s safe for your animal to consume.
Can You Feed Mulberries To Baby Guinea Pigs?
Yes, but it all depends on how ripe the berries are. If they’re not fully ripe, then it can cause problems with your guinea pig’s digestive system because they won’t break down completely.
Wait until the berries are very soft to feed them to your pet – they may seem mushy when you touch them. Also, you can cut a few up into pieces and offer them as a treat. But still, you need to exercise portion control.
FAQs
Learn more about this nutritious treat by reading our FAQs below!
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Mulberry Leaves?
Much like their fruit counterpart, mulberry leaves are usually considered safe for guinea pigs to eat in moderation. Since they can be high in calories and sugar, you may want to limit them if you’re concerned about your guinea pig’s weight or diabetes risk.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Mulberry Branches?
Mulberry bark and branches are pretty safe for guinea pigs. However, double-check that the mulberry tree has been grown in a pesticide-free area before giving your guinea pig the branches.
Conclusion
Mulberries are perfectly safe for guinea pigs. They can eat the branches, bark, leaves, and mulberry fruits. Be mindful of how much they eat, though. Just because guinea pigs love mulberries doesn’t mean you have to give them more. Too many sugars in mulberry can cause diarrhea and other health conditions.
