Guinea pigs should be fed a diet consisting primarily of hay with small amounts of fresh vegetables and fruit for treats. Tomatoes may occasionally be given as treats; however, too often can lead to acidity issues that lead to mouth sores in your pet.
Guinea Pigs in their natural environment would tend to test out new foods by nibbling very small pieces multiple times before actually devouring it, an instinctual behavior which aids digestion.
Contents
Vitamin C
Tomatoes are an excellent source of Vitamin C, an essential nutrient for your guinea pig’s health. Vitamin C helps strengthen white blood cells to fight infections while also protecting them against scurvy that could otherwise lead to mouth sores or other ailments.
Tomatoes contain potassium, an electrolyte essential for proper nerve and muscle communication in guinea pigs.
As with other fruits and vegetables, guinea pigs should only consume tomatoes in moderation; too much may lead to digestive issues and make your guinea pig uncomfortable. As an occasional treat alongside Timothy hay and fortified pellets. When offering tomatoes as treats for your guinea pigs it’s best to cut it up into small pieces for easy eating; remembering also to wash well beforehand to eliminate bacteria or pesticides which could be toxic for their wellbeing.
Potassium
Tomatoes contain potassium, an essential element in their diets. Potassium aids with mineral absorption as well as helping regulate their blood pressure, and is rich in Vitamin C which supports healthy skin. Too much tomato consumption could result in diarrhea and sore lips as it is an acidic food and could even burn their mouths!
Guinea pigs’ diet in the wild typically includes hay, grains, vegetables and fruit; thus introducing cherry tomatoes isn’t likely to harm their wellbeing. But it is important to remember that they contain high levels of sugar; hence it should only be given in small quantities and any leaves or stalks should be removed prior to feeding them to your guinea pig. For safety’s sake it would be prudent to offer one slice from a large tomato or two cherry tomatoes once every week or so as a precautionary measure.
Lycopene
Tomatoes contain Lycopene, an antioxidant that fights free radicals. Furthermore, tomatoes provide potassium which keeps the heart beating normally while moving nutrients and waste out of cells – insufficient levels may lead to high blood pressure, water retention or kidney stones.
Tomatoes contain Vitamin C, an essential element in their diets as guinea pigs are incapable of synthesizing it themselves and must obtain their supply through food sources such as tomatoes. Doing this prevents scurvy and strengthens their immunity system.
When feeding tomatoes to guinea pigs, only give ripe fruits. Avoid giving any green parts such as stems and leaves that could potentially cause diarrhea and mouth sores. You should also ensure they are clean of pesticides or dirt; washing all fruits before giving them to your pets is wise but especially so with tomatoes.
Calcium
Tomatoes contain ample calcium for healthy bones and teeth in guinea pigs. Furthermore, tomatoes also provide vitamin C and potassium which help prevent heart diseases in them and lower their blood pressure.
Tomatoes are an excellent source of lycopene, an antioxidant with cancer-fighting properties. But due to their high sugar and water content, tomatoes should only be consumed sparingly.
Never feed your guinea pig green tomatoes, tomato leaves, stems or vines as these contain Tomatine (or solanine) that is toxic for them. But an unripened tomato with all leaves removed should be safe to consume; rinse its skin first as this contains higher concentrations of vitamins and nutrients than its flesh would allow your pet to digest efficiently.
