Guinea pigs do not digest sugar easily and too much can cause painful digestion, diarrhea and weight gain. Furthermore, their diet contains too much calcium – though necessary in moderation – which may lead to urinary tract infections and bladder stones in excess.
Instead of offering them raisins, opt for fresh fruits and vegetables which provide essential vitamins and nutrients without adding extra sugar or calcium to their diets.
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They’re high in sugar
Raisins are a type of dried grape often consumed as a snack or dessert, often as part of a sweet diet. Due to their high sugar content, raisins may lead to digestive issues, weight changes and dental problems when consumed excessively by guinea pigs. Furthermore, raisins contain many calories which could cause rapid weight gain for these creatures.
Your guinea pig needs fresh fruits and vegetables with low levels of sugar such as raspberries, blackberries, and cranberries that contain antioxidants, fiber and Vitamin C to reduce boredom in their diets.
Your guinea pigs may enjoy citrus fruits such as oranges, but be sure to remove the green parts as these contain potentially toxic compounds for them. Tomato stems and leaves also contain harmful compounds which should be avoided as these contain similar harmful compounds as tomatoes themselves.
They’re high in calcium
Raisins may be an enjoyable treat, but they may pose serious health concerns for guineas. Along with being high in sugar content and calcium content, raisins contain too much of this mineral for their bodies to process and can cause stomach upset and cause calcium deposits on their teeth. Because guineas typically rely on grass and hay for sustenance in nature, you should only offer yours occasional treats such as alfalfa cubes or carrot tops as treats.
If you want to give your guinea pig a treat, try offering some berries instead. Raspberries are safe for them to consume in small quantities and contain plenty of Vitamin C and fiber; blackberries also make an excellent treat; just remember not to overfeed as potassium levels in these can help regulate heartbeats and ensure energy can reach all parts of their bodies.
They can upset your pig’s stomach
Guinea pigs in their natural environment are herbivores that spend their days grazing on grass, providing essential fiber for healthy digestion and roughage to wear down teeth. Furthermore, they need sufficient calcium for strong bones. Unfortunately for guinea pigs though, raisins do not offer this resource!
Raisins contain high sugar concentrations that are difficult for guinea pigs to digest, leading to stomachache and diarrhea in your pet. Furthermore, their chewy texture may create dental problems for them as they get stuck between their teeth, potentially leading to gum disease or decay.
Although you can give your guinea pig some sweet fruits such as pineapple once or twice every week, raisins and other high-sugar foods should be limited or avoided entirely. Instead, incorporate more fresh fruits and vegetables such as apples, bananas, blueberries, strawberries, carrots as well as freeze-dried food that does not contain added sugars or preservatives for an even healthier option for your pet.
They’re not good for your pig’s teeth
While guinea pigs may eat raisins occasionally, too many may pose health risks to your pet such as weight gain, dental issues and diarrhea.
Raisins are dried grapes containing lots of sugar that can be dangerous if given in excess to guinea pigs, possibly leading to kidney stones and digestive tract irritation as well as potentially toxic levels. Intake of too much may also irritate their digestive tract and result in kidney stones developing over time.
Guinea pigs should only consume raisins as treats once or twice each week as treats, since their rich in nutrients. Instead, provide fresh fruits and vegetables so your guinea pig gets all of its daily vitamins and minerals needs met; such as plums which provide both Vitamin C and fiber benefits for digestion; however you must remove their seeds and rind before feeding to them to your guinea pigs.
