Blackberries are a vast complex of inter-related species or super-species that ranges from Britain and Western Europe, right across Asia into India and the Americas. There are cultivated varieties that have been bred across that range, including hybrids with raspberries, giving Boysenberries, Youngberries, Tayberries, etc. They belong to the family Rosaceae rubus.
Blackberries are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fibers. They are also a great source of manganese and support oral and mental health. The blackberry is technically not just one fruit. Each blackberry consists of 80-100 small drupelets that are arranged circularly, akin to a miniature grape bunch, and each berry has a juicy pulp, a single tiny seed that measures three to four centimeters long. Blackberry is a very sweet fruit with lots of nutrients that helps in preventing heart attacks, controlling cholesterol, and strengthening the heart. Does all this benefit also occur in guinea pigs? Can guinea pigs eat blackberries?
Can Guinea pigs eat blackberries?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat blackberries, but it should be in moderation because this fruit is high in some essential nutrients, and too much of it can be dangerous for them. Blackberries contain Vitamin C, but they also carry around 5% sugar which is harmless for your guinea pig to eat if given in very small amounts and as a random treat and include the tops/leaves if desired.
29.8mg per 100g of Vitamin C is present in blackberries, which is good for them. Guinea pigs cannot produce their vitamin C just like humans, and they are known to have individual preferences hence, they may not immediately take to new foods. Due to its tasty nature, a large number of guinea pugs tend to get obsessed with it. Blackberries are also backpacked with antioxidants. Antioxidants are a vital component of their shapes, it helps in stopping many illnesses as well as rinse out the poisonous waste from the body. Moreover, overfeeding them might lead to serious health risks.
What Is The Right Proportion For Serving Blackberries To Guinea Pigs (serving size)
Blackberry is a highly nutritional and easy fruit that contains a high amount of sugar content which makes it am addicted to fruit pets. Guinea pigs should only be given one blackberry as the first time fruit and that alone will feed their stomach. Too much free to eat this fruit can lead to digestive issues. As they begin to get mature with the fruits, you can feed them two to three blackberries once or twice a week. With this standard proportion, your guinea pigs won't be overfed hence, the beneficial nutrients won't cause any health risks.
What are the Nutritional Benefits of Serving Blackberries to Guinea Pigs
Blackberries are a superfood that offers a lot of beneficial nutrients to the body system, especially when served in small proportions for guinea pigs. This fruit is low in calories, fats, or carbs, thereby, it is an excellent source of food with natural products radiating into their diet for a healthy pet. Some of the benefits are
Excellent source of Vitamins
Blackberries contain Vitamin A, and this vitamin protects the immune system from illness and various diseases they are also known to support the growth of bones and maintain the teeth of your pets. Vitamin C is another essential vitamin in this fruit, and they are responsible for preventing scurvy, healing wounds, keeping the eyesight healthy, and regeneration of your pet's skin is also an advantage of these fruits.
The high amount of fiber
Blackberries contain a high amount of fiber diet therefore, it is an excellent source of fiber. There are two types of fiber present in them soluble and insoluble fiber, and both offer different benefits in their body system. Examples of such benefit are that they reduce cholesterol level, controls sugar and weight level, and also help to increase regular bowel weight after aiding digestion.
Antioxidants
This fruit contains a decent amount of antioxidants which help in fighting free radicals. Free radicals in the body system are responsible for severe health issues like cancer, or heart disease, and these nutrients help by neutralizing disease-causing free radicals. They also help in improving brain activity and prevent memory loss caused by aging.
Health Risk of Serving Blackberries to Guinea Pigs
Overfeeding your guinea pigs can cause lead to some health risk even though it possesses a lot of beneficial nutrients, and some of that health issues are listed in the bullet point below
Digestive and urinary problems
One thing about guinea pigs is their sensitive stomach (I.e they can not digest some nutrients). Blackberries have a high sugar content that can not be digested by guinea pigs, and overfeeding them can lead to stomach upset, diabetes, diarrhea, or constipation. Hence, the fruits should be served as a treat and not as a regular meal
Oral disease
Apart from the digestive and urinary problems cause by the high amount of sugar in blackberries, it can also lead to cavity or gum diseases. Their oral cavity can experience serious pain because of the excessive chewing of sugar content from the fruits.
Can Guinea pigs eat Blackberries Leaves and Skins?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat the leaves and skins of blackberries. The skin should be thoroughly washed since the outer surface is being exposed to surroundings, and chemicals could be present on it. While the leaves of blackberries contain an unusual coconut flavor, this can be an additional nutrient for your pigs. Tannins are also present in the theme which is used to cure diseases like diarrhea, sore throats, mouth ulcer, etc.
Conclusion
Blackberries are a super fruit food that contains a decent amount of beneficial nutrients which is helpful in the diet of your guinea pigs. All the parts of the fruits are known for curing various diseases but when too much of it is being given to pets it could lead to health risks which could be mild or severe depending on the portion. The correct serving size of these fruits with their beneficial and harmful benefit have been listed in this article. Therefore, pet owners looking to feed their pets with beneficial fruits should go through this article to find out more about the fruits.
