Cantaloupe is also known as rockmelon in Australia country while it is called the sweet melon, or spanspek in South Africa. They are majorly a melon, and they are from the variety of muskmelon (Cucumis melo) species from the Cucurbitaceae family. Cantaloupe is a small round melon, with a lightish green outer skin and contains an interior part that is orange in color they are fleshy and also taste sweet.
Cantaloupe is delicious, and they are enriched with various high water content and nutritional benefits like vitamins and minerals which are used as an additional diet for humans. What about the diet of guinea pigs, can guinea pigs eat cantaloupe? Can they derive a lot of beneficial nutrients as humans do? What other things should you know about these fruits? Read through this article to find out all you need to know
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cantaloupe
Yes, guinea pigs can eat cantaloupe but only in moderation. Often, we look for ways to show love and care to our guinea pigs because they just completed a week of behaving maturely, or they did something that required commending them. Feeding them this fruit can serve the purpose you wanted it to be because they are an excellent treat for them. However, you should know that they are enriched with a lot of high sugar content, and overfeeding them with this fruit will turn the love you are showing to your guinea pigs into a trip to the veterinarian doctor. Therefore, always give it to them as an occasional treat since they are enriched with various beneficial nutrients.
What should be the serving size of feeding cantaloupe to your Guinea pigs
On a particular hand, you are feeding a fruit meant to be served as an occasional treat for your cavies because they contain a high proportion of sugar and caloric nutrients. On the other end, you will find this fruit enriched with various wonderful nutrients that can keep the diet of your pets healthy. How do you now serve them in the correct proportion to balance out the advantages and disadvantages of these fruits for your pets?
Your guinea pigs should eat a small slice or one-inch cube of cantaloupe once or twice a week. Do not in any way feed them above this standard size because that is the recommended and safe serving size for your cavies. You can also choose to feed them a lesser proportion to the standard proportion with other mixed vegetables for a perfect dinner. This will keep their diet healthy.
Can guinea pigs eat different parts of cantaloupe?
Cantaloupe do not only contains an edible and fleshy body but they are also made up of seeds, rinds, leaves, etc. Knowing if your guinea pigs have a chance of surviving when they eat this part of the fruits should also be aware by you to avoid unnecessary trips to the doctor's office. You should also be aware of what beneficial nutrients may be benefited from feeding on these various parts of the fruits. Read through the bullet point below to find out
Cantaloupe seeds
Guinea pigs can not eat cantaloupe seeds because they are the perfect size of the seed that causes a choking hazard for your cavies. Cantaloupe seed has a hard texture, and they are big, feeding them to your pets will make them get stuck to their food pipe, and since they can not vomit, it will lead to your pets choking on them. The seed also contains a toxic substance called cyanide hence, it isn't ideal for your pets
Cantaloupe rinds
Guinea pigs can eat cantaloupe rinds since it does not contain a toxic substance like the seed. However, studies show that the skin has a hard and rough exterior part which makes pet owners deliberate whether it should be given to them. If you choose to provide it to them, you should know they are enriched with antioxidants and fiber which is good for your pets
What are the beneficial nutrient of feeding cantaloupe to your guinea pigs
It has been stated above that cantaloupe offers various nutritional benefits for your pets therefore, pet owners need to be aware of the exact advantage their cavies can gain from the fruits. Some of the benefits of this melon are listed below
High vitamin C content
Guinea pigs can not produce their vitamin C like other animals and humans, so it is essential for them to be drawn to food that is enriched with a decent amount of vitamin C. Vitamin C present in cantaloupe will help prevent your pets from suffering from scurvy. They will also aid in the proper functioning of the immune system since a strong immune system will help the body fight against diseases
Rich in beta-carotene
Guinea pigs tend to have various age-related diseases like poor eyesight, wrinkled skin, cardiovascular disease, etc. The presence of beta-carotene will help to prevent such diseases and thereby, allow your old guinea pigs to be perfectly healthy.
Low calories
Guinea pigs suffering from obesity should be given cantaloupe because it enhanced weight loss for your pets
High hydration effect
Cantaloupe has high water content, and taking this fruit will help your guinea pigs to have a perfect and well-working immune system
Health risk of feeding cantaloupe to your guinea pigs
There are a lot of benefits attached to this fruit, but you should also know that there is a lot of health risk attached to it if it is being overfed to your guinea pigs. Some of them are listed below
High sugar content
cantaloupe has a high amount of sugar, and overfeeding your pets will lead to health risks like diabetes, obesity, and other related problem
High water content
cantaloupe also contains a high amount of water since it is enriched with 90% of water. Feeding them to your pets in the wrong proportion may lead to diarrhea, constipation, and bloatedness
Conclusion
Guinea pigs can eat cantaloupe but only in moderation. This is because they are enriched with various beneficial nutrients which can keep their doer healthy. They are also enriched with high amounts of sugar, water, phosphorus, etc, and regular feeding can cause a lot of casualties. Therefore, to avoid overfeeding, you need to read through this article for more explanation
