When bees collect nectar, it's usually high in water and low in sugar. They regurgitate the nectar, flexing their tongues before swallowing the nectar back and regurgitating some more. This continually exposes the nectar to the air, drying it by evaporation until the water content is reduced to about 20%. The result is HONEY a very energy-rich food for the bees, which is also protected against microbial attack by its high sugar content.
Honey is mainly sugar (glucose and fructose together with a small amount of sucrose) but also has water, acids, proteins, pigments, and minerals in it. It is rich in vitamin B6, which can reduce hangover symptoms. The exact composition of honey varies depending on which flowers are visited by the bees when collecting nectar, as does the taste. Darker honey has a higher mineral content than lighter honey. Can guinea pigs eat honey? Does honey offer beneficial or detrimental effects to your guinea pigs? Answers to these questions and all other questions will be discussed in this article
Can guinea pigs eat honey?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat honey, but it does not necessarily mean guinea pigs should eat honey. This is because honey which is considered the most natural substance in the world does not contain any toxic substances that can harm your guinea pigs. However, it is enriched with too much sugar that should not in any way be served to your guinea pigs hence, it should not be considered one of their staple food. Guinea pigs are herbivores, and their diet should contain mostly hay, vegetables, and some fruits, but this does not mean they will not find the aroma of honey irresistible. Feeding them may result in choking hazards because it is a thick sticky liquid.
Can guinea pigs eat raw honey?
No, guinea pigs can not eat raw honey. Raw honey is more dangerous and can lead to more disastrous health risks compare to common honey, this is because they are natural and it does not undergo some processes like pasteurization and filtration, and the molecular composition has not been diluted with other substances, therefore, containing twice the amount of nutrient present in the common or regular honey. Raw honey may also contain bee pollen, some dead honey bees, and beeswax, and this may be dangerous for the digestive system of your little cavies
Can guinea pigs eat honeycomb?
No, guinea pigs can not eat honeycomb. Honeycomb is a natural that is made from honey bees or beeswax, and it is majorly used to store the pollen gathered and also honey or to house their larvae. Due to its aroma having similar aroma to honey, therefore, your little cavies tend to draw closer to them. Honeycomb is enriched with a high proportion of carbohydrates and a little portion of antioxidants therefore, allowing your guinea pigs to nibble on them may not result in any serious risks. However, feeding it to them in large proportions may lead to guts blockage due to clumps of wax
Possible health risks of feeding honey to guinea pigs
Honey does not offer much more beneficial nutrients to guinea pigs than giving your cavies strength however, you will see them causing numerous health risks to your cavies especially. Some of the possible health risks are listed below
Scurvy
Honey does not contain some of the important vitamins that your guinea pigs need to survive. You should know that guinea pigs are prone to a disease called scurvy if they are not fed food that is enriched with vitamin C, you will also see them having a weak immune system and thereby leading to your guinea pigs falling sick all the time. You will also see them lacking in vitamins A, E, and K which are the essential nutrients that protect your cavies from poor eyesight and some inflammatory infection.
Digestive system problem
Guinea pigs have sensitive digestive systems, and they also love to eat a lot. This is why they required dietary fiber to help them digest their food. However, honey does not contain fiber, and this eventually leads to digestive issues. Also, honey contains a high proportion of natural sugar, and this can be difficult to digest since the digestive system is made for something else thereby, leading to digestive and health problems.
Weight gain
Studies have shown that honey also contains high calories, and feeding this to your guinea pigs in the wrong proportion may lead to your pets gaining unnecessary weight. Eventually, it may lead to obesity and finally lead to heart attacks or any other heart disease.
Choking hazards
Honey is a thick sticky liquid, and guinea pigs only prefer plants and plant-based which are non-sticky foods. If your guinea pigs have a mouthful of honey in their mouth, they will have trouble swallowing them, and this may result in choking hazards for your little cavies.
Foods that should be served to Guinea pigs apart from honey
Hay
Guinea pigs' digestive systems may be super sensitive because they usually require a lot of fiber that will constantly help them digest the food they consume. They require food with low cholesterol high fiber and vitamins. An example of such food is Hay. Hay is said to be a staple in guinea pigs' diets, and hay can be of various varieties. They are timothy hay, alfalfa hay, clover, Bermuda, etc
Vegetables
Vegetables are also one of the regular meals for guinea pigs. Fresh vegetables like broccoli, zucchini, carrots, cucumbers, kale, artichokes, tomatoes, parsley, etc are enriched with nutritional benefits that can help you keep your cavies healthy.
Fruits
Most fruits have a high proportion of sugar and acidic content, but as long as they are fed in the correct proportion they can be entrusted as one of your cavies diet. Example of fruits that can be eaten by your guinea pigs is bananas, apples, apricots, berries, papaya, pumpkin, watermelon, kiwi, pears, and many more.
Conclusion
Guinea pigs can eat honey, but this does not indicate that they should eat honey. Honey is enriched with a high proportion of sugar, and this may result in a lot of health risks for your cavies. Therefore, do not feed it to them, and if you choose to do otherwise, make sure it is in a small proportion. Other things you need to know about honey have been explained in this article.
