Plums also known as drupe is a type of stone/pit fruit from the Prunus Rosaceae family. They are various varieties, but they mostly have dark purple-red skin with yellow flesh inside, and why for the remaining times, you will see them with green-yellow varieties. Nevertheless, you will find whichever variations you can lay your hand upon to contain a stone in the center that is not edible.
Plums are one of the fruits that are not only tasty and sweet but are also enriched with many nutritional and health benefits. For example, Plums contain phytochemicals and nutrients that help lower inflammation and the risk of heart disease. It also keeps anxiety under control and helps prevent constipation, high blood pressure, and stroke. Plums are also rich in antioxidants and fibre which help manage blood sugar levels. However, can your little cavies benefit from this? Can guinea pigs also eat plums? Continue reading this article to find out the answer.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Plums
Yes, guinea pigs can eat plums just like they can eat other Prunus family e.g., apricots, peaches, nectarines, etc, but it should only be in moderation. Plums are enriched with various beneficial nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fibers, and some other macro-nutrients like potassium and calcium. All these nutrients are essential in keeping your little cavies healthy, however, they also contain a good amount of sugar, and this may lead to health risks when present in the wrong proportion in their body system. Also, the pit/stone in plum can lead to choking hazards for your pets hence, do not leave your little cavies alone to serve themselves, and always serve the correct serving size to your guinea pigs to avoid health risks.
What is the correct serving size for feeding plums to guinea pigs?
Plums are known for their sweetness and tastiness, due to this, guinea pigs can gobble as many as they like ignoring the consequences of their actions. However, it is the responsibility of pet owners to provide only the amount suitable for their daily or weekly consumption for them rather than leaving them alone to feast on the garden of plums. Hence, plums should be given to guinea pigs 2-3 times a week for a healthy diet. For an effectively balanced diet, a normal serving that consists of a few slices or a few small chunks is enough for a healthy guinea pig.
If you are just introducing this fruit to your pets, you should place them under 24-hour observation to watch out for any possible allergy reaction that can arise from feeding plums to guinea pigs
What are the nutritional or health benefits of plum to guinea pigs
Plums are known to be rich in nutrients and contain protein, carbohydrates, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin C, and minerals such as iron, calcium, and potassium. The following are some of the health benefits of feeding plums to guinea pigs
Improve the immune system
Plums contain vitamin A, which provides carotenoids that act as antioxidants to help protect the skin and the eyes against the signs of aging. Meanwhile, vitamin C in plums can stimulate white blood cell production and serve as an antioxidant that can neutralize harmful free radicals. Vitamin C also protects your little cavies from a disease called Scurvy.
Help with blood circulation
One of the reasons some pet owners fancy plum is due to their concentration of certain minerals, including iron. This mineral is a key component in hemoglobin, which transports oxygenated blood throughout the body. This can help them prevent the risk of anemia and provide them with a major energy boost. They are also essential for red blood cell production.
Reduce blood Pressure level
Potassium is another important mineral constituent of plum fruit, which is known to be beneficial for heart health. This nutrient work by reducing the strain on the cardiovascular system by dilating the blood vessels and arteries, thus increasing blood flow and keeping the heart from working too hard. A reduced blood pressure level can help to fight against heart attacks and other cardiovascular complications for your pets
Reduce weight gain and provides energy
Plums contain relatively low amounts of calories, low fats, and zero amounts of calories, and this is essentially good for little cavies suffering from obesity. Hence, it will be easy to curb their weight gain since they make them get full quickly.
Can guinea pigs eat plum skin?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat plum skin since they are enriched with antioxidants and fiber. However, it should be given in moderation, also thoroughly washed before serving it to your little cavies. This is done in other to wash away dirt or pesticides stain on them.
Can guinea pigs eat plum tree branches and leaves?
Although guinea pigs are herbivores and are expected to eat leaves, however, plum tree leaves and branches are out of them. This is a result of the toxic chemical called cyanide that can be found in them. This cyanide can lead to digestive or urinary complications depending on the quantity that was eaten
Can guinea pigs eat prunes?
Prunes are dried plums, guinea pigs can not eat dried fruits because of the high amount of sugar content found in them. The same principle is extended to plums hence, do not feed prunes to guinea pigs in any proportion.
Possible health risks of feeding plums to guinea pigs
Digestive problem
Plums are enriched with high amounts of sugar and some other nutrients, and too much of these fruit in your pet's digestive system may cause digestive problems like diarrhea, diabetes, cramps, bloating, gas, stool, etc
Urinary problem
Plums also have a trace of toxic substances present in their core or seed. This toxic substance is called cyanide, and it can only cause urinary damage if they ingest the cyanogenic glycosides present in the core.
Conclusion
Guinea pigs can eat plums but only in moderation. This is due to the amount of sugar content present in them which can cause detrimental health risks to your little cavies. However, if you follow the standard proportion of feeding these fruits to your cavies, they will offer various health benefits for your pets. Other information regarding these fruits has also been discussed above
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