One morning I was making smashed avocado for breakfast. I needed to sort Millie and Mollys breakfast and so I asked myself, “Can Guinea Pigs Eat Avocado?“
I did a quick bit of research and I was very surprised at what I found out…
It’s important that when you think about giving your guinea pig a new food, that you research it first. There are a lot of foods that guinea pigs cannot eat because they will make them sick, and some can even be deadly.
When I first started having Guinea Pigs, I never knew that they can be allergic to certain foods. In fact there are some foods that can be very toxic to guinea pigs.
The quick answer is no, guinea pigs cannot eat avocado. It contains “Persin”, which can be very dangerous to Guinea Pigs.
I’ll go into more detail below.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Avocado?
Can guinea pigs eat avocado? It’s a question that many guinea pig owners ask, and for good reason. Avocados are a popular food, and they’re packed with nutrients that can benefit humans. But before you start slipping avocados into your guinea pig’s diet, there are a few things you need to know.
For starters, avocados contain a compound called persin. This compound can be harmful to guinea pigs, and it can even be fatal in large doses. You should also avoid giving them the pit or the skin, as these can contain high levels of persin.
Avocado is also very high in fat content, this can lead to your guinea pig getting obese. There are other risks such as digestive problems and cardiovascular issues.
Below you’ll find more information on the risks to your guinea pig if they eat avocado, the different parts of the avocado and some great alternatives.
Avocados are not safe for guinea pigs, even though they are very healthy for us. It’s a shame, if you ignore the high fat content avocados are very nutritious.
Are Avocado Good For Your Guinea Pig?
The thing that makes it not good for your guinea pig’s health is something known as persin. This is toxic to guinea pigs and can be found in the fruit itself but also in the leaves, skin and pit.
You don’t need to worry, as persin is not harmful to you. However your guinea pig’s body is more sensitive than ours. If you feed avocado to your guinea pig, they can experience diarrhea and some really serious digestive issues.
Some can even be fatal.
Why is Avocado Toxic To Guinea Pigs?
The problem with Avocado and why it’s toxic is because of the high amount of persin. This can be poisonous to guinea pigs, so I wouldnt recommend feeding it to them.
Persin is found in the leaves, skin and pit of avocados and can be really harmful if ingested.
Your guinea pig can experience vomiting and diarrhea, as well as some other digestive issues. If they eat a lot of avocado, it can even be fatal.
Why Guinea Pigs Shouldn’t Eat Avocado
As already mentioned, avocado can be poisonous and can be fatal to your guinea pig.
There are however other potential side effects that they might experience;
Digestion Problems
If you’ve looked into guinea pig diets, you’ll know that they have very sensitive digestion. Which is why its always worth checking what they can and cannot eat.
Avocado can cause a number of digestive issues because of the high content of fatty acids.
One other big issue that avocado has on guinea pigs digestion is that it slows down the digestion. This can cause a build up of gas that then puts pressure on their intestines.
This can be very painful for your guinea pig, and in some cases can even lead to death.
Increased Weight Gain
The high-fat content of avocado can cause guinea pigs to gain weight. This is because their bodies are not as efficient at digesting and absorbing the fats as humans are. When guinea pigs eat foods high in fat, they can quickly become obese.
Obesity can lead to a number of health problems in guinea pigs, including heart disease, respiratory problems, and joint pain. If you think your guinea pig is overweight, talk to your veterinarian about the best way to help them lose weight safely.
Pancreatitis
Avocado is also high in fat, and this can lead to pancreatitis in guinea pigs.
Pancreatitis is a serious inflammation of the pancreas that can be fatal if not treated promptly.
Symptoms of pancreatitis include weight loss, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
If you think your guinea pig may have pancreatitis, take them to the veterinarian immediately.
Urinary Problems
Avocados also contain a compound called oxalate, which can bind to calcium in the body and cause kidney stones.
Kidney stones are bad for guinea pigs because they can block the urinary tract and cause pain when urinating. In severe cases, kidney stones can lead to urinary tract infections or even renal failure.
Cardiovascular Problems
The high-fat content of avocados can also lead to cardiovascular problems in guinea pigs.
Fatty foods can clog the arteries and lead to heart disease. Additionally, avocados contain a compound called beta-sitosterol, which has been linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke in humans.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Avocado Leaves?
No, guinea pigs cannot eat avocado leaves. This is because the leaves also contain a high amount of Persin. Which as already mentioned can be poisonous.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Avocado Pit / Avocado Seed?
No, there are a couple of reasons why your guinea pig should not eat the avocado pit. Like other parts of the avocado it is high in persin. It could also be a choking hazard.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Avocado Skin?
Like the pit, guinea pigs shouldn’t eat avocado skin. Its high in persin but this is not the only reason. The skin has a hard and rough texture, which cause cause your guinea pig to choke.
What Other Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat?
Even though you shouldn’t give your Guinea Pig’s avocado to eat, there are some great fruits that they can eat.
Most should be given in moderation, but they are an excellent treat.
Below are some of my favourite fruit alternatives.
Apple
Apples are rich in fiber and have a decent amount of vitamins, which makes them a great addition to your guinea pig’s diet.
They also contain essential antioxidants.
Since they do contain some sugar and calcium, they should only be given as a treat and in moderation.
Banana
Bananas are a good fruit for guinea pigs because they are high in fiber, vitamin C, and potassium.
They also contain antioxidants, which can help protect your guinea pig’s cells from damage.
Bananas are a healthy and nutritious snack for guinea pigs and can be given in moderation.
Blueberries
Molly and Millie both love blueberries, so they do make a nice alternative to avocado.
They contain essential nutrients such as Vitamin A, Vitamin K and Vitamin C. Blueberries also help with your guinea pig’s health, as they are jam packed full of antioxidants.
Again due to the sugar content, its recommended that they do only get a small amount every so often.
Strawberry
One of Millie and Mollys favourite treats is strawberries, they love them! Luckily they’re jam packed with Vitamin C. Since Guinea Pig’s cannot produce their own Vitamin C, it helps to give them this essential nutrient.
Strawberries also help to keep them healthy due to the antioxidant content.
Kiwi
Like Strawberries, Kiwi’s have a decent amount of Vitamin C & Potassium. This helps to prevent scurvy.
As well as scurvy, it can help prevent digestive issues such as bladder stones and help with improving their overall health.
With most fruit, kiwi’s should be given in moderation due to the high sugar content.
Orange
With oranges they are very acidic, with them being citrus. Too much can cause mouth sores and digestive issues, however if you give them in moderation then they do make for a great treat for your guinea pigs.
Oranges do have some key vitamins which help to not only prevent scurvy but also help improve their overall health.
Final Thoughts
So can guinea pigs eat avocado?
Guinea pigs should not eat avocado as they contain Persin which is poisonous and can cause digestive problems, urinary problems and even death. They’re also high in fat, which can cause cardiovascular problems and increased weight gain.
If you are a guinea pig owner, make sure to keep your pet away from avocados!
I don’t let my guinea pigs eat avocados, some will claim that its fine in moderation but I personally don’t want to risk it.
There are other great fruit alternatives that they can enjoy. These fruits are packed with essential nutrients and antioxidants that help keep your guinea pig healthy. With most fruit, it is recommended to give them in moderation due to the high sugar content. So next time you’re at the grocery store, be sure to pick up some fruit for your guinea pig!
