You should not feed your guinea pig kiwi skin. Kiwi skin is difficult to chew, making it a choking hazard. It can also be tough on the guinea pigs’ digestive system. Additionally, there is a good chance that pesticides and chemicals used during the growing process may still be present in the skin.
While kiwi is a healthy, nutritious addition to the guinea pig diet, you should not feed the skin to your guinea pig. There are several risks associated with guinea pigs eating kiwi skin.
What You'll Learn
What is Kiwi Skin?
Kiwi skin is the brown, fuzzy outer covering of kiwi fruit. It is full of nutrients. It has a high concentration of fiber, folate, and Vitamin E. It’s also a major source of antioxidants, like Vitamin C. It is thin but tough. Kiwi skin is an edible food for some species.
The skin increases nutrients in a serving of a kiwi. As a source of fiber, kiwi skin aids in digestion for those who can eat it. Eating the skin will add 50% more fiber to a serving of kiwi. The skin also increases the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, folate, and Vitamin E value of the kiwi.
Is it Safe to Feed Kiwi Skin to Your Guinea Pig?
While kiwi skin is full of nutritional benefits and is safe for humans to eat, we do not recommend that you feed it to your Guinea pig. There are three main reasons for this.
1) Digestive Issues
The furry, hairy layer of skin is not suitable for your guinea pig’s stomach. It may actually cause digestion problems.
It is not easily broken down in the gut and can cause your guinea pig discomfort. Additionally, the skin is high in fiber, and too much fiber can cause diarrhea and stomach pain.
2) Choking Hazard
The texture of the skin is also problematic. The outside of kiwi skin is rough, while the inside of the skin is moist and slippery.
As a result, your guinea pig may have trouble swallowing the skin, which could lead to choking. This could (in extreme cases) lead to the death of your guinea pig if he cannot clear the obstruction.
3) Pesticides and Chemicals
Many farmers use pesticides and chemicals when growing their kiwis. The skin of the kiwi is exposed to these pesticides. Even with a thorough washing, it’s unlikely you will be able to remove all the pesticides and chemicals.
If there are any lingering pesticides on the skin, your guinea pig would then ingest them, leading to the potential for serious illness.
What If You Still Want to Feed Your Guinea Pig Kiwi Skin?
Some people still choose to feed their Guinea pigs kiwi skin for the nutritional benefits. If you are one of these people, there are several cautionary steps you will need to take.
1) Thoroughly Wash the Skin
You will want to get as much of the potential pesticide residue off as possible. You do not want to expose your guinea pig to any chemicals.
2) Cut into Small Pieces
Make the pieces as small as possible. This will help prevent the guinea pig from choking on the skin.
However, there may still be problems with swallowing small pieces because of the texture. You should closely monitor your guinea pig while it is eating kiwi skin to ensure there are no complications.
3) Limit Their Intake
Do not give the guinea pig more kiwi skin than they need. Your piggie may experience an upset stomach if they eat too much skin. Remember, kiwi skin is high in fiber. Fiber can cause loose stools and stomach pain.
Forget the Skin, What About The Fruit?
Kiwi is a natural source of Vitamin C and is, therefore, a good occasional treat for your guinea pig. Kiwi is also a source of many vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamins A, E, and K, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium. The fruit also contains antioxidants.
Kiwi is made up of mostly water. This is also beneficial to your guinea pig because it will aid in hydration.
Despite the benefits of kiwi, you do not want to regularly feed them to your guinea pig. The sugar content of this fruit is high. Feeding them too much sugar can lead to diabetes, diarrhea, and obesity.
Too much kiwi can also lead to urinary tract problems. Kiwi is a significant source of calcium, which can be problematic for guinea pigs. Too much calcium will cause the guinea pig to have difficulty urinating.
Kiwi Skin – The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
Kiwi is a significant source of Vitamin C for your guinea pig. It should only be fed in moderation because of the high sugar content. While it can be a healthy addition to your guinea pig’s diet, some risks are associated with feeding them too much kiwi.
While kiwi is safe for your guinea pig, kiwi skin should not be on the menu. It can be a choking hazard because of its alternately tough and slimy texture. Skin is also hard on the digestive tract. It is hard to digest and full of fiber, so it can cause diarrhea. Pesticides used during the growing process can remain in the skin even after a thorough washing. This can be toxic to your guinea pig.
Some people still choose to feed their guinea pigs kiwi skins. There are certain things to consider when doing this. The pieces offered to the guinea pig will need to be very small to aid in the chewing and swallowing process to prevent choking. The skin will need to be washed thoroughly to remove as many pesticides as possible before feeding it to the guinea pig. Limit the amount of kiwi skin given to the guinea pig to prevent excess fiber.
It is not recommended to feed your guinea pig kiwi skin. However, if you choose to, make sure you consider all the risks associated with it.
