Tomatoes are a staple in the diets of people all around the world. They’re juicy, delicious and incredibly versatile, and can be used in a huge range of dishes. But while they’re a popular food for humans, are they any good for cavies?
Can guinea pigs eat tomatoes?
Yes, they can. Tomatoes are safe for guinea pigs to eat, and they can even provide a few nutritional benefits for your furry friend. But tomatoes are also high in sugar and highly acidic, so they’re only a “sometimes food” for guinea pigs. Tomato leaves and stalks are also poisonous to cavies and should never be fed to your pet.
Can Guinea Pigs Have Tomatoes?
If you’re thinking of feeding any tomatoes to your cavy, there’s probably one burning question you want to be answered: Are tomatoes safe for guinea pigs to eat?
Unfortunately, it’s a little bit more complicated than a simple yes or no answer. In a nutshell, the flesh, skin and seeds of tomatoes are safe for guinea pigs to eat. This includes varieties such as plum and beef tomatoes, provided they are ripe.
However, several other questions need to be answered before you can feed tomatoes to your guinea pig:
- Can guinea pigs eat cherry tomatoes? Yes, cherry tomatoes are safe for guinea pigs to eat.
- Can guinea pigs eat grape tomatoes? Grape tomatoes are also safe for cavies to consume, so feel free to share one of these tasty little fruits with your pet.
- Can guinea pigs eat tomato leaves? No. The leaves of the tomato plant contain the alkaloids solanine and tomatine, which are toxic to guinea pigs. Never let your cavy eat tomato leaves.
- Can guinea pigs eat tomato stalks? No. Just like tomato leaves, the stalks are also poisonous to guinea pigs and should be avoided at all costs.
- Can guinea pigs eat green tomatoes? No. Unripe tomatoes have higher alkaloid levels than ripe tomatoes, so wait for tomatoes to ripen before feeding them to your pet.
Are Tomatoes Good for Guinea Pigs?
Despite a few exceptions, guinea pigs can safely eat tomatoes. But should they? Most cavies will love the taste of ripe tomato, which makes this popular fruit an excellent training treat, but you’ll be pleased to know that tomatoes can also offer some nutritional benefits to your furry friend.
The main advantage of tomatoes is that they’re rich in vitamin C. Your cavy’s body is incapable of producing vitamin C on its own, so your pet needs to get sufficient vitamin C from his diet to prevent scurvy. Tomatoes are also a source of vitamin A, vitamin K and dietary fiber, so they’ve got more to offer to your pet than just a great taste.
For more information about the nutritional content of tomatoes, check out the table below:
| Raw tomatoes (nutrients per 100g serve) | |
| Water | 94.52g |
| Energy | 18kcal |
| Protein | 0.88g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.2g |
| Carbohydrate | 3.89g |
| Fiber | 1.2g |
| Sugars | 2.63g |
| Vitamin A | 42µg |
| Vitamin C | 13.7mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.08mg |
| Potassium | 237mg |
| Lycopene | 2,573µg |
Source: FoodData Central
Risks of Feeding Tomatoes to Guinea Pigs
Before your rush out and start filling your shopping cart with tomatoes for your guinea pig, be aware that tomatoes and cavies aren’t a match made in heaven. There are a few health risks of tomatoes that every guinea pig owner should be aware of before feeding:
- Toxic parts. As we’ve already mentioned, tomato leaves and stalks are poisonous to guinea pigs. They should never be fed to cavies.
- High in sugar. Given just how sweet tomatoes are, it’s no surprise that they have high sugar content. Excess sugar is a contributing factor in obesity. It can also cause an upset stomach and disrupt your cavy’s sensitive digestive system, so tomatoes should only ever be fed in moderation.
- Highly acidic. Tomatoes are also highly acidic and can lead to the formation of sores in your pet’s lips and on their mouth if fed excessively.
- Fruit should only be a small part of your pet’s diet. Finally, it’s also worth remembering that fresh hay should make up the bulk of your guinea pig’s diet. Commercially-produced pellets and fresh vegetables can supplement hay, while fruit can be given as a treat in moderation. With this in mind, it’s important to restrict the amount of tomato your cavy eats and how often he eats it.
How to Prepare Tomatoes for a Guinea Pig
Now that you know the risks and benefits of tomatoes for guinea pigs, it’s up to you to decide whether you want to share some with your furry friend. If you do decide to let your cavy chow down on some tomato, here’s how to prepare the perfect snack:
- Remove any leaves and the stalk attached to the tomato.
- Wash the tomato thoroughly to remove any pesticides or bacteria.
- Chop it up into bite-size pieces for your guinea pig to enjoy.
As with any new food, it’s important to gradually introduce tomatoes to your guinea pig’s diet. Start with a small bite-size piece and if you don’t notice any adverse reaction throughout the rest of the day, you can slowly increase their serving size.
That said, remember that your guinea pig should only ever eat tomatoes in moderation. One slice of a large tomato (chopped into smaller pieces) or one cherry tomato 2-3 times a week should do the trick.
Final Thoughts
Most of us will have one or more tomatoes sitting around in the fridge at any given time, so it’s wonderful that you can share this delicious and nutritious fruit with your guinea pig.
However, before feeding, remember that tomatoes are high in sugar, should only be eaten in small amounts, and have leaves and stalks that are toxic to guinea pigs.
