Honey is one of nature’s most prized positions which we as well as hundreds of other species of living organisms enjoy. It has an unbelievably large amount of health benefits. It originates from the nectar of flowers which is then processed into this sweet and sticky substance by honeybees. But can a guinea pig eat honey?

Well, as many benefits honey has, it isn’t the best for guinea pigs. That certainly doesn’t mean that they cannot have it in their diet at all. As long as you follow the diet plan we give in this article and be cautious of the hazards of feeding it to a guinea pig, you’ll be alright!

Following are the nutritional benefits of honey

Nutritional Benefits of Honey

Honey has a ton of nutritional benefits, as per 100 mg of honey:

Glucose	35.8 g
Sucrose	0.89 g
Water	12.1 g
Energy	304kJ
Fructose	40.9 g
Iron (Fe)	0.42 mg
Magnesium (Mg)	2 mg
Carbohydrate	82.4 g
Protein	0.3 g
Fibre	0.2 g
Calcium (Ca)	6 mg
Potassium (K)	52 mg
Sodium (Na)	4 mg
Phosphorus (P)	4 mg
Sugars	82.1 g
Energy	1270kJ

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Honey

The simple answer to this is, yes, guinea pigs can have honey. It is a delicious treat for them. However, it is very important to take in mind the amount of honey they consume. It isn’t the best addition to a guinea pig’s diet. Along with that, there is also a load of hazards to be cautious of while feeding honey to your guinea pig. 

Hazards/Dangers of Honey for Guinea Pigs

Here are the few hazards of feeding honey to your guinea pigs that should be taken into consideration.  ( there should be at least 2 sentences)

• Weight gain

Honey is a big source of carbs and sugar and is especially dangerous for guinea pigs if not given the right amount. It can lead to many problems with your pet resulting in the shortening of its lifespan. Because honey contains a ton of calories, having it in a guinea pig’s regular diet might be a bad idea which can lead to several health problems like diabetes, heart and liver ailments, and many more.

• Poor digestion 

Since guinea pigs are herbivores, they require fibrous foods such as hay, fresh leaves, and other fruits and vegetables. Fibre is essential for digestion as it helps with bowel movement and keeps the digestive system healthy. Giving your pet more than enough amount of honey can mess up the digestive system and cause problems with digestion.

•  Lack of Vitamin C

Vitamin C is one of the few vitamins which is essential in a guinea pig’s diet. It protects them from many diseases including scurvy which causes diarrhoea, swollen joints, internal bleeding, loss of appetite, etc. Considering honey has barely any vitamin C, it makes it not such a good item to feed your pet. It also doesn’t have much of vitamins A, E and K.

How to Feed Honey to a Guinea Pig

If you’ve decided to take responsibility for all the dangers of feeding honey to your pet, then here is how you do it the right way!   ( there should be at least 2 sentences)

• Serving size

As mentioned before, honey isn’t poison to a guinea pig, it just needs to be fed in the right way. First of all, honey cannot be fed to a guinea pig by itself. it needs to be dissolved in a solvent like drinking water. 

Mix a solution of honey and water with a ratio of (1:30) i.e. 1 part honey and 30 parts water. It is advised to not add more than ½ a teaspoon.

If you do want to serve honey as a treat for your pet, only give it an amount equal to the size of the end of a Q-tip!

• Regulation of honey in a guinea pig’s diet

While serving honey, it must be kept in mind that honey isn’t a primary food in a guinea pig’s diet. So how often you feed it to your pet should always be monitored. Only feed honey to your guinea pig once a week and in the advised proportions. Make sure to brush your pet’s teeth afterwards in order to get rid of any residue and prevent any dental issues.

• Safer alternatives to honey for guinea pig

If you’re looking for some sweet treats for your guinea pig which are safer than honey, you’ve come to the right place! Here are some sweet alternatives for honey which are much more nutritional for a guinea pig.

• Strawberries
• Kiwis 
• Blueberries
• Raspberries 
• Pineapple 

All these fruits are rich in vitamin C which as we have read earlier, is not present in honey much. Plus, you could add these items to your pet’s daily diet and have no side effects!

The Final Verdict

In conclusion, as nutritious as honey can be, it isn’t the best food for a guinea pig’s daily diet. This however doesn’t mean that your pet cant have it at all. As long as you follow the tips and tricks as well as the cautionary measures that have been mentioned above, you’ll be good to give your furry friend a little treat of honey once in a while.