can guinea pigs eat crab apple leaves/branches?

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poppylily

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Hi, learned for a while that gps can eat apples leaves (and apples, sparingly) so was just waiting for pruning time so they could have some. But after bagging up the branches, I thought that the tree maybe be a crab apple? the apples are almost purple (!) from ripeness, bit bigger than a golfball, but always very bitter. I am no tree expert, so have no idea what kind it is, but is it ok for them to eat the leaves? will not be feeding the fruit as even I avoid them! is it ok to feed my girlies the leves?
:)
 
I would think so. Please note that apple leaves are quite high in calcium (I had some calcium pees afterwards), but it makes a lovely occasional treat!
 
I'm not sure about crab apples... aren't crab apples a little toxic. I know we can't really eat crab apples without boiling them up and stuff. Leaves of anything unknown are pretty dangerous too.

I'm sorry I don't know for sure but I'd err on the side of caution with this one.
 
Mine love the branches and leaves of the crab apple tree. I only found out about this a few weeks ago by asking on this forum!
 
sorry took me ages to thank you lovely people- didn't feed them in the end becuase of mixed messages. I will stick to normal apple leaves as a treat :)
 
It's a shame your guineas are going to miss out on a big treat. Mine loved gnawing away at the branches. I found the tree in my local park, I think the leaves are too shrivelled and dry looking now.
 
For future reference, crab apples belong to the genus Malus, same as the domestic apple. It's a safe wood to give to piggies. I'd be sparing with the leaves and only give fresh ones that aren't changing with the seasons. You're right not to feed the fruit as it's highly acidic (and has toxic seeds like normal apples).
 
thank you! I've given them a few branches just to see if they liked to gnaw then but I didn't give leaves (**** being over concerned!)
 
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