For many people, a guinea pig is a cute and fluffy pet. Few people know that the history of domestication and breeding began with the use of the guinea pig as a meat animal.
In some countries, even today, fried guinea pig is a traditional and quite common dish, and in the European and US markets, the meat of this animal is a delicacy.
Guinea pig meat
For many people, a guinea pig is a cute and fluffy pet.
Few people know that the history of domestication and breeding began with the use of the guinea pig as a meat animal. In some countries, even today, fried guinea pig is a traditional and quite common dish, and in the European and US markets, the meat of this animal is a delicacy.
What to feed a pregnant guinea pig and newborn babies
Pregnant rodents need high-quality and nutritious nutrition. Rose hips, which are served to pets in the form of an infusion, are very beneficial for the body. You should also include wheat sprouts, beets and fresh carrots in your daily diet.
The diet of newborn pigs should contain foods rich in vitamins and proteins. For the first two weeks, babies feed on mother's milk. If it is missing, the owner will have to feed the small offspring; it is better to consult a veterinarian for advice.
Already from the second day of life, little guinea pigs begin to try different foods, so it is necessary to ensure that the cage contains:
- Juicy;
- Greens;
- Industrial feed.
Guinea pig is a source of tasty meat
Countries where guinea pigs are eaten include Peru, USA, Guatemala, France, China, Thailand, Ecuador, Colombia and Chile. The meat of this animal can also be found in expensive restaurants and supermarkets in England, Ireland and Australia. In their homeland, Peru, guinea pigs are a traditional food. Roasted guinea pigs are prepared for weddings or as an everyday dish.
The meat of these small animals is very tender and aromatic, does not contain fat, is environmentally friendly and easily digestible.
It is recommended for people suffering from diabetes, for recovery after complex operations and long-term illnesses, as a dietary supplement.
In Peru and Ecuador, the government has even developed several special programs to popularize guinea pig meat among the population. The animals are small in size, fertile, and easy to feed, which means that even poor people who are unable to have pigs or sheep can provide themselves with constant, and most importantly, valuable meat. The authorities of the countries actively help farmers - they provide each family with a male and five to eight female animals. After just a few months, the number of animals almost doubles. With good and proper fattening, local Peruvian guinea pigs already weigh more than a kilogram at three to four months.
In the USA, guinea pig meat is prepared not only in expensive restaurants, but also in small cafes and fast food restaurants. You can find frozen animal carcasses on the shelves of many stores. Every year the popularity of guinea pig meat is only growing - it is inexpensive, tasty and quick to prepare. Meat is most often imported from Peru, Ecuador or Chile.
However, in some regions of the country, farms began to appear for breeding large meat guinea pigs - kui.
In France and England, fried guinea pig is more of a delicacy. Chefs note the tenderness of the meat and even create special recipes, depending on which country the guinea pig was delivered from.
According to chefs, animals from Peru are distinguished by less fatty meat, while those from Ecuador are more juicy and aromatic.
Prohibited Products
The list of foods that should not be fed to a guinea pig is very extensive:
- cereals;
- eggs;
- bakery and pasta products;
- fish;
- meat;
- sorrel;
- green onions;
- sweets;
- mushrooms;
- smoked meats and pickles.
Regarding whether you can give bread to guinea pigs, you need to remember one rule. Fresh flour products contribute to the development of flatulence. You can feed your pet only brown bread crackers.
Adult rodents are unable to digest lactose. Therefore, guinea pigs cannot have milk. Not only does it not provide any benefit, but it also causes serious health problems. For the same reason, owners should have no doubt whether guinea pigs can eat cheese. This product is rich in animal fats and proteins that are not digestible by rodents.
Guinea pigs should not be fed potatoes. It is rich in starch, which causes obesity. Potatoes also contain solanine, which can weaken the immune system of animals.
Guinea pigs should not be given pine, spruce, willow, rowan and oak twigs, as well as shoots of elm, hornbeam, larch and buckthorn.
National dish of Peru
Baked or fried guinea pig is a national treat in Peru. The dish is called “kui”. It is prepared on holidays, for guests or just as part of a regular dinner. It all depends on the side dish and sauces served. Before cooking a guinea pig, the animal's carcass is thoroughly washed, rubbed with spices and left in a cool place for an hour or two.
To prepare you need:
- animal carcass,
- About one hundred grams of corn or regular flour,
- One onion, preferably red,
- One tomato
- A couple of potatoes
- A teaspoon of cumin,
- Salt with black pepper,
- A little sunflower oil
- Hot chili or chili sauce,
- Medium lemon
- Two liters of water.
Mix flour with salt (half a teaspoon). Dissolve one tablespoon of salt and lemon juice in cold water. The guinea pig, previously sprinkled with pepper and salt, is placed in the marinade for another couple of hours. After the required period of time, the carcass is removed from the marinade, washed, sprinkled with black pepper and cumin, salted and breaded in flour. Heat the oil in a frying pan, put the guinea pig carcass in it, close the lid on top (preferably under pressure) and fry until a golden, even crust forms. In the same oil, fry chopped potatoes with onion rings. The finished guinea pig is served with chili, sprinkled with finely chopped onion and tomato, and with potatoes. For taste, you can sprinkle the meat with lemon juice.
Roasted Guinea Pig Recipe from Ecuador
To prepare another traditional South American dish you will need:
- Guinea pig carcass - 600 -700 grams,
- A few cloves of garlic,
- A little cumin and anise,
- Ground cinnamon,
- Four tablespoons of sunflower or corn oil.
- A tablespoon of lemon juice.
- A tablespoon of tequila,
- Sesame seeds - a tablespoon,
- A third of a glass of almonds
- Several medium tomatoes
- Two hot chili peppers
- Butter,
- A quarter liter of meat broth.
Cooking begins with preparing the marinade. To do this, crush the garlic cloves in a mortar, adding anise, a little cinnamon, cumin and two tablespoons of sunflower oil. The mixture is placed in a cold place. Next, the animal carcass is cut into portioned pieces and coated with a mixture of lemon juice, a spoonful of butter and tequila. Meat can be placed in the refrigerator for a period of several hours to a day. Sesame seeds and almonds are roasted over low heat.
Roasted nuts should be crushed in a mixer along with tomatoes (better to peel them first) and two chili peppers. The resulting aromatic mixture is mixed with a paste of garlic and cinnamon prepared in advance and fried in butter for several minutes. Next, add meat broth (can be replaced with chicken broth or even water, but the taste will be less rich). When the mixture boils, add the guinea pig meat. Cover the dish with a lid and cook over low heat for about 30 minutes. At the end of cooking, the animal meat and sauce should be salted. Place the finished pieces of meat on rice or boiled vegetables, pour over the sauce and eat!
List of approved products
The diet of guinea pigs is based on foods such as vegetables, fruits, berries, garden and meadow greens, sunflower seeds, seeds, twigs of trees and shrubs.
Healthy and safe food for guinea pigs:
- Vegetables - cucumber, carrots, beets, pumpkin, fennel, zucchini, turnips, parsnips and celery in tubers. In small quantities you can treat your pet to bell peppers, tomatoes, artichokes, cauliflower, rutabaga, and Jerusalem artichoke.
- Fruits - seedless grapes, plums, apples, pears. Bananas, peaches, apricots, watermelon, melon, kiwi, pineapples, oranges and tangerines are served in small quantities.
- Berries - currants, raspberries, blueberries, cherries, sweet cherries, strawberries. In limited quantities - gooseberries, sea buckthorn, blackberries, cranberries, rowan.
- Garden greens - lettuce leaves, dill, celery, sprouted cereal grains, carrot tops, beets, corn cobs. In limited quantities - cilantro, spinach, parsley.
- Meadow greens - nettle, clover, yarrow, alfalfa, plantain, sage, echinacea, burdock, chamomile. Milk thistle, coltsfoot, dandelion, St. John's wort, wormwood, and fireweed are served in small quantities.
- Flax seeds are useful. In limited quantities - sesame seeds, dill, pumpkin and sunflower seeds.
- Useful branches of bushes and trees - birch, mulberry, hazel, pear, raspberry, ash, hawthorn, blueberry, maple and cherry plum. Sometimes you can pamper your pet with branches of chestnut, cherry, aspen, apricot, cherry, willow, poplar and rowan.
- It is not often that a rodent can be fed green peas and asparagus in small quantities.
Pets or a new dish: why more and more people are eating guinea pigs
You most likely know the guinea pig as the fidgety pet that lives in a cage and eats alfalfa. Now, these rodents are increasingly being served as food in the United States.
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South American restaurants on both coasts seem to be setting the trend, responding to requests, mainly from Andean expats, for what is considered tasty and healthy food in Ecuador, Peru and Colombia. Middle-class gourmets who want to try exotic delicacies also order, photograph and blog guinea pig dishes. These animals, called "cuyes" in Spanish, are usually cooked whole, often grilled, sometimes deep-fried. Many of the visitors eat every last bite, literally from head to tail.
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But there's more to be gained from eating guinea pigs than just bragging rights to eat whatever you want. Activists say eating guinea pigs is good for the environment.
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Matt Miller, an Idaho conservation scientist, says rodents and other small livestock provide an alternative to expensive beef. Miller, who is currently working on a book about the environmental benefits of eating non-traditional meats, took a trip to Colombia a few years ago. He says that at the time, environmental groups were concerned about local farmers clearing forests to make way for new pastures for livestock, which could cause soil erosion and water pollution.
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“They encouraged people to move from raising cattle to raising guinea pigs,” Miller says. – Guinea pigs do not require pasture. They can be raised in the yard or in the house. They are docile and easy to raise.”
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Heifer International, a Little Rock-based humanitarian organization that helps communities strengthen economies and improve local food production, is also promoting guinea pig farming in Peru, Ecuador and Guatemala. Jason Woods, an associate with the nonprofit Americas Regional Program, says guinea pigs (which he says typically weigh more than 2 pounds) are twice as profitable to breed as cows based on food yield per unit of feed input. “It may take 8 pounds of feed to produce a pound of beef,” he explains. And to get a pound of guinea pig meat – only 4.”
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Recipe: Cuy Chactao (Roasted Guinea Pig)
:
Hello. I cook it like this: I scald the carcass with boiling water to remove the hair, then I select all the organs from the carcass except the heart. I fry them in the oven on a griddle or hang them on a hook, two at a time. After pre-soaking it in soy sauce and with herbs + adding BODYAN (well, this is not for everyone.) 3 hours is enough for marinating. Yes. I cut it into pieces for guests and throw away the head. They refuse to consume it entirely >:> And they gobble it up by both cheeks! I serve it with potatoes and rice of your choice. And a lot of greens and grilled vegetables. Everything is wonderful. Thanks for the recipes, this is the only site with a very clear description of the preparation of Peruvian cuisine.
Well written. Would they start frying like that?)) What if you start frying without marinating? Does it taste worse?
You're like Hannibal, a lecturer only on pigs.
Technical regulations for food products
The Technical Regulations (TR) of the Customs Union is a document confirming the quality and safety of a product or service. The document is issued by accredited standardization centers based on test reports and research into the subject of certification. During certification, food products are subject to several regulations. Among them:
TR CU 015/2011 “On grain safety”; TR CU 021/2011 “On food safety”; TR CU 022/2011 “Food products regarding their labeling”; TR CU 023/2011 “For juice products from fruits and vegetables”; TR CU 024/2011 “Technical regulations for fat and oil products”; TR CU 027/2012 “On the safety of certain types of specialized food products, including dietary therapeutic and dietary preventive nutrition”; TR CU 029/2012 “Safety requirements for food additives, flavorings and technological aids”; TR CU 033/2013 “On the safety of milk and dairy products”; TR CU 034/2013 “On the safety of meat and meat products.”
All regulations of the Customs Union are approved by the Decision of the Customs Union. Before undergoing the certification procedure for some types of food products, it is necessary to issue a State Registration Certificate. This document is issued by Rospotrebnadzor. The list of food products that are subject to the mandatory certification procedure is determined by the CCC Decision No. 620, adopted in 2011.
The procedure for carrying out the mandatory certification procedure applies not only to products manufactured in the territory of the Customs Union countries, but also to imported products from other countries. In the Russian Federation, a certificate issued in accordance with Customs Union regulations can be issued to a product manufacturer, its seller or a representative of a foreign manufacturer. The certificate applies to all countries of the Customs Union.
In addition to the certificate of compliance with the requirements of the CU TR, the quality and safety of products can be confirmed:
declaration of conformity with the requirements of the CU TR; Declaration and certificate of compliance with GOST R requirements.
The maximum validity period of documents issued according to the GOST R system is 3 years, according to the TR CU regulations - 5 years. Documents issued without an expiration date may be valid within the shelf life of the product. The TR CU certificate has a unified form, which was approved by the Decision of the Customs Union No. 563, adopted in 2011.
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I guess I’ve read a lot of metro novels, but the idea arose to discuss the profitability of such a farm.
Sorry, but what can you eat there?
Sorry, but what can you eat there?
I don’t know yet))) But it depends on how tasty they are) in which case the size doesn’t matter. In principle, how easy they are to breed and unpretentious, and how normal it is for people to eat them.
Normal people won't eat them, but you can try and you'll know
Normal people won't eat them, but you can try and you'll know
but I don’t intend to eat them, I’m just interested in the title of the topic if you haven’t noticed: breeding guinea pigs for meat
Normal people won't eat them, but you can try and you'll know
What does it mean and YOU CAN? There are many opinions expressed on this matter online. Lots of positive ones. What does NORMAL PEOPLE mean in your understanding? Are these those who have above average income and can afford to buy normal pork? Who are the ABNORMAL PEOPLE? Those who are below the poverty line? For some reason, I am sure that there are more abnormal ones, which means the idea of breeding guinea pigs for meat is not without meaning. It's all about the price, as they say.
Normal people won't eat them, but you can try and you'll know
What does it mean and YOU CAN? There are many opinions expressed on this matter online. Lots of positive ones. What does NORMAL PEOPLE mean in your understanding? Are these those who have above average income and can afford to buy normal pork? Who are the ABNORMAL PEOPLE? Those who are below the poverty line? For some reason, I am sure that there are more abnormal ones, which means the idea of breeding guinea pigs for meat is not without meaning. It's all about the price, as they say.
I completely agree with you, but I haven’t stooped to the level of eating guinea pigs; all rabbits and poultry are used, but if you try hard, I think you can imagine a guinea pig as a nutria and go ahead
Well then catch rats in the basement and imagine them as nutria and you don’t need to breed them, just a budget option
I watched some report from South America, where the Indians eat those pigs with pleasure. This is the first thing. And, secondly, what is such a delicacy as an oyster? You can collect them in any slightly clean body of water. Anyway, about five or seven years ago my wife and I went to a restaurant in Moscow, where I deigned to try some snails. I don’t remember the taste now, but - expensive!
Here's what I found. It turns out that guinea pigs have high-quality and nutritious meat. https://cavy-profik.ucoz.ru/publ/razvedenie_svinok_v_peru_uchebnik/4-1-0-140
Normal people won't eat them, but you can try and you'll know
What does it mean and YOU CAN? There are many opinions expressed on this matter online. Lots of positive ones. What does NORMAL PEOPLE mean in your understanding? Are these those who have above average income and can afford to buy normal pork? Who are the ABNORMAL PEOPLE? Those who are below the poverty line? For some reason, I am sure that there are more abnormal ones, which means the idea of breeding guinea pigs for meat is not without meaning. It's all about the price, as they say.
I completely agree with you, but I haven’t stooped to the level of eating guinea pigs; all rabbits and poultry are used, but if you try hard, I think you can imagine a guinea pig as a nutria and go ahead
It was the rabbits that made me pay attention to guinea pigs, since I came across this opinion in the topic “first aid kit for rabbits”
Culinary recipes for pigs!
Culinary recipes for pigs! ¶
From: ZODIAK - September 13, 2009 8:18 pm
People - do you really firmly believe that pigs need all these cakes and salads? While I was still in the store, I never got tired of having fun looking at all these tricks of manufacturers of treats for rodents in the form of cakes, vitamins for dogs in the form of a bone? All this external surroundings impresses only the owners. And for the pigs, there was only food in a bowl, some hay lay in the hay barn, and the owner gave them a tasty treat. And it doesn’t matter in what form you give her - whether you cut out a piece of apple in the shape of a grain of sheep, or give it an adored cucumber in a beautiful design - the main thing is, by the way, you wrote it correctly. I’ve never made them any kind of salads, they don’t need it! Why waste time on this? They gave them cucumber and tomato butts and carrot shavings, believe me, they will be very happy about this too.
Culinary recipes for pigs! ¶
From: Agisha - September 16, 2009 5:21 pm
Salad "Ruma" Ingredients: 1. Carrots. (5 pcs.) 2. Cucumber. (4 pcs.) 3. Sweet pepper. (7 pcs.) 4. Parsley. (bunch) 5. Hay. (rope 75 cm long .) 6. Banana. (5 pcs.) 7. Kiwi. (10 pcs.) 8. Grass. (enough to cover the dish) 9. Orange. (4 pcs.) 10. Apple. (1 pc.) Preparation: put the grass on a dish. Place sliced bananas and carrots on top of the grass. Place oranges, cut not into slices, but into slices. Place peppers cut in half on top of them, put kiwis and cucumbers (also sliced) in them. Place an apple, cut into slices, in the middle of the dish (so that it stands as if uncut) and insert parsley into the middle. THE SALAD IS READY TO EAT! share your recipes with me! But it can be done for one day, just reduce the number of products and that’s it
Culinary recipes for pigs! ¶
People - do you really firmly believe that pigs need all these cakes and salads? While I was still in the store, I never got tired of having fun looking at all these tricks of manufacturers of treats for rodents in the form of cakes, vitamins for dogs in the form of a bone? All this external surroundings impresses only the owners. And for the pigs, there was only food in a bowl, some hay lay in the hay barn, and the owner gave them a tasty treat. And it doesn’t matter in what form you give her - whether you cut out a piece of apple in the shape of a grain of sheep, or give her an adored cucumber in a beautiful design - the main thing is that it may not be necessary. but why not give your animal a little attention and make him some kind of salad. This doesn't take a lot of time. and even more so if it exists. then it’s quite possible, I think! And it will probably be more pleasant for the pig to get a salad with a lot of different ingredients than just a piece of cucumber!)
Culinary recipes for pigs! ¶
may not be needed. but why not give your animal a little attention and make him some kind of salad. This doesn't take a lot of time. and even more so if it exists. then it’s quite possible, I think! and it will probably be more pleasant for the pig to receive a salad with many different ingredients than just a piece of cucumber!) It seems to me that the pig will be much more pleasant to receive a normal piece of a normal carrot, a slice of a sweet apple (or a sour one, whichever loves), a piece of cabbage. Then gnaw on it all and not have your stomach tormented by the culinary delights of the owners.
And it is better to show attention to the animal with a long walk, communication, and not with “salad blouses.”
Sorry if I spoke harshly.
Culinary recipes for pigs! ¶
From: Agisha - November 8, 2009 8:58 pm
People - do you really firmly believe that pigs need all these cakes and salads? While I was still in the store, I never got tired of having fun looking at all these tricks of manufacturers of treats for rodents in the form of cakes, vitamins for dogs in the form of a bone? All this external surroundings impresses only the owners. And for the pigs, there was only food in a bowl, some hay lay in the hay barn, and the owner gave them a tasty treat. And it doesn’t matter in what form you give her - whether you cut out a piece of apple in the shape of a grain of sheep, or give it an adored cucumber in a beautiful design - the main thing is to give it Well, of course, every day is really nonsense, but once a month or on a holiday is quite possible IMHO. Here's my recipe. “Pig” salad))) Ingredients (for one serving, because I made it for one pig)
1. Half an apple; 2. A piece of cucumber (about a quarter of a long one); 3. Small slice of persimmon; 4. Cabbage, 2-3 leaves; 5. A handful of raisins/grapes; Add greens if desired (we didn’t have any) Preparation: 1. Cut the cabbage into thin strips. 2. Peel the apple (optional, but my little pig doesn’t eat the skin), cut into cubes. 3. Peel the cucumber (if purchased, it is necessary), cut into pieces. 4. Cut the persimmon into cubes. 5. Place everything in a bowl, add raisins/grapes. 6. Stir.
Culinary recipes for pigs! ¶
From: Guinea pig - December 17, 2009 3:40 pm
Guinea pigs: the new animal husbandry in the First World
Guinea pig farming could become a new livestock industry in the First World. The first farms for fattening them have already appeared in the USA. In Latin America, guinea pigs have long been used as food, for example, in Peru alone - there are 65 million carcasses of these animals per year. It’s just a matter of changing the ethics of treating these animals.
In America, prominent public figures and environmentalists are beginning to promote the consumption of guinea pigs. Their main argument is that during the period of growing until slaughter, the impact of this rodent on nature is 2-4 times less intense than raising a cow and a pig. And the economic truth is on the side of ecologists: to gain 1 pound of meat, cattle and pigs require 8 kg of feed units, and a guinea pig needs 4 units. In addition, conservationists like the guinea pig for another feature: per 1 pound of meat it gains, it emits 2.5 times less methane into the environment than a cow, and 4 times less than a pig. And methane in the First World is declared one of the culprits of the greenhouse effect (along with carbon dioxide and other emissions).
The guinea pig is ideal for “independent farming,” the booming urban and organic farming industry in the United States. They don't require grazing, they don't make loud noises (which is important in cities where opponents of urban farming complain about the crowing of roosters or bleating goats), and they have dense, low-smelling manure. Supporters of family self-sufficiency in food require only 2 males and 8-12 female guinea pigs, which would fully provide them with meat: from such a “herd” you can get up to 60 animals per year, each weighing up to 1-1.2 kg.
At the beginning of 2012, there were only a few hundred small farms in the United States with a total population of guinea pigs of up to 100-150 thousand individuals. Meanwhile, the demand for these rodents in America is great - up to 40 million Latin Americans live in the country, for whom guinea pigs are an everyday part of the diet in their homeland. The United States is forced to import up to 10 million carcasses a year; in New York restaurants, fried guinea pig can cost up to $17.
It is a rare case that US farmers do not consider it shameful to learn from their brothers from Latin America. In Peru, Ecuador, Chile and Colombia, a total of up to 120 million guinea pigs are raised and consumed per year. The largest producer is Peru, 65 million animals per year, which is an average of 2 rodents per person. If farmers in the United States could once again train only members of their Latin American diaspora to eat these animals, the potential market for the new livestock industry could reach up to 80 million guinea pigs per year, worth $160-200 million. And if you include the rest of the Americans in their consumption, albeit irregular, the turnover could reach up to 1 billion a year.
It is not for nothing that American social activists appeal to the special environmental friendliness of raising guinea pigs - today this is the shortest way to the stomach of a consumer obsessed with protecting nature. Although the meat of this animal itself is a dietary product, containing up to 8% fat and 22% protein.
History shows that it is not so difficult to overcome the ethical side of a consumer who rejects a particular product for a number of reasons (religion, culture, ignorance, poverty, etc.). This is clearly seen in the introduction of potatoes into the diet (see footnote to the article below) and other introduced plants from Latin America, which today have become a common part of the white man’s food (corn, nightshades, etc.). For another 100-150 years, the situation was the same in Russia - the local population almost did not eat pork, rabbit meat, and, due to extreme poverty, did not know butter and cheese. Here are the facts about Russian food taboos before the 20th century:
“Pigs are rarely found in inventories of peasant households. In Nerekhta district, for all privately owned peasants in 1857 there were only 282 pigs (per revision soul - 0.005). In Murom district in 1860 there were 0.04 pigs per head.” 0.005 per head is about 2-3 pigs per 100 households.
“Hare meat was not eaten in Russia until the 19th century, and in Ancient Rus' it was generally considered unclean, pagan meat, although many neighboring peoples (Mari, Udmurts, Chuvash, Mordovians) gladly served it to the table.”
“A.Lizek (second half of the 17th century): “Russians do not eat the hare because it will be born blind.” I. David (second half of the 17th century): “They don’t eat hares, or very few eat them... because they are forbidden among the Jews.”
“The food prohibitions of all three nations extended to the meat of swans, which the population of Karelia classified as sacred birds. The Old Believers and a significant part of the worldly population did not eat horse meat, bear meat, pork and hare, or meat from upland game strangled with a noose (“according to the covenants of Moses”). The ban on the consumption of bear meat was additionally motivated by the fact that a bear without a skin “looks like a person,” and part of the population believed that the ancestors of people descended from a bear or that a bear is a werewolf of a person. Almost everywhere in Karelia, chicken was not consumed. The ban on eating a rooster was motivated by the fact that the rooster is a sacred bird.”
By the way, cabbage was first grown in Karelia in the 1930s. How everything has changed in just a century: pork today (along with chicken) makes up the bulk of the meat diet of Russians. Perhaps a century will pass, and the guinea pig will also become the common food of the white man.
Previously in the Interpreter's Blog about new types of agriculture:
Rapid demographic development and rapid growth of urbanization in Europe in the 18th – first half of the 20th centuries were made possible thanks to the spread of potatoes. Its root crops turned out to be 2.5-4 times more nutritious than grains, which were then the basis of the European diet. And an increase in potato planting by 1% led to an increase in urbanization by 0.03-0.04%.
A new fashion is beginning in the USA - keeping chickens in cities. One by one, municipalities are issuing special permits for keeping poultry; in total, about 200 thousand urban families are already raising chickens.
Seasonal work is coming to an end in the squatter's garden. It's time to sum it up: in Moscow it is not only possible, but also necessary to grow vegetables, berries and fruits. There are hundreds of empty plots in the city: from vacant lots to abandoned construction sites and ruins, even in the lair of hipsters - on "Red October" - there are areas for vegetable gardens. The land in Moscow belongs to all of us, and we must demand a law on squatting.
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Mickey and Ricky - funny skinny guinea pigs
Today our guest is Nastasya from Odessa, the owner of two skinny pigs, very funny and cute. Join the conversation to learn lots of interesting details about these hairless guinea pigs, which have recently become very popular pets. There are a lot of beautiful photos on Nastasya’s Instagram account @mickey_and_rikki!
– Greetings, Nastasya! We are glad to hear your story about such unusual skinny pigs. How did your passion for guinea pigs begin?
It’s been exactly a year since I’ve been a “pig farmer”, that is, the proud owner of two skinny guinea pigs: Mickey and Ricky))
Photo: @mickey_and_rikki
Photo: @mickey_and_rikki
It all started when a hairless guinea pig named Ludwig's account became popular on Instagram a few years ago. I saw it and was surprised at the unusual appearance of the animal, but I wasn’t particularly impressed. Last year, I suddenly really liked Ludwig’s photos, and I began to look for whether there were such pigs in our city. It was difficult to find; there are practically none in Odessa. Found it in other cities. She was very enthusiastic and quickly organized everything that was needed and arranged for the delivery of the pig by transport.
Photo: @mickey_and_rikki
The first to arrive in December was a handsome one-colored one with a fluffy nose, I named him Mickey. In March, a spotted boy with a white paw, a white nose and a light coat arrived - it was Ricky.
Photo: @mickey_and_rikki
Cute pictures of hamsters that will make you smile
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– What breed of guinea pigs is this? What are its features?
Skinnies are very sensitive to ambient temperature. They are afraid of drafts and coolness. And in the summer they get very dirty, unlike ordinary guinea pigs.
Photo: @mickey_and_rikki
Video: @mickey_and_rikki
– How do your family members feel about such pets? Do they support and help?
Everyone likes my pigs, but I take care of them myself: “from start to finish.” Maximum - they can treat the pigs with a piece of apple. Cleaning up after them is a rather dreary, everyday task, and this is my area of responsibility.
– Nastasya, are there any other pets in your house?
In addition to two skinny pigs, we have two more toy terriers - Maya and Zhora and two cats - Tigran and Nyusha. The dogs really like the pigs, they try to lick them, but the pigs are afraid of them, so I don’t let them interact often so as not to stress the pigs.
Photo: @mickey_and_rikki
Video: @mickey_and_rikki
And cats are indifferent to pigs. One of the cats, an old Sphynx, is also bald, like pigs, and almost the same color as Mickey. To the touch, the sphinx and skinny are no different, by the way, it’s such a funny tactile sensation!
Pet rats Bobby and Nikki!
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VITAKRAFT Vegetables-Beetroot vegetable crackers for guinea pigs
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– Well done for taking care of so many animals! How does this whole crowd get along with each other?
Cats and dogs live in almost complete peace, or at least neutrality. Pigs live in a cage separately, they go for walks, just like that, I don’t let them out because they are afraid of drafts, and there will be a draft on the floor. The room where my pigs are kept is usually closed from other animals. So, pigs live separately, one might say.
Photo: @mickey_and_rikki
Photo: @mickey_and_rikki
– Tell us in more detail, how Mickey and Ricky behave? What are their characters and features?
I was advised to get a second animal so that Mickey wouldn't get bored. He was really bored. But there are some nuances here: a hierarchy is built among the pigs, and adult males may not divide the territory, so I was advised to get a second pig while Mickey is still a teenager, so there is a better chance that they will get along. Mickey was born in November, and Ricky was born in February. I adopted both boys at the age of 1 month, as recommended. The next day, after they met, they were already peacefully eating from the same bowl and sleeping in the same house.
Photo: @mickey_and_rikki
Video: @mickey_and_rikki
Mickey is more solid and phlegmatic, Ricky is fussy and hysterical. Both are quite shy, especially Ricky, and both are not too tame and affectionate. Ricky can brazenly and quickly steal food from under Mickey's nose.
Video: @mickey_and_rikki
Video: @mickey_and_rikki
What are the best animals to have in the office?
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JR FARM Hay-flower meadow 500g
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And then Mickey will come to sort things out and push him with all his weight, in response to which Ricky always squeals hysterically. Usually, this is where the showdown ended, because Ricky always gave in to the older pig. The difference in their weight that year was noticeable: when Ricky came to me, he weighed only 280 grams, and Mickey then already weighed 500-600 grams. Even now, the difference in weight remains: Mickey is approximately 1 kg 100 grams, and Ricky’s weight is 100-150 grams less. I have a special file where I write down the date and weight of the pigs - I track the dynamics, so to speak))
Photo: @mickey_and_rikki
At first, if Ricky got scared, he would immediately hide behind Mickey. Mickey is the main one, the eldest, he was the first to appear in the house. According to the hierarchy, he is the most important pig here and may not let Ricky into a soft house, for example, but will climb in there himself. A year has passed, they are both already adult pigs and now the relationship is no longer as idyllic as at the beginning, when “side by side” they warmed each other all the time. Ricky is increasingly trying to defend himself and establish himself. They swear and make scandals like this: they click their teeth fiercely at each other. And recently we got into a fight and had to smear the scratches with brilliant green. Despite their unkindness, they sit quite quietly in my arms and just as calmly pose for me for photographs.
– What do you feed skinny pigs? What food do they like?
Rodents need to chew a lot to wear down their teeth, which are constantly growing, so they need a lot of good hay, in constant access, in the cage. It is not too high in calories, so for a complete diet they need to add some vegetables, fruits and dry food. Balance in the diet is important, because an excess of dry high-calorie food will lead to the pig chewing little hay, which can lead to problems with teeth grinding. Too much succulent food will lead to indigestion.
Photo: @mickey_and_rikki
Video: @mickey_and_rikki
In the warm season, the best food for pigs is grass, good, juicy grass, plucked away from roads and cars with their exhaust. My guys really respect herbal snacks - sticks made from compressed grass, and chew them with pleasure.
Video: @mickey_and_rikki
Video: @mickey_and_rikki
Not like us: how to properly feed a rodent
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VEDA PHYTOMINS functional food for guinea pigs and hamsters
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Doctor ZOO 60 tablets vitamins for guinea pigs
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They love pumpkin and carrots, they don’t mind eating a small amount of Chinese cabbage, and sometimes they eat a piece of apple.
Photo: @mickey_and_rikki
Video: @mickey_and_rikki
Pigs really need vitamin C, they must get it from the outside; it is not produced in the body. My pigs receive vitamin C periodically as recommended by the veterinarian. I give them a syringe with a solution, and they drink it with great pleasure, even chewing on the syringe and trying to take it away from me and drag it away. I must say that they are very strong in this regard: they tear the yummy food out of your hand so hard that it’s difficult to hold it! They will rest with their little paws, shake their heads, tug... and tear them out of their hands))
Video: @mickey_and_rikki
– Do Mickey and Ricky have their own house? How is it built? Probably all sorts of beds and hammocks?
My pigs have two cages: winter and summer. Winter - with covered plastic walls, preventing drafts, it keeps them warm. Summer - with walls made of metal rods, in summer the pigs are more comfortable in it. The cage should be spacious, so that there are soft warm beds and houses, and a place for food, a hay barn and a toilet. My pigs are not 100% toilet trained. Therefore, in the cage there is a regular toilet tray for cats, in which there is hay and grass. The main, daily cleaning consists of cleaning this tray, since not only food remains are found there, but waste also accumulates. Pigs scatter their excrement throughout the cage, you need to be prepared for this, as well as the fact that hay is scattered not only in the cage, but often outside the cage.
Photo: @mickey_and_rikki
Photo: @mickey_and_rikki
Everything you need to know about chinchillas using the example of the beautiful Monya
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VEDA vitamin shampoo for rodents
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– You can’t say that these tiny animals cause so much trouble. So, what's your typical day like?
Morning and evening - cleaning the cage. Once a week - more thorough cleaning, with replacement of filler granules. If you get used to it, cleaning and “giving the pigs food” takes very little time. In the evening there is already time to pick them up, pet them, and play.
Photo: @mickey_and_rikki
Video: @mickey_and_rikki
Of course, you also need to carry out “hygienic procedures”: clean the ears, trim the claws, wipe the pigs if they have soiled their skin. In the summer, periodically, I bathe them, they don’t like it, but they tolerate it and don’t protest too much))
Video: @mickey_and_rikki
Video: @mickey_and_rikki
– I wonder, Nastasya, is it possible to train them?
Pigs are difficult to train. I've seen videos on YouTube with trained pigs, but they're not about mine. I think this is generally rare.
Video: @mickey_and_rikki
We invite you to the unusual world of “Dance Legend ZOO”!
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HJ Guinea pig food 400 g
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– It’s immediately clear from your story that you love your little pigs very much)) They probably give you funny moments and lift your spirits?
Yes, when you watch them, they are funny)) For example, they can simultaneously eat one blade of grass from different sides and snatch it from each other. They can steal food from under a friend’s nose. They “popcorn” are very funny: they jump when they are in a good mood. They chase each other around the cage until the heavy ceramic bowls tip over! The funniest thing for me is how they stick their faces out of the cage, move them in different directions and squeal if they hope that they are about to be given something tasty.
Photo: @mickey_and_rikki
Video: @mickey_and_rikki
They have a trick: stand with their front paws on something, for example, the side of a bowl, and stand like that. I often use this for photo shoots, it looks very funny. In general, photographing them is a pleasure, but you need to do it quickly before they try to eat the edible props or at least chew on the inedible ones. They are such photogenic comrades that due to the overabundance of beautiful shots, I had to create an Instagram account for them to share this “pig beauty.”
Photo: @mickey_and_rikki
Photo: @mickey_and_rikki
I liked photographing them, it became a little hobby: think through a beautiful composition, find props (I once collected a collection of doll furniture and china in 1:12 format, it came in handy), choose good shots, edit a funny video. For photo shoots, Mickey and Ricky receive goodies, so everything is fair: photos for me, goodies for them))
Photo: @mickey_and_rikki
Video: @mickey_and_rikki
“Hamster stories”: keeping a hamster according to all the rules
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TRIXIE toy for rodents wooden drum
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LITTLE TOWN toy for small animals “Barrel”.
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– Nastasya, can you give any advice to our readers who would also like to have skinny pigs?
I don’t even know... I’ve never been a fan of guinea pigs, and the fact that, almost at one moment, I became sharply interested in them, got two at once and love them very much is a big surprise for me))
Video: @mickey_and_rikki
If you are ready to devote time to cleaning and caring for pigs, then get them, you won’t regret it. I know that there are affectionate pigs, it's a pity that mine are not like that. But even mine, unaffectionate and not too tame, bring me a lot of positive emotions. But I think that adults should get pigs, exclusively for themselves, and not for the child. The child will not be able to sufficiently care for the animal and, depending on the age, may accidentally harm the fragile pig through careless handling.
Photo: @mickey_and_rikki
My five-year-old daughter clearly knows that pigs can only be picked up under my supervision and that pigs can only be fed when I give permission.
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Posted by Skinny Pig – Mickey and Rikki (@mickey_and_rikki)
– Nastasya, thank you so much for such a detailed story about the funny pigs Mickey and Ricky. We wish your entire family all the best, and we wish your pets (don’t forget about cats and dogs!) to give you only joy and happy moments!
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Alla Demidova
Author, employee of “My good one”. She likes to create beautiful and interesting articles that are fun to read and learn something new. Hobbies: foreign languages, traveling, meeting new people. Believes that love for animals is a mandatory quality of every person! It’s not for nothing that the British say: “My dog and I!”
Guinea pig
For many children, these cute furry creatures are their favorite pets. Parents often prefer guinea pigs because of their unpretentiousness and ease of care. However, in South America it is a completely different story. Guinea pig meat or Cuy (as it is called in South America) has been consumed since ancient times by the indigenous peoples of the Andes, and since 1960 it has become an everyday food in countries such as Peru, Bolivia, Colombia and Ecuador. According to statistics, Peruvians eat 65 million guinea pigs every year! This dish is also eaten in South Saharan Africa. However, in North America and Europe, the mere sight of roasted guinea pig shocks most people. It's taboo here!
What to feed at home
As mentioned earlier, the pet should receive a variety of foods that will help saturate the body with vitamins and nutrients, but at the same time, proper nutrition should be strictly monitored so as not to cause disruptions in the processes of the gastrointestinal tract, which are life-threatening.
Poor quality food is very dangerous for them; a sudden change of products will also not benefit them; there are those that are strictly prohibited.
If we are talking about traditional nutrition, then the food on the daily menu includes products such as carrots, apples, small quantities of white cabbage, granulated food (high-end), herbs (dill, parsley), and always a lot of hay.
In summer and autumn, pets are given carrot tops, cucumbers, zucchini, and green grass, but it is important that these products are picked from your garden, in other words, so that you are confident in their quality. Let's look at the diet in more detail.
Vegetables, fruits, greens
In order for the guinea pig to receive all the necessary vitamins, the diet must contain various vegetables and fruits. It is ideal to alternate succulent foods.
So, the vegetable diet includes:
| Vegetables | Features of feeding |
| Beets, carrots | They can eat green tops only if they are picked from their garden bed. |
| Pumpkin, zucchini | |
| bell pepper | |
| Turnip, rutabaga | |
| Green pea | In pods |
| Tomatoes cucumbers | Only from your own garden, in small quantities |
Cucumbers help remove calcium from the body, so they are given in small quantities. It is also not recommended to eat too many tomatoes, as they often contain pesticides that will not benefit the body.
Next, consider the fruits and berries that are included in the diet:
| Fruits and berries | Features of feeding |
| Apples | Can also be dried |
| Pears | They are quite heavy on the stomach, so they must eat them in very small quantities. |
| Citrus | Also in very small quantities and rarely |
| Berries | Any berries are allowed, but not often |
You need to be very careful with fruits such as nectarines, peaches, cherries, apricots, and plums. They need to be given in small quantities, since they contain a large amount of sugars; in addition, remember that the fruits sold on the market are not of very good quality, namely, they contain chemicals, so they will not be very useful.
Let's look at the table of leafy greens that are recommended to be included in the diet:
| Leafy greens | Features of feeding |
| Watercress | |
| Head lettuce | You can't core and base |
| Beijing salad | You can’t use the lower part, nitrates accumulate in it |
| Leaf salad | Petioles are not allowed |
In addition, the following greens are very useful and necessary:
- Parsley dill.
- Greens of sprouted cereals.
- Celery.
- Mint leaves.
- Raspberry and currant leaves.
- Leaves of forest and garden strawberries.
- Clover, plantain, honeydew, dandelions.
Before serving greens, you need to wash them thoroughly.
Grains and nuts in feed
The basis of the diet of guinea pigs cannot be grain mixtures, since these animals are herbivores, but not granivores. In addition, you need to remember that granular mixtures contain a fairly large amount of protein and calcium, and this contributes to the deposition of stones in the bladder; in addition, they increase the risk of developing kidney and liver diseases. Such mixtures should be given in limited quantities.
It is also worth saying that if you are not fed with granulated food in a controlled manner, the rodent will give preference to it, and will ignore vegetables, greens and hay, such a diet will lead to overeating, which will cause constipation, in addition, malocclusion will develop.
Food, as a rule, contains a high percentage of sugar and fat, and guinea pigs cannot be classified as thrifty animals that leave food in a hole or behind their cheeks; they eat it completely, which leads to obesity and diabetes.
We must not forget about the additives that are included in the feed, in the form of preservatives and flavorings. They are not only not useful for rodents, but also dangerous to health. Also harmful are ingredients such as bone meal, fish meal, yeast, honey, molasses, and seeds that are included in feed.
If you want to switch your pet from food to natural food, you need to do this gradually. You should also be careful when switching pregnant, lactating and growing pigs to natural food.
Grain, corn and cereals
Such foods are carbohydrates that are converted into fat for sedentary rodents. Such fatty deposits envelop the internal organs, making it difficult for them to function, and this certainly leads to negative consequences.
It is also necessary to remember that the animal’s intestines do not have the necessary enzymes that can break down starch, and cereals contain up to 80% of this substance, so these crops are contraindicated for guinea pigs. When it enters the intestines, a fermentation process occurs, which causes bloating, colic and gas in the pet.
Dried fruits
Of course, such products are useful, but it is very important to understand that in small doses they will be beneficial, but in large doses they will be harmful. The fact is that dried fruits contain a large amount of sugar, which leads to the development of diabetes. In addition, sugar can cause skin rashes and toothache.
This product also prevents teeth from grinding properly and causes intestinal problems. Once in the animal's stomach, dried fruits become wet and swell, which gives a false feeling of fullness, so the guinea pig does not consume hay in the required amount, thereby causing teeth to wear down incorrectly and disruptions in the gastrointestinal tract occur.
Seeds and nuts
These foods are overly fatty and not natural for guinea pigs. For example, sunflower seeds contain up to 50% fat, just like peanuts; if a pet eats such foods, it will gain excess weight very quickly, which will lead to obesity.
In addition, you will eat less hay, which will affect your digestion and ultimately your health. These products can be given, but only rarely and in small quantities. If you give seeds, you should first peel them; you can give 1-4 seeds per week.
Calf
Killing a baby cow may indeed outrage and offend some people. In principle, lamb is not much different, however, for some reason, eating veal seems inhumane to many people. It has been a staple of Italian and French cuisine for centuries. The animals are valued for their liver, kidneys, bone marrow and tender sweet meat. In the 1980s, the American public learned that calves were being crated and tied up without being allowed to roam freely. Since then, the demand for veal has fallen sharply, but interest in this problem has increased. Crate rearing became illegal in the UK in 1990, and the American Association said it would phase out its use by 2021.
Horse
Horse meat is often consumed in many European countries and Japan. However, in many English-speaking countries such as the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, consumption of this delicacy is considered taboo. Smoked horse meat is popular in Belgium and the Netherlands, and in Germany the meat is used in Sauerbraten (marinated meat roast). Horse sausage is a popular product in Scandinavia. In Japan, horse meat is served raw, a particularly popular dish in the south of the country's main island of Kyushu. Ironically, most horse meat comes to Japan from western Canada, where eating horse meat is considered strictly taboo. Only the province of Quebec is more tolerant.
Additional sources of vitamins and minerals
A natural source of vitamins for guinea pigs is grass. But since an animal living at home eats store-bought foods, additional additives are introduced into its diet:
- The most important of all vitamins for a guinea pig is vitamin C. The animal’s body cannot synthesize it on its own, so it is necessary to give 5-25 mg of ascorbic acid per day.
- Vitamins B and K are no less important for guinea pigs. It is not necessary to buy complexes with these substances. Her body does not absorb them immediately, but upon repeated passage through the intestinal tract. That's why she eats her feces.
- In addition to vitamins, a guinea pig needs salt. The average daily amount of this component is about 5 g.
Foie gras
As with veal, there has been much outrage over the farming practices of birds raised for foie gras. Foie gras is the liver of well-fed geese or ducks. However, this feeding is usually forced using a special funnel. In France, a dish made from goose or duck liver cannot be called foie gras unless the bird has been fattened in such a cruel way. However, in other countries, birds are fattened in a more natural way, and the famous name “awarded” to all dishes made from poultry liver. Naturally fattening birds is considered more ethical and humane, and they taste little different.
Whale
Organizations PETA and Greenpeace regularly protest against whaling ships, because in most countries of the world the practice of killing whales is considered immoral. The outrage and concern of activists is mainly due to the fact that today the animals are endangered as a species, so their use as food is simply impossible. Despite this, many people today are still involved in this cruel trade. For countries such as Norway and Japan, whale hunting is a historical tradition that is still relevant today. Their meat is a source of energy for the indigenous peoples of Greenland and Alaska. The Japanese consume whale meat in dishes such as sashimi and karaage. It is available in supermarkets and many restaurants.
Dolphin
Dolphin meat is also consumed in Japan, but unlike whale meat it is a very rare delicacy, eaten in the small Japanese city of Taiji, in the south of the island of Honshu. Most Japanese have never even tried it, since hunting animals is prohibited. However, they often swim into the bay, where poachers block them and then kill them. Activists regularly stage protests and speak out against the killing of dolphins.
Cat
Cat meat is consumed quite rarely, unlike dog meat, mainly in certain areas of Southern China and parts of Peru. It is a local delicacy in the Chinese provinces of Guangdong and Guangxi. The Fangji Cat Meatball restaurant in the Chinese city of Shenzhen was closed after a huge protest in 2006. In 2010, the Chinese government passed a law that said people who eat dog and cat meat could face up to 15 days in jail. Small groups of people also enjoy the delicacy in the Peruvian provinces of Chincha Alta and Huari, but it has not become widespread.
Dog
In South Korea, dog meat is consumed year-round, but is especially popular during the summer months, as part of stews and soups. The national dishes are bosintang (spicy stewed dog meat with vegetables) and Gaegogi Muchim (steamed dog meat). A special breed of Nureongi was developed in this region, which is bred exclusively for its meat. For most, this practice is simply offensive, since dogs are considered pets and service animals.
Shark
Outrage over the consumption of shark meat is common. However, the biggest rage in particular is shark fin soup, a delicacy very popular in China and Taiwan. The method of extracting fins is particularly cruel. Sharks are caught, their fins are cut off, and then they are thrown into the water while still alive, where the animals simply suffocate or are eaten by other predators. In 2011, Gordon Ramsay made a documentary special for Channel 4 called Shark Bait, which depicted the cruelty and inhumanity of shark finning. After tasting the soup, Ramsay said the fin was bland and tasteless.
Human
Of course, cannibalism is a very disturbing and serious topic. However, there are many recent cases of human meat consumption known to the public. And we are not talking about bloody serial killers or African tribes. In 2012, an asexual Japanese man named Mao Sugiyama voluntarily agreed to have his genitals cut off and 22 guests paid nearly $1,000 for the “privilege” of eating his dignity garnished with parsley and mushrooms. In 2011, Canadian comedian Kenny Hotz attempted to legally become a cannibal during the TV show Triumph of the Will. Hotz ate his friends' nails and baby teeth and drank donated blood. He even ate a human placenta and umbilical cord donated by one of his fans, which was then cooked by chef Matty Matheson. In no case do we encourage you to give up exotic dishes when traveling, but it’s still better to order a regular tasty steak in a restaurant and wash it down with a glass of amazing wine.
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Green feed
In addition to hay, the animal loves to eat green food. They minimize the risk of developing diseases of the digestive system and saturate the body with useful substances. Guinea pigs can eat celery, mint, spinach, basil, dill, parsley and arugula.
They eat tansy, yarrow, chamomile, plantain leaves, clover, young sedge and dandelions with appetite. It is also recommended to introduce sprouted grains, cilantro, carrot tops, turnips and beets into the guinea pig's diet.
Not all greens are good for feeding your pets. They should not eat a lot of lettuce leaves. Some of them, in particular watercress, have a diuretic effect and irritate the respiratory tract.
Most wild plants are poisonous and unsuitable for animal feeding. Therefore, they must be collected extremely carefully. For safety reasons, guinea pigs should not be fed unknown plants. For the same reason, animals are prohibited from eating greens purchased at the market.
If it has been treated with insecticides, it can cause severe poisoning and even death of the pet.
