What grass can guinea pigs eat - description, benefits, dangers  

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.

How to replace radishes

Despite the obvious limitations in feeding radishes to a guinea pig, similar products can be found. In general, pet stores offer a wide range of ready-made dry food for rodents, but many owners prefer to feed their pets themselves. Therefore, you should immediately find out which products are suitable for feeding the animal:

• Spinach;
• Cucumbers;
• Tomatoes (in limited quantities);
• Sweet bell pepper;
• Carrots (can be given on a daily basis);
• Parsley leaves;
• In summer, you can offer your pet thoroughly washed dandelion leaves;
• Fruits and cereals.

Article on the topic: What to feed a guinea pig at home: food and a list of foods that can and cannot be included in the diet

Despite the obvious simplicity of feeding, each product has its own dosages and recommendations; you can familiarize yourself with them, but it would be better to use a ready-made mixture purchased at a pet store.

Turnips or radishes can be used as a substitute for radishes; they have a similar taste and aroma, but cannot harm the fragile body.

Physiological features of guinea pigs

No matter how “domesticated” animals are, the best way to preserve their health is to bring their living and nutritional conditions closer to those of their wild counterparts. Cereal plants can be cultivated or wild, each of them contains starch, but there are still differences in quantity. Therefore, in the natural environment such food is acceptable. Plus, wild animals move more and spend a lot of energy getting food, which means they require more energy.

Let's figure out why a large amount of carbohydrates is dangerous for these pets. Once in the body of pigs, starch is broken down into glucose, an easily digestible monosaccharide and source of energy. But such animals cannot absorb much of it, and the remainder, being in the digestive system, leads to fermentation. This creates favorable conditions for the development of harmful microflora, manifested by bloating and diarrhea.

Another feature is the need for a constant supply of food. If your pig is starving, stagnation may occur in the intestines. Therefore, there should always be food in the feeder (hay, grass, vegetables, fruits). But if it is a high-carbohydrate food, then the excess is deposited in the form of a layer and leads to obesity.

Paying attention to the physiology of these furry animals, we can conclude that it is possible to give guinea pigs bread, but not all types and in a certain quantity

What is allowed

Bakery products are included in the diet of animals, but not all of their types. Among the permitted baked goods are:

Black bread

It is baked using rye flour, which is healthier than wheat flour. Pigs happily eat pulp and crusts, but the owner must remember that even healthy bread is given in quantities of up to 30 grams per day. If the dose is exceeded, the pet will experience bloating and constipation.

Crackers

Dried slices of stale bread are excellent for sharpening the animal's teeth, but even this food is given in the amount of one small thin piece. In no case should crackers contain sugar, vanilla, cinnamon or other additives. To prepare crackers, take a stale loaf or rye pastry.

Bread

If these products include bran, sesame or flaxseeds, and do not contain salt, sugar and fat, then such a product will be useful for your pet, but only in moderation.

Even the permitted types of bread play the role of a delicacy, and not the basis of the menu.

Turnip as an analogue of radish

Unlike radishes, turnips are acceptable in the diet, but in limited quantities. Microelements that are included in the nutritional composition of the vegetable are very beneficial for rodents. In 100 g of product there are:

• 130 mg vitamin C;
• 210 mg calcium;
• 28 mg fluoride.

This dose of microelements provides the body for a whole month.

Turnip is introduced into the diet at a dose of 5 mg per 1 kg of weight or a small slice no more than once a month. The pet’s reaction must be monitored: due to the specific taste, the rodent may refuse the treat.

Other products

Pigs eat almost everything

In general, these rodents can be called omnivores. But not all products are recommended for use by rodents.

Milk

Many people are interested in whether guinea pigs can have bread, and whether guinea pigs can have milk. Rodents in the wild do not eat these products, since it is not possible to obtain them. Accordingly, they are of no value to their body. Moreover, the rodent body is not able to break down lactose. Therefore, drinking milk can cause serious health problems. Milk can be given in small quantities only to young animals.

Bread

Bread, especially fresh bread, is also not recommended for furry pets. It causes bloating. We give crackers in small quantities. It is better to use black bread to make crackers.

Seeds and nuts

As for whether guinea pigs can eat nuts and a variety of seeds. There are no restrictions on these food products. But their consumption leads to obesity. Therefore, we include nuts and seeds in our diet in small quantities. Of the nuts, preference should be given to peanuts and walnuts. Almonds are not prohibited. As for seeds, you should give preference to pumpkin seeds. Or you can give a mixture of sunflower and pumpkin seeds. We first remove the husks from all the seeds.

Cereals

Of all the cereals that can be seen on store shelves, only oatmeal, ground into fine cereals, can be included in the diet of rodents. But you shouldn’t pamper your pets with them often. If oats are present in the diet, then this is quite enough. It is strictly forbidden to give boiled porridge to rodents. It will cause digestive problems. After all, in nature they eat only raw foods.

Feeding pregnant pigs and newborn piglets

Pregnant and lactating females need a complete and well-balanced menu. Their usual diet is supplemented with rosehip infusion, succulent food, vegetables and fruits. Pregnant females also need vitamins for their guinea piglets.

Although babies are born with teeth, at first they feed on their mother's milk. True, this does not prevent the cubs from eating “adult” food. Therefore, their cage should always have fortified food enriched with proteins.

Guinea pigs are herbivorous ornamental animals that eat mainly hay, vegetables, herbs and fruits. If they are fed correctly, they will greet their owners with joyful squeaks for many years.

Pet diet

In addition to vegetables, pigs eat dry food.

Guinea pigs are fed a specially formulated dry food, but eating vegetables and fruits is an important part of their diet. The daily dose of vitamin C is from 10 mg/kg to 30 mg/kg. When a guinea pig is pregnant or sick, the rate increases to a minimum of 30 mg/kg per day.

A small amount of grass, juicy tops and various vegetables are introduced into the daily food intake for rodents. In addition to hay and pelleted feed, add some fresh fruit. Good for supplementary feed:

• radish leaves;
• spinach;
• parsley;
• dandelion leaves.

In the autumn-winter period, it is recommended to introduce succulent food into the animal’s diet. A rodent should consume about 80-100 g of succulent food per day. This is only 20% of the daily requirement. The diet of an adult pet should be as varied as possible.

Feeding regimen and technique

Healthy adult guinea pigs are fed twice a day, while pregnant guinea pigs and babies are fed up to four times a day. With two meals a day, rodents are offered succulent food for “breakfast,” and grain or a grain mixture and greens are prepared for “dinner.” In winter, greens are replaced (or supplemented) with hay.

It may be an unpleasant surprise for first-time owners to learn that pigs (even piglets!) eat their own feces. But this is how nature has established it: it is in this unusual way that colonies of beneficial bacteria enter the pig’s body. If you do not allow your pet and her cubs to eat your litter, this will immediately have a negative impact on the health of the animals.

The principles of proper feeding of guinea pigs are:

1. Gradual change in diet. Violation of this principle can lead to disruption of the animal’s digestive system.
2. Compliance with feeding hygiene rules. These rules include removing food residues, regularly washing the feeder and drinking bowl, and washing vegetables, fruits, and leaves.
3. A hearty dinner is required.
4. The presence in the diet of a sufficient amount of vitamin C, which the animal’s body cannot synthesize. A lack of this vitamin can cause paralysis in rodents! For an adult, the norm of vitamin C per day is 15 mg per 1 kg of body weight. When pregnancy occurs, this rate doubles.

Daily ration

Once the owner decides what to feed the guinea pig, he should pay attention to feeding standards. Here is an approximate daily diet for an adult from the pig family:

Here is an approximate daily diet for an adult from the pig family:

Some veterinarians recommend feeding guinea pigs milk in the amount of 0.025 liters per day, regardless of season and age. Let us beg to differ with them. Rodents should not be accustomed to milk, because nature has not provided their body with enzymes that help digest dairy products.

You should be careful about your pet, because the given nutritional standards may vary depending on:

• degree of animal activity;
• health conditions;
• age.

So, pregnant females need more food. Therefore, the volume of food eaten for them increases by 30%.

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Radish tops

Tops are a good treat for animals; they contain a large amount of vitamin C.

There are rules for its introduction into the diet:

• Fresh, recently picked vegetable tops are introduced into the feed. If the leaves have withered or deteriorated, they should not be added to the feed.
• It is recommended to remove all uneaten food from the cage.
• Radish tops should not be present in your guinea pig's diet more than once a week.

The daily norm is up to 15 g at a time. Exceeding the daily norm leads to stomach upset. The animal may become lethargic and refuse to eat for several days.

Article on the topic: Can guinea pigs eat zucchini, how much should I give them?

What about banana peels?

Often, owners give a piece of this delicacy to their pets along with the peel. However, you shouldn't do this. Of course, banana is a plant food, but suppliers treat the fruit with wax, ethylene and chemicals so that the product retains its presentable appearance longer.

And during cultivation, various nitrates and pesticides are used to increase the rate of growth and ripening. All these Negative elements accumulate in large quantities in the peel. If they get into the animal’s stomach, then you will not be lucky enough to avoid disastrous consequences.

Therefore, it is important to remove the skin and soft tissues from the fruit before treating your pet with a healthy treat. It is also worth pre-processing an unpeeled banana: wash it thoroughly and scald it with boiling water.

Features of feeding radishes

Vegetables that are classified as red-colored, such as seaweed, cabbage, rutabaga and radishes, can negatively affect your pet’s body. Of course, a small animal may be interested in a crispy and aromatic product, but no one knows what consequences can be expected from such feeding. These vegetables can cause stomach and intestinal disorders, diarrhea and bloating. Naturally, the guinea pig will experience discomfort, just like its owner.

The copious amounts of essential oils contained in radishes can cause irritation of the respiratory tract.

Rules for feeding guinea pigs:

• It is recommended to feed at the same time, which the animals quickly get used to.
• There is no need to give too much food, and it is better to remove uneaten leftover food from the cage (except for hay).
• Green food, vegetables and fruits must be fresh.
• Hay and/or grass should be available to pigs at all times.
• Fruits and vegetables should be thoroughly washed, but not peeled. It is better to peel sweet peppers, as the skin is difficult to chew.
• Lettuce leaves absorb harmful substances, so it is recommended to rinse them thoroughly and dry them.
• The water in drinking bowls must be changed daily.
• From time to time you can give your pigs something to chew on.

Can the leaves be eaten?

Can the leaves be eaten?

From: tati84 - March 12, 2012 11:23
My pig eats tulips and roses with pleasure (the leaves are slightly dried out). This is not dangerous

Can the leaves be eaten?

From: pork - March 12, 2012 11:31 am

My pig eats tulips and roses (slightly dried leaves) with pleasure. It's not dangerous. Why do you need these experiments? Do you want to poison pigs?

Can the leaves be eaten?

From: Melamori - March 12, 2012 11:33 am

Tulips are extremely poisonous to pigs. Not on your nelly!

Can the leaves be eaten?

From: tati84 - March 12, 2012 11:53 am

Tulips are extremely poisonous to pigs. Not on your nelly! Thanks, I didn’t know, we won’t give anymore

Can the leaves be eaten?

From: Valeria - March 12, 2012 3:14 pm

Melamori, where did you get this information from? People ate tulips during the war. I agree that daffodils are poisonous. But in any case, I would not give the pigs either roses or tulips that are sold now. They are liberally treated with pesticides.

Can the leaves be eaten?

From: Melamori - March 12, 2012 3:43 pm

People eat potatoes and that’s okay. And during the war, that’s how they ate everything. This is what I mean. Lilies are poisonous to rodents

Can the leaves be eaten?

From: Valeria - March 12, 2012 10:56 pm

They give boiled potatoes to rabbits and they eat them well. And some give it to pigs and they don’t die, but live for 7-8 years. And rodents are too large a group, like lilies, however, to draw such conclusions.

Can the leaves be eaten?

From: KsyuKha - March 12, 2012 23:18

In general, pigs don’t mind chewing other people’s flowers if it’s a shame to throw them away.

Is there not enough cabbage in the city?

Can the leaves be eaten?

My pig eats tulips and roses (slightly dried leaves) with pleasure. It's not dangerous. It's dangerous! All flowers are treated with special preparations to increase shelf life.

Source

Serving Size

There are three apple-related factors to consider when feeding your guinea pig apples:

• High sugar content;
• A large amount of vitamins;
• High concentration of acids.

It is better to cut the fruit. All these components, if contained in excess, can lead to digestive disorders, irritation of the mucous membranes and deterioration of the pet’s condition.

In this regard, you should feed your guinea pig fresh apples no more than three times a week. Moreover, it is worth giving it 2 - 3 slices, depending on the size of the fruit.

Dried fruits can be given in a bowl - every day in the morning, 3 - 4 slices.

But you cannot collect these seeds, store them separately for a long time and pour them out to your pet by the handful. The fact is that the skin of the seeds contains cyanic acid. Its concentration increases over time, making them poisonous. A large number of seeds, especially after long-term storage, lead to serious poisoning of the body and even the death of the pet.

Thus, a guinea pig can be fed fresh apples three times a week, and dried apples every day in the morning. Do not give soaked or compote-boiled apples. Apple seeds can only be given from fresh fruit in a few pieces; the seeds cannot be collected and stored separately, as extremely toxic cyanide acid accumulates in them.

Fruits and berries

Bananas

Can guinea pigs have bananas? A banana rich in potassium will benefit your guinea pig, but you should not give more than 1 piece per day.

The peel of the vegetable must be removed, as it is treated with substances hazardous to health (wax, chemicals, ethylene and pesticides). For safety, it is better to remove soft fibers from the fruit.

Can guinea pigs eat a pear?

Pears can be given with the peel, but without the seeds. The fruit is washed well and cut into pieces; the pig should be offered water along with it. Excessive consumption of pears due to their high sugar content can cause diarrhea.

Can guinea pigs eat kiwi?

Kiwi is a very healthy fruit for animals. It contains a large amount of ascorbic and folic acids. It is also rich in vitamins E, iron, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus.

Kiwi is given without skin in the form of small pieces. For your pet, you need to choose harder fruits. It is better to control the amount you eat. An increase in the dose of kiwi is permissible in autumn and winter, as well as when feeding females during pregnancy and lactation.

Can guinea pigs have oranges and other citrus fruits?

Can be used occasionally. But it is better for guinea pigs to get vitamin C from other foods, avoiding citrus fruits. Possible complications:

• oversaturation with vitamins;
• skin irritation;
• oxidation of urine.

Can guinea pigs eat apples?

Apples can be raw or dried. They have a balanced ratio of sugar and fructose (18:80%). It allows the pig to be active.

The fruit must be peeled and cut into slices. It is better not to give more than 3 pieces at a time.

Article on the topic: Is it possible to give strawberries to guinea pigs?

Can guinea pigs eat strawberries, grapes and other berries?

Strawberries contain a sufficient amount of vitamin C to pay attention to the berry when choosing a treat for a rodent. You can also give strawberry leaves to animals.

• The pig might like grapes. You can offer the animal seedless grapes.
• Eating currants once a week will also not harm your pet.
• If you do not abuse it, you can offer the pig berries and raspberry leaves, berries, leaves and branches of blueberries, blackberries and sea buckthorn, and rose hips without seeds.
• Cranberries are given for medicinal purposes. It has an anti-inflammatory effect on the mucous membranes of the mouth, stomach, and bladder.

Can guinea pigs eat bread?

It is indispensable in our daily life. It comes in different types, black and white, with and without yeast, dry and stale, with and without additives. Recently, it has even been baked from artificial wheat. All this is of great importance.

Fresh bread is strictly contraindicated for guinea pigs. It should not be given, as it is poorly digested and remains to ferment in the stomach. White bread also often leads to bloating and worsens overall health.

In principle, if you feed your pig bread quite rarely and in small portions, then it is possible. But, if you do not need your pet to suffer from digestive problems and constipation, then it is better to abandon this idea.

Guinea pig nutrition: general rules and recommendations

Your pet's daily menu should be balanced and varied.

It is very important to choose fresh and natural foods for feeding, which contain large amounts of essential vitamins and substances beneficial to the animal’s body.

You can purchase food for your animal both in veterinary stores and in regular supermarkets, choosing vegetables, herbs and fruits grown without the use of large amounts of chemicals and pesticides. In the summer, you can collect succulent grass yourself in the forest, in places remote from roads.

Important. A guinea pig needs to be fed at least 2 times a day. If a pet remains hungry for 18 hours or more, its health can be greatly undermined, and even death is possible.

If a pet remains hungry for 18 hours or more, its health can be greatly undermined, and even death is possible.

Compliance

One of the main rules in feeding a pet, which should be strictly adhered to from the first days of the animal’s appearance in the house, is the prohibition of overfeeding.

Overfeeding leads to overweight and obesity, which, in turn, negatively affects the health of the animal's heart and liver.

Important. Clean water, as well as grass, hay or grain, must be present in the pet’s cage at all times.

Mode

It is recommended to give food to the animal at the same time, thus establishing a feeding schedule. Standard feeding is recommended in the morning, afternoon and evening.

Change of feed

A radical change in food is quite stressful for the animal, which can harm its health. If there is a need to change food, it is best to do this in stages, gradually adding some new food to the usual main product.

New products

When introducing new, unusual foods into the animal’s diet, you should very carefully monitor the pet’s condition. The first portions of new food should be minimal.

If the animal begins to have any reactions, including with stool, the new product must be completely excluded from the diet.

Guinea pigs should only be given fresh food.

Food quality

Much attention should be paid to the quality of the food served: fresh vegetables, herbs, fruits and berries must be ripe and juicy. Before giving such food to an animal, the product must be thoroughly washed with running water. If the animal is given ready-made food, it is necessary to check the expiration date and store it in accordance with the instructions on the packaging

If your pet is given prepared food, check the expiration date and store it according to the directions on the packaging.

Important. It is strictly forbidden to give rotten, spoiled or moldy food to your pet.

Availability of water

Despite the fact that the animal receives a large amount of moisture from juicy, ripe vegetables, a drinking bowl with clean water should always be available. In the summer, your pet may need more water than in the winter.

Important. Water for the animal should be bottled

Cleanliness of dishes

The pet's home, as well as its dishes, must always be kept clean.

The water in the drinking bowl should be changed regularly, and the drinking bowl itself should be cleaned using a special brush. The same applies to all bowls and plates with food, especially dishes on which fresh vegetable or fruit food is served.

Dishes must be washed thoroughly without using dishwashing liquids. If necessary, plates and bowls can be washed with water and regular baking soda.

The bowls themselves can be ceramic or plastic.

Green feed

Green food consists of lush field or meadow grass: sage, chamomile, burdock, plantain, clover, etc. This product is a particularly important element in the diet of a guinea pig, so it is necessary to provide the animal with fresh herbs all year round. Spinach leaves or dill stalks are perfect.

Hay and branches

Hay and branches are so-called roughage or dry food, which helps maintain your pet's digestion and also wear down teeth.

The hay must be fresh and clean, free from foreign impurities and dust. Twigs for guinea pigs can be taken from willow, birch, linden, rowan, alder, pear or apple.

Important. It is forbidden to give the animal citrus and coniferous branches, as well as branches from trees whose fruits have hard seeds: peach, apricot, cherry, sweet cherry, plum, etc. On average, pigs eat 2-3 times a day.

On average, pigs eat 2-3 times a day.

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What plants can be given in the fall

Autumn is rich in a huge harvest of root vegetables that can be included in the diet, these include:

• Carrot.
• Buryak.
• Celery.
• Parsley.
• Turnip.

Also an excellent option is fresh greens of peas, wheat, beans, and oats. To have fresh herbs at home, you can very easily grow them yourself. To do this, you need to take a shallow container and make holes in the bottom.

A tray is placed under the container to allow water to drain into it. Next, oats or wheat are poured into the container in a fairly thick layer, about 1.5 cm of grain, and the top is covered with earth and compacted with a layer of 1 cm.

Add water. Installed under the window and watered daily. Sprouts will appear on the 3rd day, and after a week there will be thick greenery that you can treat to your pet.

The following are tables of plants that may be present in the diet, as well as those that are prohibited for guinea pigs.

Plants that should not be given:

Vitamins and minerals

The fact is that the body of guinea pigs does not contain a special enzyme, I-gluconolactone oxidase, which is involved in the synthesis of vitamin C from glucose. It is because of this circumstance that your pet is not able to get this incredibly valuable vitamin from regular food. Your task throughout the animal’s life is to regularly provide it with ascorbic acid.

With a lack of vitamin C in the body of an adult, the following pathologies can occur (most often manifested as symptoms of scurvy):

• retardation of movements, visual lameness (although the animal did not fall), decreased activity;
• lack of appetite, external lethargy and indifference to what is happening;
• diarrhea, swelling of joints;
• there is blood under the skin and in the secretions;
• bleeding and falling out teeth;
• the animal looks disheveled, the fur is crumpled, and may even fall out.

In summer, the diet should be replenished with plenty of fresh greens, plants, leaves and stems, not to mention fresh vegetables and fruits. Most of these fruits contain ascorbic acid. As for the cold winter period, it is necessary to gradually add synthetic ascorbic acid to the diet. Pregnant females, older individuals and young animals need an increased dose of vitamins, as well as an increased amount of food.

For an adult, you need at least 15 mg of vitamin C per kilogram of weight daily; for pregnant women and young animals, approximately 40-45 mg per kilogram of weight should also be given every day.

The greatest amount of vitamin C is found in the following vegetables, plants and fruits: tomatoes, broccoli, apples, nettles, burdock, as well as raspberry and currant branches (always with leaves), dandelion, basil, mint, parsley, cabbage, kiwi. Remember that many of these plants should be given in strictly limited quantities.

Almost all of the listed vegetables and fruits can be found in the public domain in the summer and autumn, which is why preference should be given to these products in the summer rather than synthetic vitamins.

Be careful when choosing a place to collect all the necessary herbs (in case you do not trust herbs from pet stores). Try to choose areas far from factories, roads and industrial enterprises to collect them. The greatest danger is in grass collected from parks and city lawns. Typically, such plants are treated with harmful chemicals against parasites, which will also negatively affect your pet.

There are only two problems with such capsules:

• you will not recognize their composition in any way due to the fact that the mixture is homogeneous; it is impossible to determine the composition, as well as to detect the presence of sawdust and dust, which sellers love to add to capsules;
• capsules are intended for long-term use, they can be stored for a long time in one specific place, and ascorbic acid, after 3 months from the date of production, begins to gradually deteriorate and loses its beneficial properties.

When purchasing ready-made feed mixtures, you should always check the production date. To ensure that the food is fresh and does not spoil, it should be stored in a dry, dark place with low humidity. It is under such conditions that ascorbic acid will slow down the decomposition processes.

Melon

The same goes for melon. This vegetable is given from your own garden or purchased in season. It is also not recommended to give melon frequently; it is very sweet and can contribute to the development of diabetes.

We tried to consider in as much detail as possible and give answers to the question “What vegetables can guinea pigs eat?” As you can see, most vegetables are not only possible, but also should be given to guinea pigs. The most important thing is a properly formulated and balanced diet for your pet, including products grown without chemicals. To keep your guinea pig healthy and cheerful, stick to proper nutrition and your pet will thank you with its playful behavior and healthy appearance.

So, we have dealt with the question of what vegetables can guinea pigs eat, but we described whether your pet can eat grass in , perhaps you will be interested in this information.

The guinea pig is a very interesting pet that needs good care and company. The diet should include food that they consume in the wild. This is the only way to maintain strong immunity and normal functioning. You need to know what guinea pigs eat before you buy one.

Proper nutrition is extremely important and the health and life of the animal will depend on it. For starvation, 1–2 days without food is enough

Vegetables

Can guinea pigs have radishes?

It is permissible to use only radish tops. The root vegetable contains essential oils that can cause irritation to the mucous membranes and respiratory tract of the animal. The vegetable also causes bloating. Therefore, it is not recommended to give radishes to pigs.

Can guinea pigs eat celery?

Celery can be given in any form - stems, leaves, roots. This vegetable is included in many dry food for rodents. Celery is enriched with vitamins B, PP, E, C, A and contains phosphorus, zinc, potassium, calcium, iron and magnesium. Before eating, celery must be washed thoroughly, especially the root.

Can guinea pigs eat tomatoes?

Ripe fruits can be included in the food. Tomatoes are well absorbed by animals and contain vitamin C and carotene, which are beneficial for their body. Green tomatoes contain solanine, which can negatively affect your pet’s health.

Too many tomatoes in an animal's menu can cause loose stools.

Can guinea pigs eat cabbage?

Cabbage can be included in the animal's diet. Cabbage contains many vitamins and other substances necessary for pigs:

• ascorbic acid;
• B vitamins;
• vitamins of the PP group;
• folic acid;
• sulfur;
• calcium;
• potassium;
• phosphorus;
• amino acids;
• microelements.

The vegetable is able to keep the animal’s fur in excellent condition and strengthen its immunity. The top dried leaves should be given. It is preferable to feed guinea pigs Chinese cabbage and broccoli. White cabbage can cause bloating.

Can guinea pigs eat potatoes?

Green and sprouted potatoes are contraindicated for guinea pigs. Raw vegetables can be given occasionally, cut into small pieces. Boiled potatoes can be offered to your pet separately or added to grains and other foods.

The vegetable contains solanine, which can harm the health of the animal if the pet eats too many potatoes. The pig will become passive and catch cold quickly.

Can guinea pigs eat beets?

Beetroot contains many substances useful for animals: vitamins C, A and B, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron. In excess, the vegetable contains fiber, so it acts on the animal’s body as a laxative. Store-bought root vegetables may contain nitrates, which are very harmful to the small body of guinea pigs. It is better to offer your pet homemade crops. The composition also contains a large amount of oxalic acid, so it is better to limit the consumption of this product.

It is recommended to give beets starting from 2 months; they are especially useful in winter and spring, when there are no fresh vegetables. The daily dose should not exceed 200 g, and it is better to exclude beets from the diet of pregnant and lactating pigs so as not to provoke an upset stomach. Beets turn stool and urine red, so if your animal has eaten them, don’t be alarmed by such changes.

Can guinea pigs eat pumpkin?

Pigs can be given all varieties of pumpkin that humans eat. For the digestion of herbivorous animals, such a product will be familiar and useful. Pumpkin contains vitamin C, calcium and phosphorus necessary for rodents. It should be borne in mind that this low-calorie vegetable will not be able to saturate the pig completely, so it is better to give pumpkin to guinea pigs as a treat.

Can guinea pigs eat bell pepper?

Another storehouse of ascorbic acid is bell pepper. Before use, the vegetable must be thoroughly washed and chopped, and the seeds removed. It is better to give the product together with dry food.

Green peppers containing solanine should not be given to animals, as should peppers in the form of hot seasonings. Spicy foods will damage the mucous membranes.

Can guinea pigs eat cucumber?

Cucumbers don't have as many nutrients as other vegetables. You can offer your pet a cucumber. The vegetable can harm your pet's health by causing digestive problems only if consumed in large quantities.

Can guinea pigs eat zucchini?

Zucchini is suitable for the diet of guinea pigs. They contain small amounts of vitamin C, calcium and phosphorus. It is better to prefer young vegetables; they can be given along with the peel, cut into crowbars.

Can I have radishes?

Whether guinea pigs can include radishes in their diet is a controversial issue. Rodents are not recommended to eat vegetables from the cruciferous family: cauliflower and cabbage, radishes, kohlrabi and rutabaga. The amount of such food should be minimal.

It is better to exclude radishes altogether: their consumption leads to intestinal problems and frequent bloating. The essential oil that saturates the root vegetable can cause irritation of the mucous membranes and respiratory tract of the pet. You can leave the tops for consumption.

What can cause excessive consumption of bread?

The cereals that these animals feed on contain starch. It contains the necessary sugars - “fuel” for the rodent. Excess carbohydrates can lead to intestinal problems: diarrhea, bloating, development of harmful microflora.

This is where the harm of replacing grain with bread lies: there is much more starch, and therefore carbohydrates, in bread, and the stomach of guinea pigs is no longer ready for this.

Their digestive system is designed to digest food regularly. To ensure this process, coarse fiber is needed, which is provided by grain products, as well as hay, grass, vegetables and fruits.

For some time the consequences will not be noticeable, but gradually the side effects will increase: flatulence, bloating. Excessive eating of bread can lead to serious consequences in the body of a guinea pig: disruption of the digestive tract, development of fungi and other gastric disorders.

Cabbage

Can guinea pigs eat cabbage? There is an opinion that cabbage is contraindicated for guinea pigs, that this vegetable causes problems with the digestive system. In fact, cabbage is a healthy vegetable containing a lot of protein, vitamins and microelements.

If you have a healthy pet, not prone to bloating, and you gradually and in small quantities introduce cabbage and other succulent foods into the diet, then your guinea pig will not have problems with digestion. And if you do not follow your pet’s diet and immediately introduce new foods without accustoming your pig to them, then problems with the intestines cannot be avoided. Small amounts of cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and kohlrabi can be fed infrequently. Do not feed early, greenhouse cabbage.

Strictly prohibited species

Guinea pig breeders unanimously claim that the following products should be excluded from the rodents’ diet:

• buckwheat;
• corn grits;
• millet;
• buckwheat.

Such restrictions are due to the limitation of the animal’s physical activity. These cereals contain an excess of carbohydrates. These, in turn, are converted into fat deposits. Getting into the internal organs, fat contributes to the formation of problems with the gastrointestinal tract of the rodent. These grains can also provoke fermentation, causing bloating and discomfort.

Products from the human table are absolutely not suitable as food for guinea pigs. It is worth remembering that pigs are herbivores. Hence the strict ban on protein products: meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, cheese, butter.

And sweets, chocolates, sugar, marmalade and the like are strictly prohibited for consumption by rodents.

A separate article is vegetables grown in greenhouses. As a rule, when growing them, nitrates, pesticides and other chemically active substances are used. All this can cause irreparable damage to your pet's health.

And under no circumstances should you treat the animal with salty and sour foods - citrus fruits, mustard, sorrel, garlic, onions, marinades and pickles.

For a long and happy life for your guinea pig, you must first create the right diet. In this case, caring for your pet will not be difficult. A beginner pet owner who is unsure of his abilities may well use ready-made mixtures. In this case, you should not skimp and it is recommended to purchase them from trusted manufacturers. When choosing a product, you should consult a specialist. The range of ready-made mixtures for guinea pigs is wide, however, despite all the variety, they have approximately the same content of vitamins and minerals.

Over time, it is permissible to diversify your pet’s diet, creating a complete rodent diet.

What not to feed guinea pigs

Prohibited foods that should never be fed to these animals include:

• all citrus fruits;
• sweets and confectionery;
• fresh baked goods;
• eggs;
• meat in any form;
• dairy products;
• fish products;
• mushrooms;
• porridge;
• spaghetti and pasta;
• smoked and pickled products;
• onion;
• cheese;
• rice;
• beans;
• potatoes in any form;
• all seasonings and spices;
• honey.

In addition, guinea pigs are prohibited from eating house plants and flowers.

In small quantities, you can treat your pet to bell peppers, tomatoes, ripe avocados, cauliflower or white cabbage, banana, melon, watermelon, blackberries, sea buckthorn, rowan, gooseberries or cranberries.

Results

In conclusion, I would like to say that not everything that your guinea pig eats will be good for it. Do not try exotic products on her. If you don’t know whether your guinea pig can eat this or that product, it’s better not to feed it. A rodent in captivity cannot distinguish between products that are not healthy for it and therefore will eat everything you offer. On forums you can often see messages that some owners' guinea pigs eat almost all the foods on the prohibited list. But do not experiment on your pet; give him only vegetables, grass, herbs and fruits growing in our country. Believe me, without oranges, tangerines, bananas, kiwis and other harmful fruits, they will survive and live a long and happy pig life, delighting you.

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