Along with the basic nutrients, water, hay, and pellets vegetables, fruits and vitamin C are necessary supplements. However, their digestive system is intended for grass diets. With careful planning, provide its diet with high fibre and low carbohydrate. What can and can’t guinea pigs eat?
Despite vegetables being essential to a guinea pig’s diet, not all of them are applicable. Although some vegetables are recommended, one needs to mind how often it should be fed. It is best to let your pet try a variety of greens in moderate amounts. But make sure all are in accordance to the appropriateness of your guinea pig’s diet.
Below is a thorough discussion on what vegetables are recommended and.
1. Can guinea pigs eat spinach?
Spinach is high in vitamin C, vitamin A, and low in sugar. However, it is also high in oxalates. As such, you have to feed spinach sparingly to avoid bloating and potential kidney stone problem.
How often to feed: 2–4 times a week
2. Can guinea pigs eat celery?
Celery has 95 per cent water. For starters, it’s not best to feed your cavy with watery vegetables such as celery as it takes time to get used to such food. By gradually introducing this to your pet, celery can become a favourite. In fact, some guinea pig owners admitted that it is their pet’s favourite treat. Just remember to serve it in small pieces to avoid your pet from choking.
How often to feed: 2–4 times a week
3. Can guinea pigs eat courgette (zucchini)?
Positive. Zucchini is best served raw to guinea pigs. It provides nutritional value and is a good source of vitamin C.
How often to feed: 2–4 times, and can be fed daily with the right amount.
4. Can guinea pigs eat asparagus?
Asparagus is low in vitamin C, but still provides nutrients. Thus, yes, your cavy can eat asparagus but not too much to avoid bloating.
How often to feed: 2–4 times a week
5. Can guinea pigs eat broccoli?
Yes, guinea pigs may eat broccoli leaves and stem. A cup of chopped raw broccoli contains 135 per cent of vitamin C. However, you need to be strict in feeding moderately to avoid bloating.
How often to feed: 2–4 times a week
6. Can guinea pigs eat cabbage?
As stated above, the cabbage family can put your cavy at risk due to bloating. Nevertheless, it can be eaten but with strict moderation. Green cabbages are recommended and be stricter with the red one. The red cabbage may be richer in vitamin C, but it also contains unnecessary nutrients bad for your guinea pig such as fat and sugar.
How often to feed: A few times a week
7. Can guinea pigs eat cucumber?
Though it can take time for your pet to get used to, cucumbers are greatly appreciated as a treat during summer. It may have less nutritional value, but has high water content and has a lesser amount of sugar.
How often to feed: A few times a week or daily
8. Can guinea pigs eat lettuce?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat lettuce but mainly pertaining to romaine lettuce, bibb lettuce, butterhead lettuce, and Boston lettuce. Feeding lettuce should be kept moderately, and avoid iceberg lettuce because it is believed that it can cause diarrhoea.
How often to feed: A few times a week
9. Can guinea pigs eat parsnips?
Yes, it is one of the vegetables that guinea pigs can eat. Being a root vegetable, it is related to carrot and parsley.
How often to feed: Once or twice a week
10. Can guinea pigs eat peppers?
Yes! Guinea pigs can eat peppers of different kinds like bell peppers with colours of green, yellow, red, and orange. But certainly not the red, hot chilli type. When feeding peppers, remember to remove seeds, and it is best to serve as salad pepper. It is a good source of vitamin C. Much like the other vegetables high in oxalic acid, feed moderately to avoid gas or bloating.
How often to feed: Once or twice a week or daily
11. Can guinea pigs eat carrots?
Yes, including the roots and the green tops. In fact, carrots are a favourite to some guinea pigs. Carrots provide healthy nutrients with a very high level of vitamin A, moderate vitamin C, dietary fibre, and the like. However, it is also very high on sugar level, so it is advised to feed in moderate amounts.
How often to feed: Every other day or so
There is not a specific age where it is recommendable for a guinea pig to start eating vegetables. Just remember every time you introduce different vegetables, begin with a very small piece. Observe your cavy: if it likes it, you may start increasing the amount a little for the next serving.
You may like to read:
- Adventures of a Pet Transporter
- ‘Til Death Do Us Part: Pets Laid to Rest Alongside Their Owners
- Pets Are Beneficial to Your Kid (Says Research): 5 Best Pets for Kids
Are you thinking to have a guinea pig as a companion? Check out available guinea pigs for sale and for adoption, then take your pick.
