When you’ve ever scoured the web looking for an inventory of veggies and fruits you may give to your guinea pigs, you’ve in all probability witnessed the wild west of knowledge. With a lot contradictory recommendation starting from “your guinea pig will die in the event that they solely take a look at cabbage” to “they will eat every thing,” it may be arduous to resolve what to imagine and what recommendation to take heed to.
The excellent news is that the guinea pig weight loss program shouldn’t be all that difficult. Our cavies can safely eat all kinds of veggies and fruits, with some exceptions and guidelines to comply with.
To make it simpler for you, we’ve compiled an inventory of veggies, fruits, flowers, and herbs your guinea pigs can safely get pleasure from!
Subscribe to our e-newsletter on the backside of this put up and entry our free printable library, together with the “Protected Guinea Pig Meals Record” printable! You possibly can print it out and hold it shut by for simple reference.
The Significance of a Different Weight loss program
Not like us people, guinea pigs can’t produce their very own vitamin C, so it’s vital to incorporate veggies wealthy in vitamin C day by day. Calcium can also be a vital a part of their weight loss program, but when your guinea pigs are susceptible to creating bladder stones, you may need to cut back the quantity of calcium of their weight loss program after consulting your vet.
Some veggies are roughly nutritious, some have extra vitamin C, some have extra calcium, and a few may cause bloating if fed an excessive amount of. However total, a assorted weight loss program with nutritious colourful veggies (and fruits) wealthy in vitamin C ought to cowl all of the bases.
Crucial factor is that you simply’re not feeding them something poisonous or dangerous, and that’s why I included the meals it is best to by no means give your pets. Solely feed your guinea pigs hay, pellets, protected veggies, fruits and herbs. Don’t give them seeds, nuts, dairy, or meat.
Protected Greens Record
Every piggy ought to stand up to 1 cup of combined greens per day, making certain they at all times have a small quantity of veggies which have vitamin C. It’s vital to offer a rainbow of greens since each veggie shade offers completely different dietary values.
Among the “vegs” on our vegetable listing are literally fruits (corresponding to tomato and cucumber), however we made an inventory primarily based on what most individuals understand as greens.
| Arugula (Rocket) | Kohlrabi |
| Asparagus | Lettuce, Butterhead |
| Beet Greens | Lettuce, Inexperienced Leaf |
| Beetroot | Lettuce, Lamb’s |
| Bell Peppers | Lettuce, Crimson |
| Bok Choy (Pak Choi) | Lettuce, Romaine |
| Broccoli | Mustard Greens |
| Brussels Sprouts | Parsley |
| Butternut Squash | Parsnip |
| Cabbage, Crimson | Peas |
| Cabbage, Savoy | Pumpkin |
| Cabbage, White | Radicchio |
| Carrots | Radish |
| Cauliflower | Rutabagas |
| Celeriac | Spinach |
| Celery | Spaghetti Squash |
| Choko / Chayote | Summer season Squash |
| Collard Greens | Swede (Rutabagas) |
| Corn (husks too) | Candy Potato |
| Cucumber | Swiss Chard |
| Endive | Tomato (no greens!) |
| Fennel | Turnip |
| Backyard Cress | Watercress |
| Inexperienced Beans | Yam |
| Kale | Zucchini (Courgette) |
Cruciferous greens corresponding to arugula, Bok choy, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collard greens, broccoli, kale, kohlrabi, parsley, radish, turnip, and watercress may cause bloating in guinea pigs, so that they shouldn’t be supplied in massive portions.
Whereas cruciferous veggies like cabbage and Brussel sprouts typically get on the “forbidden meals” lists, they aren’t truly dangerous and are very nutritious. They’re wealthy in vitamin C – extra so than many different veggies. The one problem is that they may cause bloat when you feed your piggies massive quantities of those veggies. However when you feed them moderately, as part of a nutritious diet, combined with different veggies, they’re truly nice sources of nutritional vitamins and minerals. In case your guinea pigs by no means ate cruciferous veggies earlier than, slowly introduce them into their weight loss program and monitor. Some guinea pigs might be extra inclined to gloating. When you discover your guinea pigs having points with these veggies, alter their weight loss program accordingly.
Guinea pigs want loads of vitamin C since they will’t produce it themselves. Bell peppers are an ideal supply of vitamin C and might be given day by day.
Provide a special assortment of veggies each day, so your guinea pigs get a superb vary of vitamins.
I like to check with this veg and fruit table which exhibits what number of nutritional vitamins and minerals every veggie and fruit accommodates. It’s useful to determine when you’re feeding your guinea pigs sufficient veggies wealthy in vitamin C.
Veggies that you shouldn’t give to your guinea pigs are:
- Chili peppers (and different scorching peppers)
- Potatoes
- Iceberg lettuce – low dietary worth
- Avocado – too excessive in fats
- Rhubarb leaves – toxic
- Tomato leaves and stalks – toxic
Protected Fruit Record
Fruit is a deal with that ought to be fed sparingly, no quite a lot of occasions every week, attributable to its excessive sugar content material.
| Apple (no seeds) | Mandarin |
| Apricot | Mango |
| Banana (leaves too) | Nectarine |
| Blackberries | Oranges |
| Blueberries | Papaya |
| Cantaloupe | Ardour Fruit |
| Cherries (no pits) | Peach (no pit) |
| Cranberries | Pear |
| Currants | Pineapple |
| Figs | Plum (no pit) |
| Gooseberries | Raspberries |
| Grapefruit | Rosehips |
| Grapes (white, purple) | Strawberries |
| Guava | Tangerine |
| Honeydew Melon | Watermelon |
| Kiwi |
Keep away from the pits and seeds of some fruits (talked about within the listing above) as a result of they comprise amygdalin which is transformed into cyanide within the abdomen and should trigger toxicity in massive doses.
Protected Herb Record
| Anise | Lemon Balm |
| Basil | Milk Thistle |
| Chamomile | Mint |
| Chickweed | Oat Grass |
| Cilantro (Coriander) | Raspberry Leaves |
| Cleavers | Stinging Nettle |
| Clover | Thyme |
| Dandelion Greens | Yarrow |
| Dill |
Herbs and flowers make an ideal addition to your guinea pigs’ weight loss program. They’re wonderful for foraging and enrichment.
We’ve gathered the info for this protected guinea pig meals listing from essentially the most respected sources and double-checked every thing to verify the listing is totally correct.
References:
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