Meals Guinea Pigs Ought to By no means Eat

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Writer: Tarra Freel, MS | Diet & Analysis Supervisor – Specialty Pets, Compana Pet Manufacturers

Within the wild, ancestors of pet guinea pigs spend lots of their waking hours foraging for meals and consuming giant quantities of various vegetation [3][5][6]. Actually, guinea pigs should have a gradual provide of fiber from plant supplies to maintain their gastrointestinal tracts functioning correctly and this is applicable to home guinea pigs as effectively [2].

Guinea pigs are focus selectors, that means they may select to devour probably the most energy-dense plant materials accessible as shortly as they will. This conduct of choosing energy-dense meals stems from evolving as a prey species with the drive to reduce the time spent being weak out within the open. It’s vital to maintain this in thoughts when feeding our pets as this might result in the unhealthy conduct of selective feeding, which might be prevented by providing a uniform pellet.

The range of plant materials and nutrient profile of a wild guinea pig’s weight loss program is one thing we will attempt to mimic to a point for our pets. A very good, balanced (but diversified) every day weight loss program for pet guinea pigs ought to look one thing like:

70% grass hay, at all times accessible, supply a spread
- Younger guinea pigs (<6 months) can eat alfalfa, nevertheless it must be provided solely in small quantities as an occasional deal with for adults.
20% fortified meals (uniform pellets forestall selective feeding)
8% greens
2% treats
Limitless contemporary water

A disruption in regular gastrointestinal operate might be detrimental to guinea pigs and might be attributable to many issues, a few of that are particular meals objects.

The checklist beneath outlines some meals that will threaten guinea pig well being. Whereas that is actually not an exhaustive checklist of meals which might be poisonous or unhealthy for guinea pigs, it highlights a number of the extra widespread meals to keep away from feeding your pet.

In case your guinea pig ingests one of many objects beneath, name your veterinarian instantly. After all, if you happen to want to introduce any new meals objects into your guinea pig’s weight loss program, it’s at all times finest to seek the advice of your veterinarian for that as effectively.

Meals Guinea Pigs Ought to By no means Eat Embody:

        Animal proteins
        Avocados
        Chives, Garlic, Leeks, Onions
        Chocolate
        Fruit seeds/pits
        Extremely processed meals reminiscent of bread, pasta, chips, rice, and crackers
        Peanut butter
        Uncooked potatoes
        Sizzling peppers
        Sure components of tomatoes
        Some home crops

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Animal Proteins?

As herbivores, guinea pigs should not have sufficient enzymes to correctly digest and make the most of animal protein as omnivores and carnivores do. Thus, it’s not beneficial to feed your guinea pig meat, eggs, dairy, or different animal-derived proteins. Doing so may trigger digestive upset, dysbiosis (a shift within the microbiome -microbes stay within the gastrointestinal tract of guinea pigs and lots of assist with digestion), and enhance the danger of weight problems.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Avocados?

Avocados comprise a compound referred to as persin which might be poisonous to guinea pigs. Persin is present in all components of the avocado together with the fruit, pores and skin, seeds, stem, and leaves. Poisonous quantities of persin can injury a guinea pig’s coronary heart muscle inside 24 to 48 hours, probably resulting in congestive coronary heart failure if not promptly handled [4]. For these causes, guinea pigs ought to by no means eat avocados. 

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Chives, Garlic, Leeks, or Onions?

Allium spp of crops embrace garlic, onions, chives, and leeks with garlic and onions being most reported for toxicosis. These crops comprise sulfur-containing oxidants which might be regarded as the trigger behind hemolysis (destruction of crimson blood cells) that will happen after ingestion.

Hemolysis often happens 3-5 days after ingestion, and sadly, bodily indicators of Allium toxicosis are usually not observed till important hemolysis has occurred.

Signs of Allium toxicosis in guinea pigs could embrace:

Anorexia
Abnormally fast respiration
Fast heartbeat
Weak point
Lethargy
Collapse

Fatality could happen if hemolytic anemia isn’t handled promptly [4].

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Chocolate?

Just like the danger in canine and different mammals, chocolate might be deadly to guinea pigs and must be altogether averted.

The poisonous substances in chocolate are theobromine and caffeine. The lighter the chocolate, the decrease the danger of toxicity, however for pigs, all chocolate must be averted. White chocolate incorporates insignificant quantities of those compounds however nonetheless shouldn’t be fed to guinea pigs resulting from its excessive sugar and fats content material.

Poisonous quantities of chocolate can lead to central nervous disturbances and life-threatening coronary heart rhythm abnormalities, as theobromine is a cardiac stimulant and diuretic.

Signs of toxicity in guinea pigs could embrace:

Diarrhea
Restlessness/hyperactivity
Trembling
Problem getting comfy
Tachycardia (elevated coronary heart price)
Hyperthermia (elevated temperature).

Indicators of chocolate toxicity often seem 6-12 hours after ingestion and it may be deadly if not handled promptly [4].

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Fruit Seeds or Fruit Pits?

Guinea pigs can eat apples and different contemporary fruits in small portions as an occasional deal with. Earlier than providing your guinea pig his favourite slice of inexperienced apple, nevertheless, be sure to take away all seeds and pits.

Most fruits are secure in small quantities, however the seeds and pits from many fruits comprise hint quantities of cyanide. Whereas quantities of cyanide in seeds/pits could also be very low, it’s finest apply to keep away from feeding all of them collectively as they will additionally pose a choking hazard.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Rhubarb?

Rhubarb incorporates a excessive focus of oxalic acid which, if consumed in excessive portions, can intervene with calcium absorption and produce other poisonous results. In guinea pigs, the oxalate can bind to calcium and probably kind bladder stones which might be very painful. Keep away from feeding rhubarb to your guinea pig at deal with time and go for a small quantity of extra guinea pig-friendly darkish leafy greens as a substitute. 

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Processed Meals?

Whereas not essentially poisonous, many extremely processed human meals reminiscent of bread, pasta, chips, rice, crackers, and cookies can nonetheless pose a risk to your guinea pig and will not be nutritionally acceptable. Many of those meals are very excessive in the kind of carbohydrates that must be saved to a minimal for guinea pigs – starches and sugars. Feeding these kinds of meals to your guinea pig could cause digestive upset and will increase the danger of weight problems.

Luckily, there are extra species-appropriate treats to share along with your guinea pig reminiscent of small quantities of contemporary fruits, and good high quality manufactured treats that comprise fruits and veggies. Keep away from treats that comprise synthetic colours, flavors, or preservatives.

Moreover, there are a number of leafy greens and leaf lettuces that guinea pigs can and will eat every day. Many guinea pigs love greens a lot they may think about these wholesome meals a deal with when provided alongside their grass hay and guinea pig pellets!

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Peanut Butter?

There are a number of causes that you shouldn’t supply peanut butter to your guinea pig. For one, peanut butter is excessive in fats, making it lower than best in your guinea pig, and in lots of instances can also be excessive in sugar. Peanut butter additionally presents a choking hazard resulting from its thick, sticky consistency. Equally, complete peanuts are additionally not beneficial in your guinea pig. 

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Uncooked Potatoes?

Uncooked potatoes comprise an alkaloid referred to as solanine which might be poisonous to some small mammals. Ingesting solanine can result in digestive upset, stomach ache, decreased urge for food, and lethargy. Potatoes are additionally very excessive in starch which might probably result in severe digestive points in guinea pigs when consumed in important portions.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Sizzling Peppers?

The compound capsaicin is what makes scorching peppers scorching and it could possibly additionally irritate the digestive system. You need to by no means deliberately topic your guinea pig to scorching peppers reminiscent of chili peppers or jalapeno peppers as this might result in digestive upset. Bell peppers of all colours, then again, are an incredible selection for guinea pigs!

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Tomatoes?

Whereas guinea pigs can eat ripe tomatoes moderately, unripe tomatoes, tomato leaves, and tomato stems all will not be secure for guinea pigs. These elements comprise tomatine which is a glycoalkaloid poison that may result in diarrhea and different sick results in guinea pigs. Even with contemporary, ripe tomatoes, persist with low portions served as a deal with, because the excessive oxalic acid could cause cheilitis (scabs on the mouth).

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Home Crops?

Although not one thing people view as meals, home crops can look very appetizing to guinea pigs. Actually, some devoted guinea pig homeowners develop pig-friendly forms of houseplants particularly for his or her pets to get pleasure from. With that mentioned, some species of home crops are poisonous to guinea pigs, so it’s finest to maintain all home crops out of the attain of your pet until you’re well-researched by which varieties are secure [1].

References

Holowaychuk, M. Ok. (2006). Renal failure in a guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) following ingestion of oxalate containing crops. The Canadian Veterinary Journal, 47(8), 787.
Kohles, M. (2014). Gastrointestinal anatomy and physiology of choose unique companion mammals. Veterinary Clinics: Unique Animal Follow, 17(2), 165-178.
Lord, E., Collins, C., deFrance, S., LeFebvre, M.J., Pigière, F., Eeckhout, P., Erauw, C., Fitzpatrick, S.M., Healy, P.F., Martínez-Polanco, M.F. and Garcia, J.L. (2020). Historical DNA of guinea pigs (Cavia spp.) signifies a possible new middle of domestication and pathways of worldwide distribution. Scientific experiences, 10(1), 1-9.
Merck & Co., Inc. (2006). The Merck Veterinary Guide (eighth version). Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck & Co., Inc.
Navia, J. M., & Hunt, C. E. (1976). Diet, dietary ailments and diet analysis software. In Biology of the Guinea Pig, J. E. Wagner and P. J. Manning (Eds.), (pp. 235-265). New York: Educational Press.
Weir, B. J. (1974). Notes on the origin of the home guinea pig. In The Biology of Hystricomorph Rodents, I. W. Rowlands and B. J. Weir (Eds.). New York: Educational Press.