What not to feed guinea pigs

There are a number of foods that cannot be given to guinea pigs from the word “generally” (for example, rhubarb or potato tops), and there are foods that, although they will not cause immediate irreparable harm to the pig, are still highly undesirable for the diet of these animals.

Let’s look at what belongs to the category of “prohibited”.

So, guinea pigs should not be given:

1. Dairy – milk, yogurt, cheese, etc. Guinea pigs are lactose intolerant because they do not have the enzyme to digest it. When dairy products enter the body, guinea pigs develop gas and diarrhea.

2. Sweets, cookies, candies, marshmallows, marmalade – (see paragraph 5 about sugar)

3. Meat in any form. Guinea pigs are 100% vegetarian by nature, so don’t even try to treat your pet to a steak or cutlet.

4. Chocolate

5. Sugar. Any food containing sugar is harmful to guinea pigs, as even a small dose of sweet can cause an increase in blood sugar levels. The only exception is fresh fruits and berries, which are good as a treat in limited doses (bananas, strawberries, watermelon, etc.)

6. Corn

7. Onions and garlic (both root crops and greens)

8. Bread and any bakery products. These products are usually high in refined sugar, preservatives, improvers, and other unhealthy ingredients that, firstly, will be difficult for pigs to digest, and, secondly, will cause some damage to the pig’s health.

9. Nuts. Nuts are very high in calories and rich in fats. Feeding guinea pigs this kind of food can lead to obesity and heart problems. In addition, high-fat foods can contribute to the risk of atherosclerosis, liver damage, and other diseases.

10. Beans (only green shoots are suitable for feeding)

11. Potatoes in any form. The starch contained in root crops poses a certain threat to pigs, and potato tops are simply poisonous.

12. Peas (only green shoots of peas are suitable for feeding)

13. Cereals and other breakfast cereals. These are highly processed foods, contain sugar or sweeteners, loads of carbs and not an ounce of goodness!

14. Grains and seeds. Here someone can argue: how so? After all, some feed for pigs contains seeds, oats and other cereals. Yes, cereals and seeds are found in feed, but only in the cheapest ones. And this does not mean that they are good for guinea pigs! Many seeds, such as sunflower seeds, are very high in calories and high in fat. As with nuts, this can be detrimental to a pig’s health.

15. Any canned food. Any pickled or canned vegetables and fruits should be avoided, including olives, olives, etc. similar.

Although most vegetables are safe and even healthy for guinea pigs, we will consider a separate item on the list of vegetables that pose a certain danger to guinea pigs.

So, what vegetables should not be given to guinea pigs:

• bow,
• garlic,
• beans,
• peas,
• maize
• beet,
• hot pepper,
• potatoes,
• rhubarb
• avocado

Rhubarb and potatoes can be poisonous to guineas, and the rest of the vegetables cause digestion problems, and if given, they are very rare, and best avoided altogether!

One more thing IMPORTANT RULE: all vegetables that the pig eats must be raw, not cooked!

The main part of the guinea pig’s diet should consist of grass or hay, vegetables, fruits, and special quality pelleted food.

Read more about the healthy and most beneficial diet for guinea pigs in the article “When, how and what to feed guinea pigs”