Last Updated on March 9, 2023 by Woody Pet
Furry pet`s green friend
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Spinach? Can Guinea Pigs Eat Spinach? The green color is the happy color for guinea pigs. When it comes to vegetables, we can have offered fresh vegetables to guinea pigs once a day.
Spinach or baby spinach is one of the adored vegetables of guinea pigs having vitamins (A, B, C, E, K), calcium, and folate. It has many micro key nutrients and anti-oxidants with low starch. It has a metallic taste.
Though they are not that much high in sugar content the calcium (oxalates) levels are high so better to offer moderately as high sugar content causes allergies and calcium is the reason for stones and other urinary problems.
It should be given twice a week as a treat. In some feed, blend vegetables should be 1 cup a day. Too much amount of spinach can add to digestive problems. Gradually introduce these spinaches to them and observe if they are suited for this or have adverse reactions on them.
If it becomes one of the guinea pigs’ favorite food, then add it to the guinea pigs’ food chart.
Note: water spinach is often mistaken for kale. It is rich in vitamin C but can be eaten once in a week.
Guinea pigs are a domesticated kind of rodent. They are raised as pets and food. Guinea pigs are creatures that are also known as cavies.
Because of selective breeding, there are variations in texture, patterns, and color. They can live up to 8 years but they are susceptible to heat strokes. They sleep less you will observe that they only take naps for about 10 minutes or in total 4 hours of sleep a day.
They remain active most of the time. Understanding the fact that what can guinea pigs eat is necessary for you to know as they can get sick or ill if overdosed or fed wrongly. Also, keep an eye on mouth sores too.
If sores appear stop giving them food instead provide them with oranges or citrus foods only. When they are hungry they make squeaky sounds.
Features:
They have small triangular mouths with 20 teeth. (note: guinea pigs must chew their teeth as they cannot afford to have them so long).
Small ears (petal-shaped) are present on their body, and eyes are set on side of their heads. They are not found in wildlife anymore. They are social animals. They live in herds. They also fall in the set of crepuscular i.e., active during dusk and dawn.
They are herbivores and can overeat make sure they don’t get obese from overeating. Introduce the nutritional dietary changes to make the balance in their diet chart. They hate loud noises, cold temperatures, open spaces, and being picked up.
They don’t bite, if they do so they are afraid of you as they are harmless. They are playful they can play with you for ping pong balls.
Cecotropes:
They may look bizarre at first glance but you must know that this is the aid for the digestion of food and provides supplemental help for your pets. As these pallets are nutritional for them.
Caution: ethoxyquin is an element used for guinea pigs’ feed pellets. Better to cross-check if you are opting pellet. 1/8 cup of pellets is more than enough in a day.
Feed portions:
Should be given 2 times a week. 2-3 spinach leaves in a week are more than enough for guinea pigs. Don’t offer them daily as their high oxalate content may disturb them and can also cause stones.
Can guinea pigs eat spinach (tree) stem?
No, the stem should be cut off while giving leaves.
Can guinea pigs have canned spinach?
No, as sugar is high in canned foods.
Can guinea pigs eat spinach in cold or frozen form?
No, cold or frozen food can lead to diarrhea and vitamins can also be loosened. Can be thawed though but better to use fresh food.
Can guinea pigs have cooked spinach?
No, they are unable to digest cooked food as it may have oil and salts.
What can guinea pigs not eat?
While planning their diet chart to avoid choking, bloating, gas, nutritional imbalance or illness make sure it does not include chocolate (any caffeine based matter), garlic, mushrooms, onions, avocados, cabbage, meat, bread, dairy products, nuts, iceberg lettuce, potatoes, seeds.
CONCLUSION:
A merger of the fruit bowl is suggested. Adding spinach to the guinea pig’s food chart is like adding life to your pets but make sure you remove the food remains after 5 -6 hours as out-of-date or rotten food can cause sicknesses or ailments in your friends. replace pellets on daily basis.
Observe, if pellets are left on daily basis then you might be overdosing on them. They usually overeat it is you who have to maintain the balance in their diet chart.
Provide them something to chew as their teeth grow continuously. To Avoid diarrhea and other complications introduce the foods slowly. Keep the portion size small and fresh.
Some guinea is susceptible to bloating so keep an eye on them while you feed.
For basic care you need to follow these thumb rules to have a happy little furry friend:
- Feed them with low carbs and sugars.
- Provide chlorinated fresh water to them.
- Don’t serve them food older than 5 – 12 hours.
- They should have 10% of fruits and vegetables in their diet.
- Make sure they are having supplemental vitamin C
- Elude swollen mouths
- Feed them with an amalgam of food
Better to follow the following steps while feeding spinach to your pets:
- Give in raw form (baby spinach can also be given)
- avoid giving the stems
- choose the green color leaf
- Wash them
- 2 – 3 leaves are more than enough (a small portion is recommended)
- offer 2 times per week
- remove remains of food after some time to avoid bacterial contaminations
If you ever noticed that guinea pigs are having the following symptoms consult your vet immediately:
- diarrhea
- Crusty eyes
- Sneezing
- Hair loss
- Weight loss
