Last Updated on March 9, 2023 by Woody Pet
A care guide on benefits, exceptions & the portion size
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Zucchini? Guinea pigs are creatures which are also known as cavies. You can say they are the domesticated kind of rodents. They are raised as pets and food.
Though because of selective breeding, there are variations in texture, patterns and colour. They can live up to 8 years but they are susceptible to heat strokes. 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.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Zucchini? Introduce the nutritional dietary changes to make the balance in guinea pigs’ feeding schedule. Cecotropes are an aid to digesting food helping guinea pigs to absorb nutrition.
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.
Zucchini is one of the best vegetables for guinea pigs also known as courgette and squash (summer squash) occurs in different varieties ranging in size, shape and colours from light yellow to dark green. It is slightly sweeter and one of the guinea pig’s favourite food. Low in sugar, sulphur and salt.
It is not so high in oxalates and extremely munchable. The greener the zucchini is the higher the antioxidant in it. This vegetable is rich in vitamin A which is good for the immune system. It also has Carotenoids (lutein, beta carotene, zeaxanthin) which benefit the eyes, skin and heart. It has vitamin B6, vitamin C, potassium, iron, and fibres which help in digestion and stabilise blood sugar levels.
Portions:
100 grams or 2-3 bite-sized slices in a day are recommended. Better to give in an amalgam of veggies or fruits. It can be offered 4 – 6 times a week (not recommended daily). It is better to not choose much longer zucchinis as it may cause bloating and gas in guinea pigs which results in their lethargy. Yellow zucchini has more sugar as compared to the dark green zucchini but still, it is safe to eat.
Note: introduce them slowly and observe if any adverse reactions are shown or not.
Can zucchini cause illness in guinea pigs?
Yes, too much of anything is dangerous. If overdosed it may cause gastric upset in the furry friend`s tummy, vomiting and diarrhoea and dehydration may also indicate. If consumed on daily basis, then it can become toxic as it has cucurbitacin which can cause diarrhoea and vomiting.
Can guinea pigs eat zucchini skin?
Yes, they can have it as it’s a non-toxic matter. But some piggies might not like the skin. Though skin has many antioxidants.
Can guinea pigs eat zucchini seeds?
Yes, they are soft and small. If you find any bigger seed better to remove it to avoid the choking hazard.
Can guinea pigs eat zucchini flowers?
Yes, they have nutrients (vitamin C and beta carotene) soft in texture. Wash them well before serving. Both male and female flowers are edible.
Can guinea pigs eat zucchini leaves?
Yes, but recommended only 2 times a week in small sizes as they may cause stomach problems. if consumed in larger quantities.
Can guinea pigs have canned food?
No, it must be in raw fresh form.
Can guinea pigs have canned food?
No, as sugar is high in canned foods.
Can guinea pigs have frozen food?
No, cold or frozen food can lead to diarrhoea and vitamins can also be loosened. Also, bacteria can be multiplied.
What can guinea pigs not eat?
While planning a guinea pig’s food 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:
It is not necessary that all guinea piggies like zucchini but it can experiment on their diet schedule if they like so or not. Understanding the fact that what can guinea pigs eat is necessary 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. A fusion of fruit bowls is suggested.
Adding zucchini 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.
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 zucchini to your pets:
- avoid giving stored or frozen
- choose the raw fresh green for guinea pigs
- Wash them
- Peel the skin (optional)
- Remove stem
- 2-3 thin bite-sized slices are recommended
- Remove seeds (optional)
- offer 4 – 6 times a week (not recommended daily)
- 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:
- diarrhoea
- Crusty eyes
- Sneezing
- Hair loss
- Weight loss
