Post by PigPog on Jan 26, 2008 13:01:45 GMT
Vegetables for Happy Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs require vegetables as part of their daily diet for two very good reasons. Firstly, guinea pigs are herbivores and vegetation makes up a large part of their diet. Secondly, just like humans, they are unable to produce their own Vitamin C and they require certain vegetables to give them the Vitamin C they need to stay healthy.
All of the vegetables for your guinea pigs should be bought fresh from the market, wholesaler, or supermarket - not tinned or bottled - and then stored in the fridge.
Before offering any vegetables, warm them to room temperature, remember to wash them, and also remove all seeds and pips (unless mentioned otherwise in the vegetable list below). Importantly, make sure the vegetables are fresh and not withering or rotting.
The best combination you can offer is one that is varied and interesting and includes many different types of vegetable. Like humans, guinea pigs do become bored with the same diet day in and day out. As part of their daily vegetable diet, ensure you are offering one vegetable that contains Vitamin C on a daily basis.
A combination of the following vegetables may be offered to your guinea pig as part of their daily diet. Choose wisely to achieve a good balance and you will have some very happy guinea pigs!
Asparagus
Beetroot
High in Vitamin C. Remove the top and bottom of the beetroot as the roots and leaves are poisonous. Beetroot may make their urine and droppings come out purple!
Broccoli
High in Vitamin C but too much may cause gas and bloating!
Brussels sprouts
High in Vitamin C but too much may cause gas and bloating!
Cabbage
High in Vitamin C but too much may cause gas and bloating!
Carrots
High in Vitamin C.
Cauliflower
High in Vitamin C but too much may cause gas and bloating! The whole cauliflower is edible to guinea pigs.
Celery
High in Vitamin C and can be given if cut into manageable chunks. Cut off any stringy bits because they can be a choking hazard.
Coriander
Low to moderate Vitamin C, but very tasty!
Corn on the Cob
A good treat food as this is very fatty. Only offer corn on the cob that has not been buttered before packaging (check the packet for contents). Guinea pigs can also eat the leaves.
Cucumber
A good treat food. Very watery, so only offer slices at a time.
Curly Kale
High in Vitamin C but too much may cause gas and bloating!
Lettuce
A good treat food. Romaine, Little Gem, Lamb's Lettuce, Rocket, and red and green leaf may all be offered to your guinea pig. Low in Vitamin C. Do not offer Iceberg Lettuce.
Parsley
Calcium content is high and too much calcium may help to form kidney and bladder stones.
Peppers
Not the hot or chilli kind! You may offer your guinea pig the bland red, green, orange or yellow bell peppers with all stalks and seeds removed.
Spinach
Calcium content is high and too much calcium may help to form kidney and bladder stones.
Tomato
Very watery so offer occasionally (a hairless guinea pig may be given a tomato as part of their daily diet for hydration purposes). Remove the leaves first as these are believed to be poisonous. The seeds can be eaten.
Extract taken from my feeding guide at:
www.rodentswithattitude.co.uk/generalcare_feeding.html
Reason for Editing: Added curly kale to the list - PigPog
Guinea pigs require vegetables as part of their daily diet for two very good reasons. Firstly, guinea pigs are herbivores and vegetation makes up a large part of their diet. Secondly, just like humans, they are unable to produce their own Vitamin C and they require certain vegetables to give them the Vitamin C they need to stay healthy.
All of the vegetables for your guinea pigs should be bought fresh from the market, wholesaler, or supermarket - not tinned or bottled - and then stored in the fridge.
Before offering any vegetables, warm them to room temperature, remember to wash them, and also remove all seeds and pips (unless mentioned otherwise in the vegetable list below). Importantly, make sure the vegetables are fresh and not withering or rotting.
The best combination you can offer is one that is varied and interesting and includes many different types of vegetable. Like humans, guinea pigs do become bored with the same diet day in and day out. As part of their daily vegetable diet, ensure you are offering one vegetable that contains Vitamin C on a daily basis.
A combination of the following vegetables may be offered to your guinea pig as part of their daily diet. Choose wisely to achieve a good balance and you will have some very happy guinea pigs!
Asparagus
Beetroot
High in Vitamin C. Remove the top and bottom of the beetroot as the roots and leaves are poisonous. Beetroot may make their urine and droppings come out purple!
Broccoli
High in Vitamin C but too much may cause gas and bloating!
Brussels sprouts
High in Vitamin C but too much may cause gas and bloating!
Cabbage
High in Vitamin C but too much may cause gas and bloating!
Carrots
High in Vitamin C.
Cauliflower
High in Vitamin C but too much may cause gas and bloating! The whole cauliflower is edible to guinea pigs.
Celery
High in Vitamin C and can be given if cut into manageable chunks. Cut off any stringy bits because they can be a choking hazard.
Coriander
Low to moderate Vitamin C, but very tasty!
Corn on the Cob
A good treat food as this is very fatty. Only offer corn on the cob that has not been buttered before packaging (check the packet for contents). Guinea pigs can also eat the leaves.
Cucumber
A good treat food. Very watery, so only offer slices at a time.
Curly Kale
High in Vitamin C but too much may cause gas and bloating!
Lettuce
A good treat food. Romaine, Little Gem, Lamb's Lettuce, Rocket, and red and green leaf may all be offered to your guinea pig. Low in Vitamin C. Do not offer Iceberg Lettuce.
Parsley
Calcium content is high and too much calcium may help to form kidney and bladder stones.
Peppers
Not the hot or chilli kind! You may offer your guinea pig the bland red, green, orange or yellow bell peppers with all stalks and seeds removed.
Spinach
Calcium content is high and too much calcium may help to form kidney and bladder stones.
Tomato
Very watery so offer occasionally (a hairless guinea pig may be given a tomato as part of their daily diet for hydration purposes). Remove the leaves first as these are believed to be poisonous. The seeds can be eaten.
Extract taken from my feeding guide at:
www.rodentswithattitude.co.uk/generalcare_feeding.html
Reason for Editing: Added curly kale to the list - PigPog