Within this article, our goal is to discuss whether it’s safe to feed to your .
We’re going to assume that unless you’ve come across this article by accident, you actually have a (or multiple) that you are looking for nutritional advice for what to feed them.
If so, we fully understand. You’ll want to ensure that these loveable, cute animals that will provide us with so much joy are properly cared for, and live long and healthy lives.
Guinea pigs make for great little pets, especially for families with young children since they are cuddly and easy to handle. However, since they’re social animals, it is highly recommended to get two guinea pigs, so that they always have company.
There’s nothing not to love about these furry creatures!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xauuxEwHFxw
With that said, let’s dive into the topic in detail and find out if cavies should consume potatoes or not.
Can my Eat ?
Yes, that’s the short answer!
However, it’s recommended that adult guinea pigs only eat a small amount of (around 1/8 of a cup) on a rare basis. Why? Because of its high levels of sugars.
It’s not recommended that baby guinea pigs consume .
Additionally, if you do decide to treat your cavy by feeding them with a tiny portion of , it’s important to make sure that you monitor them, to see if they show signs of bloating or diarrhea, which indicates that they’re having issues digesting the .
You can then decide whether to include it as a treat in the future (just lower the amount given) or not, this will also depend on their current health status. We advise speaking to a veterinarian more about this.
Finally, it’s crucial that you only feed your with , as their gastrointestinal system is not equipped to digest cooked .
Now, let’s talk about some reasons why is beneficial to include as a treat for your .
Why is Suitable For A to Eat?
To begin with, it’s important to note that a is quite a complex subject. Why?
Well, cavies require a varied that contains all of the essential vitamins and nutrients they need in order to thrive.
Additionally, guinea pigs are highly susceptible to gut problems unless they are fed a well-balanced .
Such gut problems include imbalances and dysbiosis, which are both the result of an overgrowth of certain strains of bacteria and fungi, and if they are not resolved, can result in chronic illness.
What is the best for Guinea pigs?
As we can see from VCA Hospitals’ advice:
The preferred basic for guinea pigs is unlimited amounts of Timothy or other low-calcium hay, supplemented with smaller amounts of commercial, high-fiber, Timothy-hay based . C should be given each day to help maintain and boost your guinea pigs immune system. Hay should be offered throughout the day. Hay and should be supplemented with a variety of fresh, well-washed, leafy greens or colored vegetables (especially those high in C, such as bell pepper, tomato, and asparagus).
Other good choices for vegetables include green and red leaf lettuce, , broccoli, cauliflower, endive, , carrot tops, beet greens, cilantro, carrot, and squash. Iceberg or head lettuce has little nutritional value and is mostly water, so it should not be offered.
As shown above in the quoted text from VCS, is not mentioned.
The reason for this is linked to its high content, , carbohydrate, and oxalates levels, making it only suitable as a rare treat, and not part of your guinea’s regular .
With that being said, still has some key nutrients which are beneficial to your adult cavy, and these are C, A, E, B5, Manganese, Potassium, Fiber and a range of antioxidants.
This is why is a great choice of when looking to treat your , on a rare occasion.
Although we cannot find a professional entity to recommend a specific timeframe, once per month would be a good option to start with – We have found some owners give it to their once or twice per month.
However, if your has previous/current medical conditions, please speak to a veterinarian to discuss how you should optimally construct their .
Let’s further explore the nutritional aspects and health benefits of .
Health Benefits of
is beneficial to guinea pigs in several ways, including:
Extremely nutritious
has a wide range of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, making it a great treat to give to your on that rare occasion.
Depending on the skin colour, potatoes have different types of antioxidants available. For example, the purple potatoes have anthocyanins and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, whilst the orange-skinned potatoes have beta-carotene.
Additionally, t’s also a great source of fiber which helps with digestion.
Anti-inflammatory properties
As we’ve talked above, has plenty of antioxidants, and these differ based on the color of the itself. These antioxidants ultimately help to eliminate free radicals, inflammation, and oxidative aging in the body.
The natural anti-inflammatory compounds found in potatoes have been shown to reduce inflammation at the cellular level.
Additionally, animal studies show that the consumption of purple is able to reduce inflammation in the brain and nerve tissue.
Nutrients in
potatoes are considered to be a highly nutritious because of their high , mineral, and antioxidant content.
Let’s look closer and examine its specific nutrients and their quantities.
According to Nutritiondata, 1 cup of which weighs approximately 133g, has the following nutritional qualities:
Vitamins
A – 18866.0 IU
Vitamic C – 3.2 mg
D – 0.0 mg
E – 0.3 mg
K – 2.4 mcg
Thiamin – 0.1 mg
Riboflavin – 0.1 mg
Niacin – 0.7 mg
B6 – 0.3 mg
Folate – 14.6 mcg
B12 – 0.0 mcg
Pantothenic Acid – 1.1 mg
Choline – 16.4 mg
Betaine – 0.0 mg
Minerals
Calcium – 39.9 mg
Iron – 0.8 mg
Magnesium – 33.2 mg
Phosphorus – 62.5 mg
Potassium – 448.0 mg
Sodium – 73.2 mg
Zinc – 0.4 mg
Copper – 0.2 mg
Manganese – 0.3 mg
Selenium – 0.8 mcg
Fluoride – 0.0 mcg
Fats & Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids – 1.3 mg
Omega-6 fatty acids – 17.3 mg
Source: https://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and--products/2666/2
How Much Should I Give To My ?
It’s recommended to give only give your a tiny portion of (1/8 cup) each month. We’ve read that some owners feed their cavy up to twice per month, but we recommend using discretion here.
Additionally, you’ll know your best, and whether they’re more susceptible to suffer from bloating and diarrhea.
It’s vital that your has a balanced , which should primarily include hay, , leafy greens such as parsley, spinach, lettuce (romaine & ), broccoli, zucchini, and more fresh veggies that are nutrient-dense.
Except as rare treats, guinea pigs should not be regularly fed foods that are high in content. These foods include citrus , strawberries, and other berries.
Ultimately, we want to make sure that our has a long and healthy life.
How Should I Prepare For My ?
As with any fresh or , it’s recommended to wash your with hot water to rinse off any loose dirt.
Additionally, if you cannot find organic , then we recommend washing it with hot water for a longer period of time. This will help to wash off any preservatives or pesticides which may be on the outside.
As mentioned, you should only give your cavy 1/8 of a cup per serving, and it’s suggested that these servings can be given once per month.
You can also feed your the peel/skin, in small quantities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
As a , we understand that you’ll most likely have a lot of questions.
Therefore, we’ve addressed some of the most common FAQs that we see on a daily basis, in regards to feeding to your cavy. These are as follows:
Every Day?
No, it’s not recommended to feed your cavy every day. Instead, 1 tiny portion (1/8 cup), once per month.
You should instead feed your on a balanced of , primarily of hay (/alfalfa hay are good options) and fresh, vegetables.
How should potatoes be given to guinea pigs?
As mentioned further above, you’ll want to wash the small portion of before serving it, especially if you’re giving them the skin/peel to eat.
You can then make sure that your can easily eat it, and by simply cutting it into small pieces.
Can guinea pigs eat cooked ?
No, unlike humans, ‘s digestive systems are not capable of digesting cooked foods. Therefore, it’s best to stick to feeding them (as a rare treat) and a .
?
Yes, it’s safe for guinea pigs to eat /peel.
It’s recommended to give these to your guinea pigs alongside the . Therefore, approximately 1/8 of a cup, once per month.
?
Yes, it’s safe for guinea pigs to eat .
It’s recommended to give these to your guinea pigs alongside the . Therefore, approximately 1/8 of a cup, once per month.
What Are The Alternatives To For Guinea Pigs?
Since not all guinea pigs will enjoy the taste of , we understand that you’ll want some alternatives.
Here are some options of other for you to choose from, which are still high in essential nutrient and minerals:
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