Can Guinea Pigs Eat Meat? Vet-Reviewed Info & FAQ

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No, guinea pigs can’t eat meat. Guinea pigs are strictly herbivores, and their stomachs will not be outfitted to course of or digest meat. Sure, this additionally contains meat by-products corresponding to eggs or something derived from animals. Cat and pet food are not any exception to this rule, as additionally they include meat merchandise.

On this article, you’ll study what’s okay to feed your guinea pigs and what can occur in case your guinea pig eats meat, and we’ll additionally embody meals you need to by no means feed them.

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Why Can’t Guinea Pigs Eat Meat?

Guinea pigs have developed and tailored as herbivores, so their stomachs and intestines are designed to course of and break down plant merchandise. In contrast to carnivorous animals, your guinea pig’s digestive system just isn’t outfitted to deal with meat and meat merchandise, which makes it tough to interrupt down meat or meat merchandise.

If, in any case, you think that your guinea pig has eaten meat, contact your veterinary clinic for recommendation. Guinea pigs can’t vomit, so the meat will cross via their digestive system, and so they could develop diarrhea.

Different causes guinea pigs can’t eat meat embody the next:

Digestive enzymes: They don’t produce as many enzymes for digestion of proteins.
Weight problems: Ldl cholesterol and fats relate to weight achieve. Extra weight in your guinea pig will increase the probabilities of a number of illnesses.
Good micro organism: Consuming meat will upset the steadiness of fine micro organism and end in diarrhea.
Meats have too many unhealthy parts on your guinea pig and will not be an appropriate meals supply.

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A Typical Guinea Pig Food regimen

Herbivores typically have specifically tailored stomachs and intestines, which suggests they will break down cellulose and plant matter parts simpler than carnivores. A typical guinea pig food plan ought to embody hay, greens, guinea pig pellets and occasional fruit. A wholesome guinea pig food plan requires vitamin C, fiber, and a very good provide of minerals like calcium and magnesium.

Right here’s why:

Hay: Hay is among the most important meals necessities for guinea pigs as a result of it’s loaded with fiber and has a low protein depend. That is vital for herbivores.
Greens: Most greens include vitamin C, vitamin A, dietary fiber, folate, and potassium. These are nice nutrient sources to maintain your guinea pigs blissful and wholesome.
Fruits: Most however not all fruit are wholesome on your guinea pig however needs to be offered as a snack solely twice every week. Most fruit incorporates vitamin E, magnesium, phosphorus, and folic acid. These vitamins are most vital on your guinea pig’s mind well being. On the flip facet they’re excessive in sugar which isn’t superb.
Guinea Pellets: Since guinea pigs can’t produce vitamin C, guinea pig pellets are fortified with vitamin C. Nonetheless, an excessive amount of of something is unhealthy, so at all times feed your guinea pig a variety of meals alongside their pellet food plan.

Sustaining a nutritious diet on your guinea pig helps them keep lively and reduces frequent illnesses. Since guinea pigs are herbivores, they’ll at all times want quite a lot of contemporary vegatables and fruits to maintain them blissful.

guinea pig eating hays — Picture Credit score: Alexas_Fotos, Pixabay

Meals Your Guinea Pig Ought to By no means Eat

Though your guinea pigs are herbivores, some vegatables and fruits have to be averted. These vegatables and fruits embody:

Something with pesticide therapy
Rhubarb or crops which might be excessive in oxalic acid
Onions, leeks, chives, and shallots
Garlic
Gassy greens corresponding to cauliflower and cabbage
Iceberg lettuce
Nuts, seeds, dried fruits
Rabbit, ferret, or another pellets made for different animals
Starchy meals, together with beans, peas, corn, oat, cereal grain, and bread
Avocadoes
Spicy peppers
Acidic fruits like lemon and limes
Tomato stems and stalks
Apple seeds
Fruit pits

When feeding your guinea pig vegatables and fruits, verify for what they’re and aren’t allowed to eat. For probably the most half, so long as you retain quite a lot of vitamins on your guinea pig, they’ll keep blissful and wholesome. Round a cup of greens a day and an egg cup of pellets will suffice per piggy every day. The overwhelming majority of a guinea pigs food plan needs to be good high quality hay corresponding to Timothy hay.

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Remaining Phrases

So, can guinea pigs eat meat? On account of their digestive system, they will’t eat meat. Meat is doubtlessly dangerous to guinea pigs and may trigger abdomen ache and sickness. If you happen to suspect your guinea pig has ingested meat, it’s greatest to contact your vet for recommendation.

If you wish to preserve a wholesome way of life on your pocket piggies, guarantee they’ve limitless quantities of hay, have entry to contemporary water, and supply them with many nutrient-diverse meals.

Featured Picture Credit score: NeydtStock, Shutterstock

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