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Guinea Pigs Eat Cheerios – Learn the Dangers and Healthier Alternatives
Guinea pigs require a really particular weight loss program, one it’s best to know all about earlier than proudly owning one. These herbivores will principally eat hay but additionally want veggies to complement and the occasional pellets. There are many meals objects a guinea pig ought to keep away from, although, a few of which could shock you.
One common meals pet dad and mom typically take into account as a deal with for his or her guinea pigs is Cheerios. However can guinea pigs eat Cheerios? The reply is no, guinea pigs shouldn’t eat cheerios! Even when you’re solely feeding plain Cheerios to your pet, fairly than Honey Nut, Multi-Grain, or different flavors, this cereal remains to be extremely unhealthy to your pet. That’s to not say this meals is poisonous or that in case your guinea pig has one or two Cheerios, will probably be in bother. However incorporating Cheerios into your pet’s weight loss program as a deal with long-term can result in well being points.
The Bother With Cheerios
What makes Cheerios unhealthy for our guinea pigs?
At the beginning, Cheerios is comprised of grains, it doesn’t matter what taste you go along with. And a guinea pig’s digestive system isn’t constructed to deal with grains and starches in addition to ours. Which means consuming an overabundance of Cheerios may result in digestive points in your pet, corresponding to abdomen ache, diarrhea, constipation, and fuel.
Cheerios additionally include 130 mg of calcium in a single cup, which could possibly be an excessive amount of to your guinea pig. Whereas calcium is an important a part of a guinea pig’s weight loss program, these animals are vulnerable to bladder stones, that are fashioned from calcium oxalate. So, the extra calcium in your pet’s weight loss program, the extra seemingly they’re to develop bladder stones (which frequently require surgical procedure to take away).
This cereal can be processed, which means it has preservatives, components, sugar, and extra, which could possibly be unhealthy to your guinea pig. These items may result in weight problems and irritation within the physique, which in flip can result in well being points corresponding to heart problems.
And, although Cheerios are small, they might nonetheless pose a choking danger to your guinea pig.
Most significantly, you shouldn’t feed your guinea pig any cereals. Cereals, bread, and crackers might contribute to an overgrowth of dangerous micro organism within the intestines, and these dangerous micro organism can result in enterotoxemia. Enterotoxemia can lead to diarrhea, anorexia, and lethargy, all of which you wish to keep away from in your pet.
What Can My Guinea Pig Eat for a Deal with As a substitute?
As you may see, Cheerios positively isn’t the healthiest meals to your guinea pig! Treats, basically, aren’t that nice to your pet as a result of they solely provide them empty energy and no vitamin. However we perceive eager to let your pet have a little bit of one thing tasty once in a while. So, what are you able to give your guinea pig as a deal with as a substitute of Cheerios?
Fruit is one deal with you may give your pet. Some fruits which can be guinea pig-safe and that these animals usually get pleasure from embody:
You might also wish to attempt giving your pet some alfalfa cubes, as some guinea pigs are followers of these.
Nevertheless, nearly all of what your guinea pig might want to eat will likely be hay (which they need to have entry to in any respect hours of the day, as these animals must continuously eat). You’ll additionally wish to add greens to complement your pet’s hay weight loss program. Your pet ought to have half to a full cup of veggies a day.
Some guinea pig-safe veggies embody:
Lastly, you’ll wish to add in some guinea pig-specific pellets each every now and then.
What Different Meals Ought to Guinea Pigs Not Eat?
There are a lot extra meals it’s best to keep away from giving your guinea pig, as properly.
Just some of those embody:
Then, there are meals your guinea pig can have however solely as soon as in a blue moon.
These embody:
Closing Ideas
In terms of guinea pigs and Cheerios, it’s finest to keep away from giving your pet this cereal (or any cereal). Cheerios could cause abdomen upset and probably even bladder stones or enterotoxemia. As a substitute, feed your guinea pig protected treats (however solely sparingly!) corresponding to fruit or alfalfa cubes. Nevertheless, understand that, for essentially the most half, your guinea pig will likely be more healthy (and happier!) with its pure weight loss program of hay.
Featured Picture Credit score: images72, Shutterstock
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