Guinea pigs are herbivores. Extra exactly, their wild weight loss program typically consists of grass and different wild vegetation that they’ll forage. In captivity, their weight loss program ought to carefully replicate that of their wild weight loss program, with homeowners permitting cavies to forage on grass and a few weeds and vegetation whereas additionally being given hay. So as to add selection and to make sure that a guinea pig is getting the entire required nutritional vitamins and minerals of their weight loss program, homeowners can feed greens in addition to the occasional fruit and vegetable-based treats.
However, not all greens are thought of protected, whereas some ought to solely be fed sometimes. Turnip greens, that are the elements of the plant that develop above the bottom, ought to solely be fed to Guinea pigs now and again. Just like the turnips themselves, turnip tops are excessive in oxalates which may contribute to painful bladder stones.
The Guinea Pig Weight loss plan
Guinea pigs historically come from the Andes mountains of Peru and Argentina, however they have been domesticated and reared as a meals supply all through South America earlier than spreading throughout the globe, each as pets and as laboratory take a look at animals. Within the wild, they’re foragers. They’d eat the grass and wild vegetation of the Andes mountains. They’d by no means eat meat, not even scavenged meat, and would not often eat fruit or greens.
Pet guinea pigs want a weight loss program that’s just like that of their wild counterparts, though it has been tailored barely to learn piggies and their people. They’ll nonetheless be allowed to graze on grass, however that is sometimes supplemented with good-quality grass hay. They are often allowed to feed on wildflowers and weeds, like dandelion greens, however are additionally given greens and greens to make sure that they obtain the required nutritional vitamins and minerals. They’re nonetheless not fed meat, nevertheless, as a result of their digestive system is unable to course of the meat and it could actually truly make them sick.
The overwhelming majority of a guinea pig’s weight loss program ought to encompass grass and hay, with solely 10% to fifteen% of their weight loss program being recent greens and greens. This equates to round one teacup filled with appropriate greens a day. Specialists advocate that this day by day allowance be break up in two and that every vegetable portion ought to encompass half a dozen protected greens and different protected greens.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Turnip Greens?
Within the wild, piggies wouldn’t eat root greens. They’d not often come throughout this sort of plant and, even when they did, they wouldn’t have the ability to dig up the foundation. Nonetheless, they’d be extra prone to eat the plant above the foundation. As such, many homeowners query whether or not it’s okay to feed their guinea pigs substances like carrot tops and turnip greens.
Whereas carrot tops are thought of typically protected and might be fed frequently, turnip greens are a special proposition. They do have a number of well being advantages, particularly since they’re excessive in vitamin C, however as a result of they include oxalates, the amount of turnip greens in a guinea pig’s weight loss program must be restricted.
The Advantages of Turnip Greens
Turnip greens do have well being advantages on your guinea pig. Particularly, their advantages embody:
The Risks of Turnip Greens
Whereas turnip greens do supply a number of well being advantages to piggies, there’s such a factor as an excessive amount of turnip.
Turnips include oxalates, that are pure compounds which can be generally present in fruit in addition to greens. Oxalates bind minerals, like calcium, which is able to result in kidney or bladder stones if excessive concentrations of oxalates are fed. Kidney stones are painful to move, and in the event that they develop too massive, it might be unimaginable to move the stones naturally, which means that your guinea pig might have surgical procedure to assist take away them.
Tips on how to Feed Turnip Greens to Guinea Pigs
Turnip greens might be fed to guinea pigs, however they need to be fed sparsely. You may feed a small handful a few times per week, however no more than this. The greens don’t want cooking, however they need to be washed totally to take away any toxins and chemical substances. Begin with a smaller quantity, maybe only a single size of inexperienced, and see how your guinea pig handles it. Search for diarrhea and different abdomen issues and cease feeding this ingredient instantly in case your pet does expertise any opposed reactions.
Prime 3 Tricks to Assist Hold Your Guinea Pig Wholesome
A correct weight loss program is a key part to preserving a wholesome guinea pig. And whereas a weight loss program that consists primarily of grass and hay would possibly sound straightforward to handle, it doesn’t take a lot to throw the dietary steadiness off. Beneath are three suggestions that will help you guarantee your guinea pig’s weight loss program is as wholesome as potential.
1. Feed Guinea Pig Pellets Each Day
Guinea pig pellets are hay-based pellets which can be fortified with vitamin C. They assist guarantee your piggie is getting sufficient of this important vitamin that it could actually’t synthesize itself in addition to different important vitamins. Feed a spoonful of pellets every day, and be certain that the pellets are all the identical, quite than a mixture of textures and tastes, in any other case, your piggie might choose its favorites and depart the remaining.
2. Select the Proper Sort of Hay
Hay makes up 80-85% of your guinea pig’s weight loss program, so it must be good high quality hay. Until your vet has suggested it, keep away from alfalfa hay and feed timothy or different sorts of grass hay as an alternative. You may’t feed an excessive amount of hay and also you shouldn’t be shocked in case your cavie is continually munching and grinding on its hay provide.
3. Monitor Oxalates
Oxalates are present in fruit and greens, however an excessive amount of may cause urinary tract stones. This implies it’s good to monitor all the pieces you feed your guinea pig and feed these greens which can be thought of excessive in oxalates sparsely.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Turnips?
The basis of the turnip is the part that people typically eat, and it has comparable dietary content material to the turnip greens. It additionally has comparable guidelines with regards to feeding time. You may give a small quantity of turnip sometimes however don’t overfeed this vegetable.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Collard Greens?
Collard greens are wealthy in nutritional vitamins A, C, and Okay, and are considered a good addition to a guinea pig’s diet. As with all greens, it’s best to feed a range and supply a choice of completely different greens over time, however collard greens are addition to that roster.
Conclusion
Guinea pigs have very particular dietary necessities. 80-85% of their weight loss program ought to encompass hay and grass. They need to even be given a spoonful of hay pellets every day, and the rest of their weight loss program can encompass leafy greens and greens. Feed number of completely different greens and at all times hold observe of calcium, phosphorus, and oxalate ranges of the veggies you do serve.
Turnip greens are addition due to their excessive vitamin C content material, however they do include oxalate so the quantity you feed must be restricted to a small handful a few times per week.
Featured Picture Credit score: jjcsjoao, Pixabay
