Guinea pigs make wonderful pets. They live in a cage, making them great pets for anyone who lives in a rental property where pets aren’t allowed. They are large enough where you can hold and cuddle your guinea pig. Before getting a guinea pig, you should know what they can and cannot eat.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Nuts?
No! Many people think that because nuts are a vegetarian source of vitamins and minerals that they are good for guinea pigs, but this is not the case. If you feed your guinea pig seeds, raisins, peanuts, almonds, walnuts, or other everyday nuts, they can suffer serious health issues.
Why Are Nuts Harmful To Your Guinea Pig’s Health?
A guinea pig requires a diet rich in fiber and vitamin C. Nuts are high in fat and carbohydrates, but they don’t have fiber and other nutrients that your guinea pig needs to be healthy. Feeding your guinea pig nuts can result in serious health issues, including:
- Obesity: Nuts are very high in calories, which is not good for your guinea pig. Guinea pigs are often confined to a cage, which doesn’t give them enough space to burn the excess calories. Nuts are also high in fat, which gets deposited in the arteries and organs, causing plenty of serious health issues.
- Poor digestion: Nuts are very high in protein, carbohydrates, and unsaturated fats, which can be very hard on your guinea pig’s digestive system. Feeding your guinea pig nuts can cause inconsistent bowel movements, diarrhea, and bloating.
- Bladder stones: Nuts are very high in calcium, which gets deposited in the urinary bladder and kidneys. Over time, this can cause bladder stones to form, which are extremely painful.
- Allergies: Many guinea pigs are allergic to nuts. The allergic reaction can vary from simple sneezing and itching to difficulty breathing, which can be deadly. To be on the safe side, it is best to avoid giving your guinea pig any type of nut.
When feeding your guinea pig, it is best to stick with grain, fruits, and vegetables. Your guinea pig may enjoy nuts, but they can be very harmful to your pet’s health.
