If in case you have a guinea pig and a canine, you may be questioning if their diets are very comparable. Otherwise you may wish to supply your guinea pig a tasty deal with and surprise if they could like some pet food. Maybe you might have run out of guinea pig meals and are questioning if they’ll share a few of your canine’s meals.
Can guinea pigs eat pet food? Briefly the reply isn’t any. In contrast to canines, guinea pigs are strictly herbivores, so because of this, pet food isn’t acceptable. On this article, you’ll study why pet food doesn’t change guinea pig meals.
Why Can’t Guinea Pigs Eat Canine Meals?
Guinea pigs are herbivores, which means they’re constructed to thrive on a food regimen with no meat, little or no fats, and many fibre. Pet food incorporates protein and carbohydrates that can trigger extreme digestive points in guinea pigs. A guinea pig consuming pet food may even be malnourished as pet food doesn’t have the vitamins they want, in a kind they’re able to course of.
Extra causes guinea pigs can not eat pet food are talked about beneath:
1. Guinea Pigs Have Delicate Stomachs
Guinea pigs are susceptible to gastrointestinal illnesses. Their good intestine micro organism and excessive fibre food regimen hold their gastrointestinal tract functioning healthily. If an excessive amount of carbohydrate e.g. pet food, starchy greens, nuts or grains, is eaten, a situation known as “dysbiosis” happens, which means there’s an overgrowth in unhealthy micro organism. Dysbiosis could result in diarrhea, lethargy, weight reduction and even dying.
2. Guinea Pigs Don’t Produce Vitamin C
Like different primates and most bats, guinea pigs can not produce an enzyme known as gulonolactone oxidase which is used within the formation of vitamin C. With out this enzyme, vitamin C have to be present in your guinea pig’s food regimen to stay wholesome. Since canines have this enzyme, no vitamin C is critical of their meals.
3. There Are No Dietary Advantages
Guinea pigs additionally don’t get any dietary benefit from consuming pet food, as they want fibers, minimal fat, and different dietary facets pet food doesn’t comprise. They aren’t tailored to make use of the proteins in meat.
What to Do if Your Guinea Pig By chance Eats Canine Meals
When you’ve observed that your guinea pig by accident received into some pet food, they may get very sick. Test how a lot pet food they may have eaten, hopefully it was solely a small quantity.
Ensure they now not have entry to pet food. You’ll want to put them in a clear, enclosed space with a lot of water, grass hay, and their regular dietary additions of greens and pellets. Monitor your guinea pig’s poops, feed and water consumption, and habits.
Name your vet to allow them to know what has occurred and observe their recommendation; in case your guinea pig turns into unwell you’ll need to observe up with a veterinary go to.
Suggestions for Feeding Your Guinea Pig
A wholesome, species-appropriate food regimen will assist hold your little pet wholesome.
A wholesome guinea pig food regimen contains:
- Hay: The food regimen needs to be 80% grass hay akin to Timothy hay or orchard grass hay. Entry to this needs to be limitless.
- Fruits and Greens: Guinea pigs want 10-25 mg Vitamin C a day. The most effective sources of Vitamin C are kale, parsley, kiwi fruit, broccoli and strawberries. Give a packed quarter to half a cup of contemporary produce a day.
- Pellets: A small quantity of good high quality guinea pig pellets might be given. About 10% of the food regimen is appropriate.
When introducing new meals to the food regimen, add a small quantity each few days and monitor for any diarrhea or discomfort. Additionally keep in mind to keep away from excessive starch meals akin to grain, cereal, peas, corn and nuts.
Last Phrases
So, can guinea pigs eat pet food? It’s NOT secure for guinea pigs to eat pet food. A part of accountable pet possession is feeding your pet a nutritious diet. Whereas a lot of the food regimen ought to merely encompass grass hay, you may combine it up with wholesome produce that can delight their style buds and supply that a lot wanted increase of vitamin C!
Featured Picture Credit score: New Africa, Shutterstock
