Resistant starch which is found in potatoes may aid in the reduction of insulin resistance. If they eat one piece, they will certainly not gain weight, but if they learn to regularly eat French fries, then it is inevitable that they will gain weight. Featured Image Credit: Pixabay. Because they think that as guinea pigs are herbivores, they can eat anything related to plants, fruits, and vegetables. Weird question, but can guinea pigs eat mcdonald's fries and/or drink soda? If the guinea pigs eat a lot of French fries, they should be taken to a veterinarian immediately to examine them and give them appropriate therapy. And now you have it, guinea pigs cannot eat potatoes in any form, including raw, baked, cooked, or mashed. Yes, yams are safe for guinea pigs. Additionally, processed potato products are less nutrient-rich than whole potatoes and include more fat. Guinea pigs are like nibbly toddlers that never grow up. Plastic bags, plastic toys, even laundry baskets! The chemical residue on the grass is quite toxic to guinea pigs and can cause bloat and other gastrointestinal issues. Potatoes belong to the nightshade family of plants that are known to contain a toxin known as solanine.
While not inherently dangerous to guinea pigs, iceberg lettuce can cause diarrhea and an upset stomach. Can Guinea Pigs eat cauliflower? Some examples of known poisonous plants for guinea pigs include clematis, columbine, nightshade, dog mercury, fool's parsley, poppies, honeysuckle, yew, ragwort, foxglove, horsetails, hemlock, ivy, lobelia, sorrel, lupins, and many more. Fresh alfalfa grass is even richer in calcium. Excess amounts of calcium in guinea pigs can cause several urinary problems like kidney stones, urinary tract infections, and frequent pain while urinating. A guinea pig's calcium requirement is 8 grams per kilogram of body weight. It can be hard to tell if plants have been treated, but if in doubt, avoid feeding them to your guinea pig. Purple Corn (Maiz Morado). As we have already mentioned that the stomach and digestive systems of guinea pigs are very fragile and sensitive. While guinea pigs can get by unharmed after eating a potato chip, a piece of baked potato, or even a nibble of raw potato, it is best to make sure that your pet never gets access to this type of produce.
Understand that guinea pigs can only absorb raw herbs, fruits, and vegetables. They thaw out in a rather wilted, soggy form that most guinea pigs would refuse to eat anyway. Are potatoes Good For Guinea Pigs? Untreated grass is healthy and great for grinding down your guinea pig's molars. While French fries will not help at all and can only prolong their growth, not reduce it. Below is a list of other vegetables you can include; - Corn – For servings, benefits, and risks, check out this comprehensive post – Can guinea pigs eat corn? "Green Potatoes: Harmless or Poisonous? " A few flowers that guinea pigs can eat include dandelions, marigolds, roses, and chamomiles. Therefore, feeding potatoes to guinea pigs can deteriorate the smooth working of their digestive system and damage their health. Pelleted foods should contain the vitamin, as should fresh vegetables and limited quantities of fruit. Guinea pigs have been a delicacy in Peru for a long time. Unripe eggplants that have green anywhere on the outside or inside of the fruit also contain this toxin.
Oxbow's brand of guinea pig food is most often recommended by vets and pet owners alike. There may come a time when your guinea pig comes across a potato chip or a piece of potato that has fallen on the kitchen floor. Continue reading to find out more. Furthermore, frying potatoes have the potential to increase fat and calorie content when compared to other cooking methods such as baking or boiling. Glycoalkaloids are a group of chemical compounds found in the nightshade family of plants that have the potential to be hazardous. As a result, make sure your guinea pig doesn't eat any potatoes.
Potatoes have a lot of alkaloids that are harmful to piggies, which is why they can't eat them. You thought you'd find the exact number of potatoes your guinea pig can consume by scrolling down to this section? It's also best to only feed your guinea pigs orange peels from organic oranges. These are active animals. Resistant starch improved insulin sensitivity by 33%. Peru's Instituto Peruano de la Papa says Peru is the birthplace of potatoes in Peru, where over 3, 000 varieties are grown. That's why a healthy diet is needed to help guinea pigs have healthy skin and fur. All these nutrients play an important role in keeping your body healthy and enable it to smoothly perform its functions such as vitamin C, potassium, and dietary fibers. You can give your Guinea Pig vegetables as a treat. Make sure they have a continuous supply of fresh water. Accessed June 16, 2021.
• 9 milligrams calcium. Potatoes are high in calcium, which can be dangerous to guinea pigs. Unfortunately, potatoes can't form part of their diet. 215 mg. - Lutein + zeaxanthin – 13 µg. Rabbit or Hamster Food. Guinea pigs can't eat potatoes because potatoes are enriched with alkaloid toxins that are harmful to the health of guinea pigs. They can also be a choking hazard. Peeling the potato can lose a large part of the fiber and mineral content in each serving because many of its nutrients are concentrated in the outer skin. This cup should include leafy greens such as romaine lettuce, a few pieces of your piggy's favorite fruits, and other types of vegetables. Well, raw potatoes contain solanine which is no less than poison for guinea pigs.
Therefore ensure that you only feed your Guinea Pig food that's suitable for him. Cooked potatoes may appear to be harmless to a guinea pig, but this is not the case. French fries have lots of calories. This is also an obvious but important one that should no doubt be avoided with guinea pigs. It also has high levels of phosphorus, which can contribute to the formation of stones in guinea pigs. This toxin causes severe digestive problems, sore throats, inflammation, and diarrhea in guinea pigs.
They may cause fullness hormones like cholecystokinin to rise. Excess calories cause thickening of the blood arteries, which will lead to heart failure. Related read: Feeding Guinea Pigs: How Much, and How Often? Boiling, baking, or steaming them and eating them with the skin on them is a good idea. 1 mg. • Riboflavin 0. While cooking may neutralize some toxins, cooked potatoes still contain too many carbohydrates, which aren't suitable for guinea pigs. As a result, potatoes have a reputation for being unhealthy.
The fat and calories from fries, in addition to heart problems, can also cause an increase in blood pressure. Too much fat will cause dry skin and make it susceptible to irritation and inflammation. While the peelings may be a good source of Vitamin C, minerals, and fiber, they are still toxic to guinea pigs, and they also contain excess starch. French fries are a high-calorie food because of the oil that can only cause heart problems for your pet. The oxalate binds with the calcium to form the stones. Well, first of all, French fries are processed food. Guinea pigs don't have a digestive system that is well built to digest grains. Don't forget though that hay and grass should make up the vast majority of your piggy's diet. It's good for your Guinea Pig and contains high amounts of vitamin C. - Red cabbage contains high amounts of vitamin C, and a hint of calcium. Ginger is not good to give to guinea pigs due to its high calcium and sugar content. Are you a proud Guinea Pig owner? No one knows where french fries were invented. Just because your guinea pig eats a bit of potato does not mean that they will experience any adverse side effects.
Guinea Pig food to avoid | Guinea Pigs and grass cuttings | General advice about your Guinea Pig's diet | Calcium to Phosphorus | Oxalate acid and calcium and your Guinea Pig | Vitamin C in your Guinea Pig's diet | Guinea Pig treats | Can you mix Guinea Pig and Rabbit food together? Although raw potatoes contain resistant starch, they are usually boiled. You should avoid alfalfa and Lucerne hay due to the high amounts of proteins and calcium. Most of these foods contain animal and dairy products. As a baby (or pup) Alfalfa hay is best for your Guinea Pig because it contains more calcium. Cardiovascular Problems. Garlic is poisonous to guinea pigs and will cause bad stomach pains for your piggy. Non-GMO crops are a healthier alternative where possible, so grass hays like timothy or orchard hay are preferable for your piggies. This is due to the high oxalate levels.