Everyone likes to have a treat every now and again, and this includes pets, such as guinea pigs. Guinea pigs love to eat, and there are few things they enjoy more than having the odd treat. There are a lot of different treats to choose from at the shops, but not every treat is made equally.
The problem with buying treats from the pet shops is that they often contain too much sugar and fat, which is bad for your guinea pig’s health.
They don’t have the same nutritional requirements as other animals, but there are plenty of healthy treats that you can give to your guinea pig without resorting to anything store-bought.
1. Greens Are Important
Guinea pigs are herbivores, meaning that they will see any piece of vegetable as a treat. But it’s important to remember that the bulk of their diet needs to consist of a variety of greens, which they derive most of their essential nutrients from.
Spinach and romaine lettuce are excellent choices as a base for their food – and they should be receiving about a cup of greens every day, which can be done after finishing off your daily session of online betting.
Other vegetables that can be added to their diet include basil, carrots, chicory, cilantro, eggplant, dill, parsley, parsnips, rocket, bell peppers, turnips, tomatoes, watercress, and celery.
2. Fruit as a Treat
While giving them fruit is important, it’s best that they don’t have fruit every single day, as fruit contains large amounts of fructose, which can be bad for the guinea pig’s health over time. Pears are a good choice, along with blueberries and black berries.
Oranges, kiwi, mango, peaches, nectarines, cantaloupe, watermelon, and oranges are all acceptable fruit to give to a guinea fruit. Some others, such as banana, are also fine, but only in small amounts. Dried fruit is also an option but can only be given in very small amounts as they tend to contain more sugar then their fresh counterparts.
3. Clean Food Thoroughly
Most fresh produce that we buy from the shops tends to be covered in a variety of pesticides that are introduced when the food is growing. It’s important to rinse all of the food properly before giving it to a guinea pig. While many of these pesticides are not harmful to humans when eaten directly, this isn’t the same for small mammals whose livers can only process a handful of chemicals at a time. It’s not necessary to dry the food off, as the extra water is good for the guinea pig.
It’s also highly recommended to remove the seeds from all seed-bearing plants, as seeds are not good for guinea pigs.
4. Avoid Anything Artificial
Unlike humans, guinea pigs can’t process anything artificial, such as sweets or soda, on any level. Refined sugar is especially dangerous and should be kept away from your guinea pig throughout its entire life.
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Improving Your Guinea Pig’s Diet
Fresh water, fresh veggies, and the occasional fruity treat is all that it will ever need.
