These vegetables are loaded with beta-carotene and are great for human consumption, but can guinea pigs eat carrots? Here is a question many pet owners are expecting an answer to. Since this has become such a common topic among guinea pig owners, we thought that it would be a great idea to discuss it in a more expanded article.
Guinea pigs are always eating. If you have one, then you must know how true this statement really is. Their most loved and most nutritious food is hay, but this does not mean that they cannot eat something else too. Carrots are very healthy and they bring on a series of benefits to the human health. However, we cannot help but ask ourselves if this vegetable could somehow positively affect our small furry friends as well.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Carrots – Yes, Moderately
Rabbits love these orange vegetables. Is this the same for guinea pigs too? Let’s see what the research in this area has revealed over the course of time.
To answer your question, we are happy to tell you that your cavy can enjoy this delicious treat once in a while. However, before starting to peel a carrot and give it to your guinea pig, there are some things you should know first.
Carrots in Relation to Guinea Pigs
You should know by now that a guinea pig’s digestive system is quite sensitive. Many foods that may appear healthy at first can cause harm without notice, which is why it is extremely important to stay alert and study every food that leaves your table and reaches your guinea pig.
Getting back to carrots, there are also some hidden aspects that you should be aware of. We all know that carrots are very healthy and pretty rich in vitamins too. However, the wealth in vitamins may trigger some health concerns in your pet.
These vegetables are sweet, which means that they contain high amounts of sugar. This can be a terrible thing for a small pet as it can lead to diabetes if offered excessively daily.
Moreover, carrots are not very rich in vitamin C, so we cannot say that they will bring a visible enhancement on a guinea pig’s diet.
Nutritional Value of Carrots
To make a clearer picture of what the carrots contain, here are some nutritional values for you to take into consideration:
1 cup of raw carrots contain:
- Vitamin A 113 %
- Vitamin K 18 %
- Fiber 14 %
- Biotin 20 %
- Potassium 11 %
- Vitamin C 10%
- Manganese 9 %
- Vitamin B1 17 %
- Vitamin B2 5 %
- Vitamin B3 8 %
- Vitamin B6 10 %
- Copper 6 %
- Vitamin E 5 %
- Folate 6 %
- Phosphorus 6 %
Guinea pigs could eat these treats all day long. However, it’s necessary to limit the amount fed to them. Most likely your pet would instantly love them. However, you should be really careful with the quantity of carrots your cavy eats. Such a small pet shouldn’t eat more than one medium baby carrot a day. Otherwise, you will end up overfeeding your pet. But, as mentioned earlier, make sure you’ll not give your furry pal the entire carrot at once. Chop it into small pieces which makes it easier for your pet to digest the carrot. This way, you’ll also eliminate any choking hazard.
You can even feed them carrots with their skin on, as long as the vegetable has been washed thoroughly before.
Can Guinea Pigs Drink Carrot Juice?
Carrot juice is not recommended for guinea pigs. It’s best to stay away from this drink. It contains too much sugar and is quite sweet which can make your pet even more vulnerable to some serious conditions such as diabetes, for instance.
Also, some owners are even wondering if they should give carrot cake to their pet. This is also not recommended for cavies. Not only that it won’t bring any health benefits, but, similar to carrot juice, it will expose your pet to high amounts of sugar.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cooked Carrots?
Cooked carrots are not recommended for guinea pigs. Guinea pigs have hard time digesting cooked foods. It’s best to serve raw carrot treats to your cavy friends.
Can Guinea Pigs Enjoy Carrot Tops?
Yes, carrot tops are okay for guinea pigs and most of them like to enjoy them. You can safely feed them to your furry family members.
Conclusion
Coming back to the original question, yes guinea pigs can eat carrots. However, depending on the size of the carrot, one medium baby carrot should be more than enough at the time. Moderation is key here. Too many carrots pose health problems to your cavy friend.
You can slice carrots into small rounded slices or into some thin strips. Either way, your pet will absolutely love this vegetable, that’s for sure!
Just make sure to observe your pet when introducing new foods to its diet. Start out gradually with small amounts. If your pet doesn’t show any unusual behavior or stomach discomfort, you can surely add carrots into your guinea pig’s diet.
Related articles:
References:
http://www.onlineguineapigcare.com/can-guinea-pigs-eat-carrots/
http://cavysavvy.blogspot.ro/2011/05/can-guinea-pigs-eat-carrots.html
http://animals.mom.me/can-guinea-pigs-much-vitamins-carrots-8451.html
Leave a Comment