Guinea pigs are herbivores, that means that they eat solely plant meals to remain pleased and wholesome, whether or not in nature or as pets. These vegetarians require the presence of different guinea pigs and a diversified weight loss plan to remain pleased all through their lives. Since they’re plant eaters, it’s simple to imagine that guinea pigs can eat nuts, like pistachios, as supply of protein, nutritional vitamins, and minerals.
However the reality is that guinea pigs shouldn’t eat nuts, together with pistachios, for numerous causes. Fortuitously, there are many different meals that guinea pigs can healthily and safely eat. Let’s give attention to nuts, although, and why these rodents shouldn’t eat many, if any, of them all through their lives. Right here is every part that it’s worthwhile to find out about your pet guinea pig and any nuts (pistachios included) that you just’re considering of feeding them.
Why Pistachio (and Different) Nuts Aren’t Ideally suited for Guinea Pigs
Briefly, pistachios are problematic for guinea pigs as a result of they’re so excessive in fats. They aren’t poisonous or toxic, however they could be a contributor to issues like weight problems and digestive issues.
There are different considerations about feeding nuts like pistachios to guinea pigs:
- Digestive Points — Nuts are onerous on the delicate digestive system of guinea pigs. They’ll trigger an imbalance within the regular intestinal micro organism which could be extreme and result in, typically deadly, diarrhea.
- Choking Hazard — Pistachio (and different) nuts generally is a choking hazard to guinea pigs, particularly when they’re provided complete.
- Allergy symptoms — Though uncommon, guinea pigs could be allergic to nuts, together with pistachios.
- Bladder Stones — All nuts, together with pistachios, are excessive in calcium. That is nice for people, however extra calcium in guinea pig urine results in the formation of calcium primarily based bladder stones.
For these causes alone, guinea pigs are higher off sticking with hay, business pellet meals, inexperienced and colourful veggies, and some fruits as their general weight loss plan. Nuts like pistachios will not be wanted and might the truth is be dangerous.
Is Nut Butter Wholesome for Guinea Pigs?
No, nut butter is just not good for guinea pigs, regardless that it’s in a creamy kind and gained’t trigger a choking hazard. Nut butter is extremely dense, so simply 1 teaspoon of it could possibly comprise as a lot, if no more, fats and energy as a single pistachio nut. Subsequently, it’s finest to keep away from nut butter when planning your guinea pig’s meals.
Feeding Your Guinea Pig
Like different herbivores, a lot of guinea pig’s protein wants are equipped by their intestine micro organism; it will be important that their weight loss plan is optimized to maintain their pure inhabitants of intestine micro organism wholesome.
Crucial factor to feed your guinea pig is timothy or different grass hays. This could make up nearly all of your guinea pig’s weight loss plan. On prime of this a couple of cup filled with leafy greens per day and smaller portions of pellets and contemporary vegetables and fruit will guarantee they get every part they want. Guinea pigs, like folks, want vitamin C of their weight loss plan; so be aware that they get 10-25mg of vitamin C per day.
In Conclusion
Guinea pigs don’t want nor ought to they’ve pistachio nuts as a part of their weight loss plan. They need to not eat any nuts, for that matter. That stated, nuts will not be toxic to guinea pigs, so in the event that they eat one and don’t choke on it, they need to be effective. It’s after they get their paws on pistachio (and different) nuts frequently or get too many in a single sitting, that issues can develop.
Featured Picture Credit score: Alexis Lozano, Pexels
