It’s straightforward to know why peanuts are so standard when you think about how tasty they’re and the truth that with out them, there’d be no peanut butter!
That stated, when you’re an important lover of peanuts and are questioning when you can share them together with your guinea pig, it’s best to know that you just shouldn’t.
Peanuts—or any nuts, for that matter—aren’t wholesome for guinea pigs, so whereas they don’t seem to be poisonous, it’s best to by no means deliberately give peanuts to your guinea pig.
Let’s talk about why peanuts are unsuitable for guinea pigs and what treats you possibly can safely give your pet as an alternative.
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A Little Concerning the Peanut
Right here’s basic details about peanuts that can allow you to perceive why they aren’t advisable for guinea pigs.
Peanuts are legumes and are a part of the identical household as chickpeas, lentils, and soybeans. They originated in South America, and at present, China grows probably the most peanuts. Nevertheless, they’re additionally grown in hotter climates, equivalent to Africa, Australia, and North and South America. The most typical kinds by which peanuts are consumed are roasted, salted, and as peanut butter.
Listed here are the typical dietary values for 3.5 ounces (or 100 grams) of uncooked peanuts:
Energy: 567
Water: 7%
Protein:8 grams
Carbs:1 grams
Sugar:7 grams
Fiber:5 grams
Fats:2 grams
Saturated:28 grams
Monounsaturated:43 grams
Polyunsaturated: 56 grams
Omega-3: 0 grams
Omega-6:56 grams
Trans: 0 grams
Peanuts comprise wholesome fat and are excessive in protein, low in carbs, and wealthy in vitamins. However they’re additionally excessive in energy.
Why Are Peanuts Not Good for Guinea Pigs?
Guinea pigs (additionally referred to as cavies) require a eating regimen that’s low in carbohydrates and excessive in fiber, and peanuts are fairly excessive in fats and carbs. The next are a number of of the problems that your guinea pig would face in the event that they ate peanuts commonly.
Weight problems
In case your cavy eats too many peanuts, there’s a distinct chance of weight problems. This could result in different well being issues, together with diabetes and the lack to wash their rear ends, growing the danger of flystrike, which is painful and probably deadly.
Digestive Points
Guinea pigs have problem digesting the advanced carbohydrates and fat present in peanuts as a result of they’ve delicate digestive techniques.
Situations that your cavy might expertise when consuming peanuts embrace diarrhea, GI stasis, and bloat. The latter two circumstances are severe and may be deadly.
Choking Hazard
The form and dimension of peanuts may be potential choking hazards. Additionally, since peanuts are laborious, they’ll block the digestive tract. Even when they’re chopped up fairly small, there’s nonetheless a danger of choking or a blockage.
What About Peanut Butter?
Whereas peanut butter isn’t as laborious as a strong peanut, it’s simply as more likely to trigger choking due to its thick and sticky consistency.
Moreover, most peanut butter manufacturers have added elements like sugar, oil, and salt, none of that are good for guinea pigs.
What Do You Do If Your Guinea Pig Eats a Peanut?
To begin with, don’t panic. Observe your cavy rigorously to make sure that they aren’t choking; if they’re, rush them to your vet or the closest emergency clinic.
In any other case, they could expertise an upset abdomen, which is able to seemingly embrace diarrhea. However when you’re in any respect involved, take them to the vet. Peanuts aren’t poisonous; they’re simply not good in your guinea pig as a part of an everyday eating regimen and even as treats.
What Else Ought to You Keep away from Giving Your Guinea Pig?
Since guinea pigs have delicate digestive techniques, there are a number of meals that you just shouldn’t give your cavy.
- Any nuts
- Seeds
- Meat
- Dried fruit
- Pellets made for another animal
- Multivitamins (solely vitamin C must be given by way of a pet-safe complement)
- Meals that isn’t washed or is spoiled
- Excessive-starch meals like muffins, cereal, corn, beans, peas, bread, and grains
- Any meals with excessive fats and sugar
The next meals ought to solely be given hardly ever:
Greens with excessive oxalates, which embrace collards, chards, kale, and spinach (may result in kidney and bladder stones)
Cruciferous veggies, like bok choy, cabbage, collards, and broccoli, which may trigger fuel
What Treats Are Secure for Guinea Pigs?
Excessive-quality hay ought to represent most of a guinea pig’s eating regimen. Fruits may be given from time to time however are thought of treats primarily as a result of they’re excessive in sugar, and too many may cause fuel and bloating.
The perfect fruits for guinea pigs are:
Fruit ought to make up 5% of the guinea pig’s eating regimen and solely be given a couple of times per week.
Greens for Guinea Pigs
Greens are the second most vital a part of a guinea pig’s eating regimen, and so they want about ½ to 1 cup daily, with two to 3 completely different sorts of greens.
The perfect greens for cavies are:
Following greens, 1 to 2 tablespoons of guinea pig pellets may be given to your pet.
Conclusion
Guinea pigs ought to by no means be fed peanuts, not whilst occasional treats. The identical goes for peanut butter or another type of nut. Nuts are excessive in fats, and plenty of are salted, that are dangerous elements for guinea pigs. Additionally they pose a choking danger. In case your cavy comes throughout a peanut and eats it, you shouldn’t fear so long as you regulate them for some time. Simply make sure that your pet is consuming loads of hay and has entry to wash water, and they need to be feeling nice very quickly!
Featured Picture Credit score: heecehil, Pixabay
