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Guinea pigs are herbivores, which 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 various weight loss program to remain pleased all through their lives. Since they’re plant eaters, it’s straightforward to imagine that guinea pigs can eat nuts, like pistachios, as a very good supply of protein, nutritional vitamins, and minerals.
However the fact is that guinea pigs mustn’t eat nuts, together with pistachios, for numerous causes. Happily, 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 the whole lot that you might want to find out about your pet guinea pig and any nuts (pistachios included) that you simply’re pondering of feeding them.
Why Pistachio (and Different) Nuts Aren’t Splendid for Guinea Pigs
In brief, pistachios are problematic for guinea pigs as a result of they’re so excessive in fats. They don’t seem to be 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 will be extreme and result in, generally deadly, diarrhea.
- Choking Hazard — Pistachio (and different) nuts generally is a choking hazard to guinea pigs, particularly when they’re supplied complete.
- Allergic reactions — Though uncommon, guinea pigs will 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 based mostly 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 program. Nuts like pistachios should not wanted and might in actual fact be dangerous.
Is Nut Butter Wholesome for Guinea Pigs?
No, nut butter is just not good for guinea pigs, though it’s in a creamy type and gained’t trigger a choking hazard. Nut butter is extremely dense, so simply 1 teaspoon of it could actually comprise as a lot, if no more, fats and energy as a single pistachio nut. Subsequently, it’s greatest to avoid 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 is vital that their weight loss program 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 program. On high of this a few cup filled with leafy greens per day and smaller portions of pellets and recent fruit and veggies will guarantee they get the whole lot they want. Guinea pigs, like individuals, want vitamin C of their weight loss program; 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 program. They need to not eat any nuts, for that matter. That stated, nuts should not toxic to guinea pigs, so in the event that they eat one and don’t choke on it, they need to be positive. It’s once 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
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