Can Guinea Pigs Eat Collard Greens?
The benefit of collard greens for guinea pigs is the Vitamin C it contains. But collard greens do have phosphorus and small amounts of fat and sugar although not enough to be harmful to guinea pigs if fed in moderation. It’s the high calcium content of collard greens and the acidness that make them dangerous for guinea pigs.
How Much Collard Greens Can Guinea Pigs Eat?
The high amount of calcium in collard greens is dangerous because too much calcium in your piggie’s diet can accumulate and cause stones. These stones are inoperable and can be fatal for your piggie so carefully monitor calcium in their diet.
Many guinea pig owners choose to make a salad bowl for their pet as part of their daily diet. Your guinea pig’s salad bowl can include some collard greens occasionally, but the bulk of the salad bowl should consist of various leafy vegetables and greens such as:
- Parsley
- Spinach
- Kale
- Turnip Greens
- Romaine Lettuce
- Mustard Greens
Dress up your guinea pig’s salad bowl by adding a variety of fresh veggies such as carrots, bell peppers, snow peas, small bits of celery and even brussel sprouts. Keep in mind that some vegetables can cause gassiness in guinea pigs just like in humans. Collard greens are one of the vegetables that can cause gas and so can cauliflower, bok choy, cabbage and broccoli.
You can also liven up your guinea pig’s diet by adding the occasional small pieces of fruit such as pears, blueberries, oranges, apricots, grapes, kiwi, and melons. Melons are high in water and sugar content so feed them sparingly.
Are Collard Green Healthy for Guinea Pigs?
Your guinea pig’s daily diet should consist of pellets, unlimited fresh water, and grazing materials, such as timothy hay, orchard grass, or alfalfa hay for guinea pigs younger than four months old or for pregnant or nursing guinea pigs. Guinea pigs need hay to help digest their food and keep everything internally working well. If you choose to include collard greens as part of your pet’s regular diet, they should be fed a maximum of once weekly.
There are other foods that are not at all healthy for guinea pigs because they can cause your pet to choke or can puncture your guinea pig’s delicate mouth. Unfortunately this means you probably can’t share your favorite junk food, especially sharp-edged snacks like chips, or salty foods like pretzels, with your guinea pig. You will need to stand your ground when it comes to these harmful foods no matter how much your guinea pig may beg.
Foods that are off limits for guinea pigs include:
- Chocolate and candy
- Nuts
- Peanut butter
- Seeds
- Onions
- Dairy products
- Beans and Lentils
- Garlic
Educate yourself about the foods that guinea pigs can eat. Avoid foods that can make your pet sick as indicated above. Make sure that you include fruits and veggies that contain all the minerals and vitamins your guinea pigs need to stay healthy.