- Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cucumbers?
- Are Cucumbers Good for Guinea Pigs?
- How Much Cucumber Should I Feed My Guinea Pigs?
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cucumbers?
Have you ever pondered if cucumbers are good for your guinea pigs? In this article, we’ll answer your questions about benefits when your guinea pigs eat cucumbers. We’ll let you know what parts of cucumbers your guinea pigs can eat and how to make sure your guinea pigs eat cucumbers safely. We’ll also let you know what problems to watch for when your guinea pigs eat cucumbers and what to do if your guinea pig eats too many cucumbers.
The basic answer, the easy answer, is yes. Guinea pigs can eat cucumbers. Our family has two guinea pigs, Oliver and Bandit. Our guinea pigs enjoy cucumbers. I didn’t know until recently they could eat cucumbers. In fact, they can even eat the skin of the cucumber if it has not been waxed.
Are Cucumbers Safe for Guinea Pigs?
Keep in mind though that cucumbers with waxed skins contain chemicals from pesticides which can be harmful and therefore should not be eaten by humans or guinea pigs. It’s always better to purchase cucumbers and other vegetables that have not been sprayed with chemicals or pesticides.
To be sure the cucumbers you buy for your guinea pigs are organic and free of harmful chemicals, buy from a certified organic farm, look for a label indicating no pesticides have been used, or ask at the farmer’s market if you are not sure. As a last resort, you can wash the cucumber skin thoroughly before feeding to your guinea pig or simply peel the skin before feeding the cucumber to your pet. Don’t worry about removing the seeds of the cucumber though, your guinea pig can eat those as well.
Are Cucumbers Good for Guinea Pigs?
Cucumbers are not only a fun treat for guinea pigs, they are also beneficial because they can be quite refreshing for your guinea pig during hot weather. Cucumbers do contain little bits of vitamin A and C. Both these minerals are healthy for your guinea pig, although other dark green leafy vegetables have more vitamin A and C. If your guinea pigs eat cucumbers it can help them to feel less dehydrated in hot weather due to that fact that cucumbers have a lot of water in them. Read on to find out how much cucumbers to feed your guinea pigs.
How Much Cucumbers Can Guinea Pigs Eat?
You should only feed cucumbers to your guinea pigs in moderation, which means once or twice a week. Cucumbers should be used as an intermittent treat in addition to the standard diet of hay and pellets that your guinea pig eats daily.
The problems that can arise if your guinea pigs eat too much cucumber are primarily digestive problems including diarrhea. If you notice your guinea pig is experiencing digestive problems, such as gas or diarrhea, stop feeding any fruits and veggies right away and feed strictly hay and pellets with fresh water until the issue clears. If the issues don’t clear up, get your guinea pig to a vet for a once over to be sure all is well with your guinea pig before resuming any fruits or vegetables in their diet.