Are you thinking of feeding your guinea bean sprouts? Perhaps, you have heard other guinea pig owners feeding their guinea pigs bean sprouts.
And you are wondering, whether bean sprouts are safe for your guinea pigs.
Let’s find out the facts from this article.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Bean Sprout?
Guinea pigs can eat bean sprouts. Bean sprouts are low in calories. They are nutrient-dense vegetable and contains nutrients such as Vitamin C, Vitamin K, protein, magnesium, potassium, and calcium. These contribute to the overall health of your guinea pigs. Guinea pigs should be fed a small number of bean sprouts once or twice a week. Overfeeding can lead to urinary issues and digestive problems such as diarrhea.
What Are Bean Sprouts?
Beans sprouts are edible shoots that are obtained from the germination of beans. They are used in salads, noodle soups, and other cuisines.
The three most common types of bean sprouts are mung beans, soybeans, and alfalfa.
Bean sprouts can be grown at home.
How To Grow Your Own Bean Sprouts
Below is a video on how to grow your own bean sprouts at home:
Nutritional Facts About Bean Sprouts
Beans sprout contains carb, protein, fat, minerals, and vitamin which are beneficial for the overall health of your guinea pigs.
Below is a list of detailed nutritional values found in one cup(90g) of beans sprouts:
Source: United State Department of Agriculture(USDA)
- Water -81.4g
- Calories – 27 kcal
- Protein – 2.7g
- Carbohydrates – 5.35g
- Fat – 0.162g
- Fiber – 1.62g
- Sugars – 3.72g
- Calcium -11.7mg
- Iron – 0.82mg
- Potassium – 134mg
- Magnesium – 18.9mg
- Vitamin C – 11.9mg
- Vitamin K – 29.7 mcg
Benefits Of Feeding Guinea Pigs Beans Sprout
Bean sprouts have a high amount of Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients which are immensely beneficial to your guinea pigs.
A diet rich in these nutrients helps your guinea pigs live a healthy life. After all, we all want our pets to be happy and healthy.
Here is a list of benefits of Beans sprouts for your guinea pigs :
Scurvy Prevention
Beans sprout contain a high amount of vitamin C. Vitamin C is a daily required substance in the diet of your guinea pigs. Guinea cannot store or make this vitamin. so they obtain it mainly from their food.
So giving your guinea pigs beans sprout contributes to the daily vitamin C requirement. The daily vitamin C requirement for most guinea pigs is about 10-20mg per day. Pregnant, nursing, young, sick guinea pigs need more vitamins.
Lack of Vitamin C in the diet of guinea pigs leads to a disease known as scurvy.
If your guinea pig has scurvy, here are the symptoms you should watch out for:
- Guinea pigs become weak and lethargic
- They have difficulty moving
- Any wound on your guinea will not heal fast
- Your guinea pigs tend to lose weight
- Your guinea pigs will stop eating
If you observe any of the above symptoms, you must contact a qualified Vet for advice.
Good For Digestion
Beans sprout contain a good amount of fiber. Guinea pigs need fiber in their food to help with their digestive health.
As herbivores animals, they need fiber to keep their bowels moving constantly. This is the reason their diet is made up of 80% hay. Hay is full of fiber and must always be their main source of fiber.
Good Source Of Energy
As a vegetable bean sprouts have a good amount of carbs. This provides guinea pigs with the energy to be active all day.
You must remember not to give them too many carbs. so feed your guinea pigs bean sprouts in moderation.
Is It Safe For Guinea Pigs To Eat Beans Sprout?
Yes, bean sprouts are safe for guinea pigs to eat. With all the benefits that come with bean sprouts, you can’t rule out the risks as well. That is why you must feed your guinea pigs bean sprouts in moderation.
Overfeeding your guinea pigs brings a lot of risks for them.
Here is a list of some of the risks
Urinary issues
Urinary issues are common among guinea pigs. This is a result of too much calcium in their diet.
Calcium is suitable for young guinea pigs. This help with maintaining and developing their bones. Pregnant mothers also need calcium during their pregnancy
Bean sprouts are rich in calcium. But overfeeding your guinea pig bean sprout, especially older ones lead to kidney and bladder stones.
This can be painful and uncomfortable for your guinea pigs.
Foodborne Illness
Bean sprouts grow in humid and warm conditions which are the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive, Bean sprouts have been linked to outbreaks of foodborne bacteria such as salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria,
You don’t want your guinea pigs catching these foodborne bacteria. So make sure your bean sprouts are washed well before feeding your guinea pigs.
Choking Hazard
Bean sprouts can be a choking hazard for guinea pigs. So before feeding it to your guinea pig, makes sure you cut them into smaller pieces.
You don’t want your guinea pig to choke on bean sprouts and lose the benefits they are supposed to derive from them.
How To Prepare Bean Sprout And Feed Your Guinea Pigs
To prepare bean sprouts for your guinea pigs, follow the instructions listed below:
- Always buy fresh bean sprouts or grow your own bean sprouts as seen in the video above.
- Wash your beans under running water to eliminate any dirt, bacteria, or residual pesticides.
- Chop your bean sprouts into small pieces to prevent choking
- Serve a small portion by adding it to their main diet.
- Always remove leftover food from your guinea pig’s bowl. So it doesn’t become a breeding ground for bacteria.
How Many Bean Sprouts Can You Give Your Guinea Pigs?
Guinea pigs should be given bean sprouts in moderation. Give a handful of bean sprouts once or twice a week.
It should be an addition to their regular diet of hay, pellets, vegetable, and fruit.
So give your guinea pigs bean sprouts as treat.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cooked Bean Sprouts?
Guinea pigs shouldn’t eat cooked bean sprouts. Guinea pigs’ digestive systems can’t handle cooked food. This can lead to stomach upset and other digestive issues.
That is why your guinea pig’s diet is fresh hay, vegetable, and fruit. These are the foods their digestive tract can handle without any complications.
So it is important not to feed your guinea pigs any cooked vegetables including bean sprouts. Always give them fresh raw vegetables.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Mung Bean Sprouts?
Guinea pigs can eat mung bean sprouts. Mung beans contain a good amount of vitamins and minerals which are beneficial for the overall health of your guinea pig.
Feed your guinea pig mung beans in moderation. Too many mung beans lead to digestive and urinary issues.
Remember to wash your mung beans properly before feeding. Feed your guinea pigs only fresh mung bean sprouts.
Other Varieties of Bean Sprouts You Should Know
Bean sprouts come in different varieties. As you ware they are rich in vitamins and minerals. They can be an addition to your guinea pigs’ diet. Always feed in moderation.
Here is a list of well know bean sprouts:
- Mung Beans
- Alfalfa sprouts
- Radish sprouts
- Broccoli sprouts
- Lentil sprouts
- Soybean sprout
- Pea sprouts
- Mustard sprouts
- Clover sprouts
- Fenugreek sprouts
Guinea pigs have very sensitive digestive systems. So don’t feed your guinea pigs a large number of beans sprout at any given time.
If it is their first time eating bean sprouts, give them a small portion and monitor their response.
Final Thoughts
Guinea pigs can eat bean sprouts but in moderation. Bean sprout contains a good amount of fiber, vitamins, and minerals that are beneficial for your guinea pigs’ overall health.
You can grow your own bean sprouts or buy them from the supermarket.
If you overfeed your guinea pigs’ bean sprouts, this can lead to urinary, digestive, and bloating issues.
Feed your guinea pigs a handful of bean sprouts once or twice a week. Remember to remove any leftovers from the cage after feeding.
References
Guinea Pigs Diet and Vitamin C Requirements