Keeping your guinea pigs strong and healthy, so can enjoy great bonding requires providing good nutrition. Is spinach good for your guinea pigs to eat?
Let’s find out from this article
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Spinach?
Guinea pigs can eat spinach. Spinach is full of minerals and vitamins for the health of your guinea pig. On the contrary, It is high in calcium and oxalates which can cause urinary stones. You must feed your guinea pigs spinach in moderation. Do not feed more than twice a week.
Spinach Nutrition Facts
Guinea pigs can eat spinach but in moderation. The nutrients found in spinach help in maintaining the health of your guinea pigs.
Here is the list of nutrients found in 85g of spinach according to the U.S Department of Agriculture(USDA):
- Calories – 20.4g
- Protein – 2g
- Fat – 0g
- Carbohydrates – 3g
- Fiber – 2.04g
- Sugar – 0g
- Calcium Ca – 79.9mg
- Iron, Fe – 2.3mg
- Potassium, K -470mg
- Sodium, Na – 64.6mg
- Vitamin C – 24mg
- Vitamin K -410ug
Benefits Of Spinach For Guinea Pigs
Feeding your guinea pigs spinach comes with some benefits. However, if you feed them too much spinach, the benefits are not realized.
So it is important to make sure you are feeding spinach in moderation.
Here are some of the benefits we found for you:
Vitamin c
Spinach is rich in Vitamin C which is important in the diet of guinea pigs. Since guinea pigs do not make their women Vitamin C, they obtain it through their diet.
Vitamin C is important for normal development and skin maintenance. It is also good for joints and gums. Vitamin C plays a great role in healing wounds.
The lack of this Vitamin C in the diet of guinea pigs has been linked to a condition called Scurvy.
Here are the symptoms of Scurvy you should know:
Here are some of the symptoms to look out for when your guinea pigs have Vitamin C deficiency:
- Weight loss
- They become lethargic
- dental problems
- diarrhea
- rough skin coat
Fiber
Spinach contains a high amount of fiber. Fiber is good for the digestive health of your guinea pigs. However, you must make sure you don’t feed your guinea pigs too much spinach in a day.
You only feed them a small size portion 1 or 2 times a week.
Low sugar
Spinach is low in sugar. Foods low in sugar are good for your guinea pigs’ digestive health. Low sugar in spinach contributes to the management of your guinea pig’s weight.
Your guinea pigs’ chances of being obese and diabetic are reduced.
You must still feed them in moderation to reap these benefits
Risks Of Feeding Guinea Pigs Spinach
Spinach contains a lot of essential minerals and vitamins for your guinea pigs. However, spinach carries some risks which can make your guinea pigs sick.
You don’t want to spend your valuable time going to see a Vet because of overfeeding your guinea pig’s spinach.
Here are the risks to watch out for:
Urinary stones
Urinary stones are common in guinea pigs. Therefore one needs to take precautions when feeding your guinea pigs certain foods. Research has shown guinea pigs eating a diet high in calcium has the potential of leading to urinary issues.
Spinach is high in calcium. So feeding your guinea pigs too much spinach can cause urinary stones.
Here are some symptoms of urinary stones:
- Blood in the urine
- painful urination
- lack of appetite
- lose weight
If you observe any of the above symptoms, contact your Vet for a piece of advice.
How To Prepare And Serve Spinach To Your Guinea Pigs
To feed your guinea pigs spinach, we have outlined some steps for you to follow.
Here are the steps:
- Buy fresh spinach. Organic is preferable if you can afford it. Spinach with yellow or wilted leaves should be avoided.
- Wash your spinach. This removes any soil particles or chemical residue especially if your spinach is from a non-organic source. Spread them on a kitchen towel and let them dry out.
- Cut the spinach stems off and dispose of them. Never feed your guinea pigs spinach stems because they are tough and choking hazards.
- If your spinach is too much, keep some in the refrigerator and use it within a few days. Never freeze spinach.
- Serve spinach to your guinea pigs in moderation. Remember to always combine spinach with 3 or 4 other vegetables and serve it in small quantities.
- Any spinach leftovers must remove from the cage.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Spinach Every day?
Guinea pigs shouldn’t eat spinach every day. Guinea pigs have some benefits. Overfeeding your guinea pig’s spinach eliminates the benefits.
Due to the high calcium and oxalates in spinach, it is not advisable to feed them daily.
You don’t want your guinea pigs to end up with health issues such as bladder stones.
How Much Spinach Should A Guinea Pig Eat?
when it comes to the amount of spinach to feed your guinea pigs, you must take it seriously. You must feed a small portion of spinach to your guinea pigs.
Makes sure you don’t feed them spinach more than twice a week. Never overfeed your guinea pigs. Too much calcium and oxalates
These can impact your guinea pigs’ health greatly.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cooked Spinach?
Guinea pigs shouldn’t eat cooked spinach. Cooked spinach destroys the nutritional composition.
So make sure you feed your guinea pigs fresh spinach. Get organic if possible. This reduces the case of residual pesticides on your spinach
Guinea pigs’ digestive systems can’t handle cooked food. So never feed your guinea pigs cooked food.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Frozen Spinach?
Guinea pigs shouldn’t eat frozen spinach. Firstly, it is too cold for your guinea pig’s stomach to handle.
Secondly, freezing spinach tends to reduce its nutritional composition. So stick to fresh spinach.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Canned Spinach?
Guinea pigs can’t eat canned spinach. Canned spinach contains preservatives. Preservatives are chemical substances and should never be put in your guinea pig’s food.
Canned foods stay on the shelf for a long time. This tends to reduce the nutritional value over time.
So feed your guinea pigs fresh spinach
Can Guinea pigs Eat Baby Spinach?
Guinea pigs can eat baby spinach. Baby spinach is harvested at the early stages of the plant. The leaves are smaller than the matured spinach.
They contain the same nutritional value as normal spinach.
So don’t hesitate to feed your guinea pigs baby spinach. You must feed them in moderation due to the high calcium and oxalate content. This can lead to bladder stone issues.
Feeding your guinea pigs baby spinach twice a week combined with other vegetables should be fine.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Spinach Stems?
Guinea pigs shouldn’t eat spinach stems. The spinach stems are tough for their teeth and are a choking hazard.
Although spinach stems have some nutritional value, the leaves are considered the best to feed your guinea pigs.
Final Thoughts
Can guinea pigs eat spinach? Guinea pigs can eat spinach but in moderation. Spinach contains a good amount of fiber, vitamins, and minerals that are essential for your guinea pig’s overall health.
Despite the benefits, spinach has high calcium and oxalates. These tend to cause urinary stones in guinea pigs. So you must limit the amount of spinach you feed your guinea pigs.
Guinea pigs must be fed fresh spinach. You shouldn’t feed your guinea pigs cooked, canned, or frozen spinach.
Always wash your spinach to get rid of dirt and any residual pesticides Remember to cut off the spinach stems before feeding your guinea pigs. The stems can be a choking risk.
Give your guinea pigs a small quantity of spinach not more than twice a week. Buy organic spinach if you can afford it.