Can Guinea Pigs Eat Weeds?

As responsible pet owners, we want to ensure that our pets never go hungry, and that they eat nutritious and healthy food. Here are a few things to consider when asking the question: “Can Guinea Pigs Eat Weeds?”

As Herbivores, Can Guinea Pigs Eat Weeds?

Simply put, Guinea Pigs can generally eat weeds, as these are plants. However, being a general term for plants that just grow in their own, there are some weeds that may be harmful for your little furry friend. It is always best to know what type of plant you are feeding your pet, as well as the possible reactions and side effects that may happen when ingesting such plants.

Benefits of Eating Weeds for Guinea Pigs

Picking the right weeds for your little furry ones offer great health and wellness benefits, aside from just simply stuffing their bellies when hungry. Though each weed has specific health features (or risks) here are some of the more general benefits:

1. Antioxidants – A number of different weeds help to fight free radicals (which cause cancer). Knowing the right weeds to feed your Guinea Pigs will help your little furry one strengthen its immune system toward fighting off other diseases.
2. Energy/Healthy Organs – Your Guinea pigs can have an abundant supply of the B Vitamin Group (specifically Vitamins B1, B2, B5, B6, and B12) when choosing the right weeds among the lot. These vitamins help individual cells improve overall health, which in turn builds better internal organs for your Guinea Pigs. These vitamins also aid the body in maintaining good eyesight and healthy and supple skin.
3. Healthy Blood – With the right amount of iron, coupled with oxygen and vitamins, your little furry friend’s blood will keep it in great shape, with good energy levels. Other vitamins,such as Vitamin K, also help in keeping your furry ones’ blood healthy. Potassium and other minerals also help to regulate blood pressure in your furry pets, which in turn lowers risk of other ailments such as kidney stones.

Risks of Eating Toxic Weeds to your Guinea Pig

Since not all weeds are edible, there still may be a chance of your Guinea pigs picking up a toxic plant and eating it. At the off-chance of this happening, here are a few effects that may happen to your little furry one:

1. Urinary Complications – Since some weeds (just like a number of herbs) have a good amount of Calcium in them, it is possible for your little furry one to develop bladder stones and calcium deposits n their circulatory system. The best way to avoid this is to make sure which weeds are high in calcium, and feed these to your Guinea pigs sparingly. While Calcium is great of young and juvenile Guinea pigs, adults may experience painful urination and even bleeding due to the said deposits in their system.
2. Frequent Urination or Defacation – because some weeds have a laxative or even a diuretic effect, your little furry friends may have difficulty controlling the passing of waster or urine. Though this helps to cleanse and detoxify their system more, it may lead to dehydration when left unchecked.
3. Upset Stomach – Too much of something may lead to complications as well. Despite all the good things that your little furry friends may get from weeds, they may still possibly irritate the lining of your pet’s digestive tract and make their stomachs upset. It is best to mix other food in to their diet to avoid these situations.
4. Dangerous Toxins – Since weeds just grow anywhere, it is possible for them to pick up just amount anything, from parasites to pollutants, and anything in between. Weeds that grow in highly urbanized areas may be laced with toxins and chemicals from cars or insecticides and herbicides from nearby gardens. Your pets may develop internal complications from swallowing these harmful materials and toxins.

In Summary : Weeds are great for your little ones, but know which ones

Knowledge is power, so they say. Just because one weed is good for your pet, does not mean all of them are. Do a little research to find out what type of weeds are more beneficial for your little furry ones, and stay away from the harmful ones.