Guinea pigs have become a common household companion, but not all keepers have enough information to cover their basic needs. This can lead to both physical and psychological problems, hence the importance of getting to know this species well before bringing it home.
Being a basic pillar for the welfare of the animal, in this article on our site we review what is the most appropriate diet and answer the question of whether guinea pigs can eat bread or not, since, being such a common food in our diet, it is not surprising that at some point we feel like sharing a piece with our best friend.
The digestive system of guinea pigs
The first thing to know when adopting a guinea pig is that it is a herbivorous rodent In addition, it eliminates what it is known as cecotroph, feces composed of undigested food that they are going to ingest and it is important that they do so because with it they manage to cover their needs for vitamins of group B and vitamin C.
On the other hand, guinea pigs have a sensitive digestive system, so it is relatively common for them to suffer from related diseases. Stress, sudden changes in diet, ingestion of foreign bodies or hair will hinder intestinal transit and cause an accumulation of gas that ends up distending the abdomen. Other times, the origin of gastrointestinal problems is in the teeth. In guinea pigs, both incisors and molars grow continuously throughout their lives. Hence the need to wear them down with proper nutrition. They can also suffer from diarrhea due to eating the wrong foods, living in stressful situations or having intestinal parasites. Given the importance of diet, we answer below if guinea pigs can eat bread.
Can guinea pigs eat bread?
As we have pointed out in the previous section, guinea pigs are herbivorous animals that, in their natural environment, feed by ingesting different types of vegetation. In the home, a proper diet should contain approximately 70% grass hay, 20% fresh vegetables and fruit, and finally 10% feed specifically formulated for guinea pigs. So can guinea pigs eat bread? As we can see, bread is not an essential component of their diet, but neither is it considered a prohibited food.
On the other hand, the correct supply of vitamin C is essential to avoid diseases such as scurvy, since guinea pigs cannot synthesize it. Foods rich in vitamin C and that can and should be part of the guinea pig's diet are kale, parsley, spinach, broccoli, yellow peppers, tomatoes, kiwi or orange. If our guinea pig shows reluctance to eat this type of food, in a few days it can show symptoms of scurvy such as bleeding. To avoid this, if your usual diet lacks the necessary amount of this vitamin, we can give it to you in the form of a supplement, always according to the recommendation of the veterinarian. The commercialized feed usually has the adequate amount of vitamin C, but it must be stored with care so that it does not degrade.
How to feed a guinea pig correctly?
It has been proven that guinea pigs have a tendency, from an early age, to develop preferences for certain foods. This can lead them to focus on consuming only one type of what we offer them and refuse to try others, which would result in an unbalanced diet that would end up causing physical problems or even life-threatening fasting. For this reason, although guinea pigs can eat bread, it is not wise for them to consume it daily, as they could stop eating other foods that are essential for them.
On the other hand, guinea pigs are very sensitive to changes, so they can stop eating a food just because we give it in a different presentation than usual or if we change the brand of feed. To combat it, it's good that from the first moment we present a variety of foods so that they get used to all of them and don't miss any of them. Also, keep in mind that any changes should be done gradually.
Likewise, it is recommended that guinea pigs have hay at all timesThe feed can be weighed or also on demand, depending on the conditions of each specimen. As for the fresh ingredients, they have to be well washed. They are made available to the guinea pig for a few hours and then whatever has not been consumed is removed.
For more details, don't miss our article on Feeding guinea pigs according to their age.
Can guinea pigs eat stale bread?
Guinea pigs can eat cereals, but it is better to offer them without the processing involved in making bread. In addition, Its consumption must be occasional and in very small quantities, almost as rewards, just like nuts, seeds or parsley. Instead, we can offer them a couple of times a month celery, aubergine, courgette, tomato or carrot. About once a week they can be given Swiss chard, artichokes, broccoli, spinach, cucumber, lettuce or fruit. Foods such as red or green peppers, lamb's lettuce, cauliflower, endives, cabbage or arugula are recommended for daily consumption. On the contrary, it is completely forbidden to give them meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, sweets, potatoes, onions, preserved foods or juices.
