Zucchini, a plant that grows during the summer, is classified usually as a fruit and also as a vegetable. So, can guinea pigs eat zucchini? Guinea pig loves both the taste and texture of zucchini and can eat zucchini.
Zucchini contains nutrients like vitamin C which is needed to keep the health of the guinea pigs intact. Zucchini contains low sugar, little amounts of sulfur and salt, as such, zucchini may not be much of a health hazard to the guinea pig.
Although, guinea pig do not fancy the skin of zucchini so much. As much as zucchini is a safe food for guinea pig, you must be mindful of the serving size and frequency.
The zucchini should also be supplemented with other vegetables and fruits, to help the guinea pigs develop a wide variety of food tastes and interest in different foods.
Zucchini contains numerous nutrients that can aid the growth and development of guinea pig. Some of these nutrients include:
The health benefits of zucchini to guinea pigs cannot be undermined. Here are some health benefits guinea pig derive when they eat zucchini.
Zucchini possesses both insoluble and soluble fibers. These would help the guinea pigs develop a healthy digestive process.
Zucchini contains vitamin C, beta carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin. These can help improve the sight of guinea pigs and also prevent the guinea pigs from developing eye complications like cataract and macular degeneration.
Zucchini is rich in antioxidants like zeaxanthin, beta carotene and lutein. These antioxidants serve as counter measures to free radicals which cause damage to cells and diseases and infections to guinea pigs. The skin of zucchini has antioxidants much more than other parts, so to prevent diseases, the skin should be fed to the guinea pig as well.
Fibers in zucchini raises the insulin sensitivity and invariably balances and brings the sugar levels of the blood of the guinea pig to stability.
Research shows that diets that are rich in fibers are possible solutions to complications related to the heart. With the fiber in zucchini, excess cholesterol in the Guinea pig would be brought to a minimal level.
Zucchini also contains magnesium and vitamin C – K which helps in the development of strong bones in guinea pigs. They also help in weight control in the guinea pigs.
Zucchini contains numerous nutrients that are very beneficial to guinea pig. Guinea pigs can eat zucchini everyday. But to broaden their food variety and tastes, you should feed the guinea pigs with zucchini at most four times per week. That would allow you supplement the guinea pig meals with other fruits and vegetables.
Zucchini contains calcium, which may not be too ideal for older guinea pigs, so there should be a limit to how much of the zucchini you serve the guinea pigs. While serving the guinea pigs zucchini, the serving size should be at most one cup, so as not to overfeed the guinea pig.
The zucchini should be sliced in smaller chunks, washed properly to remove pesticides before serving the guinea pig. Too much zucchini in guinea pigs can cause vomiting, diarrhea or gases.
Rabbits and guinea pigs have a couple of things in common, one of which is their dietary needs. Rabbits and guinea pigs eat similar kinds of foods, zucchini inclusive.
Guinea pigs would eat foods that are vitamin C fortified, raw and meet their dietary needs. Nevertheless, you should also note that it’s not everything a rabbit eats that should be given to a guinea pig. In all, both rabbit and guinea pig can eat zucchini.
Quite contrary to what is perceived by many, not every vegetable or fruit is ideal in the diet of guinea pigs, not minding if they are natural. The reasons include presence of toxins, high level of sugar, the inability of the digestive system of guinea pig to process these vegetables.
Here is a list of vegetables that may be poisonous to guinea pig and must be avoided totally.
There are categories of foods guinea pigs should not and cannot be fed, because of how toxic they can be to guinea pig.
Household plants and garden plants may not be harmful in themselves but they may contain some traces of herbicides and pesticides that maybe quite toxic to the guinea pigs. Some of these plants include:
Also, all processed man-made foods are dangerous to guinea pigs. Whether cooked or uncooked, all processed foods must be avoided at all costs.
Zucchini are safe for guinea pigs, although some guinea pigs are allergic to it. Zucchini, if given excessively can also develop bladder stones, stomach complications and diarrhea in guinea pigs.
If fed moderately, zucchini leaves and stems can be fed to guinea pigs, at most twice a week, because they can cause stomach complications and diarrhea in guinea pigs.
Yes, guinea pigs can eat golden zucchini, as it is even more sweeter than the green zucchini. The golden zucchini however, has more sugar content and should not be given too often, or better still be mixed with the green zucchini.
Zucchini skins are totally safe for the consumption of guinea pig, although, most guinea pigs don’t like eating the skin. They should still be offered to the guinea pigs, as zucchini skins contain more nutrients.
Zucchini is a safe food for guinea pigs and guinea pigs love them. Moderation, however, must be adopted when feeding guinea pigs with zucchini. The sizes must be small and zucchini should be alternated or supplemented with other leafy or green veggies and fruits.
