There are many things you can feed your guinea pig. A better way to make your pet pig a part of the family by feeding the food you eat. But not every food is safe for your guinea pig. Even when the majority of the guinea pig’s diet is made up of hay, grass, and scraps.
Adding other food sources, such as eggs, is a serious thing to consider. This article talks about feeding your guinea pig eggs. And whether or not eggs are healthy for them.
The short answer to this question is that guinea pigs are herbivores. And this implies that they can just eat fruits and veggies. This excludes no dairy, eggs, meat, and insects.
Fresh hay and fresh fruits and vegetables are optimal. And they should make up a pig’s diet. The rest, including eggs, will cause stomach distress, gas, and other serious issues.
What Can Guinea Pigs Eat? Can Guinea Pigs Eat Eggs?
Guinea pigs are herbivores. So they cannot eat anything that doesn’t fall into that category. It will simply spoil their digestive system when they do. Guinea pigs require vitamin C as they cannot formulate their own. So fruits and veggies rich in vitamin C are essential.
Having said that, eggs are not essentially toxic foods for guinea pigs. Even if you serve cooked eggs in different forms. Scrambled, poached, boiled, fried, or steamed. Eggs must be kept away from guinea pigs because they are not to consume any form of dairy food whatsoever.
Guinea Pig Safe Vegetables
Side-Effects of Feeding Eggs to Guinea Pigs
Eggs have no nutritional benefits for pigs. But if a guinea pig were to accidentally consume eggs, this is what you need to keep in mind.
#1. Indigestion
Indigestion can have many forms. One of the reasons why guinea pigs are herbivores is because they have a sensitive gastrointestinal system. Bloating, gas, vomiting, constipation. All these are symptoms that your guinea pig’s stomach is in distress.
Fruits and vegetables contain fiber that soothes the tummy. Dairy like milk or eggs or cheese and meat contain carbs and less fiber. This strips away water from the digestive system. Causing a host of problems such as slow digestion, irregular bowel movements, etc.
That is why it is important to feed your guinea pigs fruits and vegetables. Eggs will slow down your pig’s digestion.
#2. Heart Problems
A high egg intake can cause blood pressure and cholesterol problems. Eggs are also high in fats and cholesterol. Because guinea pigs have a sensitive body, they are prone to cardiovascular disease due to the consumption of eggs.
Even humans who have a heart problem are advised against eggs. It can cause damage to the blood vessels. And the amount of fats and cholesterol in eggs will not go down smoothly in a guinea pig’s GI tract.
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#3. Kidney/Bladder Stones
Eggs also contain high calcium. This will increase a guinea pig’s sodium levels significantly. Causing kidney or bladder stones. Even though calcium is a necessary nutrient for bone and muscle health. Adult guinea pigs do not need a lot of calcium to stay healthy.
#4. Eggs & Vitamin C
Eggs do not contain any vitamin C. And guinea pigs cannot formulate vitamin C on their own. So all the veggies and fruits they need to consume must contain vitamin C.
Without vitamin C-rich foods, guinea pigs suffer from the scurvy disease. The symptoms of this disease are swollen joints, organ damage, rough hair, and loss of appetite.
To avoid this, fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C are necessary for optimal health.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cooked Food?
Guinea pigs can’t eat processed or cooked food. This includes eggs that are boiled, scrambled, fried, etc. Even if your guinea pig is attracted to the smell of boiled eggs. It’s best to keep away.
The same applies to cooked vegetables. Guinea pigs should be fed cleaned and raw vegetables. Cooked veggies have less nutrition. And they can cause stomach distress such as irregular bowel, constipation, and gas.
What About Egg Cartons?
Guinea pigs love to play in the egg cartons or boxes. But eating them is out of the question!
You can use egg cartons for other things like creating a cozy bed. Guinea pigs also love to hide or chew or push egg cartons around. You can even create a DIY scratchpad with egg cartons at home.
If you find that your guinea pig is chewing and digesting scraps of the egg carton. Throw away the egg carton immediately. And take your pet to the vet for a proper examination. The paper from the egg carton may get lodged in your pet pig’s GI tract. Or watch out for pieces of paper in his or her stools.
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Final Thoughts – Can Guinea Pigs Eat Eggs!!
The correct answer to that question is NO. It’s only reasonable to want to know whether guinea pigs can eat eggs. Eggs are bad for guinea pigs as they are dairy. And guinea pigs should not eat any dairy products. Including milk, meat, eggs, and bread.
Anything that is not made up of fruits and vegetables and hay/grass is bad for guinea pigs. Guinea pigs are herbivores so they are permitted to eat only a plant-based diet. Animal-derived foods like egg, milk, and meat are strictly not on the menu.
This also includes cooked boils and eggshells. Eggs may not kill your guinea pig. They are not poisonous or toxic. But they will cause serious digestive distress or cardiovascular problems as they are high in cholesterol.
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