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Can Guinea Pigs Eat Peanuts? Vet-Reviewed Nutrition Facts & FAQ
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It is easy to understand why peanuts are so popular when you consider how tasty they are and the fact that without them, there’d be no peanut butter!
That said, if you are a great lover of peanuts and are wondering if you can share them with your guinea pig, you should know that you shouldn’t.
Peanuts—or any nuts, for that matter—are not healthy for guinea pigs, so while they are not toxic, you should never intentionally give peanuts to your guinea pig.
Let’s discuss why peanuts are unsuitable for guinea pigs and what treats you can safely give your pet instead.
A Little About the Peanut
Here’s general information about peanuts that will help you understand why they aren’t recommended for guinea pigs.
Peanuts are legumes and are part of the same family as chickpeas, lentils, and soybeans. They originated in South America, and currently, China grows the most peanuts. However, they are also grown in warmer climates, such as Africa, Australia, and North and South America. The most common forms in which peanuts are consumed are roasted, salted, and as peanut butter.
Here are the average nutritional values for 3.5 ounces (or 100 grams) of raw peanuts:
- Calories: 567
- Water: 7%
- Protein:8 grams
- Carbs:1 grams
- Sugar:7 grams
- Fiber:5 grams
- Fat:2 grams
- Saturated:28 grams
- Monounsaturated:43 grams
- Polyunsaturated: 56 grams
- Omega-3: 0 grams
- Omega-6:56 grams
- Trans: 0 grams
Peanuts contain healthy fats and are high in protein, low in carbs, and rich in nutrients. But they are also high in calories.
Why Are Peanuts Not Good for Guinea Pigs?
Guinea pigs (also called cavies) require a diet that is low in carbohydrates and high in fiber, and peanuts are quite high in fat and carbs. The following are a few of the issues that your guinea pig would face if they ate peanuts regularly.
Obesity
If your cavy eats too many peanuts, there is a distinct possibility of obesity. This can lead to other health problems, including diabetes and the inability to clean their rear ends, increasing the risk of flystrike, which is painful and potentially fatal.
Digestive Issues
Guinea pigs have difficulty digesting the complex carbohydrates and fats found in peanuts because they have sensitive digestive systems.
Conditions that your cavy could experience when eating peanuts include diarrhea, GI stasis, and bloat. The latter two conditions are serious and can be fatal.
Choking Hazard
The shape and size of peanuts can be potential choking hazards. Also, since peanuts are hard, they can block the digestive tract. Even when they are chopped up quite small, there’s still a risk of choking or a blockage.
What About Peanut Butter?
While peanut butter isn’t as hard as a solid peanut, it is just as likely to cause choking because of its thick and sticky consistency.
Additionally, most peanut butter brands have added ingredients like sugar, oil, and salt, none of which are good for guinea pigs.
What Do You Do If Your Guinea Pig Eats a Peanut?
First of all, don’t panic. Observe your cavy carefully to ensure that they aren’t choking; if they are, rush them to your vet or the closest emergency clinic.
Otherwise, they might experience an upset stomach, which will likely include diarrhea. But if you’re at all concerned, take them to the vet. Peanuts are not toxic; they’re just not good for your guinea pig as part of a regular diet or even as treats.
What Else Should You Avoid Giving Your Guinea Pig?
Since guinea pigs have sensitive digestive systems, there are several foods that you shouldn’t give your cavy.
- Any nuts
- Seeds
- Meat
- Dried fruit
- Pellets made for any other animal
- Multivitamins (only vitamin C should be given via a pet-safe supplement)
- Food that isn’t washed or is spoiled
- High-starch foods like cakes, cereal, corn, beans, peas, bread, and grains
- Any foods with high fat and sugar
The following foods should only be given rarely:
What Treats Are Safe for Guinea Pigs?
High-quality hay should constitute most of a guinea pig’s diet. Fruits can be given on occasion but are considered treats primarily because they are high in sugar, and too many can cause gas and bloating.
The best fruits for guinea pigs are:
Fruit should make up 5% of the guinea pig’s diet and only be given once or twice a week.
Vegetables for Guinea Pigs
Vegetables are the second most important part of a guinea pig’s diet, and they need about ½ to 1 cup every day, with two to three different kinds of vegetables.
The best vegetables for cavies are:
Following vegetables, 1 to 2 tablespoons of guinea pig pellets can be given to your pet.
Conclusion
Guinea pigs should never be fed peanuts, not even as occasional treats. The same goes for peanut butter or any other kind of nut. Nuts are high in fat, and many are salted, which are bad ingredients for guinea pigs. They also pose a choking risk. If your cavy comes across a peanut and eats it, you shouldn’t worry as long as you keep an eye on them for a while. Just ensure that your pet is eating plenty of hay and has access to clean water, and they should be feeling great in no time!
Sources
Featured Image Credit: heecehil, Pixabay
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Kathryn was a librarian in a previous lifetime and is currently a writer about all things animals. When she was a child, she hoped to work in zoos or with wildlife in some way, thanks to her strong love for animals. Unfortunately, she's not strong in the sciences, so she fills her days with researching and writing about all kinds of animals and spends time playing with her adorable but terribly mischievous tabby cat, Bella. Kathryn is hoping to add to her family in the near future – maybe another cat and a dog.
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