Guinea pigs are herbivores, meaning they eat only plant matter. Wild guinea pigs spend much time foraging and grazing in small herds. Your pet won’t need to fend for himself as he relies entirely on you to provide the plant material he needs to thrive, but you need to familiarize yourself with his nutrition requirements to ensure you’re offering the healthiest diet possible.
Aside from providing a constant supply of fresh hay, your piggy will need leafy green vegetables and herbs daily. Thyme is one of the herbs you may always have on hand as it’s so versatile in cooking. But is it safe to offer your guinea pig? Yes, thyme is safe to provide to guinea pigs a few times per week. Read on to learn more.
Thyme Nutritional Facts Per 100 grams
Calories
101
Fat
1.6
Carbohydrates
24.4
Fiber
14
Calcium
405 mg
Iron
17.4 mg
Vitamin C
160 mg
Vitamin A
238 µg
Carotene, beta
2850 µg
The 4 Benefits of Thyme for Guinea Pigs
1. Vitamin C
Thyme contains a very high amount of vitamin C. Guinea pigs, as with humans, cannot make their own vitamin C, so they rely on their humans to provide vitamin C-rich foods in their daily diet to ensure they’re getting the amount they need to thrive.
Vitamin C is necessary for your guinea pig’s skin, joints, and gums. It has a role in wound healing and immune system function.
Thyme contains a lot of vitamin C compared to other herbs. It has 160.1 mg per 100 grams, compared to parsley’s 130 mg and basil’s 18 mg.
Image Credit By: Cybercat, Pixabay
2. Vitamin A and Beta Carotene
Guinea pigs have a high vitamin A requirement. They use beta-carotene as a source of vitamin A. Thyme is particularly rich in both vitamin A and beta-carotene. Guinea pigs deficient in vitamin A may exhibit poor growth, weight loss, and eye incrustations.
3. Fiber
Fiber is an essential part of your guinea pig’s diet. It’s required to maintain a balanced bacterial flora and to stimulate gastrointestinal motility.
Thyme contains a whopping 14 grams of fiber per 100 grams. Parsley contains just 3.3 grams, and basil has only 1.6 grams.
4. Calcium
Calcium serves several important functions in the guinea pig’s body. It is necessary for fetal skeleton development and milk secretion in lactating females, so pregnant and nursing guinea pigs are at increased risk of calcium deficiency. Guinea pigs deficient in calcium may have muscle spasms, convulsions, dehydration, depression, and loss of appetite. Some guinea pigs may even die suddenly without exhibiting any signs at all.
Thyme is extremely high in calcium, containing 405 mg per 100 grams. Parsley contains just 138 mg, while basil has 177 mg.
Image Credit by: Mark, PxHere
What Are the Drawbacks of Thyme for Guinea Pigs?
Calcium
We know we listed “calcium” as a benefit of thyme, but it can just as easily be a drawback. While calcium plays an important role in the guinea pig’s diet, having a good nutrient balance is essential because they all work together to keep your pet healthy.
A guinea pig fed a diet too high in calcium may be at risk of developing urinary tract stones (uroliths). Uroliths can develop anywhere along the urinary tract and are quite common in guinea pigs. Unlike most mammals, guinea pigs dispose of excess calcium through their urine, making it highly concentrated with calcium. Some pigs that develop uroliths will need them surgically removed, so it’s best for your piggy (and your wallet) if you don’t offer foods too high in calcium too often.
Image Credit by: thka, Shutterstock
How Often Can a Guinea Pig Eat Thyme?
Thyme can be offered in small quantities once or twice a week. Even a small serving of thyme will give your piggy important nutrients it needs to remain healthy while ensuring it’s not getting too much calcium.
What Other Herbs Can Guinea Pigs Eat?
Parsley
Coriander
Mint
Basil
Oregano
Dill
Note: It’s best to offer fresh herbs over their dried counterparts.
Image Credit: TJ Images, Shutterstock
Conclusion
Fresh thyme is a healthy herb to offer your herbivorous guinea pig a few times weekly. While it provides many health benefits, its sky-high calcium content makes it inappropriate to offer too frequently. Guinea pigs eating a diet too high in calcium may be at risk of developing painful urinary tract stones.
Chantelle's life revolves around two passions: writing and animals. Raised on the prairies of Canada amidst a menagerie of pets, she now lives with five cats, two guinea pigs, and a bearded dragon. Together with her husband and child, Chantelle delights in being an exemplary animal parent, going as far as installing wall-mounted cat shelves to give their cats an indoor playground. When she's not cozying up with her cats or snapping their amusing antics, she enjoys venturing into the Rocky Mountains, binge-watching her favorite Netflix shows, and indulging in spontaneous reading adventures.
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Thyme Nutritional Facts Per 100 grams
