Guinea pigs’ diet is not very strict, but you should look it up before feeding them random foods. They are not allowed to eat cooked food, but rather they can eat only raw fruits, and vegetables paired with hay and pellets. However, don’t give them too much fruit because they are high in sugar.
Can guinea pigs eat courgette? Guinea pigs can eat courgette because this vegetable is high in vitamin C. They really love the taste of courgette. It is recommended to mix courgette with other vegetables. Also, you can give them courgette almost daily.
Courgette is also known as zucchini. If your guinea pig doesn’t like courgette, don’t think he is out of the ordinary. Guinea pigs have different tastes, just like humans, so it is just a personal preference. In this article, we’ll discuss information about courgette and guinea pigs.
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Is Courgette Good for Guinea Pigs? | Health Benefits
Courgette is a very good source of vitamin C. Just like humans, guinea pigs need vitamin C in their diets because their organisms cannot produce it by themselves. This is why it has to be taken from food, such as fruits, vegetables or supplements. However, it is recommended getting it directly from food.
- Vitamin C – Prevents a very dangerous condition called scurvy. The symptoms are lacking energy, weight loss, losing appetite, not being able to heal as fast as normal and digestive problems.
- Dietary fiber – The fiber they contain, especially the skin, is very good for overall good digestion. It can also prevents heart disease.
Nutrition Facts of Courgette
This plant is amazing. It contains a lot of minerals and vitamin C along with fiber.
Vitamin C
There is about 18 mg of vitamin C in 100 g of courgette. This is not a huge amount but a moderate one.
Guinea pigs need around 30 to 50 mg of vitamin C. Pregnant sows will require more. Almost every fruit and vegetable they are allowed to eat contain vitamin C.
The amount of vitamin C courgette contains are very convenient because the portions you feed your guinea pig should weight 100 grams, so they are getting 18 mg just from the courgette.
Guinea pigs can eat courgette daily, but it is recommended that the daily portion should not be more than 100 grams.
Calcium
Calcium is a very important mineral for the overall health of their bodies. When you think of calcium, you should instantly have in mind healthy teeth and bones.
It also helps to maintain the balance between phosphorus and magnesium. Another good thing it does is helping with vitamin absorption.
Potassium
Potassium, along with calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, is one of the most important minerals for both humans and guinea pigs. Courgette actually contains more potassium than a banana, the fruit that comes in mind when speaking about potassium.
When talking about guinea pigs, these minerals balance each other out. So, there are specific ratios of intake. If the ratios are not respected, the excess will be eliminated through urine.
This specific mineral also helps in lowering the blood pressure and the risk of developing heart disease.
Dietary Fiber
It is found in the skin of courgette. Dietary fiber aids in improving insulin sensitivity. As a result, blood sugar levels are stabilized.
Is Courgette Bad for Guinea Pigs? | Possible Risks
First of all, you need to wash it before serving. You need to do this because it could have been exposed to pesticides. Thus, you can get an organic courgette in order to be sure that you are avoiding pesticides.
Certain fruits and vegetables might cause allergic reactions in guinea pigs, like courgette. This is where you must exercise caution. If you detect anything weird with your guinea pig after eating this, you should stop feeding it.
Bladder stones can be caused by too much calcium from courgette. Don’t be scared to take your pet to the doctor for some medical guidance.
Guinea pigs’ digestive systems are quite delicate. They aren’t always sure when to quit eating. In guinea pigs, large quantities of courgette can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and gas.
Another aspect is that you should slice the courgette in small pieces before serving. This way, the risk of choking with food is minimized by a lot.
Related Questions
How Much Courgette Should I Give to My Guinea Pig?
The normal portion is about 100 milligrams. You can feed them by themselves or mixed in a salad. Courgettes are allowed to be given to guinea pigs daily, but it is recommended to rotate the vegetables from a day to another.
What Do Guinea Pigs Dislike About Courgette?
Something that guinea pigs might not like about courgette is the skin. Some guinea pigs hate the taste of the skin, but there should be no worries about that.
Wash the courgette really good before feeding them. Don’t peel them and observe if your guinea pig is eating around the skin. If he is, then they probably hate the skin, so peel it the next time.
What Can Happen if I Give My Guinea Pig Too Much Courgette?
Too much courgette will probably upset the tummy. It can make the guinea pigs have diarrhea and, at the very worst, vomiting.
Quick Facts on Courgette
Are Courgettes Fruits or Vegetables?
This confusion is happening because courgettes are used as vegetables. They can be cooked and most fruits cannot be. However, this is completely wrong. Courgettes are, botanically speaking, fruits, just like cucumbers.
Courgettes develop from the courgette flower, and this is the reason they are technically berries. A vegetable is, by scientific definition, an edible part of a plant (root, leaves). Since courgettes are the next stage after the flowers, they are considered fruits.
The Smaller, the Better
A medium or small courgette has much more nutrients. Also, a darker skin means it hides a lot more benefits.
The Leaves
Guinea pigs can eat the leaves of courgette just like any other leafy green. But, don’t overfeed them. Guinea pigs need a rich diet, this is why no food, except for hay, should be given continuously.
Summary
We made a full list of foods that guinea pigs can and can’t eat (150+ Types of Foods). Be sure to also check our recommended products page for everything you will ever need to assure a happy life for your guinea pigs. Hope this information was helpful and you have found the answer you were looking for.
List of Sources
Comparison of Digestion in Horses, Ponies, Rabbits and Guinea Pigs
Nutrient Requirements of Laboratory Animals: Fourth Revised Edition