People that own pets have to get to know them, observe their behavior and learn their preferences. Moreover, they need to know how to take care of those pets and how to make them happy.
All of these things are even more needed when it comes to guinea pigs. They are sensitive and attention-seeking pets. For these reasons you really need to know what foods guinea pigs can eat. In this article, we are going to explore peanuts as potential food for guinea pigs.
So, can guinea pigs eat peanuts? No, guinea pigs can’t eat peanuts because they are high in fat and also somewhat acidic. Don’t get me wrong they won’t die from consuming peanuts but having them often can cause serious problems for their fragile stomach. This is why it is best just to avoid giving them peanuts and focus on foods that guinea pigs can eat. Peanuts also don’t contain vitamin C or other beneficial nutrients and this makes them pointless to give them to the guinea pigs.
In the following sections, we will talk about nutritional facts and potential risks for guinea pigs from eating peanuts. I usually cover the health benefits section but for peanuts, there is just no point because there are literally no benefits of guinea pigs eating peanuts.
Nutrition Facts of Peanuts
If you look at the list of nutrients that peanuts contain, you will quickly find out that there is no vitamin C, instead there are high levels of fat and acidic substances present in peanuts.
So, basically, besides the fact that peanuts don’t contain anything good for a guinea pig, they contain a lot of other substances that guinea pigs should not consume! Let’s break them down.
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Fatty foods
Another similarity between us and guinea pigs is that we are both not supposed to eat fatty foods too much in the long run. However, guinea pigs should pretty much not eat at all and their digestive system is way too sensitive to deal with fat.
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Acidity in food
Acidic foods are not good for guinea pigs, nor for any other living creature with a stomach similar to ours.
Risks to Consider When Feeding Peanuts to Guinea Pigs
I am afraid that this section of the article will be the longest one. There are so many different risks for guinea pigs regarding peanuts.
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Allergies
Something every guinea pig owner needs to keep in mind is that even if a food is labeled as “safe for guinea pigs”, his guinea pig might have some kind of a reaction to it. This is why you need to observe your pet after you gave him something new to eat.
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Suffocating
Shelled peanuts are very dangerous for such small animals. Guinea pigs are usually fast when it comes to eating, so they don’t pay a lot of attention at the chewing part. Shells can easily slide on the throat and guinea pigs could easily choke.
Even if guinea pigs are not allowed to eat peanuts, they are allowed to eat the shell part of the peanut. Regardless, trust me AVOID it because it can represent a heavy choking hazard for your guinea pig.
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Not suited for them
Peanuts are just not suited for them because of the high amounts of fat present, these fats can make guinea pig develop certain diseases. Ask the vet for more in-depth information.
Quick Facts On Peanuts
- Peanuts are so high in saturated fat that they are the best substitute for animal fat.
- Peanuts are not actually nuts. They are classified as legumes, sharing the properties with other types of food but not with nuts.
- Half of the top 10 best-selling candy bars in the United States contain peanuts.
- The United States peanut butter contains 90% peanuts, by law.
- It takes about 550 peanuts to make a 12-ounce jar of peanut butter.
- 2/3 of the United States consider peanuts and peanut butter one of the best snacks and simply because of the one advantage – long shelf life.
Before I let you go, one final thought on food. With food, you can’t ever be too careful which is why I get all guinea pig food from a reliable source such as Amazon. If you are not sure what to order but believe your little piggies deserve some great treats please check our Helpful Guide to the Best Guinea Pig Treats to get some ideas. We have also 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.
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