Can guinea pigs eat Brussel sprouts? You might not be fond of Brussel sprouts but let us tell you, your guinea pig can be a great fan of this healthy vegetable.
Keeping a guinea pig pet is not easy. You constantly need to pay attention to their diet so your pet can lead a healthy and happy life. For this reason, you have to pay thorough attention to their diet.
According to experts, guinea pigs should have a diet with a 20% portion of fruits and vegetables. You can offer a variety of veggies to your little furry friend like carrot tops, mint, broccoli, silverbeet, and fruits like bananas, mango, apples, and apricots but without seeds.
One such healthy vegetable is brussel sprouts which belong to the family of cabbages like other vegetables, kale, and cauliflower. But, can guinea pigs eat Brussel sprouts? Yes! They can. Raw Brussel sprouts are super healthy for guinea pigs as they are rich in healthy ingredients. Find out more about Brussel sprouts in the article below.
What is the nutrient profile of Brussel sprouts?
Brussels sprouts are pretty nutritious vegetables. This leafy food item has the following nutrients in 100 g quantity.
- Energy – 43kcal
- Dietary fiber – 3.8 g
- Carbs – 8.95 g
- Fats – 0.3 g
- Vitamin C – 85 g
- Protein – 3.38g
- Vitamin K – 177µg
- Sodium – 25 mg
- Vitamin A – 38 µg
- Calcium – 42 mg
- Others.
Are Brussels sprouts beneficial for guinea pigs?
Can guinea pigs eat Brussel sprouts? What are the benefits? Whenever you are feeding Brussel sprouts to your pet, you feed them with vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. That is why raw Brussel sprouts are healthy for guinea pigs. Health benefits include:
Vitamin K
Brussel sprouts are a good source of vitamin k. This vitamin helps keep blood pressure low. Also, it plays a crucial role in blood clotting and proper growth of the guinea pigs.
Vitamin C
Fresh Brussels sprouts are rich in vitamin C. This vitamin helps heal injuries, boosts the immune system, and wards off infections. Vitamin C is also helpful in regulating overall body functions by keeping away illnesses like scurvy.
Fiber content
Brussels sprouts make a healthy food item for guinea pigs as they contain vitamin A and fiber content. Fibers are critical for a healthy digestive system as they regulate bowel movement by absorbing extra fluids.
Antioxidants
You can feed Brussels sprouts to your little animals without worry as this vegetable is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are essential for eliminating inflammations in the body.
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What is the ideal serving of Brussel sprouts for guinea pigs?
After hearing about the above benefits, feeding Brussel sprouts seems a good idea. But bear in mind you should not go overboard while feeding this vegetable.
Experts recommend not to feed the same vegetable every day. Instead, feed a mix of fruits, vegetables, and hay to keep your pet healthy.
Feeding the right amount of Brussel sprouts is necessary so guinea pigs can have time to digest them properly. For this reason, the experts recommend feeding 2 to 3 brussel sprouts as ideal for serving twice a week.
What are the risks associated with Brussel sprouts?
Do not exceed the moderate amount while feeding the Brussel sprouts to your guinea pig. Brussel sprouts have a nutrient called oxalic acid, which is harmful if consumed excessively.
Prefer fresh and raw Brussel sprouts instead of cooked ones because vegetables tend to lose nutrients while cooking. This vegetable also has high calcium and sodium content, which do not do any good when consumed in a large amount.
How can I feed Brussel sprouts to my guinea pig?
Add brussels sprouts to the regular diet of guinea pigs and the rest of the fruits and vegetables. But don’t feed more than twice a week. Make sure to wash the vegetable before feeding it to the animal.
Never cook the Brussel sprouts before feeding them to cavies; otherwise, this vegetable will lose all its beneficial nutrients. Don’t do so if you think of adding salt or butter as a seasoning to Brussel sprouts.
Because these are unhealthy additions, hence you should avoid them entirely. Your guinea pig will be more than happy to have 2 to 3 simple unseasoned brussels sprouts added to their meal.
Final thoughts – Can guinea pigs eat Brussel Sprouts?
Brussel sprouts are healthy veggies that look like tiny cabbages. But can guinea pigs eat Brussel sprouts? Well, the answer is yes! Guinea pigs can eat Brussel sprouts, but the quantity needs not exceed 2 to 3 brussel sprouts twice a week. Having lower fat content than broccoli and more nutrients than cabbage, this vegetable wins the battle of being a healthy food option.
