Cheese is a favorite treat for many of us, but can guinea pigs eat Cheese? You would be surprised at how many people wonder if these tiny animals can consume this food. The answer, unfortunately, is not a straightforward one.
Some people might think that feeding a guinea pig cheese is an excellent way to give them extra protein. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. Cheese is very rich in fat and cholesterol, which can do more harm than good to a guinea pig’s delicate digestive system. So being a vet, I do not recommend cheese for your guinea pigs.
Here is a detailed guide on whether your guinea pigs can eat cheese or not:
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cheese?
Well, the answer is no! It could help if you did not provide cheese to your guinea pigs because it may cause some health problems for your pet.
If you think about feeding cheese to your guinea pig, you need to think twice because these creatures have no lactase enzyme, so they cannot digest cheese well.
Most of us believe that cheese is rich in calcium which is good for guinea pigs’ bones and teeth, but it’s not true! Cheese has a lot of fat and salt, which can be unhealthy for your pet.
Cheese also contains lactose which can cause gas or bloating and diarrhea in your pet. It’s not digestible by guinea pigs, so don’t feed them even a little cheese.
If you love giving treats to your pets, then give them fresh fruits or vegetables, and they will be healthy and delicious at the same time!
Why should Guinea Pigs not eat cheese?
Guinea pigs have a unique digestive system that includes a cecum and an organ called the caecotroph, responsible for breaking down the complex nutrients found in the hay into the simple nutrients and bacteria that their bodies need to survive. The caecotroph then passes those nutrients back into their digestive tract so they can be absorbed.
Cheese does not provide any of the complex carbohydrates or fiber critical for guinea pig health, so it’s not the food they should eat regularly, if at all. Moreover, lactase, the enzyme responsible for cheese digestion, is absent in guinea pigs.
What is the Nutritional Profile of Cheese?
| Nutrients | Quantity |
| Calories | 403 g |
| Protein | 25 g |
| Carbohydrates | 2.3 g |
| Fibers | 0 g |
| Saturated Fat | 20 g |
| Total Fat | 33 g |
Do You Know About Basil?
Lots of snacks are safe for guinea pigs, but some snacks you should not give your pet. We sat down and did some research, and our vet has verified it: Can Guinea Pigs Eat Basil?
How much cheese can a Guinea pig eat?
Cheese is very high in fat, high-calorie count, sodium (salt), and lactose. It is not recommended to give your guinea pig any cheese. If you persist in giving cheese to your piggy, then offer only small pieces of cheese each week.
However, it is not recommended that cheese be fed to overweight guinea pigs or those with diabetes or other health conditions requiring a low-fat diet.
Is Cheese Safe for Guinea Pigs?
Can guinea pigs eat cheese? Cheese is made from fermented milk, which means that it contains lactose. Lactose is a sugar found in milk and all dairy products. Since guinea pigs cannot digest lactose, this means that they cannot digest cheese either.
In other words, it will be terrible news if you feed your guinea pig cheese. Small amounts of cheese are reasonable once as a treat or to help with the intake of medications. A small amount can be fed occasionally as a treat if your guinea pig is otherwise healthy.
What are the Possible Risks of Cheese in Guinea Pigs?
I will break down the three possible risks of feeding your guinea pig cheese.
- Cheese has been known to increase cholesterol levels in humans and animals alike. Guinea pigs are prone to heart disease because they are exotic pets.
- Cheese contains a lot of fat and calories, leading to weight gain in guinea pigs if they do not get enough exercise or overeat food at once (which most guinea pigs do).
- It could cause diarrhea, gas, and bloating due to lactose intolerance which means that your pet may not be able to digest milk products like cheese without fibers.
If your guinea pig is experiencing diarrhea, you should stop feeding him cheese immediately.
What Else to Feed than Cheese in Guinea pigs?
Guinea pigs are herbivores, so they cannot eat meat and dairy products. However, you need to feed them with the right food items. Guinea pigs should be fed various vegetables and fortified with vitamin C daily.
Suitable vegetables include broccoli, kale, lettuce, spinach, and carrot. Fruits such as apples and pears can also be fed. Hay and vegetables should be provided ad lib, with pellets at around 15g/kg body weight per day.
Final Words – Can guinea pigs eat cheese?
Is cheese safe for guinea pigs? Can guinea pigs eat cheese? I do not recommend cheese in guinea pigs because they lack the digestive enzymes to break it down.
Cheese is very rich in fat and cholesterol, which can cause severe health problems for guinea pigs, so it is best to avoid giving them this food. If you are looking for a high-fat and high-calorie treat for your guinea pig, consider giving them a small piece of pea flakes instead.
