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Can guinea pigs eat corn? Corn is one of the primary diets given to guinea pigs. So, they enjoy consuming corn. Different types of corns have high nutritional values. These types include cracked corn flakes, husks, and silks.
Can guinea pigs eat corn? Yes, they can. It’s usually safe to feed corn to your pet guinea pig. But knowing its exact amount to keep them healthy is necessary.
That means you should give it as a treat occasionally. Hence, feeding too much corn to your piggies results in obesity and other health problems.
If you want to know a complete detail regarding feeding corns to guinea pigs, we will guide you properly. So, let’s start. Shall we?
Guinea Pigs And Corn
Guinea pigs love to have corn, but it’s not good to feed them regularly. Corn contains a high amount of calories and carbohydrates; some of its content originates from sugar. Regular feeding of corn makes guinea pigs overweight. So, it’s better to serve in a moderate amount.
Is Corn Safe and Healthy For Guinea Pigs?
Can guinea pigs eat corn? What are the health benefits? Being a guinea pig’s owner, you probably want to know are corn safe for your furry pet? Well, yes, they are safe for them. However, you should feed it raw and on the cob as well.
Cooked corn leads to health problems as they can’t digest them. Ensure to wash the corn properly before serving any part of it to guinea pigs. Avoid serving them corns frequently.
How Much Corn Should Guinea Pigs Have?
As discussed above, you shouldn’t feed corns regularly to cavies. Offering them 2 to 3 times a week is more than enough.
Besides, several parts of corn are safe for them. These parts include raw kernels, inner husks, corn hair, and stalks.
In addition, it’s better not to give them the inner part of the cob as humans also don’t eat it. Raw corn is the best to offer them as compared to cooked corn.
What Are The Nutrients In Corn?
Unlike vegetables, corn kernels are rich in sugar. The husks and corn silks have high fiber content with low sugars. Furthermore, corn consists of
- 73% water
- Carbohydrates
- Proteins
- Fat
- Sugar
- 94 calories
Likewise, vitamin C and some minerals, including calcium and phosphorus, are also present in a 0.02: 1 ratio.
Do You Know About Cherries?
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 Cherries?
How Should I Feed Corn to Guinea Pigs?
One of the ideal ways to offer corn is on the cob along with silk and husk. It gives foliage and extra nutrition, providing dietary fibers necessary for cavies digestion.
Also, they like corn kernels that are yellow chunks and should be fed in small quantities as these pieces are rich in water and calories and might cause bloating when eaten in excess. Therefore, chopping the corns into pieces according to the guinea pig’s size is good.
What Are the Health Benefits of Corn for Guinea Pigs?
Regarding health benefits, corn help in blood improvement as it contains minerals like copper and iron. Antioxidants in corn on the cob boost the cavies’ immune system and reduce the chances of infections.
These minerals avoid anemia, give energy, and reduce fatigue in your furry friends. Iron is found in red blood cells, and copper is important for cell formation.
5 Risks of Feeding Corn to Guinea Pigs
Following are the risks associated with feeding corn to guinea pigs:
1. Dental Problems
It’s better to avoid feeding hard cracked corn to your guinea pig as they crack on teeth. This leads to dental issues in cavies.
2. Digestive Issues
Furthermore, digestive problems can occur in them because of corn’s hard and dense nature. There is also a risk of choking as some chunks might block their throat.
3. Diabetes
Diabetes is also one of the risks of feeding too much sweet corn to guinea pigs. The high sugar level in excess sweet corn can make them diabetic.
4. Obesity
The high calorie and carbohydrate content in corn lead to obesity in cavies.
5. Urinary Problems
Urinary problems and other diseases can occur because of calcium and phosphorus found in corn.
Final Thoughts – Can guinea pigs eat corn?
Can guinea pigs eat corn? Yes, they can. It’s better to serve them corn 2 to 3 times per week. Overconsumption leads to obesity in cavies as corns contain high calories and carbohydrate content. Corn is rich in carbs, water, fat, proteins, and sugar.
Boosting the immune system and providing energy to guinea pigs are the corn’s benefits. Urinary problems, diabetes, and digestive problems are some side effects of feeding corn to them.
It’s important to mention that alfalfa hay is the best alternative for younger guinea pigs. In contrast, timothy hay is recommended for mature ones.
