Can guinea pigs eat pretzels? Guinea pigs are adorable little rodents you can keep in your home. They munch on anything that comes their way. But as a pet owner, you should be careful about what to feed them and what not. So, can guinea pigs eat pretzels?
Yes, guinea pigs can have pretzels, although they don’t offer any nutritional benefit to your piggies. But it would be best not to feed pretzels regularly to your pet. If you want to give your pet this snack, serve it without any tops or dippings.
So, if you are not in a hurry, this article is about “can guinea pigs eat pretzels?” Keep reading it to know what snacks your piggy can consume.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Pretzels With Salts?
Can guinea pigs eat pretzels? Yes, but can they eat them with salt?
That’s a big no for guinea pigs. Pretzels having salt, sugar, dipping, or topping is unhealthy for your cavies. Guinea pigs fulfil their salt requirement from hay and pellets. But the fact is that cavies don’t sweat, and that’s why they can’t get rid of excessive salts like humans.
If your piggy consumes extra salt, he might develop serious health issues, including bladder sludge or stones. Also, excessive consumption of salt can leads to dehydration. Another problem that cavies can suffer from is the formation of urinary tract stones, for which surgery is the only solution.
In short, avoid feeding your guinea pigs pretzels containing salt, as they can hurt your pet.
What Kind of Snacks Can Guinea Pigs Eat?
Can guinea pigs eat pretzels? What kind of snacks can they eat?
Guinea pigs are herbivores; with that being said, most of their diet (almost 80%) consists of hay and pellets. Besides, you can occasionally feed them vegetables and fruits as a treat, but remember more vegetables and less fruit.
You can feed your piggies one cup of vegetables daily but always go for fresh and organic vegetables. Various vegetables are available, and you can choose according to your choice. These include:
- Peas
- Spinach
- Kale
- Bell peppers
- Carrots
- Carrot Tops
Vegetables benefit cavies by providing vitamins and minerals. Remember to wash vegetables properly before your pet start munching them.
On the other hand, fruits contain a high amount of sugar, so they should be given only occasionally. Fruits provide vitamin C to guinea pigs as they cannot synthesize it. So, you can feed the following fruits in moderation to your pet:
- Apples
- Oranges
- Pears
- Peaches
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Papayas
Do You Know?
Guinea Pigs can eat a variety of foods, we have researched lots of them. Check out this one here: Can Guinea Pigs Eat Seeds?
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Bread or Crackers?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat bread in small amounts a few times a month. Bread has high amounts of calcium and sugar and a low quantity of minerals and vitamins. In addition, milk is also present in bread, but your piggies are lactose intolerant.
However, the plus point is that fiber in bread aids in guinea pigs’ digestion and alters the sugar absorption rate in the body.
But what about crackers? Crackers are a big no for guinea pigs as they have oil, flour, and salt. Also, they are difficult to digest and can cause digestive issues in your pet, including excessive thirst, bloating, and constipation.
So, keep your guinea pigs away from bread and crackers.
Can Guinea Pigs Have Cookies?
Please, you should never feed your guinea pigs cookies. There is a lot of flour, oil, and salt in cookies, so your pet has difficulty digesting them. Thus, bloating, constipation and excessive thirst are the problems that your piggy can suffer.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Bread with Side Effects?
As discussed earlier, the fiber in bread is beneficial for guinea pigs. But the risks of consuming bread are more than the benefits.
According to studies, a high amount of phosphorus in bread makes it unhealthy for guinea pigs. That’s because too much phosphorus causes growth inhibition and shortens your pet’s life.
Moreover, too much sugar in bread leads to weight gain and obesity in guinea pigs. Consequently, they might end up with heart disease and high blood pressure.
On top of that, milk in the bread makes it unsuitable for guinea pigs as they are lactose intolerant. So, they lack the enzyme to digest milk and can suffer from digestive problems.
Final Words – Can guinea pigs eat pretzels?
In short, can guinea pigs eat pretzels? Yes, guinea pigs can eat pretzels without salt or any topping. Though, these snacks don’t benefit your piggies.
You can give your pet a small amount of bread but keep him away from crackers and cookies. Instead, feed him fresh vegetables and fruits in moderation along with his regular diet.
