Leafy greens are a fantastic option for guinea pigs’ treats. They supply a variety of nutrients that your guinea pig doesn’t otherwise get. Plus, your guinea pig will quickly learn that opening the fridge may result in a treat. The resulting squeaks are adorable, as is the cage climbing.
Understanding Nutrients
Guinea pigs need a variety of nutrients to remain healthy. However, excesses of nutrients can hurt them too. Striking a balance will keep your guinea pig healthy. Apart from the other nutritional balances, your guinea pig needs about a half cup per pound of bodyweight in diverse treats per day.
Guinea pigs are not equipped to store certain nutrients for extended periods. Therefore, you need to introduce these nutrients regularly. Rotating the selection does this for your guinea pig. Otherwise, your piggle may not be as healthy as possible.
Vitamin C
Guinea pigs are like humans in that they cannot make their own vitamin C. Instead, they must absorb it from food. Leafy greens are a fabulous source of vitamin C, which your guinea pig needs for tissue repair and other functions.
Vitamin K
Dark leafy greens have a large amount of vitamin K for your guinea pigs. This particular vitamin is essential for healthy blood regulation since it affects clotting. A single spinach leaf contains half of what a human needs daily, so your guinea pig will get what they need.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is one of many vitamins that interact with cell development and maintenance. Dark leafy greens like spinach have high levels of carotenoids. Guinea pigs can convert these leafy greens into the necessary vitamin A for their bodies.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are compounds that slow oxidation. In living beings like guinea pigs, antioxidants interact with cells and stop chain reactions that cause damage. Over time, this is beneficial for long term health and may prevent the development of chronic conditions.
Fiber
Fiber is an indigestible carbohydrate. Living digestive tracts like your guinea pig’s take the fiber in leafy greens and use it to regulate how their bodies handle sugar. While guinea pigs are small, you may notice some issues in bowel movements and weight of they are not getting enough fiber.
Potassium
Leafy greens are a great source of potassium for your guinea pigs. Potassium regulates nerve signals, muscle contractions, and even fluid imbalances. Leafy greens provide the quantities necessary for guinea pigs to regulate their bodies in one tasty container.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a powerhouse within the body. In humans, it interacts with over 300 distinct biochemical reactions, and your guinea pigs need it just as much. From brain to heart to the immune system, this nutrient is essential and yet only needs to be present in milligram quantities.
Trace Minerals
Like humans, guinea pigs need trace minerals for their body functions. However, this requirement is only for small amounts of these minerals; otherwise, they can have negative effects. Trace minerals can include zinc, copper, iron, fluoride, selenium, and more.
