Celery is one of the hardier options for something green, and it keeps for much longer than leafy greens do. The big question is can guinea pigs eat celery safely, or is it another off-limits vegetable like potatoes?
The Short Answer to Can Guinea Pigs Eat Celery
Yes, guinea pigs can eat celery. However, your guinea pig can only eat celery in moderation, rather than being able to have as much as your piggles want to eat.
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Serving Sizes for Celery
Celery is a relatively easy vegetable to offer guinea pigs. If you’re using it for cooking, you can easily offer your guinea pig a quarter of a celery “rib” after you wash it. It’s another great option to liven up your guinea pig’s diet.
Guinea pigs can eat both the celery ribs and leaves safely. However, you may want to remove any pieces that seem excessively “hairy” to minimize any problems for your guinea pig. Besides that, preparation is as simple as cutting the stalk and dropping pieces in the cage.
Nutrients in Celery
Celery is high in a number of vital nutrients for guinea pigs. In moderation, these nutrients help keep your guinea pig healthy. Just remember, guinea pigs are much smaller than humans, and their digestive system is smaller as well.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a necessary nutrient to keep your guinea pig’s organs healthy, including their eyes. Vitamin A also contributes to the immune system in guinea pigs. Unfortunately, most guinea pigs do not use Vitamin A efficiently, so you have to be careful to ensure they get enough.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K supports healthy bones, metabolisms, and blood clotting. For guinea pigs, all three are critical for longevity. However, Guinea pigs tend to do well on their Vitamin K levels, since it’s found in most leafy greens.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is among the most important nutrients for guinea pigs since they cannot create their own like humans. Vitamin C supports organ function, the immune system, and connective tissue in addition to fending off scurvy.
Water
Celery is roughly 95% water, which makes it a great supplemental source for your guinea pig. This can be a great option for guinea pigs who seem a little dehydrated, though you want to be careful using it for this purpose.
Antioxidants
Like other leafy greens, celery also contains a variety of other antioxidants at varying levels. These help your guinea pigs remain healthy throughout their lives and ensure they have the best quality of life possible as they age.
The Problem with Lots of Celery
There are two problems with feeding celery more than once a week or so. Those are oxalates and calcium, both of which can build up in your guinea pig’s system. Unfortunately, this can lead to problems like stones in the urinary tract that can hurt your guinea pigs. Therefore, it’s best to simply moderate intake.
