Guinea pigs are herbivores and they live only by eating fruits and vegetables. Their 90% diet depends on hay and grass and they eat almost every kind of fresh vegetables. Even, they eat seeds, vines, and skins of the fruits and vegetables.
But before giving any new thing, you must be careful about their digestive health.
Can guinea pigs eat pumpkin seeds?
Guinea pigs can eat pumpkin seeds because they do not contain any harmful ingredients. They’re rich in nutrients and guinea pigs also find them tasty. However, it should only be given in small amounts as pumpkin seeds have a risk of choking, damaging their teeth and harming their digestive system.
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Pumpkin seeds are not a must-have food item in Guinea pigs diet but they do have great nutritional value. They’re great for underweight and newborn guinea pigs to maintain their health. But they can also do harm.
As they are hard and inflexible, they can get stuck in their throat and even can damage their teeth. Also, some guinea pigs can be allergic to them. Besides, pumpkin seeds can be fed in many ways like raw or roasted or cooked or baked but not all ways are safe for guinea pigs.
Raw pumpkin seeds:
Occasionally, Guinea pigs can eat raw pumpkin seeds, but only in small amounts, and the seeds should be well washed before feeding. Because they are high in fat and minerals, some pet owners give them raw, but this should be done in moderation to ensure their safety.
Roasted pumpkin seeds:
Roasted pumpkin seeds taste crunchy and salty that guinea pigs like a lot. Moreover, roasting makes pumpkin seeds more flavorful and the flavor attracts guinea pigs to eat them. But they also need to be served in a certain amount that’ll not harm them.
Fresh pumpkin seeds:
Fresh pumpkin seeds are rich in nutrients and guinea pigs can have them in a significant amount. They can be fed by grinding or roasted and mixing with other vegetables. Mold pumpkin seeds can result in respiratory infection and can risk their life.
Cooked pumpkin seeds:
Cooked pumpkin seeds are bad for them, and dried pumpkin seeds are even worse. These processed foods make digestion more difficult, causing vomiting and bread. It’s best to stay away from giving guinea pigs cooked pumpkin seeds.
Are pumpkin seeds safe for guinea pigs? Can skinny pigs eat pumpkin seeds?
Though pumpkin seeds carry a lot of nutrients but are not safe. Pumpkin seeds are hard and rigid in nature, also inflexible. Seeds can get stuck in their throats, causing them to choke.
Furthermore, if swallowed by mistake, these seeds can cause major gastrointestinal difficulties, causing diarrhea and vomiting due to their high fat content. Moreover, seeds can get lodged between their teeth or in their mouths, causing irritation and pain.
It will be difficult for the guinea pigs to vomit if they ingest the seeds. So pumpkin seeds should not be given to guinea pigs to consume because of all these negative consequences.
For skinny pigs consuming pumpkin seeds is also not always safe. Eating a few may not cause any severe problems, but eating a bunch may put their lives at risk and result in demise.
If they eat them in a large amount, it will cause digestive problems as well as frequent stomach disturbances. Even they are abundant in fat, which is bad for their health and only serves to increase their weight.
Are guinea pigs allergic to pumpkin seeds?
Guinea pigs can be allergic to pumpkin seeds. An allergic reaction in guinea pigs usually causes itching, diarrhea, bloating, and a change in stool color. If they have a sensitive stomach, after having pumpkin seeds, they might develop digestive dysfunction.
Although these are marked as harmful for them as the seeds are too large and hard for them to easily chew and digest, causing pain in their teeth when they get stuck in between.
To an extent, they can break off their teeth owing to eating them, or in most cases, they might feel choking, which is life-threatening. The seeds are full of nutrients like polyunsaturated fat and a source of high amounts of magnesium and calcium but can be allergic.
Giving them a little amount of pumpkin seeds you can check if they have any allergic reaction or not. However, they can be a good option for underweight guinea pigs if they do not have any allergic symptoms.
3 Reasons why guinea pigs can eat pumpkin seeds?
Pumpkin seeds can be a wonderful treat for guinea pigs as they are abundant in polyunsaturated healthy fat, magnesium, calcium, and potassium, as well as vitamins.
These are beneficial to underweight newborn guinea pigs in terms of meeting their growth demands and strengthening weak bones. Moreover, pregnant guinea pigs have a high need for calories and minerals for themselves and their unborn babies.
Herbivorous animals like guinea pigs, whose diet consists primarily of hay and grass, do not get all of their nutrition from these sources, so pumpkin seeds should be included but in a very small amount. Actually, pumpkin seeds are:
A suitable supplement:
Pumpkin seeds are a rich source of vitamins for newly born guinea pigs, and the calcium and potassium in them are essential for their bones and to keep their skin healthy.
Green vegetables alone will not satisfy all the requirements, so they should be included in the appropriate amount in their diet.
Maintain nutritional balance:
Because vegetables and hay do not provide enough nourishment, pumpkin seeds should be added to a healthy food plan. It is primarily for unhealthy guinea pigs because it contains beneficial fats and minerals that will keep them healthy.
Contain high calories for pregnant guinea pigs:
Pumpkin seeds are a viable option. In fact, eating pumpkin seeds once a week is a good way for pregnant mother guinea pigs to get the calories they need to have a healthy labor. The unborn baby guinea pigs also have a caloric demand to live after birth.
How much pumpkin seeds can a guinea pig eat?
Pumpkin seeds carry a great number of nutritional value. They can result in some healthy benefits on guinea pigs if they are only consumed in the right amount. However, pumpkin seeds should be served as a treat not as a daily basis.
For underweight babies, you can feed 1 tablespoons of grind or raw pumpkin seeds 1 or 2 times a week mixing with other vegetables as they are high in fat. To adult guinea pigs, it’s enough to feed them pumpkin seeds only twice a week.
However, pigs like pumpkins a lot and they can eat a large number of pumpkins. But it’s better not to give pumpkins along with the pumpkin seeds. Because, they might eat too many pumpkin seeds and face stomach disturbance, digestive problems, diarrhea, itching or vomiting.
So, it’s better to feed your pigs raw or cooked pumpkin seeds separately and the amount should be quite small.
What are the nutritional value of pumpkin seeds for guinea pigs?
Here are the nutritional value of pumpkin seeds for guinea pigs:
Antioxidants:
Antioxidants have so many protective effects on Guinea pigs. Consuming natural antioxidants protects against many harmful diseases. Actually they work like natural molecules that keep their body radical free.
In fact, they are great in reducing cancer and heart disease. It also prevents aging, reduces inflammation and protects the cells.
Vitamin K:
Vitamin K is helpful for clotting blood. It stops wounds from continuous bleeding and heals the wound. It makes bones stronger and healthier and also boosts tissue growth.
Fats:
Fats work for providing support to cell growth. It boosts energy to the guinea pigs. It’s very useful because it can keep cholesterol and blood pressure steady. Actually, fats can protect the organs and help to maintain a sound health.
Protein:
Protein is one of the most valuable nutritional values. They are really good at maintaining weight loss by reducing appetite and hunger levels and burning fats. It makes the bones stronger and healthier.
Protein also takes part in repairing and building tissues.
Fiber:
Pumpkin seeds also carry a significant amount of fiber. It carries the power of strength, resiliency, and elasticity. It builds healthy digestion and helps guinea pigs achieve healthy weight. It’s also really helpful keeping blood sugar normal.
Minerals:
Pumpkin seeds are enriched with various minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, folate etc. Minerals ensure the heart and brain are working properly. They are really good at building muscle health by making stronger bones.
In fact, they play a great role in making enzymes and hormones in Guinea pig’s bodies.
Final thought
Guinea pigs can have pumpkin seeds as they’re quite beneficial but the problem is that the negative consequences outweigh the health benefits. Though pumpkin seeds are enriched with many nutritional values, a large amount of the seeds can cause gastrointestinal, digestive and stomach illness.