Asparagus is one of the top ten famous vegetables in the world, and they areknown to be nutritious. It contains very low calories and is rich in varieties of amino acids, proteins, vitamins, and trace elements such as selenium, molybdenum, chromium, and manganese. The nutrients present in asparagus are higher than those of ordinary vegetables, and most importantly, asparagus contains a secret nutrient that can be beneficial for everyone, which is hidden in most vegetables, it is called Asparagus Saponins. This vegetable helps to cure diseases in the body of humans earning it the name king of cancer. Does Asparagus offer the same benefits for Guinea pigs as humans? Can guinea pigs eat asparagus? This article will enlighten us on the answers to the following questions.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Asparagus?
Yes, guinea pigs can feed on asparagus just like any other vegetables. Due to the number of nutrients in the vegetable, asparagus can be considered a healthy and nutritional option for your furry pets especially when given to them in small proportion. It contains vitamins, minerals, and phosphorus as essential nutrients required for the overall wellbeing and growth of your guinea pigs. These vegetables should be given to your pets as an occasional treat because of how expensive it is or the much more nutrient they contain. These nutrients (e.g calcium) when can lead to serious health risks when too much of them is present in the body system of your guinea pigs. Therefore, it should be served in small quantities and not in large quantities.
Is Asparagus Safe For Guinea Pigs?
Scientifically proved, asparagus is known to contain low calories and fats, this is useful for guinea pigs that suffer from obesity and wanted to watch their weight, this same nutrient also contains a decent amount of water which is essential for your pet to stay hydrated. You should know that a healthy guinea pig is properly hydrated and receive adequate nutrients when needed, therefore, asparagus is safe for your guinea pigs because it contains all the essential nutrients they required.
What Kind of Asparagus can be Eaten by Guinea Pigs
Asparagus can be grouped into various categories and colors and this section will allow us to know which of the categories or colored asparagus is healthy enough for your guinea pigs.
- Coloured Asparagus: Asparagus vegetables consist of different colors which could be green, white, purple, and other several colors. Among all these colors, green is the most popular, it is mostly used for human consumption and general cooking, while white is for special occasions. All these asparagus are edible for your guinea pigs.
- Cooked Asparagus: This is the asparagus vegetable that has been subdued under a very high temperature. Cooked asparagus is not a good vegetable for your guinea pig even though it is edible. This is because the nutrients present would have been overcooked, and It will also be difficult for your furry friend to digest, thereby, leading to gasses or stomach upset.
In What Proportion Should Asparagus Be Given To Guinea Pigs?
Asparagus has been established to be safe for your guinea pigs, and it should be served to your guinea pigs fresh and raw. It is also essential to know that ¼ cup of asparagus that contains both the tip, stalk, and any in-between veggies in addition to other fresh vegetables and Hay is enough for your guinea pigs once or twice a week to avoid overfeeding and provide a good and healthy diet for your furry friend. Asparagus should always be an occasional meal or treaties rather than a regular meal for your pets to avoid too many inactive nutrients.
What Are The Health and Nutritional Benefit Of Feeding Asparagus to Your Guinea Pigs
Any food with great nutrients embedded in it is known to provide numerous health benefits for those that consume it. The bullet point below indicates how asparagus is advantageous for guinea pigs.
Antioxidants like Vitamin E are plant compounds whose function is to protect the body system from damage by free radicals that can lead to degenerative diseases like premature aging and inflammation if it is not properly taken care of. This nutrient is also known to help improve the eyesight of guinea pigs.
Asparagus contains various nutrients like vitamins, minerals, etc which are very essential for the growth and development of your guinea pig. Vitamin C helps to improve and provide a healthy immune system which is essential for the body system of your guinea pig
Asparagus contains a decent amount of vitamin A which is known to perform various important functions in guinea pigs' body system. Examples are the development of skin and tissue, support and maintaining the function of the important organs in the body like the liver, heart, and lung. It is also essential for good eyesight for your furry friend.
Asparagus also contains a decent amount of nutrients like vitamin k, vitamin C, and magnesium essential nutrients used in providing healthy bones and teeth for your guinea pigs. It also serves as a cure for anti-aging for your pet.
Health Risk of Asparagus For Your Guinea Pig
There is no food given to your guinea pigs that will not have disadvantages and advantages. Some of the possible health risks of Asparagus are listed below.
- Allergy: This can occur as a first-time health issue. Therefore, a pet owner should introduce a small quantity at a time to watch out for allergy reactions from their pet.
- Bladder or kidney stone: Asparagus contains a decent amount of calcium in which when too much of it is present in the body system of a guinea pig, it can cause bladder or kidney stone
- Gastric upset: overseeing your Guinea pig asparagus can cause gastric upset or sometimes stomach problems like diarrhea, constipation, bloating, or gasses.
Conclusion
Guinea pigs can feed on asparagus, which provides health and nutritional benefits for them because of the decent amount of nutrients. Overfeeding can lead to a lot of health risks which have been listed above. The serving size required for feeding your pet asparagus has also been discussed.
