Beetroot (Beta vulgaris) is a root vegetable also known as red beet, table beet, garden beet, or just beet which is packed with essential nutrients. Beetroots are a great source of fiber, folate (vitamin B9), manganese, potassium, iron, and vitamin C. It is also rich in certain plant compounds such as betanin, inorganic nitrates, and violaxanthin. This vegetable belongs to the same family as chard and Spinach, and both the leaves and root of beetroot may be eaten
The leaves have a bitter taste, whereas the root is sweet. Although they are available all year round, beets are the sweetest and most tender during their peak season. Adding beets to your diet can help boost longevity, aid weight loss, and prevent chronic diseases, like cancer. Beets have a rich nutritional profile that provides a plethora of health benefits. Can guinea pigs enjoy the same beetroot benefit as humans? Can guinea pigs eat beetroot? The answers to these questions will be answered in this article.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Beetroot
Yes, guinea pigs can eat beetroot but only in moderation. Beetroot is good for guinea pigs, but due to their sensitive digestive system, it needs to be fed in moderation, as a part of a balanced diet. The food is high in calcium, as well as being high in phosphorus. Therefore, to obtain your desired nutrient from beetroot it should be a small amount (preferably, a medium leaf per two guinea pigs) once or twice a week. You cannot feed your guinea pig beetroot every day because it possibly can lead to nutrient imbalances and other health problems. For example, because beetroot is high in calcium, it is regarded to be a high-risk vegetable causing gas and bloat.
Can pigs Eat Beetroot Stems, Tops, Greens, and leaves?
To keep your guinea pigs as healthy as possible, their diet should vary from just regular meals like hay and pellets. This is because it prevents your pets from suffering from diseases of too much or little amount of the same nutrients and also to feed them a balanced variety of essential nutrients. These varieties also keep them happy and their taste bud sharp from different favorites. Therefore, the bullet point below will allow you to know whether to hard the stems, tops, greens, or leaves to their varieties
- Beetroot stem: Yes, guinea pigs can eat beetroot stems, but they should be avoided. This is because they contain a high amount of calcium and oxalates which can cause a major health risk like a kidney stone.
- Beetroot top: Yes, guinea pigs can eat beetroot tops but only in moderation. Beetroot tops are the colorful leaves that grow on the top of the beetroot, and they are mostly green so, their veins range in color. They also contain a high amount of nutrients which make them not a suitable food regularly
- Beetroot greens: Yes, guinea pigs can eat beetroot green but only in moderation. Beetroot greens are also known as beetroot tops the only difference is that only beetroot with green top is called beetroot greens.
- Beetroot leaves: Yes, guinea pigs can eat beetroot leaves, but it should be twice or thrice a month because of their high calcium and oxalate nutrients.
What Is The Right Proportion For Feeding Beetroot To Guinea Pigs
Although beetroot offers many beneficial nutrients, they are also enriched with a high amount of calcium and oxalate which are considered dangerous for your pets in high proportion. Therefore, the recommended amount of beetroot for a healthy diet is one small slice or a teaspoon of chopped and peeled beetroot once a week, or to be on the safer side, once every ten days.
What Are The Nutritional And Health Benefits Of Serving Beetroot To Guinea Pigs
Beetroot has been established that it is one of the edible vegetable meals not because of its sweetness (sugar content) but due to the number of beneficial nutrients they add to the body system of a guinea pig. Beetroots are packed with numerous health and beneficial nutrients, and they are listed below
Increase Stamina or active movement
Beetroot and its juice help your guinea pigs' hearts and lungs to work better during exercise. Nitric oxide from beets increases blood flow to your muscles. Therefore, you should feed beetroot or beet juice drink to your pets when exercising to improve their performance.
Prevent Heart Disease
Beets are rich in folate (vitamin B9) which helps your pet's cells to grow and function. Folate plays a key role in controlling damage to blood vessels, which can reduce the risk of heart disease in guinea pigs
Lower Blood Pressure
Beets are naturally high in nitrates, which later turned into nitric oxide in the body. This compound lowers blood pressure by causing the blood vessels to relax and widen in the body of your pets
Boost Immune System
Beets are high in fiber and promote the growth of good bacteria in your pet's gut. Having plenty of healthy bacteria in their digestive system helps fight disease and boost their immune system. Fibre also improves digestion and reduces the risk of constipation.
Nutrition
Beetroot nutrients include folate, a vitamin that helps keep blood vessels healthy in your pet's body system. They also contain potassium to help protect their heart.
Possible health risks Of Serving Beetroots To Your Guinea Pigs
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.
- Bladder or kidney stone: Beetroot 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
- Severe diarrhea: overfeeding your Guinea pig beetroot can cause diarrhea or sometimes stomach problems like gastric upset, constipation, bloating, or gasses.
Conclusion
Beetroot is a root vegetable that is enriched with different beneficial nutrients which are essential in the diets of your pets. They are also enriched with a high amount of calcium and oxalate which can cause serious health risks in the body system of your pets. Therefore, pet owners should be able to measure and serve the correct proportion to their pets to avoid these health challenges. This article has made it easy for you to keep them safe and healthy at the same time.
