Cheese is a food derived from milk that is produced in a wide range of flavors, textures, and forms by coagulation of the milk protein casein. It comprises proteins and fat from milk, usually the milk of cows, buffalo, goats, or sheep. During production, the milk is usually acidified, and adding the enzyme rennet causes coagulation. The solids are separated and pressed into final form. Some cheeses have molds on the rind or throughout, and most cheeses melt at cooking temperature
Cheese is known to be nutrient-rich and tasty, and they are known to contain some important nutrients that include calcium and protein, along with vitamin B12 and zinc. They are also high in saturated fat, and the calories can add up quickly if you are not mindful of how you eat them. Cheese can provide a lot of benefits for humans, but what about guinea pigs, can they eat them? What additional nutritional benefits does it offer them? Answers to this question and any other questions will be answered in this article.
Can guinea pigs eat cheese?
No, guinea pigs can not eat cheese. This is because their stomach is sensitive, and they cannot digest them. Guinea pigs are herbivores which means that their digestive system is structured in a way that they can not endure milk or any other formed milk in their stomach. Normally, to digest yogurt, milk, or related products you will have to possess an enzyme in your digestive system that will digest these products, unfortunately, your guinea pigs lack these enzymes hence, dairy products like cheese will lead to digestive issues or other serious health effects if given to them as food. In most cases, they eventually lead to death.
What Are The Possible Nutrients Found in cheese?
Even though it has been stated that cheeses should not be fed to your guinea pigs because they do not contain the particular enzyme which is used in digesting them. Thereby, making them lactose intolerant. However, they also contain beneficial nutrients, and some of them are listed below
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin present in most fruits and food. They majorly function to improve the eyesight of those that feed on them. They are also known to help in improving the immune system of the body of animals in other to help them fight against diseases. You will also find them responsible for growth and development and also help your body organ to function perfectly (e.g heart, liver, lung, kidney)
Calcium
Calcium is one of the nutrients which is essential in keeping animal bones strong and healthy. Before your pet's body can be perfectly healthy, they need to maintain strong bones and muscle systems. They also help the heart and nerves function properly
Protein
It is essential for animals and humans likewise to make the daily intake of protein a daily thing. Because protein is essential in building blocks of bones, cartilage, hairs, and nails. They also repair worn-out tissues and help to make enzymes that are used in aiding digestion
The reason you should not feed cheese to your guinea pigs
Apart from guinea pigs being lactose intolerant and can not digest cheese and other related products, they also have other reasons that are put into consideration and thereby, not being a good source of food for your pets, and they are listed below
High in calcium
Calcium is one of the essential nutrients a guinea pig needs to remain healthy since they help in building and keeping their bones, muscle, heart, and nerve to remain strong and work perfectly well. However, a little amount of calcium is what guinea pigs needed, but the calcium present in cheese is a little bit higher than what should be given to them. Hence, feeding them to your cavies is making them prone to health risk
High in saturated fat
Guinea pigs do not need a lot of saturated fat before they can maintain their healthy diet. Cheese is highly richer in saturated fat, and this should not be the type of meal that should be served to your guinea pigs. Failure to do this will cause obesity, and suffer from a lot of heart palmitateon and digestive issues.
Possible Health risk that occurs from feeding cheese to your guinea pigs
You should know that your guide pigs can not drop immediately they feed on cheese, instead, you will find them developing a lot of adverse health risks which may eventually lead to death if it is not properly cautioned. Some of the results are listed below.
Kidney or bladder stones
It should not be news to you that cheese consists of a high amount of calcium, and feeding them to your guinea pigs will allow them to be prone to kidney stones or bladder stones.
Scurvy problem
What guinea pigs required in their food is the presence of vitamin C since they can not produce this vitamin C themselves hence, they look for a possible option. However, cantaloupe does not contain any amount of vitamin C therefore feeding them to your guinea pigs makes them prone to scurvy
Cardiovascular problem
Cheese is enriched with a lot of saturated fats, and feeding them to your guinea pigs will lead to heart failure because of the build-up of cholesterol in the arteries. It can also result in a constant rise in their blood pressure.
Death
Failure to notice the overall symptoms caused by feeding cheese to your guinea pigs can lead to death
Other alternatives food you can feed to your guinea pigs
Since your guinea pigs cannot eat dairy products like cheese it is essential to feed them another type of fruit to keep them healthy and safe. Examples are hay, fruits like pumpkin, squash, grape, cucumber, Apple, etc, and also vegetables like alfalfa, asparagus kale, etc.
Conclusion
Guinea pigs can not eat cheese because their digestive system does not have the required enzyme needed in digesting them. The reasons why it is so and other vital information needed concerning this diary product have been explained below. It is essential to read through it to avoid causing the death of your guinea pigs
