Elderflower is the flower part of one species which is known as an elder, and they are one of the common medicinal plants used since past generations. They come from a species of Sambucus family and this family is known to offer great benefits right from the leaves, plants, and fruits. The fruits of this tree are one of the common parts of the plant, and it is none to have a tart taste thereby, leading to it being cooked before it can be considered edible. This fruit or berries is known as elderberries.
Elder flowers offer various benefits, and some of the benefits are wine-making and other cordial drink-making. An extract of the flower can be used to make medicine. Other benefits are they are used to treat swollen sinuses (sinusitis), colds, influenza (flu), swine flu, bronchitis, diabetes and constipation, and every other type of disease that is failed to be mentioned. Elderberries can be eaten by guinea pigs, but what about elderflowers? Can your guinea pigs eat elderflowers? What are the benefits your guinea pigs can enjoy from eating this part? Continue reading this article to find out the answers.
Can guinea pigs eat elderflowers?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat elderflower but only in moderation. Elderflower comes from the same tree as elder berries therefore, they should be able to offer the same nutritional benefits as each other however the differences might be minimal. In the meantime, elderflower is enriched with a lot of beneficial nutrients like vitamin C, antioxidants, flavonoids, rutin, tannin, minerals, and many more. These nutrients are essential in keeping your guinea pigs safe and healthy. Therefore, they should be given to them. However, there is a certain proportion that elderflowers can be given to guinea pigs, and feeding them in the wrong proportion will lead to serious health risks for your pets. This is why you need to follow this article to be aware of how much you need to feed them
What is the difference between elderflowers and elderberries?
Elderflowers and elderberries come from the same elder tree from the Sambucus family, hence they share a lot of similarities when it comes to nutrients present in them. However, you will also find them offering some different benefits, but before delving into that, you need to understand both parts. The elderflower is the flower part of the elder tree, and it can be used for flavoring after it has been extracted. The other benefit of this plant is that it made a delicious addition to cocktails and some other foods.
However, elderberries are the fruity parts of an elder tree, and you will see them enriched with a lot of beneficial nutrients like vitamins, antioxidants, and flavonoids just like elderflowers. These berries have a tart taste which makes some guinea pigs run away from them. They also offer various beneficial nutrients like elderflowers, and they offer a lot of health benefits to guinea pigs and their pet owners.
What is the correct serving size for feeding elderflowers to guinea pigs?
Yes, elderflowers can offer a lot of benefits for guinea pigs making them a suitable meal for your pets. This can only happen if the flower is served in the correct proportion, and failure to do that can result in serious health risks. So, in what proportion should a pet owner serve elderflowers to your pets? You can feed two to three elderflowers once or twice a week to your guinea pigs with other healthy food like asparagus, alfalfa, cilantro, various fruits, etc. This is because there is a trace of a decent amount of sugar and this can be bad for their health in a high proportion
However, if you are just serving it to your pets, you can give them a less amount of the recommended proportion. You should also be on the watch out for allergy reactions and other health problem
What are the nutritional benefits of serving elderflowers to guinea pigs
If you are feeding a particular food to your cavies, it is expected to know what benefit they are going to offer to your guinea pigs. The following bullet point below highlight the benefit of feeding elderflower to your pet
High in Vitamin
Elderflowers are high in different amounts of beneficial nutrients like vitamins A & C. Guinea pigs can not produce vitamin C which makes them prone to a deficiency called scurvy. Feeding them the correct proportion is enough to cover the amount of vitamin C they needed that day. They also contain a high amount of vitamin A which is good for keeping your pets from poor eyesight
Rich in antioxidants
The presence of antioxidants in the nutrient of your guinea pigs' food will help them free radicals in their body. These free radicals are known for causing harm to their body system and making them prone to illness. Since antioxidants are present they will neutralize their power and thereby, keep the pets healthy. They are also used as anti-aging and provide good immune system and eyesight for your pets
High in iron and folate
Iron is also one of the essential nutrients a guinea pig needed because they are needed to protect guinea pigs from anemia and blood problem. These nutrients also help in regulating blood pressure.
Possible Health Risk Of Serving Elderflower To Guinea Pigs
The following are the effect of not following the correct proportion of feeding Elderflowers to your guinea pigs.
Digestive problem
Guinea pigs are enriched with high amounts of sugar and other nutrients, and too much feeding of these fruits to your pets may cause digestive problems like diarrhea, diabetes, cramps, bloating, gas, stool, etc
Toxicity issues
Elderberries have a trace of toxic substances present in them. This toxic substance is called cyanide, and it can only occur if you ingest the cyanogenic glycosides thereby, resulting in cyanide. However, if your pets nibble on them, it won't cause any serious issues
Conclusion
Elderflowers are enriched with a lot of beneficial nutrients for your pets thereby, making them suitable for guinea pigs to eat. It is essential to know the right amount of feeding this flower to your cavies to avoid health risks. This is why this article highlights various things you need to know about elderflowers and the right proportion they should be given to your pets.
