Guinea pigs and hamsters are one of those little animals that human beings make mistakes for each other. This may be a result of their physical resemblance even though guinea pigs are always bigger than hamsters. Because of their resemblance, you will see pet owners wondering if their little cavies can be fed hamster food. This is why you should know that Hamsters are Omnivores, eating insects makes them an omnivore. They can eat varieties of foods. Hamsters do not mind the seed-packed hamster food with bits of corn and some dry bits to add protein, and also you will find them loving greens.
However, not all fruits and vegetables can be beneficial and can be eaten by hamsters example is lettuce which guinea pigs can conveniently feed on. This indicated that even though they almost look the same they can be different sometimes. Can guinea pigs eat hamster foods? Can hamster food offer any beneficial or detrimental health benefits to your cavies? What are the nutrient your guinea pigs look for in hamster food? The answers to these questions and other questions will be answered below.
Can guinea pigs eat hamster foods?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat hamster foods but only in moderation. As discussed above, hamsters are omnivores, and their food comprises mostly nuts, corn, seeds, and some other crunchy foods which can either be cooked or manufactured/processed food. All these are hamster foods that can lead to serious health risks for your pets if it is consumed. However, You will also see hamster feeding on fruits and vegetables, and this comprises what guinea pigs can also eat. There is some essential nutrient that guinea pigs looks for in their meal, and these nutrients are what keep them in perfect shape. Failure to find them in hamsters' food may lead to unpredictable circumstances. Some of the nutrients are listed below.
Nutrients that Guinea pigs look For in Hamster foods
Guinea pigs commonly known as cavy are from the Rodentia family, and this is also where hamsters come from. They can be low maintenance, social animals and social pets depending on how you want them to be. They love to play a lot, but you will also see them moving slowly compared to other members of the rodent family. Guinea pigs lack some essential nutrients in their body system this is why they always look for food that contains these possible nutrients. They are also herbivores animals, which indicated that there is a limit to the food they can eat. These are the following nutrients that your little cavies needed in hamsters' food.
Vitamin C
Guinea pigs can not secret vitamin C by themselves, and failure to have this nutrient in their body system may result in scurvy (a vitamin C deficiency) and also allow them to be prone to infection. This is why you will see them enjoying a meal that is enriched with vitamin C.
Vitamin A &E
Another essential nutrient that guinea pigs look for is vitamins A & E. This is because of the various health benefit these nutrients provide for your cavies. Some of the benefits of seeking this nutrient are to help them improve their eyesight because as guinea pigs get older, they began to lose their eyesight, hence, they are always looking for meals that will help them return it. Other benefits are overriding harmful molecules, also known as free radicals, which are produced within their cells and which may cause tissue damage or disease. Their body produces its antioxidants, but it’s thought that antioxidants in the diet (such as vitamin C) help destroy excess free radicals.
Dietary fiber
Guinea also looks for food that contains dietary fiber and can allow them to chew for a very long time. This is because, throughout the lifecycle of this pet, their teeth are always growing, and to avoid overgrowth of teeth which can eventually lead to discomfort for cavies, they look for food that will help them digest all the hays and vegetables that they keep chewing.
Low cholesterol and low sugar
Guinea pigs are little animals that have sensitive digestive systems. These meals should always consist of low cholesterol to avoid building up fats that may result in heart disease. It should also be of low sugar to avoid health diseases that may have been caused by high blood sugar.
What Food Should Be served to Guinea pigs
Hamster food may not be the best food that should be given to your Guinea pigs, and this is why you should feed them with other possible foods that contain all these nutrients listed above and more. Some of the recommended food for your cavies are listed below
Hay
Guinea pigs' digestive systems may be super sensitive because they usually require a lot of fiber that will constantly help them digest the food they consume. Yes, guinea pigs love to eat a lot, in fact, studies show that saying is one of their favorite exercises this is why they require food with low cholesterol so they will not be fat and have high fiber and vitamins. An example of such food is Hay. Hay is said to be a staple in guinea pigs' diets, and hay can be of various varieties. They are timothy hay, alfalfa hay, clover, Bermuda, etc
Vegetables
Vegetables are also one of the regular meals for guinea pigs. Fresh vegetables like broccoli, zucchini, carrots, cucumbers, kale, artichokes, tomatoes, parsley, etc are enriched with nutritional benefits that can help you keep your cavies healthy.
Fruits
Most fruits have a high proportion of sugar and acidic content, but as long as they are fed in the correct proportion they can be entrusted as one of your cavies diet. Example of fruits that can be eaten by your guinea pigs is bananas, apples, apricots, berries, papaya, pumpkin, watermelon, kiwi, pears, and many more.
Conclusion
Yes, guinea pigs can eat hamster food, but it does not indicate that they can eat hamster food. Hamster foods mostly contain what guinea pigs can not eat, like nuts, dried corn, seed, manufactured food, etc. All these types of food will cause more detrimental damage to their digestive system compared to the benefits. To have more insight into the nutrient that guinea pigs need daily and the foods they can get them from, you should scroll up to read this article.
