Herbs refer to plants or parts of plants including grasses, flowers, berries, seeds, leaves, nuts, stems, stalks, and roots, which are used for their therapeutic and health-enhancing properties. The proper and judicious use of herbs is often successful in the treatment of illness when other, more conventional medicines and methods fail. Topically, herbs can repair damaged skin, soothe a wound, improve complexion, heal bruises and relieve aching muscles. To cap it all, herbs demonstrate great versatility for the treatment of a broad variety of health needs.
These are some of the common fresh herbs, and they are oregano, rosemary, parsley, basil, and other most nutritious greens you can find. Herbs are really good for humans because they are quite nutritious. However, can the same be said about guinea pigs? Can guinea pigs eat herbs? What type of herb is suitable for your little cavies? The answers to all these questions will be answered in this article.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Herbs
Yes, Guinea pigs can eat herbs, and they offer similar nutritional benefits to your little cavies as that of fruits and vegetables, especially when offer in moderation. This is because guinea pigs are herbivores which are sometimes called natural grazers, and they derive their nutrients from plant and plant-based resources like fruits and vegetables. However, because they derive nutrients from these products does not mean they can be harmful if the wrong varieties of herbs was given to your pets. This is why you should understand the benefits and from which type of herbs these benefits are being derived by your guinea pigs.
In what proportion should herbs be served to guinea pigs?
It has been deduced above that herbs can be nutritionally beneficial to your guinea pigs when offered to them in the correct proportion. But what is the standard proportion? Any type of herbs should be given to your Guinea pigs once or twice a week in small quantities. However, a little lesser than the standard proportion should be served to your pets if it is just been introduced. This is mainly to rule out any type of discomfort and allergy reaction that may take place in their digestive system. After the introduction and there are no possible disadvantages, you can consider giving them in larger proportion but at the same time do not overseas it to them.
What is the nutritional benefit of feeding herbs to guinea pigs
Herbs are custodial of various nutrients that can help your guinea pigs to remain healthy. Below are some of the benefits such nutrients provide for your little cavies when offer in the correct proportion.
Scurvy prevention
Guinea pigs are generally known to lack enzymes that can help them to produce in their body system therefore, they seek vitamin C a nutrient that can help prevent this kind of malfunction (scurvy). Fortunately, almost all types of herbs are enriched with these nutrients, and thereby they keep the immune system of your cavies fighting with Scurvy and every other type of inflammatory disease.
Prevent overgrown teeth
Herbs serve as a regular food too much because of their texture and the amount of fiber they contain which can help in easy digestion. This can be beneficial because regular chewing reduces the teeth of your guinea pigs to stop growing. Continuous growing of their teeth may cause discomfort and self-harm to your pets.
Maintain weight gain
Herbs are known to have a low-calorie content which is essential for the reduction in weight gain. Guinea pigs suffering from obesity or diabetes should endeavor to feed on the varieties of herbs with weight gain maintenance because of their low calorie and sugar content.
Improve the Activity of your guinea pigs
Herbs may contain a decent amount of calcium which is useful, especially in pregnant or nursing guinea pigs to help them increase their activity performance. Little or baby guinea pigs can also feed on hay in other for their bone to be strengthened. However, some herbs have a high proportion of calcium, and such varieties should be fed in moderation.
What are the beneficial herbs that are suitable for guinea pigs
In other to avoid situations when your guinea pigs are been hospitalized because of some food that was offered to them, it is essential to be aware of which of the varieties of herbs should be given and what kind of benefit such herbs are known for in their body system.
Parsley
Parsley is one of the excellent herbs that can be given to your guinea pigs however, it should be fed in moderation because of the high proportion of calcium and oxalic acid present in them. Parsley contains compounds that inhibit tumor formation, and they also contain a lot of vitamin C and other essential nutrients.
Dill
Dill is another herb that can be beneficial to your guinea pigs, this is because they contain vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, calcium, and another nutrient that is responsible for keeping your pets healthy. They also contain compounds that can help in neutralizing carcinogenic substances. However, it should also be fed in moderation because of the high proportion of calcium and oxalic acid found in them.
Rosemary
Rosemary can be given to your pets in little proportion because it is known to be highly aromatic and contain a high proportion of calcium substances. Rosemary contains nutrients like vitamins A and C, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and other essential nutrients
Basil
Basil can help your guinea pigs regulate blood pressure among other benefits. However, they have a low proportion of vitamin C and a high amount of calcium, and this indicates they should be served with fewer calcium vegetables to help in balancing out the nutritional benefits
Conclusion
Yes, guinea pigs can eat various types of herbs like Basil, rosemary, arugula, endive, dill, parsley, thyme, and some other varieties of herbs. This is because of the beneficial nutrient that can be found in them however, it is of great importance to follow the standard proportion of feeding herbs to them because they usually contain a high proportion of calcium compared to other types of vegetables. Other information needed concerning herbs has been explained in this article.
