After a very hectic day in the summer season, what usually comes to people's minds is to dip their selves into a bathtub full of ice to lower the heat they feel within. However, what other people do think about is eating ice cubes to lower the temperature, after all, it is just plain water that was frozen. This mostly leads to pet owners providing ice cubes to their various pets as they do to themselves. An example is feeding Frozen bone broth to dogs during summer in other to let them cool off.
However, can the same be done to guinea pigs? Can guinea pigs eat frozen Hay or vegetable during the excruciating summer heat to allow your pet to cool off? Is feeding ice-related food safe for your guinea pigs? Answers to these questions and all other questions will be answered in this article.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Ice
No, guinea pigs can not eat ice or any ice-related food. This is because the digestive system of ice can not harbor ice because it is frozen and hard therefore, it may lead to blockage of some essential pathways in the body system, and eventually, it will or may result in death or serious health risks while you think of helping them to cool off from the heat of the day. However, if you feel like helping your little cavies to cool off their temperature, the best way to do that is to give them a lot of water or better still, run them a bath. This will help to hydrate their body and lower the temperature in that period.
What are the possible health risks of feeding ice cream to guinea pigs
Ice is frozen water that does not offer beneficial nutrients to guinea pigs than helping them to cool off their body. However, you will see them causing numerous health risks to your cavies which can range from mild to detrimental depending on the proportion and the temperature of ice they consume. Some of the possible health risks are listed below
Scurvy
Ice does not contain any nutrients that your guinea pigs need to survive. You should know that guinea pigs are prone to a disease called scurvy when they are not fed food that is enriched with vitamin C, you will also see them developing a weak immune system and thereby, leading to your guinea pigs falling sick all the time. Another problem that may arise from a lack of vitamins like A, E, and K which are some of the essential nutrients, and the absence of them causes poor eyesight and inflammatory infection.
Digestive problem
Guinea pigs have sensitive digestive systems, and they also love to eat a lot. This is why they required dietary fiber to help them digest their food. However, ice is frozen water and does not contain fiber, which eventually leads to digestive issues. Also, when something is frozen it is said to be hard, this can not be chewed by their teeth, thereby, resulting in the passage of the ice into their bloodstream. In this, it will lower the amount of nutrient entering the body system and also causes blockage of nutrients moving out of the system
Dental problem
Due to its frozen and hard texture, your guinea pigs may develop a dental problem or toothache from trying to chew it or break it down. However, if they eventually developed a toothache, they may be unable to eat or chew any food because of the pin associated with it hence, which may result in malnutrition. Toothache is not one of the health risks you will be pleased for your cavies to pass through, this is because of the pain it causes.
Choking Hazard
When your guinea pigs feed on ice, they may be split into smaller cubes, and these cubes may be small enough to pass through their throat and at the same time, big enough to cause choking hazards to your little cavies. Since your pet does not have a vomiting reflex it may lead to surgery. Also, when they break the ice it may have sharp edges which can lead to cutting off the lips, mouths, throats, or their internal system, and this is not a small injury that can easily be mended or healed. Therefore, it can lead to loss of appetite, drastic weight loss, and death in some instances.
Can guinea pigs eat ice cream?
No, guinea pigs can not eat ice cream. Most of the nutrients that were used in making Ice cream can not be digested by your guinea pigs, and serving it to them may lead to a lot of health risks. To start with, ice cream is enriched with a lot of sugar which can not be digested or broken down in the body system of your cavies, and this alone is enough to cause them digestion problems. Also, you will find them enriched with milk and some other dairy products and this is a health problem for your pets because guinea pigs are lactose intolerant and anything dairy products should be moved far away from them because their body system can not secrete the enzymes that are used in digesting them. All this indicated that ice cream is a disaster for keeping your pets healthy.
Can guinea pigs eat ice pops or packs?
No, guinea pigs can not eat ice pops or popsicles. Firstly, ice pops are cold, and they are not the ideal food that should be given to your little cavies. Secondly, it is loaded with a lot of sugar and other manufactured products, and this is a disaster for your pets because of the health risks they may develop from them.
Guinea pigs can also not eat ice packs because it is rubber. The does not offer any nutritional benefit to your cavies except allowing your pets to have something they can munch upon out of curiosity and boredom. However, plastic contain toxic substance therefore, it is not an ideal food for your pets
Conclusion
No, guinea pigs can not eat ice or any ice-related substance. This is a result of the health risks they may develop from it being hard and frozen. However, there are other ways to cool their body system, and that is to keep them hydrated at all times. To find out more about the article, you can scroll up.