Leaves are often a wasted resource to human because it is raked up and thrown away. Deciduous leaves, the ones that fall off the trees or shrubs at the end of the growing season, will break down into a rich organic fertilizer. However, a layer of leaves can be used in fall to protect the crowns of perennial plants from frost over the winter. Also, a lot of beneficial insects, such as ladybugs, use fallen leaves as a cover to protect themselves from frost and snow over the winter
However, do leaves have any nutritional benefits to offer mankind? A mix of vitamins, minerals, protein, antioxidants, and other nutrients, are the main things that leaf-based food items have in store for mankind. If you need any more convincing, they are good, not only for your heart, blood sugar, and immune system but also for cell repair post an injury or workout. However, can these benefits be extended to guinea pigs? Can guinea pigs even eat leaves? The answers to these questions and all other questions will be answered in this article.
Can guinea pigs eat leaves?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat leaves and branches but not all types can be eaten by them and this is why you must be careful with the types you are about to feed them. Guinea pigs are herbivorous animals that derive nutrients from fruits, vegetables, hay, and even the leaves of trees. In fact, veterinarians do say that you should not look for necessary vitamins and minerals for the good health of your cavies at a pharmacy instead, fresh fruits and vegetable leaves are a great source for all things missing in their diet. Not only is it important to have a diet that includes a variety of foods, but the intake of vitamins and minerals in their natural form leads to better absorption and a greater positive impact on their health compared to supplements.
However, you should be careful about the type of plant leaves that you provide for them, evergreen plant leaves and also leaves that from the bulb can be poisonous for your pets
What are the health benefits of serving leaves to guinea pigs
The type of leaves that you feed to your guinea pigs will decide the nutritional benefits your guinea pigs can absorb from them. Nevertheless, these are some of the lists of health benefits that can be derived from leaves alongside their corresponding nutrients.
Scurvy prevention
Guinea pigs are one of the special types of pets that can not manufacture their vitamin C, therefore, they depend on all kinds of food enriched with this particular nutrient to survive. Fortunately, some leaves contain a decent amount of vitamin C, which is important in preventing a general disease of guinea pigs called scurvy. They are also helpful in boosting their immune system.
Balanced electrolytes
Potassium is essential for your little cavy since it helps to build stronger muscles, they also help to reduce muscle pain and increase the activities of your little cavies. Potassium also helps with proper electrolyte balance in the guinea pig's body
Promote good eyesight and healthy skin
Some nutrients like beta-carotene, vitamin A, and antioxidants that are present in some leaves help to promote good eyesight. They also contain vitamins E and K which help in promoting healthy skin and preventing early aging in your pets
Source of energy and Weight loss
Some leaves possess low calories and fats, and this will reduce the risk of weight gain for your guinea pigs. They are also enriched with protein and carbs, which serves as a source of energy for pets. The fiber in the leaves also aids in proper digestion
Possible health risks of feeding leave to guinea pigs
Yes, guinea pigs can benefit a lot of nutrients from leaves, however, you will also see their leaf causing a lot of damage to their body system when it is overfed or when the wrong leaves were given to them. These are some of the possible health risks for your pets.
Kidney or bladder stone
There is usually a high tendency for your guinea pigs to suffer from urinary damage especially kidney or bladder stones after they finish eating leaves. This is because the majority of leaves are enriched with high calcium content, and this may be useful for pregnant and growing guinea pigs since they require calcium. However, it will cause a lot of damage to adult guinea pigs because they won't be able to properly utilize them.
Digestive problem
Guinea pigs are known to have sensitive stomachs and this may result in a lot of damage like bloatedness, Gas, stomach upset, diarrhea, diabetes, etc after feeding them unknown leaves. You will also see them developing an allergy to that leaves if you are just feeding it to them for the first time.
What are the types of leaves that guinea pigs can eat?
Guinea pigs can eat varieties of leaves as long as they taste good to them and contains the necessary nutrient to keep their immune system healthy. An example is le tree leaves which contain a low amount of sugar therefore, your guinea pigs do not need to worry about weight gain. They can also eat the branches of Apple leaves because there are no harmful chemicals involved in them. They can moderately eat lemon leaves because they contain a decent amount of vitamin C and acidic content. Other types of leaves they can eat include pear leaves, citrus leaves, raspberry leaves, banana leaves, mango leaves, grape leaves, mulberry leaves, bamboo leaves, etc.
What are the leaves that guinea pigs can not eat?
Just like guinea pigs can eat a lot of leaves, some types of leaves shouldn't be given to them ok any proportion, and some of them include chive, onion, leek, spring onion, garlic, lily, anemone, iris, hyacinth, snowdrop, ivy, bindweed, rhododendrons, laurel, bluebell, etc
Conclusion
Guinea pigs can eat some varieties of leaves because of the nutrients derived from them, however, some leaves like evergreen or bulb should be brought far away from your little cavies because they cause numerous health risks for them. Because Guinea pigs can eat leaves does not mean they should overfeed them since the safest leaves can cause a major health risk when it is fed in the wrong proportion.
