Can Guinea Pigs Eat Nuts

 

Nuts are a fruit composed of a hard shell and a seed, which is generally edible. In a general context, a wide variety of dried seeds are called nuts. Nuts are regarded as one of the tastiest and healthiest fruits people eat and love, they come from the part of various fruits. Thereby, indicating that there are different types of nuts, they include peanuts, almond nuts, hazelnuts, cashew nuts, Brazil nuts, pinenuts, and many more

Nuts are often referred to as a superfruit, not because of their taste alone but because of the various nutritional benefits enriched in them. They often play an important role in general physical and mental development, hence, they are an important part of a healthy diet. Even though nuts are high in calories and fat, research shows that people who eat nuts tend to be less fat than those who don't. However, are nuts safe for your guinea pigs to eat? Can guinea pigs even benefit from all the nutrients present in nuts? This article we enlighten you on all you need to know about nuts.

Can guinea pigs eat nuts?

Yes, guinea pigs can eat nuts, however, they should not be given to them. Nuts are enriched with a high proportion of fats and carbohydrates, and studies have shown that pet owners should not feed too much food that contains saturated fatty acids to their pets. Unlike humans and every other kind of pet, guinea pigs have sensitive stomachs that can not digest complex carbohydrates and fats adequately.

Moreover, Saturated fatty acids are the foundation of a high cholesterol level, and this can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases for your pets. Nutrients like vitamins and minerals should not compel you to feed them to them since they can get it in other fruits, however, feeding a little number of nuts to your pets may not cause any serious damage, but the best option is for your little cavies to stay away from them.

Can guinea pigs eat any kind of nuts?

It has been established above that there are a lot of nutritional benefits like vitamins and minerals attached to eating nuts. Likewise, a lot of health risks attached to but can guinea pigs eat certain types of nuts? What kind of nuts can guinea pigs nibble on? These are the results of the questions

Almond nuts

Out of all the nuts, almond nuts are known to be one of the most popular nuts in the history of humanity. Due to their popularity, you can find them being used in various culinary arts. This nut has 160kcal amount of calories and not any amount of vitamins and vitamins which should be the important basis of feeding fruits to your pets. They are also rich in decent amounts of sugar, carbs, calcium, iron, and potassium. However, they are low in fiber. Guinea pigs should not eat these fruits because it will cause various health complications for them

Cashew nuts

Cashew nuts are another unhealthy nut that should not be given to your guinea pigs. This is because they contain a high proportion of calories of about 163kcal. This proportion of calories is too much in your guinea pigs' food intake. Also, the important nutrients that should be present in them like vitamins A & C are absent in them, and so also other various essential nutrients

Pistachio nuts

Pistachio nuts should not be given to your pets because just like other varieties of nuts, it also possesses a high proportion of calories (159Kcal). Also, these nuts are loaded with nutrients like calcium, fats, carbs, sugar, etc which should be present in small amounts in guinea pigs' food. However, you all also find vitamin C present in them, but they are in a little proportion hence, they are quite negligible by their body system. 

Pecan nuts

Pecan nuts should be avoided by your guinea pigs by all means this is because it contains a more high proportion of calories (196Kcal) compare to other nuts. They may not contain any toxic substances, but the texture and size of these nuts make them suitable for your pets to suffer from choking hazards. Guinea pigs are also at risk of suffering from obesity and weight gain if they eat these nuts, and this can eventually lead to heart or cardiovascular complications for your pets.

What are the possible health risks of feeding nuts to guinea pigs?

Nuts are the essence of plants and are generally extremely nutritious. They contain many beneficial nutrients, such as protein, unsaturated fatty acids, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, phosphorus, calcium, iron, and various antioxidants depending on the nuts you fed them. However, your pets can not eat nuts even though they have beneficial nutrients. What now happens if your little cavies or pet owners choose to ignore instructions? What are the possible health risks of feeding nuts to guinea pigs?

Obesity

Nuts are high-calorie, high-fat foods. If your little cavies eat nuts, the excess calories they ingested are easily converted into fat, leading to the risk of obesity. The fats or calories will go through their blood vessels to clog them and this will then lead to an irregular flow of nutrients and other substances thereby, cause serious health complications like heart disease.

Bad digestion

Nuts contain a lot of protein and fat. Excessive consumption will increase the burden on the gastrointestinal tract, causing abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and other symptoms of indigestion.

Urinary complications

Among the nutrients present in nuts, you will also find a decent amount of calcium and potassium present in them. Too much calcium in the body system of a guinea pig will result in kidney or bladder stones, pain during urination, urinary infections, and the presence of blood during the urine

Choking hazard 

The size and texture of most nuts are enough to cause a choking hazard to guinea pigs even though they possess strong bones and teeth. 

Allergy reaction

This is a common disease in both pets and humans eating nuts. There are different symptoms of nuts allergy, and some are irritation of the throat, itching, swelling of lips, and many more

Conclusion

Guinea pigs can eat nuts, however, they should not be given to them since it provides more health risks to your little cavies compared to benefits. The various health risks attached to this high- calories and high-fat fruit have been explained. It is your duty as a part owner to read and digest these articles for the healthy living of your pets