Rhubarb is a perennial plant that comes from the genus of the plant's Rheum. It is a vegetable with a long stalk that resembles the red celery. Fresh and raw rhubarb is bracingly tart, and most people find it unpleasant. Due to this, it is usually cooked with sugar, however, when it is cooked the tartness begins to mellow. Rhubarb stalk comes in various colors which may range from red to red-green and finally to green.
Rhubarb is one of the vegetables that offers various beneficial health benefits since it contains a low amount of fats, and this helps to prevent weight gain. You will also see them containing a decent amount of fiber, this is responsible for reducing constipation. Studies have also shown that there are different types of antioxidants present in rhubarb, this nutrient has anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties that protect humans from many health and heart-related problems. Can these benefits also be extended to guinea pigs? Can guinea pigs even eat rhubarb? What are the other food guinea pigs can eat in the absence of rhubarb? The answers to all these questions will be answered below.
Can guinea pigs eat rhubarb?
No, guinea pigs can not eat rhubarb. Rhubarb is a type of vegetable that is enriched with highly toxic substances therefore, they should not be given to guinea pigs. This is because they cause serious health risks to your little cavies. Primarily, rhubarb has a very bitter taste, and it is of a crisp texture therefore, it is often cooked with sugar.
The stalk is the only part of this vegetable that contain a minimal amount of toxic substances therefore, you will always see both humans and pets feeding in this particular area. However, guinea pigs can not eat cooked food because it causes damage to their digestive system. Also, the toxic substances cause kidney or bladder stones since you will find oxalic acid in them. The external sugar added to cook rhubarb may lead to weight gain. Therefore, avoid feeding rhubarb to your guinea pigs to grow a healthy pet.
What are the possible risks of feeding rhubarb to guinea pigs?
Rhubarb is a type of vegetable plant that provide a lot of benefits for humans especially when it is cooked. However, when it is in its raw and natural form, it is known for being a toxic plant that should not be fed to any type of pet, including your favorite cavies. Since guinea pigs' stomachs can not digest cooked food, they can not eat them. But what happens if you mistakenly feed raw and fresh rhubarb to your pets?
Kidney or Bladder failure
Kidney or bladder stone is one of the results of your little cavies eating rhubarb. This is because rhubarb contains a decent amount of oxalic acid, and the presence of these nutrients in their body system will lead to kidney or bladder failure. But before that, there is a chemical that converts this nutrient to kidney or bladder stone. The formation of this stone will lead to the blockage of the passage of nutrients, blood, and food in their body system, and this may eventually lead to the death of your plants if it is not quickly ironed out.
Gastrointestinal infection
Rhubarb also contains a decent amount of phosphorus, potassium, and other essential nutrients. When these nutrients are excess in the body system of guinea pigs, it may lead to unexplained stomach pain or upset, but before that guinea pigs may likely have been experiencing diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, bloating, etc
Allergy Reaction
This is a common health risk for all guinea pigs. Most guinea pigs have an allergy reaction when they are mistakenly fed rhubarb even though it was not meant to be given to them. This allergy reaction will alert the pet owners to their guinea pigs indicating that they are not in favor of these plants
Death
Careless pet owners that choose to ignore all the signs and symptoms their pets have displayed after ingesting rhubarb will face the consequences of losing their pets to the cold hands of death.
Vegetables that can be given to guinea pigs as food
Asparagus
Asparagus is a spear-like vegetable. They come in varieties of colors, but the most popular ones are green, white, and purple. This vegetable is enriched with almost all the essential nutrients needed by your little cavies. Some examples are vitamins, fibers, antioxidants, etc. It also contains a low amount of sugar and fats therefore, it can be frequently fed to your guinea pigs.
Broccoli
Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable that has a reputation as a superfood. It is essentially enriched with all the nutrients required by guinea pigs. To top it all, the various parts of this vegetable are edible therefore, it can be regularly given to your guinea pigs.
Cauliflower
Cauliflower is an extremely common garden-healthy vegetable that consists of significant source of nutrients. However, if fed in small proportion to your guinea pigs, it is weight-loss friendly, and it can help the diet of your little cavies to extremely grow.
Celery
Celery is a vitamin-C-rich vegetable with an excellent nutritional taste. It should be fed once or twice a week to your guinea pigs in addition to some other vegetables because their calcium proportion is high. They also cause diarrhea if the correct proportion is not followed.
Other possible food that your guinea pigs can eat.
Guinea pigs can not only eat vegetables, but you will also see them eating fruits because they offer almost the same benefits as eating vegetables. Therefore, fruits like berries, carrots, apples, bananas, bell peppers, cucumbers, watermelon, grapes, grapefruits, oranges, kiwi, and some other nutrients filled fruits can be served alongside the vegetables. You can also feed hay and pellets to your little cavies to balance out the nutrients.
Conclusion
Guinea pigs can not eat rhubarb because they contain toxic substances that can cause harm to your guineapigs pig. You will also see them containing sugar which leads to weight gain for your pets. This vegetable has a tart taste, and the only way of making it enticing to both humans and pets is to cook it with sugar. However, guinea pigs can not eat cooked food, so your little cavies should walk away from this vegetable.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Vegetables
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Turnip
