Can Guinea Pigs Eat Eggs? (The Truth Revealed)
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Eggs are a popular choice of food for humans because they contain all the nutrients needed by the body for proper growth and development. But are eggs also a healthy choice of food for guinea pigs?
No, guinea pigs shouldn’t eat eggs because they cannot digest them properly. When guinea pigs eat eggs, it can cause health problems such as digestive issues, diarrhea, and even death. Eggs also contain high cholesterol levels, which can cause heart complications in guinea pigs.
So, if you were thinking of adding eggs to your piggies’ menu, you’d better think again.
Luckily, there are many other foods that can give cavies the nutrients they need without putting their health at risk. We will be looking at that soon. But before we do, let’s learn more about why guinea pigs shouldn’t eat eggs.
Why Guinea Pigs Shouldn’t Eat Eggs
Guinea pigs shouldn’t eat eggs since they aren’t suited to digest them. Cavy digestive systems are only designed to easily digest plant-based foods – which doesn’t include eggs. Plus, eggs also contain significant amounts of cholesterol, which can be harmful to guinea pigs, and avidin, an anti- biotin absorption agent.
Offering eggs to your fur babies isn’t a good idea. Definitely consider feeding them something else. Let’s dig a little deeper to find out why:
1. Guinea Pigs Are Herbivores
Guinea pigs are herbivores, which means that they should mainly eat plant-based foods to be healthy and happy. This includes hay, fresh vegetables (and fruits), and a small amount of pellets (ya, know the regular guinea pig food you get from the pet store).
But, eggs don’t fit into any of the three categories. Eggs are a source of animal protein that guinea pigs have a really hard time digesting. When piggies eat something like eggs, they can cause many digestive problems for them.
2. Eggs Don’t Contain Fiber
Hay, vegetables, and fruits are all good for guinea pigs because they have a lot of fiber. Fiber helps with regular bowel movements and digestion. This can help prevent problems like constipation, diarrhea, and bloating.
But, eggs don’t contain any fiber at all. So, there’s nothing that they offer to help your little friends with the digestive process.
And since eggs aren’t plant-based, eating them is going to be really tough on their stomachs anyway.
3. They Are High In Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a type of fat that is found in some animal-based foods. Guinea pigs can be harmed by cholesterol if there is too much of it. Cholesterol can cause heart diseases in guinea pigs.
Eggs are one of the foods that have a lot of cholesterol. If you give your pig eggs, the cholesterol can build up in the blood vessels and cause heart problems for your cavies.
It can also lead to obesity (or your piggies gaining a bit too much weight), a common health problem in guinea pigs. Other possible conditions include diabetes and cancer.
To avoid this, steer clear of eggs and other high-cholesterol foods. Instead, consider other alternatives for your guinea pig.
4. They Also Contain Avidin
Eggs contain avidin. This substance prevents the absorption of biotin. Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin that is essential for the metabolism of fats and proteins. It also helps keep skin and nails healthy.
Guinea pigs need biotin to stay healthy. But, they can’t absorb this vitamin properly when they eat eggs. This can lead to several health problems such as skin infections, hair loss, and brittle nails.
If you think that your guinea pig is not getting enough biotin, take them to the vet. There’ some supplements that can help to restore biotin levels in your piggie’s body.
5. Food Poisoning Is A Risk
Last but not least, it’s important to note that food poisoning is a real risk when feeding your guinea pig eggs. This is because eggs can be contaminated with bacteria such as Salmonella.
Salmonella is a bacteria that can cause food poisoning in guinea pigs. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, weight loss, dehydration, and extreme sluggishness – among other nasty conditions. In extreme cases, it can even lead to death.
To reduce the risk of food poisoning, avoid feeding eggs to your guinea pig. You’d instead work with other safer options.
For more information on piggie-safe foods, check out: What Guinea Pigs Can Eat (Everything You Need to Know) and What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat? (What You Need To Know)
What Happens If I Give My Guinea Pig Eggs?
If you give your guinea pig eggs, they will probably not eat them. Guinea pigs usually don’t like eating eggs.
Guinea pigs are natural herbivores, which means they’re more likely to enjoy only plant-based foods. Typically, when you give them something they’re not supposed to eat, they will usually sniff it and turn their heads away from it.
Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. If your guinea pig is particularly curious (or hungry), they may decide to give the egg a try. If this happens, there’s a chance that they may get sick.
What Happens If My Guinea Pig Accidentally Eats Some Eggs?
If your guinea pig accidentally eats some eggs, then your little friend is likely to experience some stomach problems. Your piggie’s digestive system is not equipped to deal with the nutrients found in eggs.
Eating a little bit of eggs will seldom kill your guinea pig outright. But, eating them regularly is definitely an invitation to trouble.
You can expect your guinea pig to experience digestive issues like diarrhea, upset stomach, and other gastrointestinal problems. Your cavy may also experience dehydration, especially when diarrhea lasts for several days.
Typically, if you take your cavy off of fruits and veggies for a day or two (and only feed them good hay and pellets), the issue will correct itself. If it doesn’t, then get your little friend to the vet before the diarrhea spirals into something more serious.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Scrambled Eggs?
No, guinea pigs can’t eat scrambled eggs. This is because eggs themselves are not part of their natural diet. Guinea pigs have delicate digestive systems and cannot digest scrambled eggs properly. In fact, it’s even worse when the eggs contain milk or cheese. So, it’s best just to avoid them altogether.
Are Scrambled Eggs Good For Guinea Pigs?
Scrambled eggs are definitely not suitable for guinea pigs. Scrambled eggs have some compounds that don’t work well with your guinea pig’s tummy. Just don’t think of giving your guinea pig these eggs.
Scrambled eggs are a nutritious and tasty superfood for humans. But that doesn’t mean that they’re suitable for guinea pigs.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Hard-Boiled Eggs?
No, guinea pigs can neither eat hard-boiled eggs. Again, the problem with boiled eggs is that it contains a lot of compounds that can be harmful to cavies. Eggs are an animal-based product and, as such, they’re not a good fit for guinea pigs.
Hard-boiled eggs make a perfect breakfast for humans. They’re rich in protein, and they have a lot of nutrients. But for guinea pigs, these same qualities make them dangerous food.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cooked Eggs?
Guinea pigs can’t eat any cooked food, and that includes eggs. Eating cooked eggs isn’t healthy for guinea pigs. Cooked eggs are hard to digest and can cause some health problems in guinea pigs, so it’s best to avoid them.
Don’t forget that guinea pigs are herbivores. That means they thrive on vegetation and other plant-based material (no animal products, Mr. Piggie).
So, while a cooked egg might not kill your guinea pig outright (at least not at first), it’s still not something that you should feed them. If you do, then you’re likely to see some health problems down the road.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Egg Whites?
No, guinea pigs shouldn’t eat egg whites, because they’re not a healthy option for them. This part contains a lot of animal-based protein and other food compounds that may be harmful to your guinea pig.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Raw Eggs?
No, guinea pigs cannot eat raw eggs. Like with cooked eggs, guinea pigs can’t digest raw eggs. As we’ve already said, your pig’s digestive system can only work with plant-based foods and nothing else.
Plus, raw eggs can contain bacteria like Salmonella, which can make your guinea pig sick. So, it’s best to avoid raw eggs altogether.
Raw eggs can give your guinea pig digestive issues, diarrhea, and other tummy trouble. And don’t get me started on how raw eggs have bacteria
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Eggshells?
Guinea pigs can’t eat eggshells safely. Offering eggshells to your guinea pig is never a good idea. Even if they eat them in small amounts, they can cause internal damage because of the sharp edges.
Eggshells are sharp, and that alone is enough to attract trouble to your pet. But besides that, this outer part of an egg is high in calcium.
In other words, eggshells have everything it takes to cause bladder and kidney stones in guinea pigs.
And there you have it. Guinea pigs shouldn’t eat eggs or any part of them – cooked, raw, or otherwise. So, the next time you’re tempted to offer your pet an egg, remember that it’s not worth the risk.
Thankfully, there are plenty of other guinea pig-safe foods you can give to your pet. And yes, that ushers us to our next section.
What Should Guinea Pigs Eat?
A guinea pig’s diet should mostly be based on plants. You can give them hay, vegetables and fruits to eat. Guinea pigs also need a tiny bit of pellets to be healthy.
- Hay – Hay is an important part of a guinea pig’s diet. It helps them digest their food and gives them the fiber they need. The best types are timothy hay, oat hay, and meadow hay.
- Vegetables – guinea pigs love eating veggies (once they’ve gotten a chance to get used to them anywa) . Some of the best options include lettuce, kale, carrots, arugula, Brussel sprouts, cilantro, cabbage, collard greens, turnip greens, and spinach.
- Fruits – guinea pigs can also eat fruits, but only in moderation. Some of the best options include apples, pears, oranges, mango, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and grapes. Only remember to remove seeds as they can be dangerous
- Pellets: Pellets are a type of guinea pig food that you can find in pet stores (or online). They’re specially made to provide guinea pigs with the necessary nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Just make sure to get pellets that are made specifically for guinea pigs.
Avoid giving your cavies guinea pig pellets that have muesli, seeds, or nuts. These can be harmful to your pet and may cause health problems.
What Should Guinea Pigs Avoid Eating?
Guinea pigs should avoid eating anything that is not meant for them. This is the only way to make sure they are safe and healthy. When your adorable friend is happy, so are you.
Here are some of the foods that guinea pigs should avoid:
- Cooked food – as I’ve mentioned, guinea pigs should never eat cooked food. This includes cooked vegetables, fruits, meat, grains, and anything else.
- Processed food – guinea pigs should also avoid processed food such as chips, crackers, cookies, and the like. These foods are high in salt, sugar, and other unhealthy ingredients.
- Junk food – guinea pigs should also avoid junk food such as candy, cake, ice cream, and soda. These foods are not only unhealthy but can also cause digestive problems.
- Anything with sugar – Anything containing a lot of sugar isn’t a healthy option for cavies. So, avoid syrup, honey, molasses, fruit juices, etc. Sugar can cause health problems in guinea pigs.
- Anything with caffeine – Also, avoid offering your pet anything with caffeine, such as coffee, tea, and chocolate.
Final Verdict
So, there you have it. The answer to the question of whether or not guinea pigs should eat eggs is a resounding no! Eggs are difficult for guinea pigs to digest and can cause a variety of health problems, including digestive issues, diarrhea, and even death.
Plus, eggs contain high cholesterol levels which can lead to heart complications in guinea pigs.
If youāre looking for a healthy snack alternative for your furry friend, why not try some fresh fruit or vegetables?
Let me know in the comments below what other healthy snacks you recommend for guinea pigs.