Will Rosemary Kill Your Guinea Pig? (Explained Now)
Everyone says stuff like “oh you should give your cavies herbs once in a while”. It’s always “oh, do this, do that”, yet no one gives a detailed guide. So I’m answering a popular question about rosemary. Can guinea pigs eat it?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat rosemary. It has antioxidants and vitamin A. Plus it’s great for boosting your guinea pigs’ immune system. Rosemary also has vitamin C which helps to prevent scurvy. The drawback of this herb is that its calcium content is high, which can cause health issues for guinea pigs. So only feed this herb once or twice a week.
Curious about the dos and don’ts of feeding rosemary to your piggies?
Well, guess what? I still have a lot in store for you.
Shall we?
What Is Rosemary, Anyway?
Rosemary is an herb that belongs to the same family as mint and basil. It can grow wild on cliffs and is common in France. Rosemary was used as a herbal cure for headaches and toothaches in the past.
Nowadays, this herb is used to spice up delicacies, especially meat. Even though it’s native to the Mediterranean area, it’s used globally now.
If you want some more information on what guinea pigs can and can’t eat, check out these posts: What Guinea Pigs Can Eat (Everything You Need To Know) and What Herbs Can Guinea Pigs Eat? (The Good, The Bad, The Tasty)
Is Rosemary Safe For Guinea Pigs?
Yes, rosemary is safe for guinea pigs. It has a unique smell that entices most guinea pigs. Trust me, your furry friends will happily munch on this fresh herb. But there are some things you need to know to be completely safe with rosemary.
First off, you have to be careful with the portions you serve your piggies.
Anything above the moderate amount could lead to unpleasant side effects.
And it gets worse.
These side effects could develop into long-term issues. Keep reading, I’ll talk more on these risks later.
When given in the right amounts, rosemary is quite a healthy treat. It’s also pretty easy to digest.
Keep in mind that guinea pigs have sensitive stomachs. So, you always need to track what you ’re feeding them. That way, you’ll be able to tell if something doesn’t sit well with their tummies.
Is Rosemary Good For Your Guinea Pigs?
Yes, rosemary is good for guinea pigs. It has vitamin A which’ll help with your guinea pig’s eyesight. Rosemary also has antioxidants that’ll help keep them healthier, too.
Let’s take a peek at the benefits of rosemary for guinea pigs in more detail below:
Packed With Antioxidants
Rosemary is among the best in the herbs ever because it contains antioxidants. What are antioxidants? They’re chemicals that help to fight against free radicals. These few radicals can be harmful to your piggies when they’re too many.
Vitamin A is the major free radical in rosemary. Body organs like lungs and kidneys benefit from this nutrient. Manganese is another free radicals fighter. This nutrient is also abundant in rosemary.
Immune System Booster
Rosemary is full of nutrients that help to keep the immune system functioning properly. Vitamin C is one of these nutrients. It also aids in the production of collagen which is responsible for healthy skin and repair of wounds.
Every bit of help for boosting your guinea pig’s immune system is very much appreciated. Since rosemary is rich in antioxidants, it’ll help to improve your furry friend’s immunity.
A strong immune system helps to protect against diseases and infections. So, there’s no harm in including this herb in your guinea pigs’ diet as an immunity booster.
Oranges aren’t the only source of Vitamin C. In fact, guinea pigs can get enough Vitamin C from other vegetables like kale, mint, bell peppers, and broccoli.
Good for Digestion
Rosemary has an excellent amount of dietary fiber. With this much fiber, your piggies can say bye-bye to constipation.
Movement of food through your cavy’s digestive system is easier with enough fiber.
Too much fiber can cause loose stools though. But the fiber amount in rosemary is totally safe. So no worries there.
Scurvy Prevention
As any guinea pig owner knows, these furry little friends require a diet that is rich in vitamin C. Otherwise, guinea pigs can develop a condition known as scurvy, which can lead to weakness, joint pain, and bleeding gums.
Unfortunately, your fur babies can’t make their own, so it’s important to make sure they’re getting enough in their diet. One way to do this is by feeding them foods that are high in vitamin C, like rosemary.
Rosemary is a good choice for preventing scurvy in guinea pigs because it contains high levels of vitamin C and has a pleasant flavor.
Plus, rosemary is rich in antioxidants, which can help protect against other diseases.
If you want some more information on SAFE, tasty things you can feed your guinea pigs, then read: What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat? (What You Need To Know)and Is It Safe For Guinea Pigs To Eat Oregano? (Find Out Now)
Risks of Feeding Rosemary To Guinea Pigs
Like every other veggie or herb you feed your furry friends, there are risks with rosemary. I know you want what’s best for your piggies. That’s why you’re here in the first place. So let me help you out by listing some of these risks:
Easy to Overfeed
Rosemary may not look dangerous to our guinea pigs. And yes, it’s not harmful except when it’s overfed. Trust me, it’s really easy to overfeed rosemary because guinea pigs love it.
Rosemary leaves aren’t big either so you might end up feeding them too many. Please heed my warning and try not to overdo it.
Dear piggie owner, a few leaves are more than enough (to be on the safer side).
Pesticides
This is a big flaw and it’s lethal. But honestly, it’s easy to avoid. As a general rule, wash all herbs properly before feeding them to your cavies. The rosemary might have been sprayed with chemicals like pesticides. So you should consider this while foraging for rosemary.
If your piggies eat contaminated rosemary, they’ll fall sick immediately. Hope you know our fur babies are fragile? Always bear that in mind to avoid issues like poisoning.
My final point here is that you should be very thorough with your herbs. Clean them well and ensure that they’re completely safe before serving.
Bladder and Kidney Stones
I know what you’re thinking. So many stones! But, don’t be alarmed. These stones only form when there’s an excess of calcium in the body. And what causes this calcium build-up? A diet rich in calcium, of course.
So if you feed your piggies too much rosemary (or any other food high in calcium), they might end up with bladder or kidney stones. These stones are extremely painful and can even be fatal for your little fuzz spuds.
It’ll also cause other issues like:
- Having a lot of pain when they urinate
- Urinary tract infections (also known as URI)
- Bloody urine
You don’t have to be as concerned with feeding rosemary to guinea pigs that are 6 months old or younger. Baby guinea pigs have a higher calcium requirements. But as they grow older, you’d definitely want to go easy on the rosemary.
Diarrhea
Guinea pigs can get a disturbed tummy from eating rosemary. From my experience, loose stool and diarrhea can result from excess rosemary. You’ll notice side effects like:
- Stomach pains
- Vomiting
- Gasses
- Discomfort
All these can also be caused by feeding your cavies unclean rosemary. An overdose of it is another possible cause. So it’s better to feed them rosemary sparingly. If not, well you’re welcoming digestive problems.
What Nutrients Are In Rosemary?
Rosemary contains vitamin A, C and dietary fiber. But that’s not all, there are a lot more.
This is the nutrient composition per 100g of rosemary.
- Protein – 3.31 g (a good amount for the steady growth of your cavies)
- Total lipid (fat) – 5.86 g (this is somewhere between the normal and high amount, so be careful)
- Carbohydrate – 20.7 g (this is more than enough for your piggies’ daily energy)
- Fiber – 14.1 g (a normal amount which I will aid regular bowel movements)
- Calcium, Ca – 317 mg (this is ridiculously high honestly. Bladder stones knocking)
- Iron, Fe – 6.65 mg (this helps in preventing anemia)
- Magnesium, Mg – 91 mg (prevents heart problems, diabetes, and anxiety. It also helps with muscle pains)
- Potassium, K – 668 mg (regulates blood pressure in your furry pals)
- Copper, Cu – 0.301 mg (forms red blood cells and absorbs iron)
- Manganese, Mn – 0.96 mg (reduces inflammation, regulates blood sugar too!)
- Vitamin C – 21.8 mg (yay! so long, scurvy)
- Thiamin – 0.036 mg (prevent diseases of the brain and stomach
- Riboflavin – 0.152 mg (helps in oxygen transport. It converts food to energy too)
- Vitamin A – 146 µg (a super strong antioxidant and in a good amount too)
Now you’ll agree that rosemary is quite nutritious, huh?
Do Guinea Pigs Like Rosemary?
Yes, guinea pigs like rosemary. In fact, most cavies will happily eat this herb if you give it to them. And how do I know this for a fact?
I researched 42 people who own guinea pigs. My goal was to find out how many of them think their guinea pig likes rosemary. Let’s see what I found!
Highlights of my research:
- Most owners feed their guinea pigs rosemary leaves at least twice a week.
- Several owners said their furry friends love rosemary.
- Others mix their rosemary with bell peppers or cucumbers before serving it.
- A few owners said their cavies don’t like rosemary.
88.1% (37 piggie owners) said their piggies love rosemary. Most of these owner feed rosemary often to their guinea pigs.
11.9% (5 piggie owners) noted that their guinea pigs don’t like rosemary. No one said anything about their fur balls having an allergic reaction to the rosemary.
I have a little more info….
These are some serving suggestions I picked up from my research:
- Put one small slice of cucumber in each serving of rosemary for your cavy.
- Mix a few fruits and top them with your rosemary leaves.
- You can add two slices of bell pepper and rosemary to your rosemary servings.
I hope you’ll try out some of those tips when you decide to let your piggies give rosemary a try.
Here’s two posts that’ll be helpful: 9 Tips For How To Teach Guinea Pigs to Eat Vegetables and 5 Top Reasons Your Guinea Pig Is A Picky Eater (You Need To Know Now)
Can Guinea Pigs Be Allergic to Rosemary?
Yes, guinea pigs can be allergic to rosemary, but it’s pretty rare. Most piggies don’t mind the taste of rosemary and they love the herb. But other piggies may be sensitive to it. You can also say they’re allergic to it.
That doesn’t mean they wouldn’t want to try it. If your fuzz spud is allergic to rosemary, you’ll notice side effects like:
- Bloating
- Feeling very tired and sleepy
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
You should always watch your little friends closely when you’ve introduced a new food into their diet. You wouldn’t want them to get sick, would you? If you see any of the side effects I mentioned, stop feeding rosemary to your cavy immediately and take him to the vet.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Dried Rosemary?
No, guinea pigs shouldn’t eat dried rosemary. It’s one of the foods they should avoid. Fresh rosemary is fine, but the dried version doesn’t have much nutritional value. So if you’re looking to add a little flavor to your guinea pig’s diet, reach for something else.
Guinea pigs can eat dried forage and flowers, though. Like dandelions, rose petals, and other safe plants.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Rosemary Leaves?
Guinea pigs can eat rosemary leaves. They’re a great source of nutrients and a healthy snack for your guinea pigs.
The leaves contain vitamins and other important nutrients for your cavies. It’s safe to feed them rosemary leaves in moderation as part of a healthy diet.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Rosemary Flowers?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat rosemary flowers. Some people think of rosemary flowers as being nothing more than pretty decorations, they can actually be a source of important nutrients for guinea pig that can help to boost the immune system.
Adding a small amount of dried rosemary flowers to your guinea pig’s diet can help keep them healthy and happy.
Just make sure you thoroughly wash the flower before feeding it to your piggy to remove any pesticides or other chemicals that might be present.
And only give your little fuzz spuds a small amount at a time.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Rosemary Stems?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat rosemary stems. They’re nutritious and make a nice chewy treat. But you should make sure the rosemary stems are clean before giving them to your piggies. So double check them before you hand out a portion to your cavies.
Can Guinea Pigs Drink Rosemary Tea?
No, guinea pigs can’t drink rosemary tea. Teas usually amplify the effects of any herbs they contain – like calcium which is good for humans but can cause bladder stones in guinea pigs.
So it’s best to avoid giving your guinea pigs tea, even they can eat the fresh version of the herb. The same goes for any other type of tea.
Watch out for the type of water you give to your guinea pigs. In some cases, tap water has a high mineral content, which makes your little friends more prone to getting bladder stones. Filtered water is usually the best choice for most piggies. That way you’re not unintentionally giving your little friends more calcium than they need.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Rosemary Flakes?
No guinea pigs shouldn’t eat rosemary flakes. Rosemary flakes are prepared much like dried rosemary. And since there’s no nutritional value in dried rosemary, there’s also no nutritional value in rosemary flakes.
Will The Smell Of Rosemary Hurt Guinea Pigs?
No, the smell of fresh rosemary won’t hurt guinea pigs, but the strong smell of rosemary essential oil will irritate their eye, nose, and lungs.
So if you’re thinking of diffusing some rosemary oil in your home, be sure to do it in a room that your guinea pig isn’t in. Or better yet, stick to fresh herbs – and avoid using any essential oils around your guinea pigs altogether.
Guinea pigs have an excellent sense of smell. In fact, they’re so sensitive to strong smells that they can actually get sick from certain perfumes or cleaning products. That’s why it’s important to always use unscented products around guinea pigs, and to avoid putting any strong-smelling items (like essential oils or fleece washed in strong detergents) in their cage. So the next time you’re wearing your favorite perfume, just remember: your guinea pig might not be able to appreciate it the way you do.
Should You Feed Your Guinea Pigs Rosemary?
Yes, you should feed your guinea pig rosemary if your little friend is healthy. But, be careful.
While this herb is perfectly safe for most guinea pigs, if your guinea pig has a bladder stone sensitivity, it can actually slowly reactivate the condition (and you definitely don’t want that).
So, if you’re not sure whether or not your guinea pig has this sensitivity, it’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid giving them any rosemary. Just to be safe.
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How Often Should Guinea Pigs Have Rosemary?
Feed your cavies some rosemary leaves once or twice a week. This will help them get the nutrients from the leaves in safe amounts.
They’ll be less likely to have issues like bladder or kidney stones. And this is only if they are eating a moderate amount.
There’s a few things to remember when feeding your guinea pig. First, it’s important to give your guinea pig a variety of different vegetables and fruits to stay healthy. Second, don’t give your guinea pig too much to eat or it might get sick. And finally, make sure you rotate the foods you offer so that your guinea pig gets all the nutrients it needs. With these guidelines in mind, you can be sure that your guinea pig will always have a healthy diet.
How To Introduce Rosemary To Your Guinea Pigs
How should you feed rosemary to your caves? You don’t think you’ll give your cavies rosemary leaves to eat like that, do you? Definitely not. We do things like experts here.
Step by step method of introducing rosemary to your piggies:
- Wash the rosemary by soaking it in water for about 20 minutes.
- Then you can take it out and let it dry.
- This is optional. You can mix your rosemary with other herbs or veggies. For example, I prefer feeding it with a slice of green pepper. That mixture would seriously give your cavy a balanced diet.
- And lastly, watch them and see if there are any negative side effects after the food. Go to your vet if you notice any major effects.
What Herbs Can Guinea Pigs Eat?
Guinea pigs can eat fennel, dill and cilantro. There are loads of cool herbs for your guinea pigs.
Here’s some more:
- Oregano: has quite a strong smell but it’s a great herb
- Cilantro: your cavies can eat cilantro up to thrice a week. It contains vitamins A, C, E, and K.
- Fennel: This is loved by piggies. Plus it’s a powerhouse of cool nutrients.
- Basil: This is a very fragrant herb – great for vision and their immune system Your pigs will love the smell and taste of this.
- Dill: Dill contains vitamins, potassium, and magnesium. This herb is good for your fuzz spuds
- Parsley: this is a good treat for guinea pigs. You might wanna be careful because it’s high in oxalic acid. It can also cause bladder and kidney stones.
- Mint: it’s healthy and has an amazing scent. Its major drawback is too much calcium.
- Thyme: thyme is great for our cavies’ immune system. But its scent can be bad for guinea pigs.
What Herbs and Plants Should Guinea Pigs Avoid?
Guinea pigs should avoid ivy, privet and holly. Just so you know, there’s a lot more harmful herbs for piggies out there. And trust me, they don’t look harmful (so don’t assume that).
To prove my point, here’s a list of more harmful herbs:
- Chives like garlic and onions
- Yew
- Ragwort
- Ivy
- Privet
- Nightshade
- Holly
- Hemlock
- Foxglove
Eating any of the above plants or herbs would be a disaster for your cavies. Yes, I’m talkin’ poison, sickness, and maybe even death.
Bulb plants are worse because they have an insane amount of oxalates. This chemical is known to cause urinary problems like bladder stones.
Some of these plants are just outright poison. It could be the smell, texture, or composition. The bottom line is that you should always forage properly.
Plus if you have outdoor piggies please keep them from roaming in your garden. That’ll help to make sure that they don’t eat any wrong plant.
How To Introduce Herbs To Guinea Pigs
Introducing herbs to guinea pigs isn’t difficult. It’s the aftermath that we worry about. But I’m telling you now that you can get a good outcome once you do the right thing.
So what’s the right way to introduce herbs to your guinea pigs? Let’s see:
- Wash the herb completely (at least twice)
- Give your cavy one to two pieces or leaves of the herb first.
- Wait to see if there’s any bad reaction – about 24 hours or so.
- If there’s none, you can serve a full portion.
If you want some more information on more tasty, healthy things you can feed your guinea pigs, then read: Is Dill Toxic To Guinea Pigs? (Find Out Now) and The Alarming Truth About Guinea Pigs and Parsley
Can Guinea Pigs Have Dried Herbs?
There’s is one type of herb that you should avoid feeding to your guinea pig: dried herbs.
While fresh herbs are packed with nutrients, dried herbs are significantly lacking in this department.
So, if you’re looking to give your guinea pig a nutritious treat, stick to fresh herbs. Your pet will thank you for it
How Often Can Guinea Pigs Have Herbs?
Guinea pigs can have herbs no more than twice a week. Herbs are highly nutritious and that’s the more reason they should be limited. Some of them have tons of restricted nutrients like calcium.
Some other foods that have high levels of oxalic acid are also not part of our cavies’ main diet. But, they can be added as a healthy treat, as long as you don’t give them too much.
Here’s two posts that’ll be helpful: 9 Tips For How To Teach Guinea Pigs to Eat Vegetables and 5 Top Reasons Your Guinea Pig Is A Picky Eater (You Need To Know Now)
Things To Remember About Guinea Pigs Eating Rosemary
All herbs have their pros and cons. Some have more cons than pros (sadly). But rosemary has more advantages and benefits.
It has antioxidants plus it’s great for immunity. It’s also a cool source of vitamins. You’ll need to watch out for the calcium amount though. It’s kinda high and should be considered before feeding.
Don’t feed rosemary to your piggies with bladder stones. Limit this herb to one or two times a week (in small amounts) for all healthy cavies.