Can Guinea Pigs Eat Brussel Sprouts?

As guinea pigs are naturally herbivores, they generally feed on fruits and vegetables. Now you may wonder which fruits and vegetables are healthy for guinea pigs. Would Brussel sprouts be one of the foods they can eat?

So, can guinea pigs eat Brussel sprouts? Guinea pigs can eat Brussel sprouts as it is healthy and rich in essential minerals, vitamins, and dietary fiber. Brussel sprouts are very similar to baby cabbage with edible leaves. It is loaded with an excellent source of vitamin A and C that are necessary for the normal vision, functioning of the immune system, and reproduction of the Guinea Pigs.

Need more information on Brussel sprouts? Keep on reading. This article consists of everything you need to know about feeding Brussel sprouts to guinea pigs. Let us begin!

Health Benefits Of Eating Brussel Sprouts For Guinea Pigs

The Brussel sprouts are a good source of vitamins that plays a potential role in your guinea pigs’ diet.

Below are the health benefits of Brussel sprouts for your guinea pigs:

Rich in Antioxidant

Brussel sprouts are rich in antioxidants. The higher intake of antioxidants can lower the risks of chronic oxidative stress and helps the immunity system of your pet. Feeding the necessary quantity of antioxidants to guinea pigs will also improve their heart health.

Helps the digestion process

The dietary fiber in Brussel sprouts helps with the digestion process. As Guinea Pigs have a very sensitive digestive system, it is always important to be careful when choosing food for them. However, Brussel sprouts easier the digestion process and reduce unnecessary pains and constipation issues of your pet.

Contains ALA Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Brussel sprouts are one of the rare plants that contain Omega-3 Fatty Acids. It brings health benefits in numerous ways. Reduce inflammation, and insulin resistance are two major benefits that your guinea pigs can attain by consuming the right amount of Brussel sprouts.

Helps Fast Growth

Adding Brussel sprouts to the meal causes the fast and proper growth of your guinea pigs. Especially vitamin K in Brussel sprouts works on bone growth and development. In addition to that, the vitamins and minerals in Brussel sprouts play an important role in blood clotting and lowering blood pressure.

Nutrient Factors of Brussel Sprouts

As you may already know Brussel sprouts are very high in nutrients.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture’s food data central database:

One cup of raw Brussel sprouts contains nutrients as follows:

  • Calories – 37.8
  • Fat – 0.264g
  • Carbohydrate – 7.88g
  • Protein -2.97g

Also, one cup of cooked Brussel sprouts contains:

  • Calories – 56.2
  • Fat – 0.78g
  • Carbohydrate – 11.08g
  • Protein – 3.98g

Vitamins – per 100g

  • Brussel sprouts are also rich in:
  • Riboflavin (B2) – 0.09 mg
  • Niacin (B3) – 0.745 mg
  • Pantothenic acid (B5) – 0.309 mg
  • Vitamin B6 – 0.219 mg
  • Folate (B9) – 61 μg
  • Choline – 19.1 mg
  • Vitamin C – 85 mg
  • Vitamin E – 0.88 mg
  • Vitamin K – 177 μg

Minerals – per 100g

  • Calcium – 42 mg
  • Iron – 1.4 mg
  • Magnesium – 23 mg
  • Manganese – 0.337 mg
  • Phosphorus – 69 mg
  • Potassium – 389 mg
  • Sodium – 25 mg
  • Zinc – 0.42 mg

Risks Factors To Consider When Feeding Brussel Sprouts To Chickens

It is always good to know about the factors that affect the feeding of Brussel sprouts to Guinea pigs. I recommend you decide on a few things before the meal. The first thing is how many guinea pigs you have. After that, make sure the quantity is sufficient and not too much for each one.

The presence of calcium and sodium in Brussels sprouts sometimes leads to urinary problems including bladder and kidney stones.

Moreover, the overconsumption of Brussel sprouts may cause diarrhea and gases. If your guinea pig has allergic conditions and digestion issues it is not recommended to provide Brussel sprouts.

Anyway, by providing only one or two Brussels sprouts per week with other food, you can protect your pet from harmful effects.

Do Guinea Pigs Like Cooked Brussel Sprouts?

In short, the answer is no. The guinea pigs do not like to eat anything cooked. According to the researches, guinea pigs have slow digestion of cooked food. It is better to avoid cooked food as it destroys nutrients and freshness. Whether it is any other fruit or a vegetable, you are not supposed to provide cooked meals to guinea pigs.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Raw Brussel Sprouts?

Of course, that is the best way you can feed Brussel sprouts to guinea pigs. They love to eat anything raw and fresh. As guinea pigs are herbivores, their digestive system is made to digest raw food and not cooked meals.

Can Guinea Pigs Have Brussel Sprouts Every day?

Feeding Brussels sprouts every day is not a great idea. Though Brussel sprouts are nutritious food, excessive consumption may lead to unexpected bad health conditions. Therefore, it is advised not to give Brussels sprouts to your guinea pig every day.

Generally, you can serve one or two small Brussel sprouts once or twice a week.

Guinea pigs are also like little kids. They have their own food preferences. Same as kids they tend to refuse food depending on the taste and the smell. However, most of the Guinea pigs who prefer to eat green leaves and vegetables do not refuse Brussel sprouts. According to many pieces of research, Brussel sprouts is one of their most favorite food.

How Much Brussel Sprouts Can Guinea Pigs Eat?

It is recommended to feed only one or two small Brussel sprouts to one guinea pig. You should avoid putting many Brussel sprouts into their plate because consumption of too many Brussel sprouts can cause health-related issues such as gastric, diarrhea, vomiting, and further unhealthy conditions. Importantly, make sure you add other fruits and vegetables while you feed Brussel sprouts to make the meal a balanced diet.

What Other Vegetables Can Guinea Pigs Eat?

Celery

Celery makes a tasty treat for your guinea pigs. This vegetable is high in many nutrients which your guinea pigs can benefit from. Make sure to only feed celery to them in moderation. This vegetable contains oxalate, and it can be harmful to them.

Yam

Yam is rich in many nutrients, especially vitamin C. The guinea pigs can a lot of benefit from eating yam. These root vegetables, it’s also high in starch and oxalate. These are harmful to the guinea pigs when fed to them in large quantities. To prevent any health issues, only feed yam to your cavies in a small amount, once or twice per week.

Watercress

Watercress is known as a superfood for its high nutrition value. It has many important vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin C and K. Only feed them watercress to the guinea pigs in moderation to avoid any digestive issues. This aquatic vegetable is high in water content, which could lead to diarrhea and an upset stomach when consumed in large amounts.

Conclusion

It is important to provide a balanced, nutritious meal to your guinea pigs, and no doubt that Brussel sprouts play a major role in that balanced diet. If you follow the size frequency and avoid risk factors, you will assure a healthy, happy life for your guinea pigs. Always do not forget to provide great treats to your loved pets.

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