Here we can see, “Can Guinea Pig Eats Sweet Potatoes”
Sweet potatoes are frequently regarded as a superfood in the human diet, lauded for their health benefits and high vitamin and mineral content. We often question if they’re safe for our guinea pigs because they’re good for us. The quick answer is to feed sweet potato to your guinea pig in moderation. Below, we’ll go over everything you need to know about the benefits and hazards of feeding sweet potatoes to your guinea pig so you can safely integrate this tasty delicacy into their diet.
Table of Contents
Sweet Potato Nutrition Facts
Sweet potatoes add variety to your meals, and you might have some leftovers for your guinea pig if you make them ahead of time. That’s a good thing because these vegetables are filling.
A 1 cup meal of cooked or mashed sweet potatoes provides approximately:
- 180 calories
- .3 g fat
- 4 g protein
- 41.4 g carbohydrates
- 6.6 g fiber
Nutrients in Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, beneficial to both you and your guinea pig. One serving provides more than 750 percent of the daily required vitamin A requirement!
You’ll receive roughly: a one-cup serving of baked or mashed sweet potato.
- 38433 IU vitamin A
- 39.2 mg vitamin C
- 1.4 mg vitamin E
- 4.6 mcg vitamin K
- 3.0 mg niacin
- 0.6 mg vitamin B6
- 12.0 mcg folate
- 26.2 mcg choline
- 76 mg calcium
- 54 mg magnesium
- 1.4 mg iron
- 108 mg phosphorus
- 950 mg potassium
- 0.6 mg zinc
- 1 mg manganese
- .3 mg copper
How Can I Feed My Guinea Pig Sweet Potato?
If you decide to give your guinea pig a sweet potato treat now and then, remember that frequency and serving size are both important! According to the Humane Society, sweet potato should be given to your pig once or twice a week, and you should only give him a half-inch by half-inch portion.
Humans generally prepare potatoes before eating them, while guinea pigs prefer raw food and gain greater nutritional value. Peel the sweet potato and cut it into small cubes before serving it to your child alongside other veggies or as a treat on its own.
We also like to eat our sweet potatoes with butter and salt, but this can be hazardous for guinea pigs and is generally unhealthy. They’ll be content with a raw, unseasoned sweet potato cube to munch on.
Why Would I Feed My Guinea Pig Sweet Potato?
Sweet potatoes provide health benefits to guinea pigs the same way as vitamins and minerals do for us. Sweet potatoes are particularly high in vitamin C and potassium, which are beneficial in guinea pig diets.
Sweet potatoes include about 3mg of vitamin C per 100g, and while this isn’t the finest source, it’s a nice one! Guinea pigs, like humans, are unable to generate vitamin C on their own. Therefore they must rely on their food to meet their needs. Guinea pigs can become severely unwell if they don’t get enough vitamin C every day, according to pet health experts at PDSA.org. Sweet potatoes can help you attain that goal while still being delicious.
Guinea pig fans at Guinea Pig Tube also point out that potassium is important for guinea pigs because it aids in heart health and blood pressure control. Sweet potatoes are abundant in potassium, so your guinea pig can enjoy a sweet potato snack while maintaining good heart health!
Finally, because sweet potatoes are tasty and slightly sweet, your guinea pig will like them without consuming too much sugar.
User Questions
Can pigs eat raw sweet potatoes?
Sweet potatoes will benefit your pigs greatly, and there will be numerous reasons to feed them this delightful item. It is, for example, a low-cost vegetable that is high in nutrients. This will be a great addition to your pig’s diet.
How much sweet potato can a guinea pig have?
Sweet potatoes for guinea pigs are served in one 1″ cube or four 12-inch cubes, a very small serving size.
What happens if you eat too many sweet potatoes?
Sweet potatoes contain beta-carotene, and too much of it can cause hypervitaminosis A (vitamin A toxicity), a condition in which too much vitamin A builds up in the liver. The color of the skin and nails may turn orange, though this is not considered dangerous. Sweet potatoes also have a high glucose content.
Can guinea pigs eat watermelon?
Watermelon is safe for your guinea pig to eat, but only in moderation. A small slice of the watermelon should be fed to your pet once a week. While hay and grass are essential for your guinea pig’s digestive system and teeth, too much watermelon can upset his stomach.
Can guinea pigs eat pumpkins?
Yes, Guinea Pigs can eat both the peel and the flesh of a pumpkin, but it is better maintained as a treat due to its low nutritional content.
Conclusion
I hope you found this helpful guide. If you have any questions or comments, don’t hesitate to use the form below.
