Can Guinea Pigs Eat Collard Green? You Should Know These!

Can guinea pigs eat collard green? Yes, guinea pigs can eat collard green. This leafy vegetable is packed with vitamins A, C, and K, and many more nutrients good for them. These are essential not only to human beings but to guinea pigs as well. So, yes! Guinea pigs can eat collard greens.

These green, leafy vegetables contain high calcium levels, too, suitable for guinea pigs to eat. Yet, the levels are very high for them to be incorporated in a guinea pigs’ regular diet. In my case, I used to give Ginger collar greens thinking that it’s okay. But, I read that it is better to give them collard greens occasionally.

So, as a pet owner, you should always monitor your guinea pigs’ condition when fed with food with high calcium, phosphorus, and oxalic acid content. Your pets cannot handle too much of these nutrients in their system. The good thing is that Ginger did not experience any health breakdown after I wrongfully give him too much of this food.

Anyway, in this article, we’ll found out some of its risks and benefits, as well as the vitamins and minerals collard greens are made of. Just read on to find out!

Why Should I Give My Pet Collard Greens?

You already know- guinea pigs can eat collard green. As long as collard greens are given to your guinea pigs in controlled amounts, they offer more health benefits than risks. Here are just some of the great reasons why you should feed them one:

 

• Vision improvement

This is because of the vitamin A found in collard greens. Generally, guinea pigs have bad eyesight, and it gets worse as they grow older. It’s just the same with human beings. I know the feeling cos’ I, myself, have some eyesight issues. (Please read here why do Guinea pig have red eyes)

That’s why I make sure to give vitamin A rich food into my Ginger’s diet. Through this, I know that it will improve and maintain his vision.

 

• Cancer prevention

If you think only people can get cancer, then you are wrong. Even your guinea pigs can obtain complications such as cancer. There is a sulfur-containing compound in collard greens called glucosinolates that help prevent cancer cells from forming in your guinea pigs.

Cancer is not common to cavies, but tumors are. And these tumors can turn into cancer when it isn’t treated immediately. I know, as a pet owner, you don’t want anything bad to happen for your pet. So, it’s always a good idea to prevent such illness before it occurs.

 

• Controls blood sugar level

You can look up studies about collard green and the enzyme alpha-lipoic acid that comes with it. These enzymes are responsible for maintaining your guinea pigs’ blood sugar level to normal. This situation is also common to guinea pigs, not just to humans.

Also, collard greens contain magnesium; this is the mineral that keeps your guinea pig’s blood sugar checked.

 

• Improve immune system

The immune system is what protects guinea pigs from most diseases. Vitamins A, C, and K, which are abundant in collard greens, help improve the immune system.

That is why, when you are looking for more food that will help boost the immunity of your piggies, check if these vegetables have high vitamin A, C, and K content.

Another unique thing about Vitamin C is that it prevents scurvy, leading to the bone, skin, and joint problems.

 

Healthy vitamins and minerals found in collard greens

Can guinea pigs eat collard green? Since the answer to this question is yes, let’s find out the vitamins and minerals you can find in this green.

 

• Vitamin A

This vitamin is what helps in developing better eyesight. It is also responsible for giving the skin and hair a healthy glow. If you happen to see Ginger, you’ll be attracted by his shiny hair (my friends say so!).

Moreover, vitamin A boosts your guinea pig’s immune system. Perhaps, we’re all familiar with how a strong immune system can help us and animals shield against diseases.

With just this vitamin alone, it already contains many advantages that can improve your pet’s health.

 

• Vitamin C

Vitamin C best works for the immune system; it helps keep the diseases away. Not to mention, it strengthens your guinea pig’s body holistically. The collagen production in their bodies also increases, helping maintain bones and blood vessels’ maintenance and formation.

 

• Vitamin K

The primary function of Vitamin K is to help reduce blood clotting. Usually, this occurs when your pet meets an accident. Accidents usually cause wounds, so if you want the healing process to be easier and faster, give your piggy the right amount of vitamin K.

 

• Magnesium

Magnesium is an essential mineral you can find in collard greens. It can provide various health benefits that can improve your pet’s overall well-being.

Magnesium helps in improving the function of the heart. The mineral also maintains the guinea pig’s blood sugar level at normal.

Lastly, it can boost their immune system as well. It’s incredible how a single vegetable holds so much nutrition for your guinea pigs.

 

Risks Collard Greens Might Bring To Your Guinea Pigs

Collard greens are indeed safe to be fed to your guinea pigs, but you must provide them at controlled amounts. The high levels of calcium and oxalate bring complications to your cavies when they consume a lot of Collard Greens.

The number one solution to avoid overfeeding them with Collard Greens is to set up a rotational diet. Create a meal plan wherein there are days that you feed them these leafy vegetables, and then days where you switch them up with other kinds of vegetables.(please read here can Guinea pig eat Mint)

Below, we have listed a few complications that may arise to be prepared and aware of what situations may happen.

 

• Diarrhea

This is the most common complication that happens to guinea pigs. There are numerous ways to get diarrhea, but the most common one is overfeeding and abrupt introduction to a new food.

The best way to avoid diarrhea is by adequately introducing the new food to your guinea pig. Start by feeding them with small chopped up pieces of leaves.

If they eat the leaves, do not be assured that they can take it. Wait for a few more minutes and see if your guinea pigs act differently or look in pain. All guinea pigs differ from one another. Some can take in new food quickly, while others have a difficult time in doing so.

These types of animals have a sensitive stomach. The slightest change in their diet can cause complications to arise quickly. That is why always research what food is best for them and how to feed them with it.

 

• Bloating

This is one of the least alarming risks for guinea pigs. It may not be a life and death situation, but it causes a lot of stress. It goes the same way when we humans experience bloating.

What causes this is the built-up gas inside the stomach of your guinea pigs. It will go away after some time, but if you can prevent it from happening, then please do so. Research more on how to help your guinea pigs with their bloating so it will go away faster.

Other vegetables that can cause bloating are arugula(can Guinea pigs eat arugula), cabbages(do Guinea pigs like red cabbage), and cauliflowers. Look out for these, too, when feeding your cavies.

 

• Bladder stone formation

If bloating is the least risky, then bladder stone formation is the opposite. This one is a severe complication that you must avoid at all costs.

As we have said above, collard greens contain high calcium and oxalate content. When these two combine, they can form bladder stones in your guinea pigs.

Bladder stone formation is a common complication in guinea pigs, but they are challenging to deal with.

When you have decided to incorporate Collard Greens in your cavy’s diet, make sure that the other food in their diet contains low calcium. This will balance out their nutrient intake and avoid all those complications from happening.

 

Conclusion

Can guinea pigs eat collard green? Collard greens have a ton of health benefits for your guinea pigs. But, at the same time, it has risks as well.

These risks can be significantly avoided as long as you give proper amounts of collard greens to your guinea pigs. Not all vegetables are safe, so take time to research more about them.