guinea pigs And dandelions

Can guinea pigs being herbivores also eat weeds because they are plants? Are you wondering whether you can give your guinea pigs these unwanted plants? Can you feed them the dandelions that are in plenty in your yard? 

Yes, guinea pigs can eat weeds. Read along to gain more information about dandelions as a weed for your guinea pigs. 

Should you give dandelions to your guinea pigs?

Dandelions are weeds that mainly comprise bright yellow flowers and green leaves. They are found everywhere, and feeding this to your guinea pig will actually save you money.

They will have both foods to eat and clear your yard of these weeds. Such a win-win situation. 

 You can give your guinea pigs all parts of a dandelion as they are all nutritious from the leaves, to the flowers and even the flower stem.

Note- Baby guinea pigs should eat dandelions in tiny amounts, lesser in amount than adult guinea pigs. They should also not eat them as frequently as the adult guinea pigs as their digestive system is still adapting to food from weaning.   

Do guinea pigs like dandelions?

Yes, guinea pigs not only like dandelions, but they also love them. This is because of their taste.

It is one of the weeds that they are not allergic to and they, therefore, enjoy them so much. 

Did you know human beings can also eat dandelions?   

How often can guinea pigs eat dandelions? 

It is advisable that guinea pigs eat dandelions under three times a week.

You can choose to alternate the days which you give them i.e. if you give them on a Monday, the next time you give them is on a Wednesday and the next time on a Friday or Saturday.  

This is because dandelions are very rich in calcium and you don’t want your guinea pigs having excretory organs complications such as bladder and kidney stones. 

How many dandelions can a guinea pig have in a day?

When giving your guinea pigs dandelions, 1-2 flowers together with their leaves are enough per day.

You should go and pluck the dandelions in your yard as opposed to letting your guinea pigs go to the yard. This is because when they go to the yard, they will overeat the dandelions as them being rodents will want to eat everything in their sight. 

Can guinea pigs have dandelion tea?

No! Guinea pigs cannot have dandelion tea. Dandelion tea, especially the sachet ones, has chemicals that were used in the making to preserve them and the chemicals are toxic to guinea pigs.

Boiled dandelion tea also contains caffeine, which is not good for your guinea pigs. Caffeine causes complications to guinea pigs such as wide blood vessels and irregular heart functioning. Even boiling the dandelion roots is still not advisable.  

The only drink that guinea pigs should have is water. Water is life!

Benefits of dandelions to your guinea pigs.

1. They are rich in nutrients- they contain minerals such as potassium and calcium and vitamins such as Vitamin C and Vitamin K. They are important nutrients that are good for bone development and general growth of your guinea pig. 
   
   
2. They contain antioxidants- Dandelions have beta-carotene, which is an excellent source of antioxidants, hence preventing diseases. 
   
   
3. They aid in constipation- This is because of the presence of fiber in the leaves. 
   
   
4. Maintain a healthy heart for your guinea pig- Dandelions have low cholesterol and therefore you do not have to worry about heart diseases or blood sugar fluctuations. 

Risks related to dandelions on guinea pigs.

As mentioned earlier, dandelions are rich in calcium and too much calcium leads to complications related to the kidney and bladder. 

Also, some weeds are sprayed with pesticides that contain harmful chemicals that may poison your guinea pig. Weeds that are also along busy roads are not so good, as they have likely been in contact with pollutants.

Some guinea pigs may have adverse negative reactions such as diarrhea and bloating, especially if the dandelions are being introduced. Therefore, if you are reading about dandelions for guinea pigs for the first time and are planning to introduce dandelions to your guinea pigs’ diet, ensure that you introduce them gradually as you monitor reactions.

If there are any negative reactions, then stop immediately and visit a veterinary doctor.

3 main precautions when feeding dandelions to your guinea pig.

1. Wash the dandelions well- You should wash dandelions well before giving them to your guinea pig. This is to remove any traces of toxic chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides on them, therefore allowing your guinea pig to enjoy a good dandelion and good health as well. 
   
   
2. Do not allow your guinea pig to go eat from the yard- This is to prevent your guinea pig from eating other poisonous things in the yard. 
   
   
3.  Discard any remains of the dandelions- Guinea pigs should only eat freshly plucked dandelions, not stored ones. Remains can easily get contaminated and lead to digestive health problems therefore you should also clear your guinea pig’s cage after it is done eating them because of molds. 

Other Questions

What weeds can guinea pigs eat?

Other than dandelions, guinea pigs can also eat other weeds. Some weeds are poisonous, and therefore it is important to know which weed you are giving your guinea pig before they consume them.

Some of the other weeds that guinea pigs can eat are buttercup, chamomile, shepherd’s purse, chicken weed, oxalis, white clover, Nut grass, daisy weeds, lavender, plantain, cleavers, yarrow, and goose grass. 

All weeds have different benefits, but some common benefits are the presence of vitamins and antioxidants which keep diseases far away from your guinea pig as they boost their immunity. 

Always ensure that you wash your weeds well and feed them to your guinea pig not more than three times a week. 

What food can kill guinea pigs?

Guinea pigs are herbivores and anything that is not a plant can easily kill your guinea pigs as they have sensitive stomachs that cannot digest anything other than plants. 

Some of the foods not to give your guinea pig as they can instantly lead to death are: 

Chocolate- they contain too many sugars that can cause obesity and/ or diabetes, which is a blood sugar control disease. 

Citrus foods - they are too acidic.

Rhubarb plants - they contain toxic oxalic acid. 

Tomato stems and leaves - This is because of the presence of tomatine, which can poison your guinea pig because of the presence of glycoalkaloid.

Iceberg lettuce - They contain too much water that can lead to excessive diarrhea for your guinea leading to death.

Popcorn - The kernels can choke your guinea pig and cause it to die. 

What is poisonous to guinea pigs?

Guinea pigs love to eat everything and therefore, you should really keep a keen eye on your cavy to ensure it does not take foods that are poisonous to it. 

Some things you should ensure your guinea pig does not eat as it may poison them are meat, fruits high in sugar and acids, avocados as they are high in fats, seeds, cereals, nuts, human snacks, and the potatoes and onions family. 

Some of the weeds that guinea pigs should never eat as when they do, they will poison them and they are deadly are foxgloves, poppies, bindweed, amaryllis, and nightshades. 

When you see your guinea pigs have symptoms such as diarrhea, rough fur, inflammation and pain in the stomach, change in appetite, and weight loss, it may be a sign that it has eaten something poisonous. You should rush it to the vet for treatment.  

Keep educating yourself on guinea pigs because ignorance is very expensive.