Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cat Food? -

Last updated on January 22nd, 2023 at 07:21 pm

Often, many of us who keep pets keep several species in our homes, such as guinea pigs, hamsters, cats, dogs, and other pets.

Surely you sometimes wonder if you can give your guinea pig some of the food you use for your cat?

Can a guinea pig eat cat food? The answer is yes, guinea pigs can eat cat food, but only dry food, and in very small quantities.

In today’s article, we will find out if and how much a guinea pig can eat cat food, how it is safest for their health, without having side effects.

Table of Contents show

What is dry cat food?

Dry cat food is a commercial food called kibble in the United States.

Dry cat food contains meat, vitamins, amino acids, and other nutrients.

Meat in dry cat food is the main ingredient because cats need it to be able to get protein, which is very important, especially for their heart.

Can guinea pigs eat cat food?

Yes, guinea pigs can eat cat food, but only dry food, and in smaller quantities and should not be too often.

We must first emphasize that cat food, although not harmful to guinea pigs, does not meet the nutritional needs of guinea pigs.

If you are in a situation where you do not have food for guinea pigs, then you can give dry cat food to your furry pets.

Why should cat food only be given in small quantities to guinea pigs?

Because cat food is high in protein, it is not good for guinea pigs and can cause health problems.

Only small amounts are not dangerous for their health, the digestive system of guinea pigs is adapted to process plant foods, so proteins are very heavy for their stomach.

In addition to protein, cat food contains 40% fat, which is certainly not good for our pets, can cause heart disease, and increase their weight.

It is now a little clearer to us why cat food should be given to guinea pigs in small quantities and in rare situations.

What is the difference between guinea pigs’ food and cat food?

The biggest difference between guinea pigs and cat food is in the composition.

Guinea pig food – contains many vitamins, especially vitamin C, which when deficient can cause scurvy, carbohydrates, and other nutrients.
Cat food – contains a lot of calories, 40% fat, and low carbohydrates.

As you can see, guinea pig food is mainly made up of vitamins and carbohydrates, and cat food is made up of protein.

Can baby guinea pigs eat cat food?

No, baby guinea pigs should not eat cat food.

When they are small in the first few weeks of their life they only need to eat food specially designed for them.

Only after a few weeks can you start giving them other types of food, including cat food, but in very small amounts and with a gradual increase in quantity.

When you start giving cat food you need to pay attention to their behavior, to see if there will be any negative symptoms or everything will be fine.

If diarrhea or something similar occurs you should stop immediately and consult a veterinarian for further steps.

Does eating cat food cause health problems for guinea pigs?

Yes, eating cat food can cause health problems for guinea pigs, especially if given too often.

Guinea pigs are herbivores, if they eat too much cat food, it can cause problems with digestion and the digestive system.

The following problems may occur:

diarrhea

vomiting
bloating
pain in my stomach

obesity

Cat food contains a lot of meat, calories, fat and that is why these problems occur for the health of guinea pigs, of course, if they overeat, while in small quantities they will not have problems.

What are the benefits of eating cat food for guinea pigs?

Guinea pigs will not receive any special benefits from cat food, whether you give them dry or wet food.

The composition of cat food does not contain the nutrients needed for the health of guinea pigs, or even if there are too few nutrients they can take advantage of.

You should only give cat food if you do not have guinea pig food at the moment, and do not leave your pets hungry.

Conclusion

Guinea pigs can eat cat food in very small quantities and in very rare situations when you do not have the food intended for guinea pigs.

Only dry cat food is allowed to be eaten by guinea pigs. Cat food lacks nutrients such as vitamins to be good for guinea pigs, it contains a lot of calories, protein, and fat, as opposed to what your furry friend needs.

Eating too much food for cats can lead to diarrhea, bloating, and stomach problems for guinea pigs.

Lastly, when you do not have food for guinea pigs, give your pet some dry cat food to keep him from getting hungry.