Last updated on January 22nd, 2023 at 07:15 pm
Can guinea pigs eat celery? Yes, guinea pigs can eat celery, but in moderation to have good health benefits without side effects.
They can also eat celery leaves and stems. Celery is a low-calorie food, with a large amount of water, which is great for the health of your pet.
The main food for guinea pigs is hay and pellets, but occasionally they need to eat vegetables and fruits so that they can get the necessary vitamins and minerals needed to be healthy and have a longer life.
In today’s article, we will learn about the benefits of celery for guinea pigs, how much, how, and why it is important for your pet’s diet.
Can guinea pigs eat celery?
Guinea pigs can safely eat celery, as well as its stems and leaves, but always in moderation. Celery is a great vegetable with few calories and a lot of water so that your pet will not have problems with obesity, and at the same time will have good hydration.
This vegetable is rich in nutrients important for the health of guinea pigs. Celery stays fresh for up to 10 days if stored in the refrigerator, which is very important because guinea pigs need fresh food to eat.
The only thing you need to pay attention to is the amount you give to guinea pigs because celery is rich in calcium, which in excessive amounts can cause kidney and bladder stones, as well as digestive problems.
How to start giving celery to guinea pigs?
As with any new food you introduce to guinea pigs, you should start with very small amounts of celery. After giving him celery, wait 24-48 hours and watch his behavior.
If you notice any changes in behavior, lethargy, or allergic reactions, stop giving this vegetable immediately.
Then take him to a veterinarian, who will examine him, and he will give you instructions on what to do to normalize his condition.
How much celery should guinea pigs eat?
Guinea pigs need to eat a tablespoon of celery in half a cup along with other vegetables to have the best health benefits.
It is even better if you mix celery with other vegetables such as bell peppers and lettuce, spinach, carrots, zucchini, peppers, and more.
Because that way you will get the ideal combination of nutrients for their health. The advantage of mixing vegetables and fruits in this way is that you will reduce the total amount of calcium.
It is best to give celery to piglets twice a week, and not two days in a row.
Can baby guinea pigs eat celery?
Baby guinea pigs should not eat celery, or any other vegetables or fruits until they are a few weeks old.
For them, the only food can be only breast milk, water, and food specially designed and exclusively intended for their age, ie pellets.
After a few weeks, then little and small amounts of vegetables and fruits should be included in their diet, of course after consulting a veterinarian.
read more: Can Guinea Pigs Eat Spinach? (Benefits and Risks)
What should you avoid when giving celery to guinea pigs?
It is important to avoid large amounts of celery, as it has a lot of oxalates and calcium, and not much vitamin C, which is the most important vitamin for their health.
Oxalates in large quantities can only cause serious problems for your pet, such as kidney and bladder stones.
How to prepare celery for eating for guinea pigs?
As with any vegetable given to guinea pigs, washing the vegetables always comes first. Take care to wash the celery as well as possible, so that there are no chemicals or impurities that are harmful to the health of your furry pet.
Next, you need to cut a piece of celery as big as a bite of guinea pig, it can be given to them anyway, although it is desirable to mix it with other vegetables for the best health benefits.
Once you have finished giving the celery, make sure there are no leftovers in the guinea pig cage and remove them after 2-3 hours.
Can guinea pigs eat celery leaves?
Of course, they can eat celery leaves, they will not only eat them but also enjoy the snack.
Only as always should we pay attention to the amount given to them, we must emphasize this important rule, although it is already obvious that many vegetables and fruits that are given to guinea pigs always amount is crucial for the benefits it will have for their health.
Accidentally ingesting large amounts of celery leaves can cause urinary tract problems in your furry pet.
Can guinea pigs eat celery stalks?
Celery stalks are safe to eat by guinea pigs, although it is recommended to be avoided by those who have urinary problems.
In any case, because of the bitter taste of celery stalks, guinea pigs will certainly not be very impressed if you give them celery stalks to eat.
Guinea pigs can eat celery stalks, just make sure they are in small quantities because that is the safest for their health and maximum benefits from them.
We recommend that you avoid giving them celery stalks if your pet has urinary problems and kidney stones.
Never give them more than the recommended amount, that is the main rule for them to be healthy and happy, and do not forget to remove the excess celery stems from the guinea pig cage.
Can guinea pigs eat celery root?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat celery roots, but our recommendation is to avoid them in the diet of guinea pigs, or if you decide to give them, you need to wash and clean the root very well.
The reason is that they contain large amounts of starch, which is not good for their health.
In addition to starch, there may be residues of various fertilizers and chemicals used in its cultivation, which are also harmful to your furry pet.
Can guinea pigs eat celery strings?
The answer is yes, guinea pigs are free to eat celery strings. So do not worry, you do not have to remove them when giving them celery.
Guinea pigs have great and sharp teeth to handle celery strings, they will have no problem.
Some people believe that there is a danger of celery strings, that it can lead to the drowning of your pet, but do not worry the guinea pig teeth will handle them in the best way.
Can guinea pigs eat cooked celery?
Our recommendation is that it is best not to give cooked celery to your pets, as this type of celery can have potential risks to their health.
At the same time, certain nutrients are lost during digestion, which will not have the same benefits as fresh celery, so there is no need to take risks, stick to fresh vegetables.
Once the celery is digested and loses nutrients, it is useless to give it to your pets.
read more: Can Guinea Pigs Eat Watermelon? (Benefits and Risks)
What happens if guinea pigs eat too much celery?
By some coincidence or carelessness guinea pigs can eat more than they need, what should we do then?
There should be no room for panic, if it happened once or twice it is not scary, but still watch his behavior 24-48 hours.
If you notice any adverse events, lethargy, diarrhea, or the like, take it to a veterinarian right away to have it checked to see if something is wrong with your pet.
Can celery cure scurvy in guinea pigs?
No, celery can not cure scurvy in guinea pigs.
It is true that celery contains vitamin C, which guinea pigs need because as we know they can not produce it themselves, but that is not enough.
Can celery treat urinary tract stones in guinea pigs?
Celery can only complicate the situation with urinary tract stones in guinea pigs.
If your guinea pig has urinary tract problems, then you should not give him celery in his diet, so it is safest for his health.
Because guinea pigs need vegetables, then give them other vegetables that will not irritate the kidney stones and urinary tract problems, such as carrots, peppers, and cucumbers.
What is the nutritional composition of celery for guinea pigs?
To find out better what celery contains, we present the composition of half a serving of celery with one stalk or about 50 grams.
Of course, the amount you will give to the guinea pig is much smaller, but let’s see the composition:
- calories 8
- fat 0.1 g
- dietary fiber 1 gram
- sugars 1 gram
- carbohydrates 2 grams
- protein 0.3 g
- potassium 130 milligrams
In addition to these ingredients, it also contains calcium and iron which are quite high for guinea pigs.
As for the main vitamin C, unfortunately, there is not much in celery, which is really a pity.
Vitamin C prevents the occurrence of scurvy (vitamin C deficiency), which plays a very important role in protecting against disease and improving immunity.
Celery, on the other hand, has a lot of folate or vitamin B, which improves the condition of red blood cells in guinea pigs.
What are the health benefits of celery for guinea pigs?
If you give the recommended amount of celery to guinea pigs they will have numerous benefits, let’s find out the most important of them.
- improving eyesight – due to the presence of beta carotene, which helps maintain the vision of guinea pigs, which are prone to degeneration.
- prevention of muscle cramps – celery is a great food that helps reduce the cramps that often occur in guinea pigs due to their imbalance in the body.
- less inflammation – with celery and its anti-inflammatory properties, guinea pigs have excellent protection against inflammation and similar problems.
- better blood clotting – due to the presence of vitamin K, as well as faster recovery from possible wounds in guinea pigs.
- fewer diseases – are the result of antioxidants and vitamins from celery for guinea pigs, as well as a healthier heart and immunity.
- better digestion of food – thanks to the fiber in celery, guinea pigs will have much better digestion.
What are the side effects of eating celery for guinea pigs?
Celery has a lot of calcium and oxalates that can cause kidney and bladder stones.
Diarrhea may also occur as a result of consuming excessive amounts of celery, as this food is much harder for the body to digest.
It also contains a lot of sodium, which as well as calcium is harmful to your pet’s health, but only if you give them larger amounts than recommended.
Potential bloating from eating celery, so you should always wait and slowly introduce celery on the menu.
Elevated blood pressure and heart problems are possible in guinea pigs due to the high presence of sodium in celery.
read more: Can Guinea Pigs Eat Lemons? (Bad and Good Effects)
Can celery kill guinea pigs?
Unfortunately, the answer is yes, celery can have fatal consequences for the health and life of guinea pigs.
The most dangerous is the effect of oxalates on the health of your furry pet.
However, do not be afraid, as long as you give a normal amount of celery, guinea pigs will not be in such a dangerous situation for their health and their lives.
Conclusion
Guinea pigs can eat celery, but in moderation, only then will this vegetable be safe for them, and at the same time the best benefits for their health.
Celery is a vegetable composed of good amounts of vitamins and minerals needed for your pet. Twice a week a teaspoon of celery is the ideal amount we recommend for eating guinea pigs.
The benefits of celery for guinea pigs are better digestion, a healthier heart, normal blood pressure, and more.
Adverse effects are obtained if you give too much celery to guinea pigs, which can lead to kidney and bladder stones, heart problems, and unfortunately sometimes fatal consequences.
In any case, celery is a vegetable that is good for the health of guinea pigs as long as you pay attention to the amount they eat.
Lastly, take care of your sweet pet, give it celery, and enjoy watching it eat and enjoy while eating vegetables.
