Last updated on January 22nd, 2023 at 07:34 pm
We keep the guinea pigs, feed them and give them a lot of attention so that they are healthy and happy.
They are very sweet and sensitive pets who reciprocate with love and happy moments in our home. Food is one of the most important things to keep in mind when keeping guinea pigs.
Surely, when you have breakfast in the morning and eat an omelet with eggs, you wonder if your pet can also have a bite.
Can guinea pigs eat eggs? No, guinea pigs cannot eat eggs because they are herbivores, rather their digestive system is not adapted to process food such as eggs. They should eat vegetables, fruits, herbs, and roots, and of course their main food is hay and pellets.
Eggs are healthy for us humans, but they are not suitable food for guinea pigs.
In today’s article you will learn why guinea pigs cannot eat eggs.
Can guinea pigs eat eggs?
No, guinea pigs cannot eat eggs, because their digestive system is not adapted to such food.
If guinea pigs eat eggs, they can only have side effects, since they can’t process them as we humans do.
Guinea pigs should eat hay, pellets, fruits, and vegetables because they are herbivores.
What are the side effects of eating eggs for guinea pigs?
As we said, guinea pigs should not eat eggs, they are herbivores, but if you decide to give them eggs, you should know what side effects your pet will face.
That’s why we present here some of the possible risks of eating eggs for guinea pigs.
Eggs cause cardiovascular problems in guinea pigs
Eggs contain cholesterol and fat that are harmful to guinea pigs, and we humans must not eat large amounts of eggs.
Fats and cholesterol have some benefits, but in general, they are bad for the health of guinea pigs. These ingredients cause blood vessel damage and cardiovascular problems in your pets.
Guinea pigs cannot process the large amounts of cholesterol and fat found in eggs.
Occurrence of cancer and diabetes
Eating foods such as eggs rich in fat and cholesterol can only cause serious diseases.
Guinea pigs can get diabetes and gain weight if they consume eggs.
It can even lead to cancer, which then leads to the death of your furry friends, so stay away from the eggs.
Constipation and diarrhea
Since eggs do not contain fiber, they do not help digestion at all, which can only lead to constipation and diarrhea.
Their digestive system is quite delicate, so food without fiber can only cause them problems.
Guinea pigs need fiber foods such as:
- hay
- vegetables
- fruit
Problems with digestion
The digestion of food and the overall digestive system of guinea pigs requires the intake of fiber for better functioning.
Unfortunately, eggs cannot provide fiber for guinea pigs, so they do not help with better work and digestion.
Guinea pigs and their digestive system are adapted to process high-fiber plant foods, and eggs are not such foods.
Formation of kidney and bladder stones
If guinea pigs eat eggs, they will ingest calcium and sodium, which will cause health problems. These two minerals cause kidney and bladder stones in guinea pigs.
Calcium is indeed needed for guinea pigs to have healthy and strong bones, but the amount in eggs along with sodium only creates health problems for your pets.
Skin and nail problems
Eggs contain a substance called avidin, which prevents proper absorption of biotin.
What is biotin?
Biotin is actually a necessary vitamin that is soluble in water and very important for the processing of fats and proteins. With the help of biotin, guinea pigs have much healthier skin and nails.
Biotin deficiency leads to the following problems:
- breaking nails
- skin infections
- loss of fur
- dryness of the skin
- itching and redness
If you notice any of these symptoms then you should take your pet to check his biotin status, whether he has enough or not.
Vitamin C deficiency
Vitamin C is one of the most important ingredients for the health of guinea pigs.
Guinea pigs have to get this vitamin through their food, because they cannot produce it on their own, and unfortunately it is not found in eggs.
Vitamin C deficiency causes scurvy, which is a very serious and dangerous disease.
Symptoms of scurvy are:
- lack of appetite
- internal bleeding
- swelling of the joints
- fur problems
Vitamin C is simply too important for the overall health of your furry friends, so give them food rich in this vitamin.
Poisoning
Eating eggs by guinea pigs can lead to poisoning and very severe side effects.
The reason is that the salmonella bacteria can appear in the eggs, which is very dangerous both for our pets and for us humans.
In case of egg poisoning, the following symptoms occur:
- dehydration
- sudden weight loss
- elevated temperature
- diarrhea
- slow motion
- vomiting
In extreme and very rare situations, guinea pigs may die.
Can baby guinea pigs eat eggs?
No, baby guinea pigs cannot eat eggs at all.
While they are very small, baby guinea pigs should only consume mother’s milk, water and food specially designed for their age.
Only after a few weeks, they should start introducing other types of food, but eggs have no place in their diet. The digestive system of guinea pigs is very delicate and therefore they will not be able to process food such as eggs.
Indeed, there is a lot of calcium in eggs, which they need for growth and development, but they will not be able to consume them, the consequences are too bad for their health.
What to do if guinea pigs eat eggs?
Guinea pigs do not like to eat eggs, but there may still be exceptions, that is, some of them want to eat them.
If by some chance the guinea pigs wait a moment and eat eggs, you should not panic, probably nothing terrible will happen to them.
Of course this means if they eat only once, and if they eat regularly then they will have fatal consequences.
If the guinea pig eats eggs, you should immediately give them a larger amount of water, so that they can be digested faster and easier in their stomach.
Side effects can be diarrhea, bloating and the like, but all this should pass within 24 hours, otherwise you should take your guinea pig to the vet.
Can guinea pigs eat cooked eggs?
No, guinea pigs cannot eat cooked eggs or any cooked food.
their digestive system is not adapted to eat cooked food, it can only create complications and problems for them.
Boiled eggs should be avoided to be given to guinea pigs, give them fresh vegetables and fresh fruits.
Can guinea pigs eat raw eggs?
No, guinea pigs cannot eat eggs in any form, whether raw or fried.
Again their digestive system is an obstacle to processing food such as eggs.
Raw eggs are very susceptible to the appearance of salmonella bacteria, and the appearance of major problems with their organism.
Can guinea pigs eat egg whites?
No, guinea pigs cannot eat egg whites, they are harmful to their health.
Egg whites are too hard for their digestive system, and can only cause stomach pain, bloating and vomiting.
If you give them egg whites you can only harm your pet’s health and nothing more.
Can guinea pigs eat eggshells?
No, guinea pigs do not eat eggshells, even though they contain large amounts of calcium.
Large amounts of calcium will only cause kidney problems and stone formation in your furry friends.
Eggshells upset the stomach of the guinea pig, which can cause very serious and fatal consequences for their organism.
The only possible way to give some eggshells to your pets is to grind them up and add them to other food, but it should be in very small amounts so that they don’t get too much calcium.
However, we recommend that you do not try to give them eggshells because the risk is too big for the health of your guinea pigs.
Can guinea pigs eat fried eggs?
No, guinea pigs cannot eat fried eggs, as their digestive system cannot handle this type of food.
Another reason not to eat fried eggs is the fact that fried eggs contain a lot of cholesterol and fat, much more than boiled eggs.
In any case, neither fried nor boiled eggs are healthy for your furry friends.
Can guinea pigs eat scrambled eggs?
No, under no circumstances should guinea pigs eat scrambled eggs, and they are just as harmful as fried eggs.
Again cholesterol and fat must be avoided because of the damage they cause to the health of guinea pigs.
No matter how tasty and smelling great, scrambled eggs should not be on your guinea pig’s menu.
Can eating eggs kill a guinea pig?
Eating an egg is unlikely to kill your guinea pig.
In the worst case, there may be problems with digestion and digestion of food, as well as the occurrence of diarrhea.
Dehydration of your pet may occur, but it will not have fatal consequences.
What we are talking about is eating one egg, while if guinea pigs regularly eat eggs which is unlikely, then there may be fatal consequences and possible death of your furry pet.
read more: Can Guinea Pigs Eat Ice? All You Need To Know
What should guinea pigs eat?
The best food for guinea pigs is plant-based food that is rich in nutrients needed to keep them healthy and have a longer life.
Here are some of our healthy food recommendations for your furry friends:
- hay – one of the most important types of food in the diet of guinea pigs, because it contains fibers that are necessary for digestion and good functioning of their digestive system.
- vegetables – provide vitamins and minerals to keep guinea pigs healthy. Vegetables such as cabbage, spinach, carrots and lettuce are excellent choices for your pet.
- fruits – just like vegetables provide the vitamins and minerals your pet needs. From fruits we will single out a few such as grapes, raspberries, oranges, mangoes, apples, pears and strawberries.
- pellets – are specially formulated food that have many healthy nutrients needed by guinea pigs.
What foods should guinea pigs avoid?
Just as there are healthy foods, there are also foods that are not good for the health of guinea pigs.
Here are some foods to avoid in your guinea pig’s diet:
- processed food – such as chips, crackers, cakes and other types of food that are rich in sugar, salt and the like.
- junk food – this includes ice cream, sodas, candies and other products can only upset their digestive system.
- caffeine – it is harmful to guinea pigs, so do not give them tea, chocolate and coffee.
- sugar – such products that have sugar like honey, syrups and fruit juices can only cause diabetes and weight gain in your pets.
read more: Can Guinea Pigs Eat Yogurt Drops? 7 Reasons Why To Avoid
Conclusion
Guinea pigs cannot eat eggs, they are too harmful for them. Eggs can only cause problems with their health and digestion, as well as diabetes, obesity, cancer and death.
Guinea pigs are herbivores, which means they need to eat plant foods such as hay, vegetables, fruits and pellets.
Eggs in any form, whether scrambled, cooked, or raw, will in any case be very harmful to your furry friends. So away from eggs, give vegetables and fruits to your little friends.
read more: Can Guinea Pigs Eat Ketchup?
