Last updated on January 22nd, 2023 at 07:11 pm
Guinea pigs eat hay, grass, and certain amounts of vegetables and fruits.
When we talk about herbs, we often wonder if our furry pets would like to eat parsley too.
Can guinea pigs eat parsley?
The answer is YES, guinea pigs can eat parsley, but always in moderate quantities, due to the calcium found in large amounts in this plant. If eaten in moderation, Parsley improves digestion in guinea pigs, helps fight cancer with antioxidants, and has other benefits. Moderate amounts of parsley 1-2 times a week are good for guinea pig health.
In today’s article you will find out how much parsley is recommended for guinea pigs, the benefits and risks of this plant and which parts of parsley can be eaten.
What is parsley?
Parsley is a very popular herb with a specific smell and taste. Parsley comes from the Mediterranean and is grown all over the world.
It is used most often as an additive in many cooked dishes, and it can be used in fresh and dried forms.
Parsley contains potassium, iron, phosphorus and many vitamins that are excellent for improving the health of humans and guinea pigs.
Can guinea pigs eat parsley?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat parsley, but we should always pay attention to the amount we give them; they can only eat it in moderate amounts.
Due to the large amount of calcium, guinea pigs must not overeat parsley, because it will have harmful consequences.
If guinea pigs eat strictly defined amounts of this herb, they will use the benefits of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other healthy ingredients in the best possible way.
Will guinea pigs like to eat parsley?
Yes, guinea pigs will want to eat parsley, or about 90% of them will want to enjoy the taste of this herb.
Obviously, guinea pigs like the taste and smell of parsley, but there can always be an exception and your guinea pig may refuse to eat this interesting herb.
But that shouldn’t disappoint you, if your guinea pig doesn’t want to eat parsley, that’s nothing to worry about, there is a large selection of other herbs and plants that he will surely like to consume, such as rosemary, mint, cilantro and thyme.
How much parsley can guinea pigs eat?
Guinea pigs can eat a teaspoon of parsley 1-2 times a week to benefit their health.
If you give them twice a week, it should never be two days in a row, and it should be mixed with other food that does not contain a lot of calcium in its composition.
Only in this way is it safe for guinea pigs to eat parsley without having harmful consequences.
Benefits of Parsley for Guinea Pigs
Parsley is a good food choice for guinea pigs, rich in nutrients that improve their health.
You only need to be careful about the amount you give to your furry friends.
So let’s read the benefits of this herb for guinea pigs.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is one of the most important vitamins for the health of guinea pigs, which they must get through their diet because they cannot produce it on their own.
By taking vitamin C, the guinea pigs will be protected from scurvy, which is a very dangerous disease, and at the same time they will improve their immunity and protection against colds and diseases.
Antioxidants against cancer
Antioxidants in parsley help fight free radicals that damage healthy cells in guinea pigs, reducing the chance of cancer.
The effect of antioxidants from parsley slows down the aging of guinea pigs, and at the same time extends their life span.
A better eye health
In order for guinea pigs to have good vision, vitamin A, which is found in parsley, is also needed.
With the help of this vitamin, your pet will improve its vision and eye health.
Calcium
One of the most important minerals that our furry friends need.
With the help of the calcium in the parsley, the guinea pigs will have much healthier and stronger bones and teeth, and their fragility will be reduced.
The only thing that must be taken care of is the amount of calcium intake, i.e. parsley, because too much calcium causes the appearance of stones in the kidneys and bladder.
Better blood circulation
Better blood circulation in guinea pigs is positively influenced by the action of zinc and vitamin K, which are present in parsley.
With its effect, zinc helps heal wounds better and faster, as well as clean the blood vessels of guinea pigs.
Vitamin K with its action helps blood clotting in case of injuries and wounds in our furry friends.
Anti-inflammatory effect
Many antioxidants and vitamins in parsley are excellent for reducing inflammation in guinea pigs.
If the guinea pigs have swellings, parsley helps them to decrease and pass faster.
What are the side effects of parsley for guinea pigs?
As we emphasized, as long as the guinea pigs eat moderate amounts of parsley they will have benefits, but if they eat too much of this herb they will get bad health effects.
So let’s see in detail what are the risks of parsley for guinea pigs.
Kidney and bladder stones
Kidney and bladder stones in guinea pigs occur due to the intake of an excessive amount of calcium, in this case from parsley.
Parsley is rich in calcium, and we must be careful about the amount we give to our pets.
When stones appear in the kidneys and bladder, symptoms appear that will help you know that your pet has this problem, they are the following:
- pain when urinating
- blood in the nose
- urinary tract infections
Young guinea pigs can take in the most calcium, while adults cannot process much of this mineral.
Hazard from chemicals
When guinea pigs eat parsley, we should make sure that it is always well washed and without chemicals that may have been used in its cultivation.
Chemicals are very dangerous for their health, they can cause diseases and therefore attention must be paid, because guinea pigs can easily be poisoned.
Diarrhea and stomach problems
Too much parsley, like any other food, is not good for guinea pig health.
If they eat too much parsley, the guinea pigs will not be able to handle the large amount and will get diarrhea and stomach pain.
Such problems will pass, but you have to pay attention to the amount, we would not want our guinea pigs to be sick and in a bad mood.
Composition of parsley
Parsley contains a large number of nutrients, vitamins and minerals that are good for guinea pigs.
To know more precisely, here is what the composition looks like in 100 grams of parsley:
- energy 36 kcal
- fat 0.8 g
- protein 2.9 g
- carbohydrates 6.3 g
- fibers 3.3 g
- sugar 0.8 g
- calcium 138 mg
- iron 6 mg
- phosphorus 58 mg
- magnesium 50 mg
- potassium 550 mg
- vitamin C 133 mg
- Vitamin A 421 mg
From the composition of parsley, it can be seen that there is a lot of calcium, vitamin C and A, as well as good amounts of potassium, phosphorus and magnesium.
How do you start giving guinea pigs parsley?
Before you start giving parsley to guinea pigs, you should first wash it well with a stream of water.
Herbs like parsley can have impurities and chemicals that must be removed before giving them to your furry friends to eat.
Parsley doesn’t need any special preparation, you can just break the sprigs in half and the guinea pigs can start enjoying the consumption.
If any pieces of parsley remain uneaten, then you should remove them because they attract flies and other insects.
Can guinea pigs eat parsley every day?
No, guinea pigs do not need to eat parsley every day.
Calcium is the main reason why our pets must not consume this herb on a daily basis.
The only food that is allowed for daily eating of guinea pigs is hay and of course water.
Eating more than two times a week parsley in guinea pigs can only cause harm and health problems.
Can guinea pigs eat parsley leaves?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat parsley leaves, in fact, they are the most delicious part of this herb for our furry friends.
Parsley leaves have vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to improve the health of guinea pigs.
Just make sure the parsley leaves are always thoroughly washed to remove dirt and possible chemicals.
When you give them parsley leaves they should preferably be fresh, the fresher they are, the healthier they are for your guinea pig.
Can guinea pigs eat parsley root?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat parsley root, it is completely safe for them.
Eating parsley root in moderation will help them get lots of vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants that prevent cancer.
Just like the parsley leaves themselves, the root also contains very large amounts of calcium, so the amount is crucial for maximum utilization of the ingredients without having side effects on health.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Parsley Stems?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat parsley stems and enjoy them, as they are not toxic.
Parsley stems have an even more bitter taste than the leaves, but guinea pigs especially enjoy chewing them.
When guinea pigs eat parsley stems, due to the fiber they contain, it contributes to improving digestion and overall better work of the entire digestive system.
Parsley stems do not have all the nutrients like leaves and roots, but they are still good for the health of our furry friends.
Can Guinea Pigs Drink Parsley Tea?
The answer is NO; guinea pigs cannot and should not drink parsley tea, it is not good for them because it is processed food.
Guinea pigs do not need to drink parsley tea, because it does not contain the nutrients found in the leaves of this herb.
When it comes to liquids, guinea pigs only need to drink water, everything else is not necessary at all, and it can be harmful to their health.
Can guinea pigs eat parsley flakes?
No, guinea pigs should not eat parsley flakes under any circumstances, they are too risky for their health.
Parsley flakes contain additives that are difficult for guinea pigs to digest, so they should not be eaten.
Parsley flakes lose nutrients during the drying process, and on the other hand, they have more calcium, calories and fat.
Practically, parsley flakes can only make your pet sick and cause too many problems, such as obesity, bladder stones, heart problems and cholesterol.
Is the smell of parsley harmful to guinea pigs?
No, the smell of parsley is completely safe for guinea pigs.
Parsley and its fragrance have no toxicity whatsoever, in fact guinea pigs will enjoy both parsley leaves and its smell.
Speaking of the smell of parsley, we must remember to avoid essential oils of parsley, the scent of these oils is not at all good for guinea pigs; it has an overpowering smell that will harm them.
What types of parsley can guinea pigs eat?
There are several types of parsley, so we must say that all types of parsley are not equal, some are good, some are bad for guinea pigs.
Here are some of them:
- curly leaf parsley
- flat-leaf parsley
- Chinese parsley
- cow parsley
Can guinea pigs eat flat-leaf parsley?
Yes, flat leaf parsley is perfectly fine and can be given to guinea pigs occasionally.
This type of parsley is completely safe and can be used in guinea pigs’ diet.
Flat leaf parsley has antioxidants, minerals and vitamins that are great for guinea pig health.
However, since it contains a lot of calcium, it must be given in small amounts.
Can guinea pigs eat curly parsley?
Yes, curly parsley is safe for guinea pigs to eat as long as the amount is taken care of, as it contains high amounts of calcium.
Curly parsley, like the one with flat leaves, has excellent nutrients for the health of our pets.
This type of parsley has thicker and curlier leaves, which guinea pigs will love when they eat.
Is cow parsley good for guinea pigs?
Cow parsley may occasionally be given to guinea pigs, although it is slightly different from Italian flat parsley.
However, even though it is not rounded, cow parsley can be given to guinea pigs in moderate amounts.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Chinese Parsley?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat Chinese parsley because it is similar to cow parsley so they can consume it.
However, guinea pigs will like flat and curly parsley the most.
An alternative to parsley for guinea pigs
As we know, most of the guinea pigs like to eat parsley, but a small number of them may refuse.
So let’s see what other herbs are a good alternative to parsley in the diet of guinea pigs:
- Rosemary
- oregano
- dill
- cilantro
- mint
- thyme
These are all good herbs and can be used as edibles for your furry friends.
read more: Can Guinea Pigs Eat Applesauce? All You Need To Know
Which herbs are dangerous for guinea pigs?
In addition to a regular diet of hay and grass, guinea pigs can also eat herbs, but not all are good for their health.
Here are some of the herbs that are harmful to guinea pigs:
- Wild garlic
- Hemlock
- Privet
- Ragwort
- Holly
- plants with bulbs
These are just some of the plants that are dangerous for guinea pigs, of course there are many others, so be careful and be well informed before giving any plant to your guinea pigs.
read more: Can Guinea Pigs Eat Limes? (Benefits and Risks )
Conclusion
Guinea pigs can eat parsley, but always only in moderate amounts due to the large amount of calcium.
By eating parsley, the guinea pigs will get nutrients to improve bone health, and vision, prevent cancer and other benefits.
If they overeat parsley, kidney stones, diarrhea and other problems will occur.
Guinea pigs can eat one teaspoon of parsley twice a week.
Guinea pigs can eat the leaves, roots and stems of parsley, while the flakes of parsley are not suitable for their health.
Finally, give small amounts of parsley to the guinea pigs, and let them enjoy this excellent food, which will improve their health and extend their lifespan.
read more: Can Guinea Pigs Eat Honeydew Melon?
