Last updated on August 12th, 2023 at 05:13 am
Guinea pigs can eat a variety of plants, giving them the nutrients they need to stay healthy.
One of those herbs is sage, which is a very famous herb that is used in many dishes to improve the taste. You must be wondering if sage is an herb you can feed your guinea pigs.
Can guinea pigs eat sage?
Guinea pigs can eat sage in moderate amounts, and use the vitamins and minerals to improve their health. If they eat larger amounts, poisoning may occur because sage contains thujone, an ingredient that is dangerous for guinea pigs.
Sage has excellent amounts of antioxidants, vitamin K and B6, and as long as it is given in moderation it will be an excellent food for guinea pigs.
How much sage can guinea pigs eat?
Guinea pigs can eat 2-3 sage leaves twice a week. They cannot eat sage every day because it will be too much for their body and it can cause a counter effect, that is, health problems.
Twice a week is quite enough to be able to make the most of the benefits of this herb in the best possible way.
Of course, always at the beginning when you introduce sage into their diet, you should start with a very small amount to see if they like it and so they can get used to the taste.
How do you start giving sage to guinea pigs?
How you give sage to guinea pigs is very important, so here’s how to choose sage and how to prepare it for your pets.
1. Use fresh sage
Always choose only fresh sage to feed your guinea pigs, it has the most nutrients for your pet. Never give them dry sage or leftovers of this herb.
2. Washing the sage
Before feeding the sage to the guinea pigs, it should be thoroughly washed to remove impurities and pesticides.
Washing the sage well will allow it to be cleaned of various bacteria it may contain.
It needs to be washed with a strong stream of water or put in a bowl of water and wash it well with your hands.
3. Pay attention to the quantity
It is enough to give the guinea pigs 2-3 leaves so that they can have excellent benefits for their health.
After he finishes eating, you should remove all the remains from the guinea pig’s food bowl.
If you have homegrown sage it is even better for your pet as you will be sure that there will be no chemicals.
Benefits of sage for guinea pigs
By eating sage, the guinea pigs will improve their vision, have better immunity, and have healthier heart. Therefore, we will read about these and other benefits of sage for guinea pigs in detail in the following text.
It protects the teeth
If guinea pigs eat moderate amounts of sage then they will have dental benefits.
Sage helps because it contains antimicrobial properties that destroy the microbes that create dental plaque.
This is important because teeth are one of the most important organs in guinea pigs to be able to chew and eat food normally.
Protection from bacteria and disease
In the composition of sage, there are many antioxidants that are excellent for their health.
With sage and antioxidants, your pet will be protected from the occurrence of cancer because they destroy free radicals in their body.
Antioxidants also help protect against bacteria and other diseases.
It improves their energy
Sage contains good amounts of protein which is especially important for guinea pigs to have enough strength and energy to play and run around all day.
Proteins allow the strengthening of the muscles of guinea pigs, speeding up the work of metabolism and lowering blood pressure.
Improves eyesight
In the composition of sage, there are large amounts of vitamin A and beta carotene that help to improve the vision of guinea pigs.
Guinea pigs have an average vision and therefore need to eat food that will improve and maintain their vision.
Especially older guinea pigs should be fed with sage more often because they have weaker eyesight.
It improves the work of the digestive system
By eating sage in moderation, guinea pigs will have better digestion of food in their digestive system.
Sage helps to relax the stomach and reduces the chances of diarrhea. At the same time, sage helps prevent diabetes in guinea pigs.
It helps to heal wounds
The vitamin K found in sage is very important for guinea pigs because it will help their wounds heal more easily.
This vitamin helps your pet’s blood to coagulate more easily and quickly.
Wound healing itself will take place much faster and the guinea pig will recover much quicker from body injuries.
It helps with heart health
The potassium found in sage will help guinea pigs have a healthier heart, less heart disease and any similar problems with the cardiovascular system.
Sage does not contain cholesterol, which means that blood vessels will not be blocked and blood will be able to move smoothly to the heart.
Potassium lowers blood pressure, thus reducing the chances of heart problems. Sage is a great food if you want your guinea pig to have a healthy heart and a longer life.
It strengthens immunity
Sage contains many vitamins such as A and C, which are excellent in strengthening the immunity of guinea pigs.
Especially vitamin C is one of the most important because guinea pigs cannot produce it by themselves, so they have to get it daily through food.
Lack of vitamin C causes scurvy, a disease that causes many problems and is dangerous for the life of guinea pigs.
Adverse effects of sage on guinea pigs
If guinea pigs eat too much sage then they can have health complications and develop diseases and problems.
Here are some of the possible risks of eating too much of this herb:
- poisoning
- allergy
- kidney stones
Let’s take a closer look at the risks of sage.
Danger of poisoning
As long as guinea pigs eat moderate amounts they will be fine, but if they eat too much then the essential oils in sage can be poisonous to them.
Sage also contains thujone, a chemical that acts as a toxin for guinea pigs in large quantities.
This chemical can cause problems with the nervous system of guinea pigs and problems with the liver and therefore you must be careful about the amount you give them.
Appearance of allergy
By consuming sage, guinea pigs can develop an allergy. Some guinea pigs may not show any allergy at all, but you have to be careful.
That’s why every time you start with a new food, you should give them a small amount to see how the guinea pig will react and if there will be an allergy.
As a result of an allergy, guinea pigs will have changes in their pooping and may experience redness of the skin, itching, and other irritations.
Read more: Can Guinea Pigs Eat Wheatgrass? Let’s Discover
Kidney stones
Sage has high amounts of calcium and therefore guinea pigs should not eat excessive amounts of this herb.
If they eat too much sage, this mineral will build up and create kidney and bladder stones.
Kidney stones cause pain in guinea pigs when urinating, so you have to be careful about the amount you give them.
Read more: What Are Favorite Foods For Guinea Pigs? Let’s Find Out
What does the composition of sage look like?
Sage is a great herb for guinea pigs as long as they eat it in moderation.
In the following table, you can see what the composition of sage looks like, so you know what nutrients your pet will get to improve its health.
100 grams of sage contains the following ingredients:
| Nutrients | Amount Per 100 g |
| Calories | 315 Kcal |
| Calcium | 1652 mg |
| Sugar | 1.7 g |
| Fiber | 40 g |
| Vitamin C | 32 mg |
| Vitamin A | 5900 IU |
| Potassium | 1070 mg |
| Iron | 28 mg |
| Protein | 11 g |
Sage alternative for guinea pigs
Guinea pigs enjoy eating sage, but sometimes a guinea pig may refuse to eat it.
So here is a chart with several other types of herbs that are also great for your guinea pig’s health.
| Mint | Arugula | |
| Parsley | Thyme | |
| Dill | Cilantro | |
| Bay leaves | Endive | |
| Chamomile | Rosemary |
Conclusion
Guinea pigs can eat sage and enjoy its taste and nutrients to improve their health.
By eating sage in moderation, the guinea pigs will have a healthier heart, better immunity, better eyesight, and more.
Eating too much sage can cause poisoning, allergies, and other problems.
When you give them sage, it should be well washed so that there are no chemical residues and other impurities that can make your pet sick.
In any case, 2-3 sage leaves twice a week is quite enough for the guinea pig to use all the benefits of this herb.
Read more: How Often Should I Feed My Guinea Pigs? Let’s Discover
