Last updated on January 22nd, 2023 at 06:29 pm
Guinea pigs eat hay, vegetables, and fruits, but can they also eat French fries?
When we eat french fries, our guinea pigs keep looking at us and waiting to see if we will give them tasty and salty fries.
Can guinea pigs eat french fries?
No, guinea pigs cannot eat French fries, because they are processed food that can only cause digestive problems and other health problems.
French fries are a portion of delicious food, but they are harmful to humans, and even more to guinea pigs.
In today’s article, you will learn why guinea pigs should not eat French fries, and what will happen if they do eat some French fries.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat French Fries?
Guinea pigs cannot eat French fries because it is processed food, and their digestive system cannot process such food and which can only cause problems.
French fries are fried in oil and contain a lot of salt and fat. If guinea pigs try to eat French fries they can only get diarrhea and stomach problems.
Guinea pigs should eat hay and plants, and moderate amounts of vegetables and fruits.
If guinea pigs eat French fries, you can be sure that they will be very likely to get sick and develop serious health complications.
What are the 8 dangers if guinea pigs eat French fries?
As tasty as French fries are, they can only cause problems for guinea pigs. So let’s read together what are the dangers of French fries for your furry friend.
Stomach problems
When the fries are prepared, spices, oil, salt, and sugar are added. All of these ingredients are harmful to guinea pigs and can only cause digestive problems and stomachaches.
Guinea pigs will get diarrhea, bloating, vomiting, and fatigue from the fries.
Guinea pigs and their digestive systems can’t handle the ingredients in French fries, they just might have problems.
They will get heart problems
French fries are a high-calorie food because of the oil that can only cause heart problems for your pet.
The fat and calories from fries, in addition to heart problems, can also cause an increase in blood pressure.
Harmful ingredients from French fries are also dangerous for the normal functioning of the blood and blood vessels in the guinea pig’s body.
Danger of dehydration
Since French fries have a lot of salt in their composition, apart from causing problems with the kidneys, salt is dangerous and can cause dehydration in guinea pigs.
Too much salt also causes an imbalance of electrolytes in the guinea pig’s body, which leads to a disruption of the whole organism and can cause fatal consequences for their life.
Guinea pigs will gain weight if they eat French fries
French fries can only disrupt normal weight and cause guinea pigs to gain weight and have difficulty moving.
Fat and calories will accumulate and your pet will gain weight, which can cause diseases and problems.
If they eat one piece, they will certainly not gain weight, but if they learn to regularly eat French fries, then it is inevitable that they will gain weight.
When guinea pigs gain weight they have problems in their daily activities in their cage, which can also cause stress in these smart little animals.
It will reduce the lifespan
Any food such as french fries does not indicate well for guinea pigs at all.
Fats and other harmful ingredients can only negatively affect the health and shorten the lifespan of our furry friends.
Only a healthy diet with vitamins and minerals, without fat and unnecessary calories is the right choice for a longer and healthier life for guinea pigs.
French fries are not good for guinea pigs’ teeth
Guinea pigs need food to reduce their ever-growing teeth.
While French fries will not help at all and can only prolong their growth, not reduce it.
Bladder and kidney problems
Excess calcium in the bladder and kidneys leads to stones and pain in guinea pigs.
French fries have calcium, which is undoubtedly one of the most important minerals for the development of bones and teeth in guinea pigs, but the quantity must be taken care of.
Kidney and bladder stones cause problems with urination, blood in the urine, and pain when urinating in guinea pigs.
When guinea pigs have an excess of calcium and the appearance of stones, it is necessary to immediately take the guinea pig to a veterinarian to prescribe appropriate therapy.
Guinea pig skin problems
The high-fat content in French fries also negatively affects the skin of guinea pigs.
Too much fat will cause dry skin and make it susceptible to irritation and inflammation.
That’s why a healthy diet is needed to help guinea pigs have healthy skin and fur.
What to do if the guinea pig eats some French fries?
If the guinea pig eats one piece of french fries nothing terrible will happen, just give him more water.
But if the guinea pig waits for an opportunity and eats a whole plate of fries then serious problems with his health can occur.
In such a situation, there is nothing to wait for, it is best to take him to the vet immediately before any problems with the digestive system and diarrhea occur, which is dangerous for your pet’s life.
What is the composition of French fries?
There are the following ingredients in 100 grams of french fries:
- energy 196 kcal
- sugar 1.25 g
- calcium 9 mg
- magnesium 23 mg
- phosphorus 52 mg
- potassium 401 mg
- carbohydrates 18.5 g
- sodium 141 mg
- vitamin C 9.7 mg
French fries obviously contain many calories, fat, sugar, and sodium that are harmful to guinea pigs.
French fries also contain good ingredients such as vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, and fiber, but the risk is too great for the health of guinea pigs and therefore should not be part of their diet.
Can guinea pigs eat potato chips?
No, guinea pigs cannot eat potato chips, they are harmful to their health.
If a guinea pigs eats one piece it is not terrible, but more than that is harmful and can cause health problems.
Chips contain salt, oil, and other ingredients that can only cause them problems with digestion because they cannot eat processed food.
Read more: Can Guinea Pigs Eat Peanut Butter? (Find Out Now)
What to give the guinea pigs in exchange for fries?
Guinea pigs should always eat plant-based foods that are not processed such as French fries.
Hay is the main food, but they should eat vegetables and fruits to get enough vitamins and minerals.
Here’s what to give them besides hay:
- kale
- cucumbers
- lettuce
- green beans
- carrots
- cabbage
- parsley
Conclusion
French fries are tasty but not suitable food for guinea pigs.
French fries contain a lot of fat, calories, salt, and sugar, which are harmful to the health of guinea pigs.
Any processed food, regardless of whether it is French fries or something similar, does not suit the digestive system of guinea pigs, which can only get diarrhea, stomach pains, etc.
If the guinea pigs eat a lot of French fries, they should be taken to a veterinarian immediately to examine them and give them appropriate therapy.
Hay, vegetables, and fruits are the right and healthy food choices for guinea pigs, and of course clean and fresh water.
Read more: Can Guinea Pigs Eat Doritos? All Bad Effects