Celery is one those vegetables that can be eaten in excess and it doesn’t bring a single extra pound! Moreover, it is filled with vitamins and antioxidants, two facts that are making it even healthier, but can this be applied to our small furry friends as well? Can guinea pigs eat celery? Well, it looks like we opened a brand new subject to discuss and analyze in this article.
Read on to find out if your beloved furry pet can eat celery or not!
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Celery?
It is one of the most common question among guinea pigs owners. And the answer to this question is yes, they can eat it. However, just before you go to your fridge to get out and prepare that last piece of celery to give it to your pet, there are a few things you need to take into consideration.
Health Benefits of Celery
Animal studies have shown that celery contains anti-inflammatory properties and is great for protection against inflammation in the digestive tract itself. Additionally, celery contains flavonoids, vitamin C and at least 12 other types of antioxidants are found in celery. The research showed that these antioxidants protected animals from unwanted oxidative damage to the cells, blood vessels, and organ systems. Since celery has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, it also helps with cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. It’s even speculated that celery may prevent colon, stomach, and bladder cancer.
Moreover, other animal studies have showed the ability of celery extracts to help protect the digestive tract and liver following consumption of acrylamides. Acrylamide is a possible toxic substance formed in food through a reaction of amino acids and sugars. However, this process usually happens through frying.
Things to Look Out for When Feeding Celery to Your Guinea Pig
Before giving any fruits or vegetables to your furry pal, make sure you observe him afterwards. It may take a while for your pet to get used to new treats, so don’t expect him to jump on this snack immediately. This is valid especially when it comes to baby guinea pigs.
Most guinea pigs would love to eat some celery stalks. However, don’t just offer long stalks to your pet. Cut them into small pieces, perpendicular to the celery stalks. Giving your cavy the strings, without having previously chopped them, will make it hard for him to eat and digest this food. Guinea pigs have tiny jaws and should consume small pieces of food every time they eat. In addition, the strings of celery that are peeled off the stalks of celery may easily get caught in their throat, teeth and intestinal tracks.
Be careful with the amount of celery you are giving to your pet. Too much celery will most likely cause diarrhea, if it lasts for a longer period of time. This in turn may be lethal for these tiny creatures. Remember that a guinea pig’s diet should consist mainly of hay and pellets. The fruits and the vegetables should be given carefully and not very frequently.
How Much Celery Should I Give to My Guinea Pig?
When can you know how much celery is too much for your pet? Unlike apples or spinach, celery does not contain such a great amount of fibers. This means that it is fine to give celery to your guinea pig a few times a week, but not as an everyday staple food. Additionally, it depends on his reaction towards this vegetable. If you notice any signs of diarrhea or watery stool, you should immediately stop giving celery to your pet. Feed him hay instead. It will take away diarrhea and it will also be a great source of nutrients.
Another aspect related to celery that you should be aware of is the fact that it contains 95% water. This means that all that water will have to be eliminated, so expect a higher flow of urine than usual.
Serving Celery to Your Furry Pet
Your guinea pig might not be a fan of celery. He might not like it and refuse to eat it. You can try giving your pet celery later, but if this does not work, you can mix it with other food such as leafy greens. Just like in the case of children, you can trick your pet into eating healthy foods by combining them with others.
You can mix celery with spinach, romain lettuce, chard, baby carrots or apple slices. You can even use the celery leaves. Mix them with every single one of the foods that have been mentioned previously until you find the combination your pet will enjoy the most. Wondering how will you be able to tell which one he likes? Pay closer attention to the volume of the sounds they make. If they are happy, they will surely show it!
If you decide to include other foods into your guinea pig’s diet, it is important to do your research before diving in. Guinea pigs cannot eat every fruit or vegetable, so be very careful. Iceberg lettuce is a great example in this area. It should be completely avoided and not integrated or seen as a base for their salad. Remember to cut things into tiny slices so they can chew without the risk of choking.
Also, don’t feed your pet cooked celery. Guinea pigs cannot digest cooked foods. Also, canned celery is not recommended for guinea pigs and any celery that has been seasoned or has some type of sauce on.
As a conclusion, we can tell you that guinea pigs can eat celery and it might even be one of their favorite foods too. Just remember not to give celery in excess to avoid potential health problems.
Feed only fresh celery to your pet. Celery should look crisp and snap easily when pulled apart. Celery should be pale to bright green, compact and tight without stalks splayed out. Avoid celery with yellow or brown leaves.
Additionally, when introducing new foods to your pet, including celery, make sure you start out gradually and in small amounts. Observe your pet after feeding him celery for the first time. If you notice any unusual behavior such as digestive discomfort or diarrhea, stop feeding your guinea pig celery immediately. However, if your cavy doesn’t show any issues related to celery or any other new foods, you can continue adding them to your pet’s diet. All you need to do is to follow these guidelines and your small cute pet will do nothing but thank you!