Can Guinea Pigs Eat Broccoli?
As guinea pig parents, we want our guinea pigs to live long, healthy, and happy lives, so it’s no surprise we’re always on the lookout to find our guinea pigs healthy treats.
In addition to a lot of grass or grass hay, your guinea pigs can have a variety of leafy greens and vegetables, including carrot tops, cauliflower (especially the outer leaves), kale, and cabbage. Providing a varying diet can help maintain your guinea pig’s dental health as well.
Is broccoli safe for guinea pigs?
Not only can your guinea pig have broccoli, but it’s super beneficial! Broccoli is a superfood for humans and for your guinea pigs! Broccoli tops, leaves, and stems are packed with potassium, zinc, and iron as well as with vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin K.
According to Healthline, one of broccoli’s biggest advantages is its nutrient content. It’s loaded with a wide array of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other bioactive compounds.
One cup (91 grams) of raw broccoli packs:
- Carbs: 6 grams
- Protein: 2.6 gram
- Fat: 0.3 grams
- Fiber: 2.4 grams
- Vitamin C: 135% of the RDI
- Vitamin A: 11% of the RDI
- Vitamin K: 116% of the RDI
- Vitamin B9 (Folate): 14% of the RDI
- Potassium: 8% of the RDI
- Phosphorus: 6% of the RDI
- Selenium: 3% of the RDI
Like humans, guinea pigs can suffer from scurvy, which is a lack of vitamin C (check out my favorite natural science Vitamin C supplement (120 g ), 2 pack that I buy always from Amazon), as they can’t properly process or store the vitamin without supplementation.
This vegetable is also rich in fiber, which can aid in your pig’s digestion. Broccoli is a tasty way to get your guinea pig proper nutrients, but it should be used with some caution.
How much broccoli can I give my guinea pig?
Broccoli contains high amounts of calcium. While this is primarily a good nutrient, too much calcium can cause some problems for your guinea pig, including painful bladder stones.
For this reason, your guinea pig’s diet should only include broccoli 2 to 3 times per week.
Final Thoughts
Guinea pigs make some of the best pets as they are low maintenance and adorable!
They should have a varied diet full of leafy greens in order to maintain their dental health, provide them water, and give them enough vitamin C to prevent scurvy.
Giving your guinea pig broccoli a couple of times a week is an easy way to keep them happy and healthy!
Lydia King is a huge animal lover and has always been fascinated with learning about the animal kingdom. She enjoys writing about anything animal related from scientific information about rare species to animal references in pop culture.
