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Can Guinea Pigs Eat Sweet Potatoes?

Posted April 16th, 2014 in Can Guinea Pigs Eat...? by WhatCanGuineaPigsEat

Curious to know Can Guinea Pigs Eat Sweet Potatoes? Sweet potatoes are high in vitamin A and vitamin C. The leaves also have vitamin C. Both of these vitamins are essential for your cavy’s health. Vitamin C helps them to metabolize proteins, fight infections, and perform other important bodily functions. Vitamin A helps with proper development and contributes to a healthy immune system. As guinea pigs cannot produce these vitamins themselves, they must get them from the foods that they can eat, like sweet potatoes.

Yes, guinea pigs eat sweet potatoes. Not only can guinea pigs eat sweet potatoes, they can also eat the sweet potato leaves. Guinea pigs can eat the sweet potato leaves one to two times per week. However, the sweet potatoes themselves should be fed very sparingly, about one to two times per month. You should only give them a small amount of each at a time. Remember that the sweet potatoes must be raw, fresh, and clean. Cut them into small pieces so your cavy can eat them easily. Also, be sure that the leaves and the sweet potatoes were never treated with pesticides or other chemicals prior to feeding them to your cavy. Fresh, organic sweet potatoes are the best option for the health of your cavy.

Despite their benefits, sweet potatoes are high in sugar, oxalates, and vitamin A, which can all be detrimental to your cavy in too high of quantities. Too much sugar can lead to short term problems like digestive issues and long term problems like diabetes. Too many oxalates cans lead to bladder stones. Therefore, sweet potatoes should be fed sparingly and in moderation.

So, can guinea pigs eat sweet potatoes? Yes, in moderation. Although sweet potatoes and their leaves provide your cavy with a variety of good nutrients, be sure to regulate how often they eat these tasty items. If you limit your guinea pig’s consumption of both sweet potatoes and their leaves, then you can add these items to your cavy’s diverse diet.

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