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can guinea pigs eat shallots

Can guinea pigs eat shallots?

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Shallots probably originated in Central or Southwest Asia, traveling from there to India and the eastern Mediterranean.

The name “shallot” comes from Ashkelon, an ancient Canaanite city, where people in classical Greek times believed shallots originated.

Shallots are used in fresh cooking in addition to being pickled.

Finely sliced, deep-fried shallots are used as a condiment in Asian cuisine, often served with porridge.

As a species of Allium, shallots taste somewhat like a common onion but have a milder flavor.

Like onions, when sliced, raw shallots release substances that irritate the human eye, resulting in production of tears. (source)

Can guinea pigs eat shallots?

Let’s take a look at their nutritional data and find out more.

In particular, their acidic, water, sugar, fat, salt, calcium and phosphorus content is of most interest as far as guinea pigs are concerned.

Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy 301 kJ (72 kcal)
Carbohydrates
16.8 g
Sugars 7.87 g
Dietary fiber 3.2 g
Fat
0.1 g
Protein
2.5 g
Vitamins
Thiamine (B1) (5%) 0.06 mg
Riboflavin (B2) (2%) 0.02 mg
Niacin (B3) (1%) 0.2 mg
Pantothenic acid (B5) (6%) 0.29 mg
Vitamin B6 (27%) 0.345 mg
Folate (B9) (9%) 34 μg
Vitamin C (10%) 8 mg
Vit E (0%) 0.04 mg
Vitamin K (1%) 0.8 μg
Minerals
Calcium (4%) 37 mg
Iron (9%) 1.2 mg
Magnesium (6%) 21 mg
Manganese (14%) 0.292 mg
Phosphorus (9%) 60 mg
Potassium (7%) 334 mg
Zinc (4%) 0.4 mg

source wikipedia

As you can see, shallots contain quite  a lot of phosphorus and acidic content, a little calcium, quite a bit of sugar and a hint of fat.

This means that unfortunately, guinea pigs cannot eat shallots. They are too acidic for guinea pigs to eat and will make them unwell if they are eaten.

They should be avoided as a food for them and they shouldn’t even nibble them.

If they do happen to nibble one, keep the piggie under close surveylance and check for any symptoms of unwellness.

If they take turn for the worse, then consider taking them for a veterinary surgeon check up.

What other veggies could guinea pigs eat in their place?

There are many other veggies that guinea pigs could eat in their place, for instance bell peppers, carrots, kale, spring greens are great for guinea pigs to eat.

They give them the nutritional value that guinea pigs need and provide a healthy back up for their main staple diet of hay, guinea pig mix and water along with fruit.

A good balanced diet is great for a guinea pig and their long term well being.

They love vegegables and will eat them all day, however, they aren’t the best to be be eaten all of the time though.

For more foods that guinea pigs can and can’t eat, check out our guinea pig food list.

can guinea pigs eat pomegranate

Can guinea pigs eat pomegranate?

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Pomegranates are red-purple in color and are a fruit grown in the northern and southern hemispheres in different seasons.

They have a huge number of seeds in them which can vary from 200 to about 1400.

Botanically, the edible fruit is a berry with seeds and pulp produced from the ovary of a single flower.

The fruit is intermediate in size between a lemon and a grapefruit, 5–12 cm (2.0–4.7 in) in diameter with a rounded shape and thick, reddish husk. (source)

Can guinea pigs eat pomegranate?

Let’s take a look at their nutritional data and find out more.

In particular, their acidic, water, sugar, fat, salt, calciuma and phosphorus content is of particular interest as far as guinea pigs are concerned.

Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy 346 kJ (83 kcal)
Carbohydrates
18.7 g
Sugars 13.67 g
Dietary fiber 4 g
Fat
1.17 g
Protein
1.67 g
Vitamins
Thiamine (B1) (6%) 0.067 mg
Riboflavin (B2) (4%) 0.053 mg
Niacin (B3) (2%) 0.293 mg
Pantothenic acid (B5) (8%) 0.377 mg
Vitamin B6 (6%) 0.075 mg
Folate (B9) (10%) 38 μg
Choline (2%) 7.6 mg
Vitamin C (12%) 10.2 mg
Vit E (4%) 0.6 mg
Vitamin K (16%) 16.4 μg
Minerals
Calcium (1%) 10 mg
Iron (2%) 0.3 mg
Magnesium (3%) 12 mg
Manganese (6%) 0.119 mg
Phosphorus (5%) 36 mg
Potassium (5%) 236 mg
Sodium (0%) 3 mg
Zinc (4%) 0.35 mg

source wikipedia

As you can see, pomegranates contain a hint of salt and fat, a little phosphorus, a hint of calcium, a lot of acidic content and sugar.

This means that unfortunately, guinea pigs cannot eat pomegranate.

It is just too acidic and sweet for guinea pigs to handle and will make them unwell if they eat it.

It is definately a fruit to be avoided as a food for your piggies. If there were to have a nibble of it by accident, then they should be fine but they shouldn’t be fed it purposely.

What fruits can guinea pigs have instead of pomegranate?

There are much better fruits that can be fed to a guinea pig such as apples, strawberries, and melon which are much better for them and will add to a balanced diet for a guinea pig.

Becuase of the sweet nature of fruit, it should be fed in small amounts for piggies and is best served in addition to the main staples of their diet which would be hay, guinea pig mix and water. Added along with a few vegetables, a small amount of select fruit gives will nutritional balance to a guinea pig’s diet.

For more foods that guinea pigs can and can’t eat, check out our guinea pig food list

can guinea pigs eat dock leaves

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Dock Leaves?

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Rumex obtusifolius, commonly known as a bitter dock, broad-leaved dock, blunt leaf dock, dock leaf or butter dock,

It is a perennial weed in the family Polygonaceae.

It is native to Europe but can now be found in the United States and many other countries around the world such as Australia and New Zealand. (source)

Can guinea pigs eat dock leaves?

Let’s take a look at their nutritional data and find out more.

In particular, their acidic, water, sugar, fat, salt, calcium and phosphorus content is of most interest as far as guinea pigs are concerned.

Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy 92 kJ (22 kcal)
Carbohydrates 3.2 g
Dietary fiber 2.9 g
Fat 0.7 g
Protein2 g
Vitamins
Vitamin A equiv. (25%) 200 μg
Thiamine (B1) (3%) 0.04 mg
Riboflavin (B2) (8%) 0.1 mg
Niacin (B3) (3%) 0.5 mg
Vitamin B6 (9%) 0.122 mg
Folate (B9) (3%) 13 μg
Vitamin C (58%) 48 mg
Minerals
Calcium (4%) 44 mg
Iron (18%) 2.4 mg
Magnesium (29%) 103 mg
Manganese (17%) 0.349 mg
Phosphorus (9%) 63 mg
Potassium (8%) 390 mg
Zinc (2%) 0.2 mg    source

As you can see dock leaves, are high in acidic content and phosphorus. They also contain a little calcium.

This means that they are not recommended for guinea pigs to eat and should be avoided due to the plant’s acidic and phosphorus content.

They do look like the kind of leaves you might be able to feed a guinea pig, but because of their content, they are not recommended.

If they happen to nibble one, then do keep an eye on them and if you see any detrimental effects then it would be worth consulting a veterinary surgeon.

For more foods that guinea pigs can and can eat check out our guinea pig food list

Can guinea pigs drink vinegar

Can Guinea Pigs drink Vinegar?

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Vinegar is a liquid that mainly of acetic acid (CH3COOH), which is produced by the fermentation of ethanol by acetic acid bacteria, and also water.

These days Vinegar is now mainly used as a cooking ingredient, but historically, as the most easily available mild acid, it had a great variety of industrial, medical, and domestic uses, some of which (such as a general household cleanser) are still promoted today. (Source)

However is it something that guinea pigs can drink and if they can how much of it can they drink.

Can guinea pigs drink vinegar?

Unfortunately, guinea pigs can’t drink vinegar at all. It is far too acidic and will hurt them if they drink it.

Their lips cannot handle the acidic nature of vinegar not to mention their tummies.

So that’s well worth steering clear of.

Even if it’s just a little bit of vinegar.

If your guinea pigs have drunk a little bit of vinegar then it might be worth seeking the advice of a vet to see what course of action to take.

For more food and drink and that guinea pigs can and can’t have, check out our guinea pig food list.