Tag Archives: greens

can guinea pigs eat sugar snap peas

Can guinea pigs eat sugar snap peas?

Sugar snap peas, are a cultivar group of edible-podded peas that differ from snow peas in that their pods are round as opposed to flat.

The name mangetout (French for “eat all”) can apply both to snap peas and snow peas.

Snap peas are often served in salads or eaten whole.

They may also be stir-fried or steamed.

Before being eaten, mature snap pea pods may need to be “stringed,” which means the membranous string running along the top of the pod from base to tip is removed.

Over-cooking the pods will make them come apart.

Snap peas, like all other peas, are pod fruits.

Can guinea pigs eat sugar snap peas?

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 176 kJ (42 kcal)
Carbohydrates
7.55 g
Sugars 4.0 g
Dietary fiber 2.6 g
Fat
0.39 g
Saturated 0.0039 g
Monounsaturated 0.021 g
Polyunsaturated 0.089 g
Protein
2.8 g
Tryptophan 0.027 g
Threonine 0.099 g
Isoleucine 0.161 g
Leucine 0.228 g
Lysine 0.202 g
Methionine 0.011 g
Cystine 0.032 g
Phenylalanine 0.090 g
Tyrosine 0.099 g
Valine 0.273 g
Arginine 0.134 g
Histidine 0.017 g
Alanine 0.058 g
Aspartic acid 0.228 g
Glutamic acid 0.448 g
Glycine 0.072 g
Proline 0.063 g
Serine 0.125 g
Vitamins
Vitamin A equiv.
beta-Carotene
lutein zeaxanthin
(7%) 54 μg
(6%) 630 μg
740 μg

Vitamin A 1087 IU
Thiamine (B1) (13%) 0.15 mg
Riboflavin (B2) (7%) 0.08 mg
Niacin (B3) (4%) 0.6 mg
Pantothenic acid (B5) (15%) 0.75 mg
Vitamin B6 (12%) 0.16 mg
Folate (B9) (11%) 42 μg
Choline (4%) 17.4 mg
Vitamin C (72%) 60 mg
Vit E (3%) 0.39 mg
Vitamin K (24%) 25 μg
Minerals
Calcium (4%) 43 mg
Copper (4%) 0.079 mg
Iron (16%) 2.08 mg
Magnesium (7%) 24 mg
Manganese (12%) 0.244 mg
Phosphorus (8%) 53 mg
Potassium (4%) 200 mg
Sodium (0%) 4 mg
Zinc (3%) 0.27 mg
Other constituents
Water 88.89 g

Source Wikipedia

Analysis

As you can see, sugar snap peas contain a huge amount of water, a hint of salt, quite a bit of phosphorus, a little calcium and sugar, a lot of acidic content and a lot of acidic content.

This means that guinea pigs can eat them in small amounts.

How should sugar snap peas be prepared for guinea pigs?

Two or three at a time should be more than sufficient for a guinea pig. Make sure they are well cut up and washed before you fed them to a piggie.

They will enjoy sugar snap peas very much so be careful with how much you feed to them, as they will eat as much as you give them.

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

can guinea pigs eat spring cabbage

Can guinea pigs eat spring cabbage?

Can guinea pigs eat spring cabbage? Spring cabbage is tender but delicious veggies which is one of the first crops of spring. It tends to be planted the previous autumn to overwinter and then produces heads the following year.

It is classed as a heavy feeding plant so need plenty of garden compost or well-rotted farmyard manure before it is planted out. (source)

Can guinea pigs eat spring cabbage?

They can eat it in small amounts. It’s not great to feed them lots of it because of the amount of water content it contains.

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

can guinea pigs eat spring greens

Can guinea pigs eat spring greens?

Can guinea pigs eat spring greens? Spring Greens are similar to kale, in which the central leaves do not form a head or form only a very loose one.

It is considered to be closer to wild cabbage than most other domesticated forms and is grown primarily in northern Europe, where its tolerance of cold winters is valued for an early spring supply of edible leaves.

The term is also used more loosely to refer to thinnings and trimmed-off leaves of other types of Brassica, including turnip and swede leaves, surplus thinned out young cabbage plants and leaves from cauliflower and brussels sprouts. (source)

Can guinea pigs eat spring greens?

They can eat them in small amounts. Don’t feed them too much due to the amount of water content that they contain, however, they will enjoy them and will eat as much as you give them.

Just make sure that the spring greens are washed thoroughly before you feed to them, so that they are free of bugs and unfriendly bacteria.

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

 

can guinea pigs eat milk thistle

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Milk Thistle?

Silybum marianum has other common names include cardus marianus, milk thistle, blessed milk thistle, Marian thistle, Mary thistle, Saint Mary’s thistle, Mediterranean milk thistle, variegated thistle and Scotch thistle.

This species is an annual or biennial plant of the Asteraceae family.

This fairly typical thistle has red to purple flowers and shiny pale green leaves with white veins.

Originally a native of Southern Europe through to Asia, it is now found throughout the world. (source)

Can guinea pigs eat milk thistle?

Some owners say that they can be eaten and profess to feed them to their piggies

However, milk thistle should be treated with caution as the plant has been found to be toxic to cattle and sheep, which is why we can’t reccomend it.

Here’s an expanation from wikipedia, quoting this article on nitrate poisoning in livestock.

It’s not to say that it has the same effect on guinea pigs, but it is definately something to be aware of.

This is because when potassium nitrate is eaten by ruminants, the bacteria in the animal’s stomach breaks the chemical down, producing nitrite ions. Nitrite ions then combine with hemoglobin to produce methaemoglobin, blocking the transport of oxygen. The result is a form of oxygen deprivation. (source)

If you are going to feed it to them, make sure it is washed thoroughly and you know whether or not it has been sprayed with anything before you feed it to them.

If it’s picked from your property then this is better as you know whether it has been sprayed with pesticides or not.

There are better plants and even weeds to feed your piggie, so if in doubt don’t feed it to them and try something else.

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

can guinea pigs eat marjoram

Can G|uinea Pigs Eat Marjoram?

Marjoram is a somewhat cold-sensitive perennial herb or undershrub with sweet pine and citrus flavors.

In some Middle Eastern countries, marjoram is synonymous with oregano, and there the names sweet marjoram and knotted marjoram are used to distinguish it from other plants of the genus Origanum.

It is also called pot marjoram, although this name is also used for other cultivated species of Origanum.

Marjoram is used for seasoning soups, stews, dressings, and sauces. (source)

Can guinea pigs eat marjoram?

They can eat it in small amounts.

Make sure it is washed thoroughly before you feed it to them. They may not like it thought due to its pungent taste.

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

can guinea pigs eat leeks

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Leeks?

The leek is a vegetable, a cultivar of Allium ampeloprasum, the broadleaf wild leek.

The edible part of the plant is a bundle of leaf sheaths that is sometimes erroneously called a stem or stalk.

The genus Allium also contains the onion, garlic, shallot, scallion, chive, and Chinese onion

Historically, many scientific names were used for leeks, but they are now all treated as cultivars of A. ampeloprasum.

The name ‘leek’ developed from the Anglo-Saxon word leac.

Two closely related vegetables, elephant garlic and kurrat, are also cultivars of A. ampeloprasum, although different in their uses as food.

Can guinea pigs eat leeks?

Let’s check out 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 255 kJ (61 kcal)
Carbohydrates
14.15 g
Sugars 3.9 g
Dietary fiber 1.8 g
Fat
0.3 g
Protein
1.5 g
Vitamins
Vitamin A equiv.
beta-Carotene
lutein zeaxanthin
(10%) 83 μg
(9%) 1000 μg
1900 μg
Thiamine (B1) (5%) 0.06 mg
Riboflavin (B2) (3%) 0.03 mg
Niacin (B3) (3%) 0.4 mg
Pantothenic acid (B5) (3%) 0.14 mg
Vitamin B6 (18%) 0.233 mg
Folate (B9) (16%) 64 μg
Vitamin C (14%) 12 mg
Vit E (6%) 0.92 mg
Vitamin K (45%) 47 μg
Minerals
Calcium (6%) 59 mg
Iron (16%) 2.1 mg
Magnesium (8%) 28 mg
Manganese (23%) 0.481 mg
Phosphorus (5%) 35 mg
Potassium (4%) 180 mg
Other constituents
Water 83 g

source wikipedia

Analysis

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

This means that leeks are not a good food for them to have as part of their regular diet.

They are too full of water and acidic content. This means that if they have too much of it, eating leeks may hurt them.

If they nibble at one, they should be fine. But a little nibble should be as much as they should have.

What can they have instead of leeks?

There are many other greens that guinea pigs can have instead if you are looking for vegetables to feed them.

Green bell peppers are a great example of a vegetable that they will really enjoy and provides a good nutritious food for them.

Feeding a veggie like this, along with a little fruit, a lot of hay and some guinea pig mix will provide your guiena pigs with the nutirtional intake they need as part of a balanced diet.

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

can guinea pigs eat cress

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cress?

Cress (Lepidium sativum), sometimes referred to as garden cress to distinguish it from similar plants also referred to as cress (from old Germanic cresso which means sharp, spicy), is a rather fast-growing, edible herb.

Garden cress is genetically related to watercress and mustard, sharing their peppery, tangy flavor and aroma.

In some regions, garden cress is known as mustard and cress, garden pepper cress, pepperwort, pepper grass, or poor man’s pepper (source)

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cress?

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

In particular, its 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 134 kJ (32 kcal)
Carbohydrates
5.5 g
Sugars 4.4 g
Dietary fiber 1.1 g
Fat
0.7 g
Protein
2.6 g
Vitamins
Vitamin A equiv.
beta-Carotene
lutein zeaxanthin
(43%) 346 μg
(38%) 4150 μg
12500 μg
Thiamine (B1) (7%) 0.08 mg
Riboflavin (B2) (22%) 0.26 mg
Niacin (B3) (7%) 1 mg
Pantothenic acid (B5) (5%) 0.247 mg
Vitamin B6 (19%) 0.247 mg
Folate (B9) (20%) 80 μg
Vitamin C (83%) 69 mg
Vit E (5%) 0.7 mg
Vitamin K (516%) 541.9 μg
Minerals
Calcium (8%) 81 mg
Iron (10%) 1.3 mg
Magnesium (11%) 38 mg
Manganese (26%) 0.553 mg
Phosphorus (11%) 76 mg
Potassium (13%) 606 mg
Other constituents
Water 89.4 g

source wikipedia

As you can see, cress contains a huge amount of water, quite a lot of phosphorus, calcium and a lot of acidic content plus a little sugar.

This means that cress is not the greatest food for guinea pigs.

They can have a nibble of it, but it contains too much water and acidic content for it to be a part of a guinea pig’s regular diet.

If they eat too much of it, it may give them problems because of its water and acidic content.

There are better greens for them to eat and if you are in doubt about cress, then don’t feed it to them.

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

can guinea pigs eat buttercups

Can guinea pigs eat buttercups?

Buttercups are a large genus of flowering plants called Ranunculus. It has yellow, shiny, petals, and grows wild in many places.

It is poisonous to eat for humans and cattle, but when dry the poison is not active.

Some other plants and people are named buttercup, based on the name of the yellow wildflower.

These include a type of pumpkin and the girl’s name Buttercup. (source)

Can guinea pigs eat buttercups?

Yes, they can without an issue. Just make sure that they haven’t been sprayed with pesticides.

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

can guinea pigs eat dandelion leaves

Can Guinea Pigs eat Dandelion leaves?

Dandelion greens belong to one of the largest plant families, the Sunflower, which includes more than 22,000 species.

The first reference of dandelions being used as a medicine was written by Middle Eastern physicians in the 10th and 11th centuries.

Welsh medicinals concocted as early as the 13th century made use of both the roots and leaves.

After gathering this plentiful, easily recognizable herb, rinse them gently and pat them dry.

Then store them in plastic bags in a low-moisture refrigerator drawer.  (source)

Can guinea pigs eat Dandelion leaves

Yes, they can eat Dandelion leaves.

Just make sure they haven’t been sprayed with fertilizer or any kind of pesticide.

Dandelion leaves picked in the wild or a public place where you don’t know the land so well are not a good idea to feed to your guinea pig.

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

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Borage Greens?

Used all over the world in different guises and forms, borage greens are a versatile vegetable used in many different cuisines.

Can guinea pigs eat borage greens?

So can guinea pigs eat borage greens, and if they can, how much of them can be eaten?

Lets take a look at their nutritional data and find out a bit more about it.

In particular its acidic, calcium, fat, sugar and phosphorus content is most pertinent to guinea pigs.

food info and image source wikipedia

Total Fat 0.7 g 1%
Saturated fat 0.2 g 1%
Polyunsaturated fat 0.1 g
Monounsaturated fat 0.2 g
Cholesterol 0 mg 0%
Sodium 80 mg 3%
Potassium 470 mg 13%
Total Carbohydrate 3.1 g 1%
Protein 1.8 g 3%
Vitamin A 84%
Vitamin C 58%
Calcium 9%
Iron 18%
Vitamin D 0%
Vit B-6 5%
Vitamin B-12 0%
Magnesium 13%

As you can see borage greens contain some calcium and a hint if fat.

But they also contain a fantastic amount of vitamin c which is brilliant for guinea pugs.

So they can eat borage greens but only two to three times at the oat because of their calcium content.

However, do cut off the heads before you do so.

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