Tag Archives: lactose

can guinea pigs drink milk

Can Guinea Pigs Drink Milk?

Milk is a white liquid produced by the mammary glands of mammals.

It is the primary source of nutrition for infant mammals (including humans who breastfeed) before they are able to digest other types of food.

Early-lactation milk contains colostrum, which carries the mother’s antibodies to its young and can reduce the risk of many diseases.

It contains many other nutrients including protein and lactose. (source)

Can guinea pigs drink milk?

Animals are often given milk to drink and so it is often thought that they can drink without any problem.

However guinea pigs can’t drink milk.

image wikipedia

This is because their bodies aren’t built for it. They are lactose intolerant which means they react badly to it and will either be sick or get diarrhoea.

So it is best to steer clear of giving any kind of milk as it will have an adverse affect on them if they do happen to drink it.

If you are looking for something for them to drink, then give them fresh water.

They will really enjoy it and is free of the sugars, preservatives and additives that other drinks contain that are bad for them.

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