Guinea pigs should not eat tortilla chips. A few bites of tortilla chips won’t harm guinea pigs, but they do not provide any health benefits. Processed food can also cause stomach pain, diarrhea, and weight gain in guinea pigs.
Guinea pigs are herbivores, which means they eat plants, but can they also eat processed foods, such as tortilla chips?
Like all other animals, Guinea pigs require diets that are high in the appropriate nutrients for their particular species to thrive. The ideal diet for a guinea pig consists of hay, pellets, and fresh produce, with occasional treats thrown in.
Guinea pigs originate from South America, where they naturally eat fresh produce and grass, so it is important to keep that in mind when choosing foods. It is also important to consult veterinarians or other professionals when making changes to any pets’ diet.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Tortilla Chips?
Tortilla Chips Are Processed
Tortilla chips are made from corn, which is ground to flour and, depending on the brand, is combined with other ingredients such as salt and oil.
Although they fit within the constraints of an herbivore’s diet, tortilla chips are a processed food that is not beneficial for guinea pigs to eat. Guinea pigs who eat processed foods, such as tortilla chips, can experience stomach pain, diarrhea, and weight gain.
Guinea pigs can develop gastrointestinal issues that may cause an array of additional health concerns, as well as become life-threatening.
Tortilla Chips Are High In Calories
Guinea pigs typically need 130-140 calories a day, but the exact amount will depend on their age and weight, which should be discussed with a veterinarian and determined through additional research.
Tortilla chips are usually high in oil and have a high caloric density. A cup of tortilla chips contains almost 300 calories. If guinea pigs eat tortilla chips, even in small amounts, they can easily overeat and not receive the proper nutrients that they require.
Tortilla Chips Have Zero Vitamins and Minerals
Guinea pigs require high fiber and vitamin C-rich foods. Tortilla chips do not contain adequate fiber or vitamin C for guinea pigs.
Approximately 3 grams of fiber and 0 grams of vitamin C are contained in 13 tortilla chips, which is far from sufficient for guinea pigs.
A healthier alternative to tortilla chips would be fresh corn, which is more suitable for guinea pigs than highly processed and oil-heavy tortilla chips.
What Guinea Pigs SHOULD Eat
Hay of the highest quality should always be available to guinea pigs. Timothy hay is a high-quality hay from meadows and is often suggested by veterinarians and other professionals.
Fiber-rich foods are ideal for guinea pigs to assist in digestion, so they should have fresh fruits and vegetables daily.
Pellets are guinea pig food that can be purchased at local pet stores. The serving size and nutritional value of pellets vary from brand to brand, so it is important to adhere to the package directions.
Guinea pigs are prone to heat strokes, so they should have water available at all times, especially during the warmer months.
Vegetables and fruits grown in household gardens or bought from grocery stores can provide guinea pigs with fiber, vitamins, and other nutrients.
Listed below are just a few fruits and vegetables that are high in nutritional value and are healthy for guinea pigs. If owners are ever unsure whether to feed a pet guinea pig a specific food, it is smart to ask a veterinarian or do more research before feeding it to them.
Guinea pigs can eat:
- Peas
- Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Zucchini
- Leafy green vegetables–such as kale
- Tomatoes (with the stem and leaves removed)
- Oranges
- Apples
- Berries
- Cucumber
- Peaches
- Kiwi
Remember that fruits contain an abundance of sugar that might be too much for a guinea pig’s body to handle.
Give these fruits sparingly, and rely more on vegetables such as peppers and carrots to provide the fresh produce in their diets.
Avoid giving cold produce straight out of the refrigerator. Allow fruits and vegetables to get up to room temperature to make them more desirable for guinea pigs.
Fruits and vegetables should not be used as the primary source of nutrients for guinea pigs. They should be incorporated into their diets with the addition of pellets and hay always available.
What Guinea Pigs SHOULD NOT Eat
As herbivores, you might assume that guinea pigs can eat any fruits and vegetables, but it is important to research each food to ensure it is safe. Listed below are foods guinea pigs should not eat.
- Chocolate
- Onions
- Mushrooms
- Potato
- Bread
- Flowers
- House plants
- Garlic
- Dairy
- Nuts
When giving guinea pigs fruit, vegetables, and hay/grasses (never lawn clippings), ensure they have not been treated with pesticides and fertilizers and that they are thoroughly washed. This will prevent toxins from entering guinea pigs’ bodies, creating additional health issues.
Nutritious Foods are Crucial
A guinea pig’s health can suffer if it isn’t provided with nutritious food. A poor diet can lead to obesity, heart disease, chronic diarrhea, and liver or kidney disease.
Guinea pigs need lots of vitamin C in their diet. Vitamin C helps develop and maintain their skin, fur, and joints. Pellets that can come from pet stores provide vitamin C in an easy-to-digest way, making pellets a necessary part of their diet, but not their entire diet. Fiber is also an important factor when choosing foods for guinea pigs. Pellets are a great source of fiber, with a minimum of 16% fiber content.
It is best to introduce new foods into a guinea pig’s diet gradually and in small amounts. It will help to ensure the guinea pig does not experience serious adverse reactions, and it will gradually allow the body to adjust to new foods to avoid diarrhea.
Guinea pigs need a combination of hay, pellets, and fresh produce to get the macro-and micronutrients they need.
