Celery is one of those vegetables that can be consumed in excess without leading a pound more! Plus, it’s full of vitamins and antioxidants, which makes it even healthier, but can this also be served to our little four-legged friends? Can guinea pigs eat celery? Well, it looks like we have a new topic to discuss and analyze in this article.
Read on to find out if your beloved furry pet can eat celery or not!
Can guinea pigs eat celery?
It is one of the most common questions among guinea pig owners. And the answer to that question is yes, they can eat it. However, before you go and get that last piece of celery to give to your pet from the fridge, there are a few things you should consider.
Things to watch for when feeding celery to your guinea pig
Before giving any fruit or vegetables to your furry friend, make sure you can observe them right after. It may take a while for your pet to get used to new treats, so don’t expect it to rush into this snack right away. This is especially true for guinea pigs in the first months of life.
Most guinea pigs would like to eat a few stalks of celery. However, it’s not enough to offer long stems to your pet. Cut them into small pieces, perpendicular to the celery stalks. Giving your guinea pig the strings, without having previously minced them, will make it more difficult for it to eat and digest this food.
Guinea pigs have small jaws and should consume small pieces of food every time they eat. Also, celery strings that are detached from the stalks can easily get caught in their throat or teeth.
Be careful with the amount of celery you are giving your pet. Too much celery could cause diarrhea. This could even be lethal to these little creatures. Remember that a guinea pig’s diet should mainly consist of hay and pellets. Fruits and vegetables should be given with caution and not very frequently.
How much celery should I to my guinea pig?
How do you know how much celery is too much for your pet? Unlike apples or spinach, celery does not contain a large amount of fiber. This means that it is okay to give celery to your guinea pig a couple of times a week, not as a staple daily food.
Also, it depends on its reaction to this vegetable. If you notice any signs of diarrhea or watery stools, you should immediately stop giving celery to the guinea pig. Feed it with hay instead. It will stop diarrhea and will also be a great source of nutrients.
Another aspect related to celery that you should be aware of is the fact that it contains 95% water . This means all water will need to be flushed out, so expect more urine flow than usual.
Serve celery to your furry pet
Your guinea pig may not be a fan of celery. It may not like it and refuse to eat it. You can try giving it celery later, but if that doesn’t work, you can mix it with other foods like green leafy vegetables. Just like in the case of children, the guinea pig can be fooled and served healthy foods by combining them with others.
You can combine celery with spinach, romaine lettuce, Swiss chard, carrots, or apple slices. You can also use celery leaves. Mix them with every single food from those mentioned above until you find the combination that your pet likes best.
How do you know which combination your pet likes best? Pay more attention to the volume of the sounds it makes. If they are happy, they surely prove it!
If you decide to include other foods in your guinea pig’s diet, it is very important to inquire first. Guinea pigs can’t eat every fruit or vegetable, so be very careful. I
iceberg lettuce is a great example of this. It should be completely avoided. Remember to cut things into small slices so they can chew without the risk of choking.
In conclusion, we can say that guinea pigs can eat celery and it could even be one of their favorite foods. All you need to do is follow these guidelines and your cute little pet will only thank you!
This article is purely informative, at Shelterapet we do not have the right to prescribe veterinary treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We encourage you to take your pet to the vet in case of any kind of discomfort.