Can guinea pigs eat cat treats? Guinea pigs are common household pets, but most people still don’t fully understand them. One of the biggest misconceptions about guinea pigs is that they can eat cat treats or dog treats without a problem, but this isn’t true. This can cause severe health problems for your guinea pig, and it may even kill it if you continue feeding it cat treats! Don’t risk the life of your pet just because you think you know better – instead, read this article to learn more about why you should never feed your guinea pig cat treats!
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cat Treats? Some Vets Say Yes, But Some Say No.
If you’re lucky enough to own a cat and a guinea pig, you may find yourself trying to decide whether or not your pet guinea pig can eat your pet cat’s food. While some veterinarians say that guinea pigs can eat cat treats, others say it’s too dangerous and should never be done, but how can you know what to do? This article will discuss the pros and cons of feeding your guinea pig cat treats and give tips on making sure it happens in the safest way possible.
What To Look For In A Healthy Guinea Pig Diet
If you’re wondering if guinea pigs can eat cat treats, it’s essential to consider a healthy guinea pig diet first and foremost. Cats are carnivores (meat-eaters), whereas your furry friend is more of an herbivore (plant-eater). This means that their nutritional needs aren’t comparable to diet or eating different foods entirely! Therefore, following what cats eat may not be adequate for your pet. Instead, discussing a proper guinea pig diet with your vet is essential to ensure they get all the necessary nutrients from good food sources!
They Are Addictive
It might sound crazy, but cat treats can be addictive to guinea pigs like humans. It doesn’t take long for them to develop a taste for cat treats, and before you know it, your guinea pig is eating all of their food solely in hopes of getting more of those tempting tidbits. Although they can seem harmless, over time, these little snacks will stunt your guinea pig’s growth and cause even more harm than you might imagine. When I adopted my first guinea pig, he was underweight and suffering from severe calcium deficiency because his previous owner had fed him nothing but expensive cat treats every day. It breaks my heart to think I almost made that same mistake—please don’t follow suit!
They Can Cause Digestive Upset
While guinea pigs love to eat just about anything you give them, they’re also sensitive and fussy little critters who can suffer digestive problems if they consume too much of a good thing. While all-natural cat treats are meant for cat digestion systems, that doesn’t mean it’s healthy for your guinea pig to eat them. It might even make them sick. If you see your guinea pig eating cat treats, take it away as soon as possible because some varieties of joy can cause an upset stomach or diarrhea in your furry little friend. The good news is that plenty of other safe and fun food options will keep him happy while allowing him to maintain his optimal weight.
They Don’t Contain Enough Nutrients.
It would help if you never feed your guinea pig cat treats because they aren’t nutritious enough. Generally, guinea pigs love snacks, but cat treats are too high in fat and salt to benefit your pet. A single ounce of most cat treats contains 10 or more grams of fat—more than 60 percent of a guinea pig’s daily recommended caloric intake! In addition, many cat treats are packed with chemicals, preservatives, and other artificial ingredients that can have harmful side effects on both cats and guinea pigs.
The Cause Weight Gain
If you have a guinea pig, the chances are that you’ve seen him chewing on a cat toy. Guinea pigs and cats can be friends, but if your pets like to play together, it’s essential to know why you shouldn’t let them eat each other’s food—especially if one is eating cat treats or cat food. If your pets like to chew on each other’s toys, it might seem tempting to let them eat their favorite ones together, but if both animals are consuming treats regularly from each other’s bowl—or even yours—they could develop issues. Both guinea pigs and cats often enjoy catnip as a treat, for example.
Other Problems Include Constipation and Tooth Decay
Many cat treats are made with chicken, which can cause your guinea pig’s digestive system to become impacted. And even if you don’t see immediate symptoms, feeding your guinea pig these foods regularly can damage their teeth and oral health. Even one-time treats will rot their teeth over time—unlike dogs, who often chew on a toy or bone to help relieve pain and promote healing, guinea pigs don’t have that option. Unfortunately, many owners aren’t aware of how lousy cat treats are for their pets.
Is It Safe To Feed My Guinea Pig Cat Treats?
Most pet owners agree that a healthier diet means happier pets and longer furry companions’ lives. You might be surprised to learn just how many foods are poisonous to guinea pigs and other small animals. After all, when most people think of diet problems, they usually picture overfeeding or underfeeding—not something coming from your pet’s food dish! It’s important to find food that meets your pet’s nutritional needs; you should also keep an eye out for a good balance of protein, fat, and fiber because some commercial brands contain too much or too little of each nutrient. Finding a healthy option can help reduce regular vet visits and long-term health problems—and save you money on future medical bills!
What Are The Benefits Of A Healthier Diet For My Guinea Pig?
Like humans, guinea pigs need protein for muscle growth and repair, but it can be challenging to find quality protein in their natural diet of hay and vegetables. Vitamins are also essential for a healthy body – some are more easily digested than others; vitamins A, C, and E are all water-soluble vitamins (meaning they don’t require fat to be absorbed by your body), while B vitamins need dietary fats to get absorbed properly. The easiest way to give your guinea pig a healthy diet is by adding fortified treats or a supplement specifically formulated for small pets like your guinea pig!
5 Reasons to Avoid Giving Your Guinea Pigs Cat Treats
While your guinea pigs might be up to the challenge of eating cat treats, the reality is that these treats can cause serious health issues in your pet, mainly if they eat too many. Here are five reasons you should skip out on giving your guinea pigs cat treats altogether.
1) Dog and cat treats are too high in fat
Food that’s too high in fat and sodium can hurt your guinea pig’s sensitive digestive system. The treats may be appealing due to their yummy smell, but if you give your pet anything containing dairy or meat products, you could make her very sick. Furthermore, commercial cat and dog treats are often flavored with sugar; excessive sugar intake can lead to serious health problems for a cavy. Because of these potential issues, it’s best not to feed any type of animal treat except those specially formulated for guinea pigs. By choosing food for pets (like Oxbow), you know your furry friend is getting all her nutritional needs met with healthy ingredients explicitly designed for a guinea pig’s diet.
2) They can cause stomach upset
A guinea pig’s digestive system works a bit differently than that of a cat. Some cat treats may be too rich for your guinea pig and cause gas, vomiting, or diarrhea. Digestive issues are hazardous for guinea pigs because their stomachs are delicate and prone to bacterial infection—which can be fatal if not treated quickly. To avoid digestive upset, stick with giving your guinea pig vegetables like carrots or celery as treats—they love them!
3) They lack the proper nutrients
Cats are carnivores, and guinea pigs are herbivores. A diet consisting of high-fiber hay, fresh vegetables, pellets, or other herbs will meet a guinea pig’s nutritional needs. Feeding cat treats may leave your pet lacking in some essential nutrients. If you opt for a treat, stick with low-fat fruits like apple slices or raisins. Cats love them too!
4) Some treats are toxic for guinea pigs
Before you even think about giving your guinea pig cat treats, you must understand how certain toxic foods can be for these pets. Some safe cat foods can cause dangerous side effects in guinea pigs and other small animals, including diarrhea and seizures. The best way to avoid serious health issues is to avoid feeding your cavy any of these ordinary cat treats: chocolate, coffee grounds, tea leaves, mushrooms, and macadamia nuts. Luckily, plenty of delicious alternatives out there will please you and your critter!
5) They are high in sugar
In addition to their nutritional benefits, cat treats are also relatively high in sugar, which can quickly raise your guinea pig’s blood glucose levels. That may cause hyperglycemia and increase your piggy’s chances of developing diabetes. Hyperglycemia is a severe issue for guinea pigs and one that you should discuss with your vet if you suspect that your cavy is diabetic or suffers from diabetes-like symptoms. If you have any reason to believe that your piggies have pre-diabetes or some other form of blood sugar issues, it’s best not to feed them cat treats.