by Confused about whether can guinea pigs eat corn? You might have been overwhelmed a bit about whether you should feed your pet with cereal or not.
But the thing is, you can feed your cavies with this cereal, and they love to eat it. Still, you must be a bit careful because corn is high in starch and has no other nutritional value.
Therefore, you should only feed them with corn as an occasional treat. In this guide, we will look into this matter in more detail, so continue reading till the end.
How Is Corn Healthy For A Guinea Pig?
Corn is healthy for your little piggie friend. Because it is extremely rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and other healthy nutrients, and with these nutrients, it serves pretty well for your cavy as a tasty occasional treat.
But these nutrients are much less in proportion than how much fiber and sugar corn has. Moreover, as guinea pigs have small bodies, they don’t need much sugar to consume. So, they will only eat it in a moderate portion.
Corn’s Nutritional Facts
In a single ear of sweet corn following are the nutrients per serving,
- Calories – 90
- Fat – 1 gram
- Protein – 3 grams
- Carbohydrates – 19 grams
- Sugars – 5 grams
- Fiber – 1 gram
- Vitamin C – 3.6 milligrams
As you can see, corn is high in carbohydrates, sugars, and fats that have very low nutritional value for guinea pigs.
What’s the Ideal Serving Size of Corn to Guinea Pigs?
You must be very careful with the serving size of corn you give to your cavy. An inch or two from the corn cob is a good measurement overall. So you can feed your little friend with several kernels approximately to your little friend.
You must be careful about the frequency at which you give corn to your little friend. You don’t want your buddy to become chubby and fr that you only need to feed it corn once or twice a week.
How Often You Should Feed Corn To Your Cavies?
Again, corn has plenty of starch, carbs, and fat along with sugars in it. So, feeding your cavy with it will make it obese in no time, so give it in moderation.
And for that, you should make it a treat for your little friend. Therefore, giving it to your piggie only once or twice weekly is sufficient.
Feeding Corn on the Cob to Piggies
The best way to give your little friend some corn on the cob is without cooking it. Make sure to give it raw instead of cooked one.
Also, remember to throw away the inner part when your piggies are done eating the corn on the cob. Giving your piggie some cooked vegetables will interfere with their capability to break the food down.
Is Corn Bad for Cavies?
Giving them too much corn in their weekly diet is a bad idea. Corn is suitable for your little friend if you feed them as an occasional treat.
Corn is extra starch and has sugar and fats that can make your piggies gain weight. And of course, gaining weight is not a good idea for your little friend. Therefore, you have to keep it under control.
Can Corn Be Lethal for Guinea Pigs?
It cannot kill your little piggie friend because it is not toxic. However, it can become unhealthy for them if you feed them too much of it, as it can lead to digestive problems for your little cavies. It can make them unhealthy as they become obese and cause issues to their urinary tracts.
Are There Any Guinea Pig Breeds Allergic to Corn?
No, there is no breed of guinea pigs that is allergic to corn. But if you introduce your little friend to corn for the first time, they might stop eating in response to stress caused by new foods.
Therefore, you have to introduce them to new foods in a gradual manner. And it has to be particular attention to the responses of the animal. But no breeds of guinea pigs are allergic to corns.
How Much Corn Can They Eat in a Day?
You can feed your piggie with about a quarter of corn on the cob in a day or at one time. So, providing them with about one or two inches of corn on the cob is better.
FAQs
Is corn healthy and safe for guinea pigs?
Yes, corn is safe and healthy for guinea pigs if you give it to them in moderation. One or twice per week is a good option because it contains too much starch and sugars.
What types of corn can they eat?
Raw and uncooked corn is the best option for your little friend. Because If you give them cooked corn or any other vegetable, it can mess up their digestive and urinary systems.
Can they eat cracked corn?
Corn kernels that are dried are cracked corn. You can crack them into small pieces and feed them to your piggie. But coarse grounding is a better option.
Can they eat canned corn?
No, guinea pigs cannot eat canned corn because it contains a range of different preservatives and food colors might there be as well. These are harmful to your little pets.
Can they eat cooked corn on the cob?
No, guinea pigs cannot eat cooked vegetables because they harm their digestive and urinary systems. Therefore, you shouldn’t feed them with cooked corn on the cob; it should always be raw.
Can they eat corn flakes?
You can feed your piggies with these corn flakes on rare occasions just for a change. But these corn flakes don’t give your little piggies any nutritional value. And they might contain some preservatives or chemicals.
Can they eat raw corn on the cob?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat raw corn on the cob, and they will like it too. You can give them corn silk in moderate proportion.
Can they eat corn leaves?
Yes, you can give them corn leaves or husks with the bright yellow kernels, and you can give them those stringy silks or hair in moderation.
Can they eat green corn?
You can feed them with green parts of the corn, and they will comfortably eat them too. But again, the important thing is that you have to be moderate in this practice and don’t feed them with too much of it.
Can they eat corn husks?
Yes, they can eat corn husk but keep it moderate too. Corn husks are the leaves of the corn, and your little cavies will love to eat them.
Conclusion
We hope you have got the answer to your question, “can guinea pig eat corn.” As long as you are moderate in feeding, you can give them the husks, the green stalks, corn silk, and kernels. You can give them once or twice per week and feed them with this occasional treat to keep them healthy and happy.
