In short, eggs are a no-no for guinea pigs.
They are herbivores and should only eat plant-based food like leafy greens, fruits, and vegetables.
Eating eggs can cause some serious health problems like upset stomach, cardiovascular, heart, and urinary problems.
Let’s see why guinea pigs shouldn’t eat eggs.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Eggs?
No, guinea pigs shouldn’t eat eggs!
Guinea pigs are obligate herbivores; in other words, they are vegetarian.
Guinea pigs are among those who eat only plant-based foods such as herbs, leafy greens, fruits, and vegetables.
Their digestive system cannot digest eggs or dairy food items properly, and eating eggs can have serious health issues.
For example, upset stomach, gas, bloating, constipation, heart problems, urinary problem, and so on.
So, you should never offer your little buddy eggs, meat, or dairy food items; their diet must consist of high-quality hay like timothy, pellets, leafy vegetables, and fruits.
Lastly, guinea pigs are highly intelligent, and they don’t usually eat anything that is not their food. So, the chance of eating eggs even by mistake is pretty low.
Are Eggs Safe For Guinea Pigs?
Guinea pigs shouldn’t eat eggs; they are not meat for them.
Guinea pigs are herbivores, and they rely on plant-based foods.
The digestive system of a guinea pig is susceptible, and they cannot digest eggs, meat, or dairy product efficiently.
Consuming eggs can be harmful for several reasons:
First of all, guinea pigs have a sensitive digestive system, and consuming eggs or even their smell can trigger indigestion, resulting in vomiting, gas, diarrhea, and constipation.
The yolk is another reason why guinea pigs should not have eggs.
They contain a good amount of fat and cholesterol, which can cause serious health issues such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, etc.
Lastly, guinea pigs are prone to allergies, so there are chances that they might be allergic to eggs.
In this case, it would be best if you avoid it at all.
Therefore, eggs are not safe for your guinea pig, and they shouldn’t be eating eggs at any cost.
So, eggs should be kept away from your guinea pigs.
Do Guinea Pigs Like Eggs?
Naturally, they eat plant-based foods such as hay, leafy greens, and fruits, and they refuse to eat anything they are not habituated.
Guinea pigs are herbivores, and most of them don’t like the smell of eggs or any other dairy products.
However, there are chances that your pet might eat them by mistake, so it’s your responsibility to keep eggs, meat, and dairy products out of your pet’s reach.
Guinea pigs’ digestive systems cannot handle eggs and can cause serious health issues such as gas, diarrhea, constipation, and life-threatening.
Potential Risks of Feeding Eggs To Guinea Pigs
Eggs are highly nutritious for us but not for guinea pigs.
Guinea pigs are obligate herbivores, and they should only eat plant-based foods like herbs, hay, fruits, and some veggies.
Eating anything, not in their natural diet can cause serious health issues.
Guinea pigs have a sensitive digestive system, and eggs can easily upset their stomach, resulting; in gas, diarrhea, and constipation.
Also, they contain a decent amount of calcium, phosphorous, fat, and cholesterol which can be harmful to them.
So, here are some risks of feeding eggs:
Digestion Problems:
Guinea pigs are herbivores, which means they usually eat a plant-based diet. Their digestive system is highly sensitive and cannot process animal-based food products such as milk, cheese, or meat.
Eating eggs can have various digestion problems such as gas, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and so on.
Indigestion is the most common health problem that your pet might have to face after eating eggs.
Also, eggs have no dietary fiber, and without fiber, it’s harder for them to digest their foods.
It kind of eases the digestive process.
Cardiovascular Issues:
Eggs have a high amount of cholesterol and fat, which is bad for your guinea pigs.
A high cholesterol food item can damage their blood vessels.
Eating food item that is high in cholesterol can damage the blood vessels, which will eventually lead to cardiovascular diseases.
Also, a high amount of cholesterol is likely to develop heart problems. So, guinea pigs should never eat foods that are high in fat and cholesterol to avoid heart issues.
Usually, piggy doesn’t like eggs’ smell and taste, so they are not likely to eat eggs even if you serve them.
Urinary Problems
Eggs are high in calcium and phosphorous, which is not good for guinea pigs. Consuming high calcium for a long time can cause several urinary problems such as bladder and kidney stones.
However, both calcium and phosphorous are important for developing healthy and strong bones.
Urinary tract infections could be highly painful for your guinea pig, so it’s your responsibility to keep these where your pet cannot reach.
Instead, you should opt for other healthy and safe alternatives for your little buddy.
No Vitamin C:
Vitamin C is a crucial micronutrient for guinea pigs; they cannot make it on their own, so they need to have it from one of their food.
And when it comes to eggs, it has no vitamin C at all. So, a lack of vitamin C in their diet can cause serious health problems.
Scurvy is one of the most common diseases that occur due to vitamin C deficiency; it generally causes weakness, anemia, and gum disease.
Also, vitamin C contributes to the other function of your pets’ bodies, like improving their skin, hair, immunity, and so on.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Boiled Eggs?
No, guinea pigs shouldn’t have any eggs either boiled, poached egg, scrambled, or fried.
The digestive system of a guinea pig is very sensitive, and eggs contain some compounds that are not safe for guinea pigs.
Guinea pigs usually eat plant-based food, and the digestive system is unable to digest any animal products.
So, eating eggs can cause various stomach issues.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Fried Eggs?
Not really!
Fried eggs are not safe for guinea pigs. Most of the time, they are cooked in a high amount of oil or butter, making it unhealthier.
And some like to sprinkle seasonings like salt, pepper and chilly on them to make it more delicious.
But all of them are highly dangerous for your pet.
Their digestive system is somehow designed to process plant-based foods, and eating greasy and fatty food can cause serious digestive issues.
So, it’s best to serve them only fresh and raw hay, vegetables and fruits as an occasional treat.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Scrambled Eggs?
No, scrambled eggs are not safe for guinea pigs. Guinea pigs are herbivores and shouldn’t eat eggs at all.
Guinea pigs have a very sensitive digestive system, and eating scrambled eggs can give them tummy aches, gas, and diarrhea. This is because eggs are not a natural part of their diet.
Also, scrambled egg often has too much oil, especially when fried with butter or oil, which makes them even worse for your little pet.
Scrambled eggs are highly nutritious for us, but it’s not suitable for your guinea pig, so it’s your responsibility to keep eggs and other dairy food products out of your pet’s reach.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Egg Yolk?
The yolk of the egg is the main culprit; they contain most of the fats and cholesterol.
And by now, you should have an idea that cholesterol is bad for guinea pigs. It can raise heart and cardiovascular problems.
Moreover, they can cause other health issues like gastrointestinal problems.
So, you should never encourage guinea pigs to have egg yolk or anything that has high fat and cholesterol content.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Egg Shells?
Eggs shells are edible, but guinea pigs should never eat them. They are made with calcium, and as you know, high calcium is not suitable for guinea pigs.
However, if your guinea pig ate a small churn of eggshell by chance, they are probably fine.
But too much capsicum is not good for guinea pigs; it can thicken their urine and result in urinary tract infections like bladder or kidney stones.
Lastly, the eggshells are quite hard in nature, so there are chances that they can choke your pet.
In this case, you can grind the eggshells into a powder and mix it with their food.
But in the case of guinea pigs, it’s best to avoid them at all.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Egg Boxes?
No, guinea pigs shouldn’t eat egg boxes.
An egg box or carton isn’t a food item and has no nutritional value for your guinea pigs.
However, you can use these egg boxes for the entertainment of your guinea pig.
You can create toys, hides, pushing and other DIY things for your pets. Guinea pigs constantly need to chew things to keep their teeth short, and egg boxes can be a great chewing toy for them.
Most of these egg boxes are made with wood pulp which is relatively safe even if your guinea pig ingested a bit while playing.
But make sure they are not heavily colored and made with eco-friendly materials.
Final Thoughts
Guinea pigs are plant-based food eaters, and eggs are not for them. You must understand that guinea pigs’ digestive system is highly sensitive, and they usually eat eating anything that contains herbs, veggies, and fruits.
Eating eggs can be harmful to them in many ways.
For example, eggs are high in cholesterol and fat, which can cause serious health issues like digestion issues, kidney stones, or cardiovascular problems.
Moreover, guinea pigs don’t like the smell and taste of eggs, so the chances that they will eat eggs are pretty low.
But still, if they had something with eggs, and you notice any unusual behavior or health issues, don’t shouldn’t neglect this and immediately contact your veterinarian.
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