Yes, guinea pigs can eat oats, but it should be in a small amount.
Guinea pigs are not grain eaters, so oats are not suitable for them.
However, a small amount of oats is acceptable, but more than that could harm your guinea pigs.
In this article, we will see why oats are not suitable for guinea pigs, their health benefits, and the considerable risks.
Table of Contents
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Oats?
Guinea pigs shouldn’t eat oats; they are not safe for them.
Oats are rich in phosphorus, which can harm your guinea pigs; eating in can lead to urinary problems.
In addition, oats are a cereal that is not suitable for guinea pigs. They are high in carbohydrates, fiber, and starch, which can lead to stomach issues.
And the high carbs of cereal cause unnecessary weight gain.
Therefore, it’s not recommended to feed oats to your guinea pigs. They might be highly nutritious, but not for cavies.
Are Oats Safe For Guinea Pigs?
Well, it depends!
If your guinea pigs had a tiny amount of oats, they should be fine. However, oats in excess amount can be harmful to your guinea pigs.
Oats are famous for their phosphorus, fiber, and other minerals, but all of these can drastically affect your guinea pig.
The phosphorus of oats can damage the urinary system of your guinea pig, leading to pain in the urine and other health problems.
And the oat is a carb-dense food that is not suitable for your guinea pigs.
They usually eat low-carb food such as hay, pellets, fruits, and veggies.
This can lead to unnecessary weight gain, which will eventually cause other health problems and reduce the lifespan of your guinea pigs.
When Oats Is Healthy For Guinea Pigs?
Guinea pigs are plant-eaters, and oats are not suitable for their health. But oats can be beneficial in certain conditions.
For instance, oats can be beneficial if your guinea pig is potentially skinny, having an issue with their skin, or losing fur.
You can give oats to your guinea pigs in such cases, but it should be in moderation (not more than twice a week).
Keep in mind; that oats are high in calories, leading to obesity and other health problems.
Here are some reasons when oats can be fed to guinea pigs:
For underweighted guinea pigs:
Guinea pigs usually have a plant-based diet that is low in calories.
And oats, on the other hand, are a high caloric food that is not suitable for guinea pigs.
But oats can be great if your guinea pig is underweight or potentially thin. They are a rich source of carbohydrates which can help gain weight.
Simply, sprinkle a few oats in your guinea pigs’ food or mix it with pellets once or twice a week.
In such cases, I highly recommend you consult your vet before making any changes in your guinea pig’s diet.
If your guinea pigs have skin problems:
Oats are packed with nutrients.
They are enriched with carbs, fiber, and other essential vitamins and minerals.
And these minerals can be highly beneficial for your guinea pigs, especially if they are suffering from skin or hair loss problems.
Sprinkle a few oats on their food twice or thrice a week; it will make their coat thicker and brighter.
And it will also cure other problems such as bald patches, losing fur, and dry coat.
However, oats should be fed with the advice of your vet, as excess oats can harm your cavies.
Do Guinea Pigs Like Oats?
Not really!
Usually, guinea pigs prefer eating fresh hay, pellets, veggies, and fruits.
Most guinea pigs do not like the smell and texture of oats; however, some guinea pigs may be curious and want to give it a try anyway.
So, if your guinea pig likes the taste of oats, you can sprinkle some of it in their food but not more than that.
Oats shouldn’t be a staple part of their diet; it’s a grain-based food that is not suitable for guinea pigs regularly.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Oatmeal?
Unfortunately, no!
Guinea pigs shouldn’t eat oatmeal for various reasons.
First, guinea pigs are herbivores, meaning they eat a plant-based diet, not grains.
Usually, oatmeal is prepared with a lot of ingredients like curd, milk, seeds, and fruits to make it healthy, but most of them aren’t safe for guinea pigs.
For example, curd and milk are dairy-based products that aren’t suitable for guinea pigs since they cannot digest lactose.
Secondly, guinea pigs have a delicate digestive system that cannot digest grains efficiently, which eventually leads to digestive issues.
Moreover, oatmeal is rich in carbohydrates and starch, which can lead to unnecessary weight gain.
This means oatmeal is not a good choice for your guinea pigs except under certain conditions.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Quaker Oats?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat Quaker oats in small quantities.
They are made with natural whole grains and are a good source of carbs, fiber, and dietary fiber.
However, do not opt for flavored oats as most of the ingredients are not safe for guinea pigs.
So, oats are not healthy for guinea pigs, whether Quaker or any other brand.
Risk of Feeding Oats To Your Guinea Pigs
Oats are safe for guinea pigs but should be given in moderation.
Guinea pigs have a delicate digestive system, and excess oats can cause indigestion issues.
Moreover, oats are rich in carbohydrates which can have other consequences too.
Here are some of the risks of feeding oats:
Obesity:
Oats are calorie-dense food high in carbohydrates and starch, which is unsuitable for a well-being guinea pig.
Oats can lead to weight gain or obesity, further contributing to other health problems.
However, oats can be fed to underweight guinea pigs, recovering some kind of sickness or facing skin or hair-related problems.
But it should be offered in a very small amount under a vet’s supervision.
Urinary Troubles:
Oats can cause urinary problems.
Oats contain a decent amount of calcium and phosphorus, essential for healthy bone and teeth.
But both, in excess amounts, can lead to urinary problems such as bladder and kidney stones.
As a result, your guinea pigs may experience pain while urinating, bloody urine, other urinary tract infections, and sometimes kidney failure.
Indigestion:
Guinea pigs are herbivores and usually feast on hay, pellets, veggies, and fruits. But oats are grains and can affect their digestive system.
Oats are enriched with fiber essential for healthy digestion, but excessive amounts can lead to indigestion.
As a result, your guinea pig may experience upset stomach, gas, bloating, loose stools, and digestive pain.
Therefore, if your guinea pig loves having oats, you should sprinkle some of them on their food.
How Much Oats Should I Feed To My Guinea Pigs?
1-2 teaspoons of oats should be enough.
Guinea pigs are obligate herbivores, so they only eat a plant-based diet.
However, if fed in the right amount, oats can be beneficial to your guinea pigs but should be in moderation.
Oats are best for underweighted guinea pigs or if they are having skin or hair-related problems.
Just sprinkle a few raw oats on their food but make sure you do not do it on a regular basis and not more than twice a week or so.
An excess amount of oats can be harmful to your guinea pigs. It can cause indigestion, obesity, urinary problems, etc.
Therefore, you can feed oats to your guinea pigs, but it should not be too often.
What Happens If Guinea Pigs Eat Too Much Oats?
Oats are safe for guinea pigs, but that doesn’t mean they can have as much as they want.
Oats are carb-rich food that can benefit your guinea pigs under certain conditions.
However, overeating oats can harm your guinea pigs.
Oats are incredibly high in calories, which is not suitable for guinea pigs that usually eat a low-calorie diet such as hay, pellets, vegetables, and fruits.
Eating excessive oats can lead to indigestion, weight gain, and other health problems.
Moreover, they contain phosphorus which can develop bladder, kidney stones, and other urinary complications.
Therefore, it’s best to avoid feeding oats to your guinea pigs.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat These?
There are wide varieties of oats available in the market. Some of them can be fed to guinea pigs in a small amount, but not all are safe.
Oats are rich in carbohydrates and fiber, which can harm your guinea pigs if fed in excess amounts.
Let’s see which type of oats can be fed to guinea pigs:
Plain Oats:
Plain oats can be fed to guinea pigs in certain conditions such as underweight, skin, or hair problems.
Just sprinkle a few oats in pellets two to three times a week.
They do not have added flavor or preservatives. So, these are the safest option if your vet has advised you to feed oats.
Oats and Honey:
Oats and honey are not safe for guinea pigs. Guinea pigs can eat a few oats but not honey.
Honey is loaded with natural sugar, which is not safe for guinea pigs. It can cause digestive problems such as diarrhea, tummy ache, and so on.
And the stickiness of honey can be a choking hazard for guinea pigs.
Porridge Oats:
Guinea pigs shouldn’t eat porridge oats.
Basically, it’s an oatmeal recipe made with milk, dry fruits, and chunks of fruits and then cooks it.
And most of the added ingredients are harmful to guinea pigs. And the dry fruits can choke your pet as well.
In addition, oats are best when it’s raw and not cooked. So, its porridge is not suitable for cavies; avoid them at any cost.
Rolled Oats:
Rolled oats are basically oats that are lightly processed, but overall nutrients are the same.
Therefore, rolled oats can be fed to your guinea pigs in a small amount a few times a week, but they are high in calories which can harm your guinea pigs in the long term.
Raw Oats:
Raw oats are the best type of oats for your guinea pigs, and they usually like the taste and texture of raw oats.
However, raw oats are high in calories, leading to obesity and other health problems.
Quick Oats:
Quick oats can be fed to guinea pigs in small quantities. The only difference is that quick oats are steamed before rolled.
But it doesn’t change their nutritional value so that it can be sprinkled on your guinea pig’s food occasionally.
Keep in mind; that oats are caloric dense grains that can harm your guinea pig in excess amounts.
Steel-Cut Oats:
Guinea pigs can eat steel cuts oats, but I do not recommend it. They contain all the same nutrients.
The only difference is in their slicing and flattening.
So, opt for another type of oats if you ever want to feed it to your guinea pigs.
Final Thoughts
To sum this up, guinea pigs shouldn’t eat oats.
They are plant eaters, and oats aren’t good for their health.
However, oats can be beneficial if your guinea pig is underweight or have skin or hair loss issues.
Obviously, with the advice of a professional vet.
Otherwise, oats are not recommended for guinea pigs since they are high in carbs, phosphorus, and calcium, which are harmful to them.
An excessive amount of phosphorus and calcium can lead to urinary problems.
Therefore, oats are not recommended for guinea pigs except under certain conditions.
Other Useful Articles: