According to Joel Fuhrman, spinach is among the best leafy greens that are dense with nutrients. It shows how vital spinach is and has a profound impact on both human and animal health. All parts of this super nutritious food are edible; thus, no need to worry about the cost because every single bit count. A healthy outside depends on the inside. Can Guinea Pigs Eat Spinach?

Spinach is widely distributed in many parts of the world and is cheap to grow, purchase, and even prepare. They are much valued and accepted by numerous cultures as an impressive diet, which they often use. It is good to know that; spinach is a superfood to animals just like a human. Well, can guinea pigs eat spinach? Definitely yes! Having known this, let’s now learn the benefits of spinach to the health of your guinea pig. Below are fantastic reasons why you should feed spinach to your guinea pigs.

What Benefits Do Spinach Has to Your Guinea Pigs?

Spinach is robust when it comes to nutrition. It has many splendid health benefits. This article will make you appreciate the pleasing results behind spinach applicable to both you and your lovable pet. Many are the nutrients contained in spinach. It entails; vitamins, minerals, water, fiber, protein, Fat, and many plant compounds. Indeed, it’s a great ingredient.  Let’s see the capabilities of spinach to the nutrition of your animal.

Vitamins and minerals

Spinach is a dense food that has magnesium, iron, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin A, B9, C, and K1. They have different vital functions to the body.

• Magnesium contributes to many biochemical reactions that take place in the body. It helps to maintain the functions of nerves and muscles, blood pressure, normal heart rhythm, etc.
• Calcium is useful for healthy bone and teeth formation, contributes to muscle, heart, and nerve functions. However, spinach is rich in oxalate, which binds calcium, making it unavailable to the animal. Therefore, reduce the amount of spinach given.
• Iron plays a significant role in forming hemoglobin that is useful in the transportation of oxygen in the body.
• Spinach is high in carotenoids, that reduce the risk of eye disease and cancer.
• Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant and is associated with healthy skin and good immunity.
• Vit K1 plays a crucial role in blood clotting during injuries.

Fiber

Reduce the rate of food flow in the digestive system to allow more time for digestion and absorption of nutrients. Hence, suppress constipation.

Plant compounds

Nitrates influence heart health, lutein responsible for good eye health, kaempferol that reduces the occurrence of diseases like cancer, and more.

How Much Spinach Can You Give Your Guinea Pigs?

Spinach is an excellent source of many nutrients required by your cavy for various functions. Though feeding spinach daily is not useful. It should be used similarly to snacks, at least twice or thrice in a week since spinach has high levels of oxalic acids. Supply spinach sparingly to realize the optimal performance.

Guinea pigs love spinach leaves so much. They will finish every bit offered to them. Be careful and watchful on the amount your cute pet can access. But don’t be dismayed to see that your guinea pig can’t consume spinach. Some hate them. It is only through trying that will enable you to know where your beautiful cavy belongs.

Too many nutrients are poisonous. They expose the body to health problems. It is true with excessive spinach. Its nutrient composition is too high to be consumed by the guinea pigs regularly. Calcium and oxalate present are not pleasing at all when massively used. Do you know that pets are vulnerable to bladder and kidney stones disease? It occurs due to the vast amounts of calcium and oxalates in the piggy’s diet. I know you don’t want anything awful to happen to your furry pet. Protect the animal. Give it what is necessary. Provide spinach as a supplement and not a staple food.

How to Prepare and Provide Spinach to Guinea Pigs?

Here are standard guidelines to help you prepare a delicious diet for your small pet.

• Remove the leaves from the stalk. Baby spinach is better, and they are more nutritious than older ones. As the plants mature, some nutrients are lost. Don’t wait for this to happen, harvest timely.
• Wash the leaves thoroughly with clean water to remove pesticides, dirt, etc. Spraying pesticides contaminates food in the field and, if not appropriately prepared, can cause adverse health problems that you don’t want.
• Reduce the size of the leaves through chopping. Light pieces, when consumed, increases the rate of digestion.
• Provide the leaves when still raw. Cooking is not the right choice because the majority of the nutrients will be lost. You can offer it together with other vegetables.

Remember to supply spinach as a treat. If perhaps you are purchasing spinach, look at their condition. Buy the bunches that look healthy, green, and young. They have high nutritional value. Take good care of this fantastic little pet. It is worth having them.

Conclusion

Can guinea pigs eat spinach? I hope this question is now well answered, and you won’t hesitate to feed this leafy green to your guinea pigs. Small quantities issued at least 1-2 times in a week will not harm. We have seen how spinach is crucial, playing compelling roles in stress management, skin protection, blood clotting, cancer prevention, eye, and bone health, etc. Despite the excellent pros from spinach, the cons are also present. High oxalate compound and calcium explain its risks. But you don’t need to worry. The solution is nothing than occasional feeding. Spinach is safe for your guinea pig. Piggies lack vitamin C. Spinach, and maybe other veggies are the right choice as it supplies this vital vitamin. I’m hopeful that you will appreciate feeding spinach to your guinea pigs. Try it! Do it moderately. Let your gorgeous cavy enjoy the benefits behind spinach.