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Being compelled to eat the same varieties of food over and over again is something that all of us, including our pets, equally despise.
If you own a guinea pig, a question that is most likely to strike your mind is whether or not it can be fed cilantro.
In this article, we will attempt to answer this question and help you form a transparent insight into the foods that guinea pigs can thrive on apart from the generic fruits, vegetables, pellets, hay, and water.
Is it Safe for My Guinea Pigs to Eat Cilantro?
To answer your question, we will have to say Yes.
Cilantro is not only safe for your guinea pig but, we can assure you that after a while your cavy will start loving it.
If you ever consult a vet regarding this issue, you will find them admitting that coriander or cilantro is indeed one of the safest herbs that guinea pigs can ingest.
Cilantro contains a whole lot of essential nutrients including calcium, phosphorus and Vitamin C that can be qualified as indispensable to keep your cavy healthy.
Nevertheless, excess of anything is not good and here, cilantro for your guinea pig cannot be ruled out as an exception.
What are the Possible Health Benefits of Cilantro?
Cilantro leaves are mostly known for their fair content of antioxidants that inevitably plays an influential role in detoxifying several harmful substances and resultantly, improving the general health and heart condition of guinea pigs.
Furthermore, quite like humans, guinea pigs are not capable of yielding Vitamin C in their own bodies.
The fact that Vitamin C safeguards guinea pigs from diseases and strengthens their immune system shouldn’t come as a surprise because it more or less has the same impact on humans too.
Also, cilantro has been proven effective in managing diabetes by curtailing surging sugar levels and combatting food poisoning in guinea pigs.
Are There Any Risks?
The sad part is, cilantro leaves do have a few side effects accompanying them but, the silver lining is embedded in the verity that these impacts will surface themselves only when the guinea pigs are overly fed.
What Might Happen if my Guinea Pig Eats Too Much Cilantro?
Generally speaking, coriander is known to inflict symptoms of illnesses like diarrhea, dehydration, and indigestion further opening doors to graver health issues.
Hence, to be on the safer side of the spectrum, we would advise you not to feed cilantro to a pregnant guinea pig as it would increase its vulnerabilities by slowing down clotting and increasing the risk of bleeding.
Additionally, surplus antioxidants from coriander can damage the liver by flushing out rudimentary minerals along with the toxins from your piggy’s body.
Other than these, your pet also runs the peril of being exposed to respiratory problems such as chronic asthma and unbelievably low blood pressure.
How Much Cilantro Shall I Feed my Guinea Pig?
As per our understanding, you should add very small quantities of cilantro to your guinea pig’s food to confirm that it is shielded against all the health risks delineated in the former segment.
Always remember, diminutive portions!
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cilantro Every Day
No, Definitely guinea pigs cannot eat Cilantro every day.
It is recommended that we feed our guinea pigs with Cilantro only once a week or so.
Trying to feed the Cilantro regularly can be bad for their health.
Although young and pregnant guinea pigs can be fed a small leaf up to twice a week considering you mix it up with other low calcium veggies like cucumber, lettuce, etc.
Conclusion
Cilantro is a non-toxic and, moreover, healthy addition to your guinea pig’s nutrition, if served in moderation.
It helps to freshen guinea pig’s breath, assists in solving some digestive problems and helps sustain the eye and skin health intact.
Cilantro is loaded with nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants that help to prevent a whole range of various diseases!
Just be aware that you have to introduce the new food to a pet’s diet as slowly as possible and make sure that your guinea pig is not allergic.
