Guinea pigs can eat brussels sprouts perfectly fine in moderation! However, it’s important to know all the nutrition facts before you go running to the grocery store or farmer's market.
We've also got a Vegetable Master List that lists common veggies that your piggy can and can't eat!
What vitamins and other nutrients does brussels sprouts contain?
Vitamin A
This vitamin helps maintain good eyesight, as well as a normally functioning immune system! As you may know, guinea pigs don’t have the best eyesight, so it’s important to preserve and maintain the eyesight they already have. When it comes to their immunity, we want to build that up as much as possible as well to prevent infections and illness.
Simple infections in guinea pigs can become serious, and in some cases, fatal pretty easily, so it’s important to do what we can to build up their body’s strength. There is 754 IU of Vitamin A in brussels sprouts.
Vitamin C
This vitamin has many benefits, including maintaining normal digestion, aiding in healing, and more. Making sure that your guinea pig’s digestive system is consistent and regular is important because in order to absorb their food’s full nutritional value, they must consume their caecotrophs, which is a type of poop that is full of leftover nutrients form the first time the food went through their body.
To read more about why guinea pigs eat their poop, check out this blog post. Vitamin C also helps with self-healing, meaning that your guinea pig’s body is able to regenerate new skin cells and other necessary cells for healing internal and external injuries. There is 85 mg of Vitamin C per 100 g portion.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is great at helping with maintaining blood and bone health! There is 177 µg in 100 g of brussels sprouts. Since there is such a small amount, we wouldn’t call brussels sprouts a great source of the vitamin, but it definitely contributes to their overall need for Vitamin K.
This vitamin is important because healthy blood and strong bones are vital to maintaining your guinea pig’s overall health! If the blood is unhealthy, then the organs in their body isn’t getting oxygen or the nutrients they need in order to function properly, which can lead to a multitude of health issues.
Maintaining bones is important because we want to keep them strong and active to improve their overall health, which can lead to longer lifespans.
What other benefits does brussels sprouts provide for your guinea pig?
Brussels sprouts contain lots of antioxidants, which help with getting rid of free radicals. These tend to damage cells if they stay in the body, so it’s important to consume foods containing antioxidants to help with that. Brussels sprouts are also high in fiber and are low in carbs, which makes them ideal for aiding the digestion of their food.
What are the downsides about brussels sprouts for guinea pigs?
Unfortunately, there are some downsides to brussels sprouts for guinea pigs. They contain oxalates which are rich in calcium and can cause kidney and other urinary stones. This is why it’s important for your piggies not to over consume foods that have them! It’s also important not to overfeed brussels sprouts because too many fat-soluble vitamins aren’t good for them.
How should you go about feeding your guinea pig brussels sprouts?
Just like with any veggie, it’s important to wash your brussels sprouts thoroughly to get rid of any pesticides! Then you are able to give your guinea pigs three to four leaves, once or twice a week.
Overall, it is OK to feed your guinea pigs brussels sprouts!
But, just like everything else, it’s best in moderation. Make sure to monitor your guinea pig carefully to ensure that feeding them this veggie is the right thing for them!
What else can guinea pigs eat?
Check out our Vegetable Master List for an extensive list of vegetables for guinea pigs!
