Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cardboard? Among pet owners from all walks of life, the question of what to feed your pet is common. The same applies to guinea pigs! Many foods are safe for them to eat, while others aren’t. For example, cardboard!
Is it harmful to give cardboard to guinea pigs? This is a terrific opportunity to read on to get more information.
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So, Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cardboard?
Some people believe that it’s okay for them to eat cardboard.
It is okay to let them gnaw on it and even eat some of it, but eating it in large quantities can be deadly.
As a plant-based material, cardboard is made from trees.
Plant materials are quickly broken down by guinea pigs, who are herbivores.
This, however, does not mean that pet owners should dump heaps of cardboard on their pets. There are several reasons for this:
- Food made from cardboard is not nutritious.
- Your piggies might fill up on cardboard, but it won’t give them the nutrients they need.
- Pigs’ gut bacteria will be altered if you feed them a lot of cardboard, resulting in intestinal obstructions and other health issues.
The digestive system of guinea pigs is designed for grass (and hay) diets, which are their favorite.
Their diet consists primarily of grass hay, and you can also use orchards, meadows, and other varieties.
Your Piggie’s Health Is At Risk From Cardboard
Vets and animal shelter and rescue staff often recommend cardboard and paper materials as affordable toys and hideaways.
Keeping your guinea pig busy with cardboard is fun and inexpensive. To keep your guinea pigs safe, bear these things in mind:
- Piggies shouldn’t be given dirty cardboard.
- Don’t use cardboard that has chemicals on it or in it.
- Before your small friend plays with cardboard boxes or paper rolls, remove all glue and tape residue from them.
- Your pets shouldn’t eat cardboard that’s been chewed by other animals. Doing so can be harmful to their health.
- Don’t let the board get wet. Make sure it is dry.
- Your piggie should not be exposed to colored cardboard – the dye is toxic.
What Is The Reason Guinea Pigs Chew So Much?
Check out this list of interesting facts about guinea pigs. You must know one thing if you’re a guinea pig owner.
Unlike other animals, guinea pigs never stop growing their teeth. Keeping their teeth in a reasonable length is one of the challenges of owning these cute furballs.
Leaving their front teeth unchecked, they can grow right through their jaw, resulting in malocclusion.
Misalignment of the teeth or jaws is known as malocclusion. Guinea pigs suffering from malocclusion can often become starved and malnourished because they cannot eat properly.
The digestive tract of guinea pigs must be continuously moving, and they are most likely to die without food for an extended period.
When stress (or anything else) prevents them from digesting food, their gut shuts down entirely, and they cannot digest anything at all.
So, just to summarize.
Piggies must constantly chew on stuff to grind their teeth down so that they do not grow too long.
Guinea Pig Chewing Alternatives
Guinea pigs constantly chew to wear down their teeth, which is a severe problem. Therefore, you should provide chewing toys for your guinea pig along with the food it eats.
You can keep your little one happy (without feeding him cardboard) with a wide variety of chewing options. You can give your guinea pig the following safe chewing alternatives:
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Hay?
Hay provides them with important fiber and nutrients, so make sure you are providing at least one hay bag (or pile) in their cage, as well as fresh daily servings. Toss a few veggies into the hay and watch your piggies get crazy. Make it a habit to always keep a big pile in your guinea pig’s cage.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cardboard Tubes?
Pigs enjoy chewing on cardboard tubes from toilet paper rolls or toilet paper tubes. Fill the tubes with hay or forage to keep your pets entertained for hours.
Do Guinea Pigs Eat Pellets?
Pellets enriched with vitamin C. Your piggies love them, but they can also be harmful if overfed. Most adult pigs require about 1/8 cup per day.
Do Guinea Pigs Chew Mats?
Teeth can be worn down effectively and healthily with green mats.
Using handwoven mats, your piggies will not be harmed by threads or wires. In addition, they are edible and high in fiber. Thus, those pesky molars won’t be a problem. Give them a grass mat form to chew on!
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Woodblocks?
It’s fun to chew on wood blocks as long as they don’t have varnish or chemicals on them. Find out more about the type of wood your pet will be receiving before you give them a wooden block. Make sure it is nontoxic!
Do Guinea Pigs Chew Twigs?
Apple branches, pear branches, birch branches, beech branches, and pear branches are some popular ones. Don’t give your piggies a twig that was pesticide. Ensure you pick the right kind of twig. Not all wood is suitable for chewing.
As you can see, there are various chewy items you can offer your guinea pig.
With this list, you should get an idea of what you and your small friends would enjoy doing.
No matter what you decide, choose the most suitable option for your piggies.
Cardboard and Guinea Pigs: Frequently Asked Questions
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Toilet Paper Rolls?
Guinea pigs can safely play with toilet paper rolls, and they can chew on them without harm. However, be careful not to let your guinea pigs eat too much of them. You should also ensure that glued remnants and paper remnants are not on toilet paper rolls.
Is It Possible to Keep Guinea Pigs in a Cardboard Box?
Guinea pigs shouldn’t live in cardboard boxes on average. For one guinea pig, they should be housed in a cabinet or cage that’s at least 7.5 square feet in size. In contrast, when they’re scared, need some sleep, need privacy, or just need to hide, guinea pigs love to hide in their cozy “hide boxes.” In this case, a cardboard box would be ideal.
Bottom Line
Guinea pigs should not be fed cardboard as a treat. There’s nothing wrong with chewing, and consuming cardboard is, however, not a wise idea.
Let’s summarize what the article is all about:
- A guinea pig’s digestive system cannot digest cardboard because it is too rough and hard to digest.
- Although your piggie can eat cardboard, there are much more nutritious foods that your fur balls should eat. These foods are foods rich in vitamins and nutrients that promote good health.
- It is critical to provide Guinea pigs with plenty of chewable items, such as hay and hard vitamin C pellets.
- You should also provide chewable items and toys such as twigs, wooden blocks, and other safe items for your pet.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to keep your adorable piggies happy and healthy!