Mushrooms are among the plants that usually taste as if you’re eating a piece of meat. If you love eating mushrooms and have guinea pig pets, you may be thinking of feeding your cavies one.
But is it safe to feed guinea pigs mushrooms?
Here’s a short answer- Yes, guinea pigs can eat mushrooms even though they don’t contain much nutritional value but can be good as snacks.
However, always watch out for allergic reactions after feeding your cavies the vegetable to prevent unpleasant situations. Also, practice moderation whenever you are serving your small pets the diet.
So, it’s great you now know that guinea pigs can enjoy the delicious taste of mushrooms. But does it mean you can serve your small pets any type of mushrooms?
Well, it would be best if you don’t skip any part as I provide answers to this question and others in this article!
Table of Contents
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Any Type of Mushrooms?
No, guinea pigs cannot eat all types of mushrooms because while some of them are safe for cavies, the others are poisonous.
And it is better to prevent your small pets from eating unhealthy diets than to be looking for treatment when they fall sick. They may not be so lucky.
Now, let’s take a look at mushrooms to feed your guinea pigs and the ones to avoid.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Wild Mushrooms?
No, guinea pigs cannot eat wild mushrooms as they can be poisonous to them. Unpleasant reactions to this diet include diarrhea and stomach aches.
Watching your little pets go through these symptoms can make you feel bad, which means you need to be careful.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Portobello Mushrooms?
Yes, you’re free to feed your cavies Portobello mushrooms as they have a unique taste and soft texture.
Just ensure you don’t cook the vegetable before serving your small pets because their stomach cannot handle them.
In addition, feed your guinea pigs only a little quantity at a time.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Oyster Mushrooms?
No, do not give your guinea pigs oyster mushrooms because they mostly grow in the wild and can be harmful to their health.
Like oyster mushrooms, the following mushrooms are not safe:
- Shiitake,
- Maitake,
- Enoki,
- Chestnut
If by mistake, your guinea pigs ate any of these, call your vet doctor immediately.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Button Mushrooms?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat button mushrooms as they are rich in fiber, antioxidants, protein, and more. They are also known as white mushrooms or white buttons and are perfect as snacks for your tiny pets.
Same as the white mushrooms, you can also offer your guinea pigs crimini or Baby Bella mushrooms.
They are the brown species of white buttons, are highly nutritious, and are good as treats for your small pets.
Nutritional Value of a Mushroom
Unlike other vegetables that your guinea pigs eat, mushrooms contain little nutritional value.
For example, guinea pigs need lots of vitamin C because they cannot produce them but mushrooms contain very little. Still, it should not prevent you from giving your guinea pigs the diet.
These are some of the major nutrients in 100 grams of mushrooms:
| Carbohydrates | 4 grams |
| Water | 92% |
| Fat | 0.34 grams |
| Protein | 3 grams |
| Fiber | 1 gram |
| Vitamin C | 2.1mg |
| Calcium | 3 mg |
| Sugar | 2 grams |
| Phosphorous | 86 mg |
| Potassium | 318 mg |
Benefits of Feeding Your Guinea Pigs Mushroom
Although mushrooms don’t have many nutrients, they are still useful in some ways for your guinea pigs.
Here are 5 benefits of mushrooms for your guinea pigs:
- Helps In Digestion
Being a great source of dietary fiber, mushrooms allow easy digestion in guinea pigs.
If your cavies are always having digestive problems such as constipation, it would be good to give them mushrooms regularly. Just make sure to serve them the healthy ones only.
- Improves Cardiovascular Health
Another important nutrient in mushrooms is potassium. It helps the heart to function perfectly.
By feeding your guinea pigs mushrooms, you are indirectly preventing heart problems in them. Also, your cavies will maintain normal blood pressure.
- Helps To Reduce Inflammation
Choline, found in mushrooms, can control swelling and sores in guinea pigs.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to prevent your little pets from having injuries or diseases. However, by including mushrooms in their diets, they will heal fast.
- Boosts Immunity
Mushrooms are also rich in Selenium, which is good for improving the immune system. If your guinea pigs’ immunity is strong, they’ll hardly fall sick and will recover quickly if they do.
With mushrooms in your tiny pets’ diet, your visit to the vet doctor will reduce.
- Removes Free Radicals
Antioxidants are other compounds in mushrooms and are useful for removing free radicals in the body of guinea pigs.
Naturally, metabolism causes free radicals in the body which can damage body cells if care is not taken. But with diets that contain antioxidants, such as mushrooms, your little pets are safe from diseases like cancer.
How Often Can a Guinea Pig Eat Mushrooms?
Giving your guinea pigs mushrooms two to three times a week is great.
There is nothing to worry about concerning the diet because it contains less sugar and has few nutrients. Nevertheless, ensure your guinea pigs eat mushrooms in moderation.
Risks of Feeding Your Guinea Pigs Mushrooms
These are the risks your guinea pigs may be exposed to when they eat mushrooms:
- Allergic Reactions
While some guinea pigs can handle different diets, others cannot because the body system differs. It is important to watch your cavies’ reaction for at least 24 hours after feeding them mushrooms.
Body discomfort and diarrhea are the visible symptoms you will likely notice if your cavy is allergic to mushrooms. Provide enough water for the affected cavy, visit the vet doctor afterward.
- Food Poisoning
As we talked about earlier in this article, your guinea pigs should not eat some types of mushrooms as they can harm them.
For example, wild mushrooms and shiitake mushrooms can cause unpleasant reactions in your cavies if they eat them.
Ask questions from farmers to know the safe and unsafe mushrooms because they all look the same and can be confusing.
Alternatives for Mushrooms
Besides mushrooms, there are other delicious and healthy vegetables that guinea pigs can eat. These are some of them:
| Zucchini | Spinach | Cabbage |
| Cilantro | Carrots | Radish |
| Parsley | Celery | Asparagus |
| Lettuce | Broccoli | Kale |
| Green beans | Cucumbers | Sweet potato |
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Processed Mushrooms?
No, avoid giving your guinea pig processed mushrooms because their stomach cannot digest them.
Naturally, your cavies can only process raw diets because of their digestive system. Most times, processed diets contain other additives that can harm your little pets.
Can Guinea Pigs Have Mushroom Soup?
No, don’t serve your cavies mushroom soup as they cannot digest cooked diets. Not only that, the soup may contain seasoning, pepper, and spices that can cause diarrhea.
Guinea pigs cannot eat canned mushrooms because their stomach will not be able to and stomach problems in guinea pigs.
Instead of giving your tiny pets mushroom soup, consider serving them clean water regularly.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Canned Mushrooms?
No, do not serve your guinea pigs canned mushrooms as they will not be able to handle them.
Usually, canned diets contain salt, preservatives, spices, and other additives that can be poisonous to your pets.
Feed them with fresh mushrooms only.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Store-bought Mushrooms?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat store-bought mushrooms as long as the stores sell fresh and raw plants only.
In other words, buy your mushrooms from reliable sellers to prevent digestive problems in your cavies.
As you know, there are many vegetable sellers out there, but only a few of them offer the best services.
Although healthy mushrooms may be expensive, it is always the best for your guinea pigs.
Can Baby Guinea Pigs Eat Mushrooms?
No, baby guinea pigs should not be served mushrooms because they may be at risk of having stomach problems.
First, mushrooms are just considered vegetables for nutrition’s sake, they are fungi.
Secondly, they contain less amount of nutrition which may not benefit your baby guinea pigs.
So, just focus on allowing the babies to stay with their mother to get nutrients from breast milk.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Mushroom Stems?
Yes, guinea pigs are free to eat mushroom stems, which are also referred to as mushroom stalks. They are not poisonous and also taste delicious.
Also, the mushroom stems contain Beta-glucan, a group of fibers useful for maintaining cholesterol levels.
However don’t forget that the stems are usually covered with soil, which means you need to wash them very well under a running tap preferably.
Ensure they are free of dirt before feeding them to your guinea pigs.
Final Thoughts
All we’ve discussed in this article is that guinea pigs can eat mushrooms but only the safe and healthy ones.
And it is better not to give the cavies processed, cooked, wild mushrooms and others than to be looking for treatments. Also, it is better to ask questions from professionals to know the safe and unsafe mushrooms.
Finally, always practice moderation when feeding your guinea pigs mushrooms. Most times, it is not the amount that matters, but diet quality.
