Can Guinea Pigs Eat String Cheese? (Risks & Alternatives)

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Due to its salty, and yummy taste, string cheese is a favorite snack for children and adults.

Since they are delicious, you may want to include them in your cavies’ diet plan. But can guinea pigs eat string cheese? 

Here’s a quick answer – No, your guinea pigs should not eat string cheese because it is a dairy product. And since your cavies lack lactase, they won’t be able to digest it. 

Also, string cheese contains too much calcium that can harm guinea pigs’ urinary systems.

You now have an idea the guinea pigs can’t eat string cheese. But, what if you accidentally feed them string cheese? What could possibly happen?

Just keep scrolling below to learn more!

What Happens If My Guinea Pigs Eat String Cheese?

Feeding them processed diets like cheese will cause serious health problems like diarrhea, vomiting, bloating, and more.

Giving your pets cooked meals is not advisable too.

Although a small slice of these snacks may not cause harm. But if you continue to feed your cavies cheese every day, they won’t live long. 

This will result from the damage to their internal organs over time. 

It is better to consider your guinea pigs’ overall health when feeding them any diet.

Below are the possible risks of feeding cheese to your cavies:

Risk in Feeding String Cheese to Guinea Pigs

Let’s just say cheese adds no dietary value to the health of your guinea pigs. On the other hand, it causes health issues in your little furry friends. 

So, below are the risks you’ll be exposing them to if they eat cheese:

Obesity

Usually, cheese contains high calories. No doubt, your guinea pigs will become obese if they eat the snacks regularly.

Although a small amount of calories is healthy for cavies, it shouldn’t be from cheese. Naturally, the diet contains too many calories that even a small piece can be dangerous.

An obese guinea pig is usually inactive due to too much weight. In the long run, it will likely be exposed to the risk of other diseases and even predators. 

Understand that there is a big difference between eating healthy to gain weight and being obese. 

Therefore, if your guinea pig is suddenly gaining excess weight, you should consult your vet doctor

Indigestion

Regularly serving your adult guinea pigs string cheese can cause indigestion. This will then result in bloating, diarrhea, stomach pain, and other discomforts. 

Like all dairy products, string cheese contains lactose. Unfortunately, adult guinea pigs cannot digest this nutrient because they don’t produce lactase.

However, baby guinea pigs can produce lactase to digest their mother’s breast milk.

Cheese is a strange diet for your small pets that you should not give them.

Urinary Problems

Among the rich nutrients found in string cheese are calcium and phosphorus. These two properties can cause bladder and kidney stones in your guinea pigs when in excess. 

Urinary problems are the result of these two serious health problems.

Painful urination, bloody urine, and urinary tract infection are the common symptoms of bladder and kidney stones. 

Never allow your small pets to experience a problem like this; they may not survive it.

Heart Problems

String cheese is a great source of fat, cholesterol, and calcium. If your guinea pigs eat them in excess, they may have cardiovascular problems. 

Cholesterol and fat, for example, can prevent the free flow of blood to the heart. Too much sodium can also increase the blood pressure of your guinea pigs. 

As you know, the heart is a major organ of the body. Therefore, avoid anything that can harm your guinea pigs.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cheese Slices?

Cheese slices - Not a Food for Guinea Pigs

No, guinea pigs cannot eat cheese slices. Even a small piece of the snacks may cause indigestion and other stomach problems. 

Remember that your furry friends cannot digest cheese. 

Preventing health problems in your small pets is always better. So, instead of cheese, feed them other healthy diets like hay, pellets, fruits, and vegetables. 

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cheese Snacks?

No, avoid serving your cavies cheese snacks. All these snacks have one major ingredient – cheese.

And since it’s not advisable to feed you guinea pigs cheese, why should they eat the snacks?

Avoiding these diets will prevent problems like indigestion, heart problems, and obesity in your cavies.

Moreover, it will reduce your visit to the vet doctor’s office.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Dairy Products?

dairy products (milk and cheese) - Not a food for guinea pigs

No, guinea pigs cannot eat yogurt, milk, and other dairy products. Like cheese, dairy products are processed diets that contain excess fat. 

Even though these diets are highly nutritious, they are not healthy for guinea pigs. 

While enjoying the unique taste of dairy products, do not serve them to your small pets.

Alternatives for String Cheese

There are different healthy diets that your guinea pigs can eat. Below are some of them:

ZucchiniSpinachCabbage
CilantroCarrotsRadish
ParsleyCeleryAsparagus
LettuceBroccoliKale
Green beansCucumbersSweet potato

Final Thoughts 

Take note of the key points in this article before you leave. 

Sure, string cheese is a healthy, tasty snack but they are not safe for guinea pigs. Constantly feeding them to your small pets can cause serious harm.

All dairy products too are unhealthy for your guinea pigs and should be avoided.

Instead of string cheese, consider giving your guinea pigs healthy fruits and vegetables only. Through this, they’ll live a healthy, long, and happy life.

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