Pickles are enjoyed by so many people around the world. It just seems like a nice snack to offer your guinea pigs.
However, as a cavy owner, I get pretty careful about what I offer my cavy to eat. So, I wonder – can guinea pigs have pickles?
The answer is NO! You shouldn’t let guinea pigs have pickles. These foods have so much salt and can increase guinea pigs’ blood pressure.
It’s also made with so many other ingredients like vinegar, oil, onion, etc. that are very toxic for them. All of these mixed in one food like pickles is very dangerous for guinea pigs.
You now know that pickles aren’t safe for guinea pigs.
However, let’s take a deeper look at why pickles are not suitable food for your pets.
Let’s find out why!
Table of Contents
Why Are Pickles Not Safe for Guinea Pigs?
Pickles are processed cucumbers. This is one of the reasons why it’s not safe for guinea pigs as guinea pigs don’t do well with processed or cooked foods.
Moreover, the ingredients used in pickling are also toxic for guinea pigs. Vinegar is used not only to pickle but also to preserve the cucumbers due to its acidic nature.
This acidity of the vinegar isn’t good for guinea pigs. The salt used to prepare pickles is also unhealthy for our little cavies.
Even garlic and onion are used which are toxic for guinea pigs. Vegetable oil is also used in making pickles which is also very bad for guinea pigs.
Now you can see that guinea pigs can get hurt from pickles not only as processed food but the ingredients used to make it are way too unhealthy for our furry friend.
Food with such a combination of harmful ingredients for your pet isn’t even safe for your pets in small amounts. So instead of pickles, just offer your cavy moderate slices of cucumbers as they make great treats for them.
Let’s look at the harmful effects of feeding pickles to them…
Harmful Effects of Feeding Pickles to Guinea Pigs
High Blood Pressure
Salt is one of the main ingredients in pickles. So when your little pets eat pickles, the salt in them can increase the amount of sodium in your little pet’s body.
This isn’t good for their health as it can result in high blood pressure in guinea pigs. When your guinea pigs’ blood pressure goes high, many bad things can happen to them.
They can suffer from cardiovascular issues like heart attacks and stroke. In addition, high blood pressure can make your cavy have kidney issues.
Allergic Reactions
Whenever guinea pigs try out something new, they tend to develop certain food allergies. A small change in their diet can cause them to react badly.
However, just like how it is with humans, some guinea pigs might build allergies to a particular food and some might not.
After eating pickles, your guinea pig might experience symptoms such as skin irritation, labored breathing, and changes in their stool.
These symptoms can cause very bad health conditions when you don’t attend to them. In worse cases, your cavy could die.
Digestive Issues
Vinegar is a major ingredient in making pickles. Moreover, the acidity of the vinegar is so much and can cause digestive problems for guinea pigs.
When your guinea pigs eat pickles they can suffer digestive issues like:
- Bloating
- Gas
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Delayed stomach emptying
What to Do If My Pet Accidentally Eats Pickles?
You should know that even a small amount of pickles can harm your cavy. So even if they eat it accidentally, your pet can be in danger.
So no matter the size of the pickle they had by mistake you shouldn’t just relax about it.
Watch your guinea pigs for a couple of hours to see if they’ll show any strange symptoms. If your guinea pig seems to be fine, you should prevent this from happening next time.
However, if they show any strange reactions after eating pickles, you shouldn’t hesitate to see your vet. The vet doctor will then give your cavy the necessary treatment it needs.
Alternatives to Pickles for Guinea Pigs
Of course, you might be wondering what healthy foods guinea pigs can eat instead of pickles. Serving them different kinds of healthy fruit is just right!
In case you’re not sure of the fruits to feed your guinea pigs, feel free to pick from the ones in the table I made below…
| Cucumbers | Nectarines | Raspberries |
| Oranges | Mangos | Pineapples |
| Plums | Cherries | Apricots |
| Peaches | Tangerines | Watermelons |
| Pears | Grapes | Apples |
| Bananas | Clementines | Blueberries |
| Cranberries | Strawberries | Papayas |
Take Note!
As guinea pigs are sensitive creatures, you need to give them food in proper amounts so they’ll eat them without issues.So, whichever fruit you pick from the table above, offer them in the right serving sizes to your furry friends. Always prepare them well before servings and equally importantly, never skip the washing part.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Dill Pickles?
No! You shouldn’t feed dill pickles to guinea pigs. These are also harmful to them. Dill pickles are just pickles that are seasoned with fresh dill.
However, they’re still high in salt, which isn’t good for your cavy. Your furry friends can suffer from high blood pressure and some other health issues.
In addition, other ingredients used to make dill pickles are also not good for them. It’s fine to feed your guinea pigs fresh dill on its own. These herbs are safe for guinea pigs to eat but in moderation.
Can Baby Guinea Pigs Eat Pickles?
No! Never give baby guinea pigs pickles. You can see how bad it is for adult guinea pigs.
The case of baby guinea pigs could be worse as it can even kill them! Pickles can kill baby guinea pigs. Baby guinea pigs need mostly their mother’s milk.
Solid foods don’t just come in straight away. You need to introduce them gradually as they grow older. Start with hay and pellets.
I recommend oaten or timothy hay. You can then offer them healthy green leafy veggies before any other kind of food or treat.
Now you see the process of baby guinea pigs getting used to solid foods. Healthy foods don’t even come into their diet quickly.
Feeding them toxic ones like pickles is a very dangerous thing to do. Avoid it!
Can Pregnant Guinea Pigs Eat Pickles?
No, you shouldn’t let pregnant guinea pigs eat pickles. It’s way too dangerous for them.
One of the kinds of foods pregnant guinea pigs should avoid is acidic foods and pickles are not an exception.
Pickles are highly acidic for guinea pigs and during pregnancy. They can create health issues for them.
The salt in pickles is too much that can cause a kind of high blood pressure pregnant animals suffer from.
This high blood pressure can go as far as causing pregnancy toxemia in guinea pigs. This condition is very bad for both the mother and the baby.
Having known this, you should keep pickles away from your pregnant guinea pig no matter how bad they want to have it.
Final Thoughts
In summary, guinea pigs can’t eat pickles. They’re processed foods, which makes them unsafe for guinea pigs to eat.
In addition, most of the ingredients used in preparing pickles are toxic for guinea pigs. This is why you can’t even offer pickles to cavies in moderate amounts.
So, if your guinea pigs ever eat pickles they’re likely to suffer from a lot of health issues. To keep your guinea pigs safe, avoid feeding them pickles.
Guinea pigs are better off eating raw foods. This is why you should feed them fresh fruits and veggies instead of pickles.
Moreover, if you learned a lot from this one, don’t forget to share it!
