Yes, guinea pigs can eat mushrooms but it is really important to know what type of mushrooms they can eat as some mushrooms they cannot eat and others they can eat.
Never give your guinea pig wild mushrooms, as they may be harmful to your guinea pig.
Besides, mushrooms don’t provide much nutritional value, so it’s best to avoid them.
Do Guinea Pigs Like Mushrooms?
Whether guinea pigs like mushrooms or not depends on them. Some may love it while others may hate it.
The best way to find out whether your pig likes mushrooms or not is to give them a tiny bit of it and see if they want it.
Don’t force-feed guinea pigs mushrooms.
Are Mushrooms Dangerous for Guinea Pigs?
Not all mushrooms are dangerous for guinea pigs. Similarly, not all of them are good for them.
But you should take proper care before giving them mushrooms of a certain kind.
Be 100% sure they are safe for your pet before giving them to eat.
Mushrooms can harm guinea pigs in several ways.
- Poisoning Some mushrooms are poisonous to guinea pigs. It is extremely important that we clearly identify which mushrooms are safe for them and then include them in their diet. Never feed your pets with mushrooms if you are not sure about it. Completely avoid it if you have even the slightest doubt as it will be very hazardous to their health.
- Allergic reaction Several mushrooms may be allergic to your pet. All guinea pigs vary in their immune system just like humans. Some may develop allergic reactions, some may not. If after feeding them with mushrooms you find any unusual behaviors or symptoms, feed them with lots of water for the reaction to subside. If the problem is too serious or if it persists for a long time then take them to a vet. Never include mushrooms for your pet if it is allergic to them.
- Lack of vitaminsMushrooms are low in vitamins and vitamins are required by guinea pigs(especially vitamin c, which it can’t produce). Including mushrooms in the main diet of guinea pigs can lead to the deficiency of several vitamins, as mushrooms contain very low amounts of them. The deficiency of vitamins can lower the immune system of guinea pigs, making them weaker and more prone to several diseases. So mushrooms can’t be included in their main diet.
Which Kind of Mushrooms Can Guinea Pigs Eat?
Guinea pigs can’t eat wild mushrooms as they can be extremely fatal for them. They can only have a white, button, and Portobello mushrooms.
Also, the mushrooms should be raw and not cooked.
How Many Mushrooms Can Guinea Pigs Eat?
There isn’t any specific amount but it should be avoided for baby pigs and adults can be given 2-3 times a week in small quantities.
What Happens If a Guinea Pig Eats Wild Mushrooms?
Wild mushrooms are very dangerous to guinea pigs. Even wild mushrooms which are less fatal to us, human beings, can be extremely fatal to them.
So we must keep them away from such mushrooms.
What are the symptoms of reaction if guinea pigs eat wild mushrooms?
In case the guinea pigs eat anything that they shouldn’t it will show several symptoms.
- Diarrhea
- Reduced appetite
- Skin rash
- Not drinking water
- Abnormally quiet and not happy
There are many more such symptoms that show that guinea pigs ate wild mushrooms or something weird that they shouldn’t have.
What to do if my guinea pig shows the symptoms?
If guinea pigs show some or all symptoms mentioned above then you should immediately take them to a vet.
If it’s possible, then you should take a sample of the mushroom they have consumed so that it may be easier for the vet to understand the problem and treat them properly.
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.
