Can Guinea Pigs Eat Parsley | Italian Flat Leaf & Curly | Best Herbs (2024)

Guinea pigs can eat parsley, and this herb is packed with nutrition for our small pets. Let’s find out more about the nutrition that parsley offers guinea pigs, how often they can eat parsley, and how much they should have in a portion.

How much vitamin C is in parsley?

We are always looking at the vitamin C content in a guinea pig’s food because it’s a very important part of their diet.

If guinea pigs don’t get the vitamin C they need they can get scurvy which causes lethargy, joint pain and other symptoms.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Parsley | Italian Flat Leaf & Curly | Best Herbs (1)

Parsley has an extremely high vitamin C content when compared to many other fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs which makes it a great food to give your guinea pigs.

This fresh green herb contains 1333mg per 100g which is slightly more than you would find in a sweet red pepper and it is nearly 3 times richer in vitamin C than an orange.

Is parsley low in sugar?

One of the nutritional advantages in herbs is that they have very low amounts of sugar. In fact carrots have 5 times more sugar than parsley.

Does parsley have high amounts of calcium?

Parsley also has high levels of calcium and this may concern some guinea pig owners who worry about bladder stones. But remember that guinea pigs do need calcium in their diet.

How much parsley should guinea pigs eat?

We always recommend that you don’t feed large amounts of any food (other than hay of course) and give a good variety of fresh foods each day.

Feeding a good range of foods will provide your guinea pigs with an excellent selection of nutrients rather than lots of a select few.

And feeding your guinea pigs a varied daily diet will give your them the best chance of avoiding health issues like this.

Can guinea pigs eat Italian (flat leaf) parsley?

Guinea pigs can eat Italian parsley, also known as flat leaf parsley as well as the curly varieties. They will enjoy the stalks and leaves of this herb tooso there is no waste.

Parsley is easy to grow in your home

Parsley is easy to grow on your kitchen window sill which can save you having to keep buying it.

The supermarkets often sell parsley in pots so you don’t have to grow them from seed. All you need to do is place them into a larger pot so they have space to grow.

Doing this means you have a great source of food to hand for your guinea pigs as and when you need it.

In summary, parsley is a great herb to feed your guinea pigs and most piggies love it but don’t feed just parsley or just one vegetable. Give a good variety to help keep your guinea pigs fit and healthy.

Nutritional information for parsley

Below is the nutritional value per 100g of parsley

  • Vitamin C:133 mg
  • Calcium:138 mg
  • Phosphorous:58 mg
  • Fibre:3.3 g
  • Sugar:0.9 g
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Parsley | Italian Flat Leaf & Curly | Best Herbs (2024)

FAQs

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Parsley | Italian Flat Leaf & Curly | Best Herbs? ›

Guinea pigs can eat Italian parsley, also known as flat leaf parsley as well as the curly varieties. They will enjoy the stalks and leaves of this herb too so there is no waste.

Can guinea pigs eat curly leaf parsley? ›

Gp`s love parsley but it is rather high in calcium content so should only be fed in moderation. This rule of course applys to all the veg. Too much of anything could be harmful. Parsley also has diuretic properties.My pigs seem to prefer the flat leaf variety to the curly leaf.

Which herbs can guinea pigs eat? ›

Offer a variety of fresh leafy green vegetables & herbs daily. Some examples of these include dark leafed lettuce varieties such as rocket, dandelion greens, snow peas, and herbs such as marjoram, borage, marigold, nasturtium, rosemary, parsley, coriander, basil, and dill.

Can guinea pigs eat curly leaf lettuce? ›

Yes! In fact, it should comprise the bulk of your guinea pig's fresh leafy veggie consumption.

Can you eat curly parsley? ›

He argues against the common belief that curly parsley is less flavorful than flat leaf: "If a dish calls for flat-leaf parsley as an ingredient and all you have is curly, it's 100-percent substitutable." Davis, meanwhile, notes that it's mostly only the U.S. that curly parsley is relegated to a garnish or herb, ...

How much parsley to give a guinea pig? ›

Fresh vegetables can be offered once a day and should be equivalent to 1/2 to one cup total per guinea pig per day. Leafy greens like romaine lettuce, red and green leaf lettuces, mustard or turnip greens, cabbage, kale, cilantro and parsley should comprise the bulk of your pig's fresh produce.

What leaves can guinea pigs not eat? ›

Some common wildflowers, weeds and plants that guinea pigs should not eat
  • Bluebell.
  • Bracken.
  • Bryony.
  • Buttercup leaves and flowers.
  • Celandine.
  • Daisies.
  • Dock leaves.
  • Elder.

What plant is poisonous to guinea pigs? ›

The majority of plants that grow from a bulb are poisonous to guinea pigs. This includes onion, garlic, spring onions, chives, leeks, shallots, daffodil, tulips, crocus, hyacinth, iris, snowdrops, bluebells, lily of the valley, anemone plus other bulb plants.

What soothes guinea pigs? ›

Reducing Stress in Your Guinea Pigs' Environment

House guinea pigs in a quiet area away from other pets or activity. Limit the number of animals in each enclosure to prevent overcrowding, and don't change their social groups too often. Follow a consistent routine for daily care.

What can guinea pigs drink besides water? ›

Fresh, clean water with nothing added is the best drink for guinea pigs. But why can't guinea pigs have other drinks? It's unhealthy for guinea pigs to ingest high sugar, high salt, or high fat drinks. That eliminates soda, juice, dairy, sport drinks, and others.

Why can't guinea pigs have iceberg lettuce? ›

While lettuce is generally a safe and healthy food for guinea pigs, iceberg lettuce is not a good option because it is mostly water and has very little nutritional value. In fact, iceberg lettuce can actually cause digestive problems in guinea pigs because it can interfere with their digestion of more nutritious foods.

Can guinea pigs eat celery? ›

Yes, your guinea pig can safely eat both celery stalks and leaves in moderation. Just make sure you rinse them off before feeding a small bite to your guinea pig.

Is too much lettuce bad for guinea pigs? ›

As lettuces contain a sedative you should be careful not to give huge amounts but these salad vegetables can contribute to a good amount of your guinea pig's regular diet. As with any fruit or vegetable, you should always give a good rinse through with clean tap water before feeding to your guinea pigs.

Are flat-leaf parsley and curly parsley the same? ›

Curly parsley is darker than the flat-leaf variety, and has a milder taste. Flat-leaf has a more robust (and, some say, better) flavour. They can be used interchangeably, but the fact that flat-leaf is much easier to clean (the curly type can trap lots of dirt in its frilly leaves) swings it for some people.

Which is healthier, flat or curly parsley? ›

It seems to say that their nutritional value is exactly the same curly or flat leaf as it does not distinguish their nutritional values but only that the flat leaf does have a more desirable flavor which I've always known as far as seasoning like you stated Beka.

Is flat-leaf parsley root edible? ›

Parsley roots are nutritious and versatile, edible raw, or cooked, providing a concentrated source of fiber and other nutrients. There are several ways to use this root in the daily diet, such as baking, frying, sautéing, steaming the root, or simply eating it raw.

Can guinea pigs eat curly leaf spinach? ›

Although spinach is safe for your guinea pigs to eat and most piggies love this green leaf, due to the high oxalate content, it shouldn't be fed to them too often or in large quantities.

Can guinea pigs eat curly leaf kale? ›

The short answer is yes. Kale is not only good for humans, but it's great daily staple for Guinea pig. along with other leafy greens. Kale is a terrific source of fiber and vitamin.

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