Worms For Guinea Pigs
Meals worms are a popular treat for rats, snakes, and other small house pets. Most people know that it’s dangerous for larger animals such as dogs and cats to eat mealworms because of the risk of worms being regurgitated if the animal doesn’t break down the indigestible chitin in the worms.
However, not everyone is aware that mealworms pose a risk to even smaller pets. Many smaller pets have sensitive digestive systems. Is it safe for guinea pigs to eat mealworms?
No Guinea Pigs should not be given mealworms. They hold no nutritional value and can pose a threat in terms of digesting them.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Mealworms: The Problem
Like with most things, it’s important to determine the problem before assuming. If you have a Guinea Pig, you need to be careful. Guinea Pigs have a unique digestive system that can be compromised by certain things, including mealworms. Not only can it be dangerous for Guinea Pigs, it can also be dangerous for the human who is handling them.
We’re not trying to scare you into not feeding your guinea pigs mealworms, we’re just trying to make sure you know what could happen if you do it. Not everyone is aware that mealworms pose a risk to smaller pets too.
Mealworms can actually make your Guinea Pig sick. Guinea Pigs are known as ‘Vegans’ meaning a strict diet of no live animals. So avoid feeding your Guinea Pig any type of live mealworm as it can be harmful, they’re not beneficial, and can cause them issues.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Dried Mealworms?
Yes, not live ones. You’ll have better luck finding dried mealworms than live ones. Now we just said not to feed you’re dog mealworms but dried mealworms can be different depending on where you get them from.
Dried mealworms aren’t directly harmful to your Guinea Pig and in some cases actually, be quite beneficial.
Dried mealworms can be fed to your guinea pigs as a snack or part of their diet. The only downfall to feeding your piggy with dried mealworms is that they can harm your pet if not handled properly. If your Guinea Pig ingests an indigestible piece of the treat, it can end up choking or become dehydrated.
So this is something to keep in mind when feeding them dried mealworms.
Do Guinea Pigs Like Mealworms?
Guinea pigs are herbivores, which means that they only eat plants better known to us as ‘vegans’. So, if you’re trying to give your pet mealworms, you’d be better off offering them fresh herbs or leafy greens.
They actually prefer greens over mealworms. So if you’re debating whether to feed them some dried-up mealworms or vegetables. Go with the vegetables in all scenarios.
Fresh herbs and greens provide a better, more natural diet for your guinea pig.
Are There Any Benefits to Feeding Mealworms to Guineas?
The biggest benefit of feeding your guinea pig mealworms is that it provides a more natural diet. Mealworms contain many vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, making them a great supplement to a guinea pig’s diet.
However, i’s best to avoid them and just continue feeding them more greens and herbs.
Feeding your guinea pig with fresh greens and herbs or a healthy, homemade diet is best for them. However, for those who are short on time or who have small children, it may be easier to simply feed them dried-up mealworms.
A little more about Guniea Pigs Diets:
Guinea pigs are herbivorous, so they only eat fresh foods. These include fruits, vegetables, herbs, seeds, and nuts, which are your piggy’s natural diet. However, there are some health benefits to feeding your piggy with mealworms.
The Dangers of Mealworms for Guinea Pigs
As we mentioned above, mealworms pose a risk to any small pet that has a sensitive digestive system. There have even been rare cases of guinea pigs eating mealworms that have caused mild stomach discomfort. However, there have been no reported cases of serious stomach distress from eating mealworms.
Here are some risks mealworms pose to Guinea Pigs:
- Hard to digest, especially if they’re small
- Provide no nutritional value. This isn’t a risk but it’s not a pro.
- Can Infect your guinea pig.
- Can cause stomach discomfort.
Alternatives to Mealworms for Guinea Pigs
If you’d like to give your Guinea Pig mealworms without the risk of your pet eating on indigestible pieces, there are a few options.
- Just continue feeding them herbs and greens. It’s cost-effective and they love it!
- Special treats designed for Guinea Pigs.
- Buy whole mealworms. Whole mealworms are already broken down so your pet can safely consume them. Whichever option you choose, make sure you store them safely and away from your piggy’s other treats so they don’t get accidentally ingested. Also, be sure to monitor your piggy for any sort of indigestible pieces that may get stuck in their digestive tract.
Summary
Meals worms are a popular treat for rats, snakes and other small rodents. Most people know that it’s dangerous for larger animals such as dogs and cats to eat mealworms because of the risk of worms being regurgitated if the animal doesn’t break down the indigestible chitin in the worms.
However, not everyone is aware that mealworms pose a risk to smaller pets too. There are many issues that mealworms can pose to Guinea Pigs. It’s best to avoid them altogether even the dried ones and continue feeding them their regular diet.
