Also known as beetroot, table beet, garden beet, red or golden beet, beets are popular around the world particurly in north and central American and Europe.
They have a dark purple skin and pink or purple flesh with a rich, earthy and sweet flavour.
So can guinea pigs eat beets, and if so how much can they eat?
Lets have a look at its nutritional data and find out.
As usual, we’re looking at the phosphorus, sugar, fats, calcium and oxelate content. We’re also looking for a healthy amount of vitamin a and c to help our piggies.
Energy 180 kJ (43 kcal)
Carbohydrates 9.96 g
– Sugars 7.96 g
– Dietary fiber 2.0 g
Fat .18 g
Protein 1.68 g
Vitamin A equiv. 2 μg (0%)
Thiamine (vit. B1) .031 mg (3%)
Riboflavin (vit. B2) .027 mg (2%)
Niacin (vit. B3) .331 mg (2%)
Pantothenic acid (B5) .145 mg (3%)
Vitamin B6 .067 mg (5%)
Folate (vit. B9) 80 μg (20%)
Vitamin C 3.6 mg (4%)
Calcium 16 mg (2%)
Iron .79 mg (6%)
Magnesium 23 mg (6%)
Phosphorus 38 mg (5%)
Potassium 305 mg (6%)
Sodium 77 mg (5%)
Zinc .35 mg (4%)
(source: Wikipedia)
As you can see they don’t contain any oxelates, but do contain a small amount of phosphorus, and calcium, but do contain quite a bit of fat and sugar.
So with this in mind, guinea pigs can eat beets but only once or twice a week at most.
image flickr
Can guinea pigs eat beets leaves?
They can be fed to them but very sparingly if not at all, as they are high in calcium and oxelates. Once a month in small amounts at the most.
Can guinea pigs eat beetroot?
As mentioned, beetroot is another name for beets. Yes they can eat beetroot, but only once or twice a week at the most.
Can guinea pigs eat beetroot leaves?
Very occasionally at the most and in small amounts. Once a month at the most.
Can guinea pigs eat beetroot stems?
Again very occasionally like leaves, if not at all because of the high calcium and oxelate content.
Can guinea pigs eat red beets?
Another name for beetroot and beets. Yes they can on a once a week basis.
Can guinea pigs eat silverbeet?
Silver beet is another name for chard, which we reviewed here.