Can Guinea Pigs Eat Mustard Greens? (Solved & Explained!)

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Whether cooked or enjoyed raw in our salads, mustard green is one healthy leafy veggie to eat. It looks fine for guinea pigs too but as a careful guinea pig owner, you need to be sure about this.

So, you may be wondering – can guinea pigs eat mustard greens? 

Yes, guinea pigs can eat mustard greens. These healthy vegetables are a rich source of vitamin C, B6, E, K, and other important minerals. These nutrients are all important for guinea pigs’ well-being.

They can only have them raw and not cooked in any way. Also, they can only be fresh veggie treats and not main foods. 

Remember, moderation is the key!

Now you know that guinea pigs can have mustard greens, you might want to be sure of the part to feed them. Your next question may be, what part of mustard green can guinea pigs eat?

Are there specific parts guinea pigs can eat, or can they eat all parts? 

Let’s find out… 

What Parts of the Mustard Greens Can Guinea Pigs Eat?

The leaves are the main part of mustard green that we eat. Also, this is the same case with guinea pigs. The leaves are the main part that you prepare for them as treats. 

However, let’s look at other parts like the stem, flower and see if they are safe for your cavy to eat.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Mustard Greens Stems?

Yes! Guinea pigs can eat mustard green stems too. This part is rich in fiber and vitamin C that your little pet needs. 

While you prepare mustard green treats for your cavy, feel free to offer them the stem. 

Moreover, it should be in bits due to the calcium and other compounds that can be bad in excess amounts. 

Also, washing them before serving your guinea pig is important to get rid of bacteria and the chemicals on them

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Mustard Greens Flowers?

Mustard Green Flowers - Food for Guinea Pigs

Absolutely! Guinea pigs can eat mustard green flowers. These flowers are used in salads and many meals due to their tasty and spicy flavor. 

They’re very soft and would be easy for your cavy to eat. Interestingly, they also contain vitamin C, A, iron, potassium, and many antioxidants. This makes it a healthy part your cavy can have. 

In addition, only offer it to your pet in bits. This is because these flowers also contain calcium which can affect your guinea pig’s health in excess amounts.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Mustard Greens Grass?

Yes! Guinea pigs can eat mustard green grass. Also known as wild mustard, this plant is safe for not just humans, but guinea pigs, to eat. 

Interestingly, all parts of it are safe to eat. So, free offering some to your guinea pigs. Also, wash them to get rid of chemicals and dirt before letting your guinea pigs eat them.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Green Mustard Greens Everyday Day?

Not at all! Guinea pigs can’t eat mustard green every day. It can’t be a major food in their diet plan. Only serve this veggie to them once or twice a week.

So, for every feeding day, you might be wondering how many mustard greens you should serve at a time. A single leaf of mustard green is enough for your cavy. 

This is a moderate size to give them so they won’t have to experience any health issues from an excess of compounds like calcium.

Pro Tip: Introduce this veggie to their diet slowly. Start by serving your guinea pigs a smaller leaf first. If no issue arises, feel free to give them the normal size. 

However, if they show some reactions, reduce the leaf next time till they get used to the veggie.

Next, let’s look at the nutritional value of mustard green per 100 g serving below.

Nutritional Facts of Mustard Greens

NutrientsAmount Per 100g
Fiber3.2 g
Vitamin A151 mg
Vitamin C70 mg
Carbs4.7 g
Calcium115 mg
Potassium384 mcg
Phosphorus58 mg
Vitamin K257.5 μg
Vitamin B60.15 mg
Iron1.64 mg
Protein2.9 g
Calories26 Kcal
Fats0.4 g
Sodium20 mg
Sugar1.3 g
Magnesium32 mg
Zinc0.25 mg

Health Benefits Mustard Greens to Guinea Pigs

Mustard Greens - Healthy for Guinea Pigs

Helps in  Digestion

Mustard greens are rich in fiber which is an important nutrient for guinea pigs’ digestive system. Generally, guinea pigs normally have issues with digestion due to their weak systems. 

So, they need a fiber-enriched diet to help them do it with ease. Eating mustard green will give them the good amount of fiber they need to break down other foods they eat. 

Also, it will help them to empty their bowels regularly. This will also keep a lot of digestive issues like constipation and indigestion, far from your cavy.

Supports the Immune System

In this veggie, you’ll find vitamin C, A, and many antioxidants. These nutrients help to keep your guinea pigs immune to diseases that might happen in their body. 

Vitamin C alone is a major nutrient a guinea pig needs as their bodies can’t create it. This is why they normally lack it and suffer from scurvy. 

However, mustard greens have loads of vitamin C and make it a rich source they can always rely on.

Improves Good Vision

Vitamin A is a very strong antioxidant but also a well-known sight booster. Also, vitamin E is another nutrient in this veggie that helps to give better sight. 

Interestingly, both of them are in mustard greens! They’ll help in boosting the vision of your guinea pigs.

For older guinea pigs, their eyesight normally gets poor. So, foods with enough sight boosters, like mustard greens can help them see clearly.

Improves Bones and Teeth Health

Your guinea pigs’ teeth are very important for them as herbivores. They need to chew and grind a lot, particularly plant foods that are hard to digest. 

In addition, their bones need to remain strong to support their weak bodies. The calcium in mustard greens is very important in building strong bones and teeth.

If any of these areas, teeth, and bones, are weak, it’s very bad for your cavies’ health.

And because of mustard greens, they’ll get enough calcium to make sure it doesn’t happen.

Supports Cardiovascular Health

Mustard greens are low in fats and cholesterol. This means it won’t block the blood vessels of your guinea pig.

In fact, it will promote the regular flow of blood and then keep your guinea pig’s heart in good shape.

Also, you’ll find potassium in mustard greens which helps in proper muscle contraction, especially in heart muscles. This way, it helps your cavy breathe well and checks blood pressure levels.

Aid Wound Recovery

Vitamin k is also an important vitamin in mustard greens. This vitamin creates the protein that clots blood. 

And when this happens your furry friends won’t bleed for long whenever they get injured. Also, as wounds close up very fast it will boost the healing process.

Helps in Relaxation

Mustard greens also contain vitamin B6 which helps reduce stress and anxiety for your little pet. 

This will make your guinea pigs relaxed, and give them quality sleep. In addition, this vitamin helps to boost the hormones in their body that create a happy mood.

Risk in Feeding Guinea Pigs Mustard Greens

Urinary Issues

The calcium in mustard green is something to be careful about. They are very good for guinea pigs in small quantities, especially in bone and teeth development. 

However, excess calcium can be very bad for their health, especially when it builds up stones in their bladder and kidney. 

This can be a very painful condition for your guinea pig. Also, in the worst cases, it can cause infections around their urinary tracts. 

When it’s prolonged and a vet doesn’t attend to it immediately, it can lead to death.

Digestive Issues

The fiber in mustard greens is very important for your guinea pigs as it aids digestion. However, too much of it can do the opposite.

When you feed them mustard greens, the fiber they’ll get will be too much. It will then cause a lot of digestive issues for your cavy, like gas, vomiting, and improper bowel movement.

Chemical Poisoning

Leafy veggies, especially ones you get from stores, normally get a lot of chemicals on them as they are grown on farms. 

It could be pesticides or herbicides. Whichever of them, they could make your cavy sick. This way it’s important to wash the mustard greens thoroughly before serving them to your cavy.

What are Other Healthy Alternatives of Mustard Greens?

Guinea pigs’ diet needs variety, particularly in the fruits and veggies you serve them. It’s healthier to swap one veggie for another from time to time.

Also, if your cavy doesn’t like mustard greens at all, you might want to try out other veggie treats. So, aside from mustard greens, you can try out these healthy veggies below:

CabbageTomatoGreen beans
Collard greensCeleryBasil
LettuceAsparagusSweet Potato
BroccoliBeetArtichoke
Brussel sproutsCarrotSnap pea
KaleBell pepperCilantro
ArugulaWatercressRomaine
ParsleyZucchiniSpinach

Just like mustard greens, guinea pigs can only have these veggies in moderation. So, whichever one you choose, try to check for the correct serving sizes for your guinea pig.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Curly Mustard Greens?

Curly Mustard Greens - Healthy Food for Guinea Pigs

Absolutely! You can serve guinea pigs curly mustard greens. Curly mustard is just another name for mustard green. It can also be called mustard spinach.

This is the common one you’ll find in most stores. However, don’t forget to wash them before serving them to your little pet. 

It’s equally important to offer them as treats only and just a single leaf per serving. Also, it should always be raw and never cooked at all.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Baby Mustard Green?

Yes, baby mustard greens are safe for your cavies to eat. These mustard greens are just the smaller versions that aren’t fully grown. 

They’re still rich in healthy nutrients like vitamin C, A,  K, fiber, and more. And because of their small size, you can serve your guinea pig two leaves of baby mustard greens.

Also, always wash them well, preferably in a bowl of water. This helps to get rid of dirt, chemicals, and other substances on them that can harm your cavy on them. 

Final Thoughts

To sum up, guinea pigs can eat mustard greens. These are veggie treats your guinea pigs can have occasionally. 

With important nutrients like fiber, vitamin C, A, and K, your furry friends can count on this veggie to stay healthy. However, it’s only safe when you serve in moderation. 

Don’t be tempted to give your cavy more because they like it. Mustard greens are veggie snacks so they shouldn’t have it as the main food. 

Remember, guinea pigs should eat mainly hays. Lots of it! 

If your guinea pigs don’t like them, it’s fine. They also have preferences just like humans so don’t force them.

Also, it’s equally important that you give your guinea pigs this veggie in the proper serving amounts. This is about one leaf per serving. 

Don’t exceed it so they’ll be safe from any health hazards.

Moreover, avoid giving guinea any cooked version of this veggie, whether boiled, simmered, or fried. They’re very unhealthy for them! Only serve raw and fresh just the way your guinea pig likes it.

Read more about guinea pigs on more of our blogs like this one. 

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