Guinea pigs can eat broccoli but let’s take a look at the nutrition to find out how good this green vegetable really is and how often it’s safe to feed your piggies.
How much vitamin C is in broccoli?
Broccoli is very high in vitamin C with just over 89mg per 100g. This is a very important nutrient for guinea pigs as their bodies don’t make vitamin C and they need to get it from their food.
In fact broccoli has more vitamin C than a green bell pepper. And broccoli has almost twice as much vitamin C as an orange.
Is broccoli high in fibre?
It’s important that guinea pigs get plenty of fibre in their diet to keep their digestive systems healthy. Broccoli has a really good amount of fibre, and more than lettuce or bell peppers.
How much calcium does broccoli contain?
Broccoli also has a fair bit of calcium with around 47mg per 100g, but this is nowhere near as much as parsley or kale.
Is broccoli high in sugar?
Broccoli isn’t very high in sugar with about the same quantity per 100g as a cucumber. Sweet bell peppers, fennel and carrots have more than twice as much sugar as broccoli.
How much broccoli can guinea pigs eat?
Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable which means this vegetable can cause gas and bloating if fed in excess.
So although it is high in vitamin C and fibre as well as being low in sugar, you should take care to feed broccoli occasionally and in small quantities to avoid any bloating as this can be very dangerous for a guinea pig.
Can guinea pigs eat broccoli stalks and leaves?
You may be wondering if guinea pigs can eat the stalks and leaves of the broccoli. In fact, they can eat the stalks as well as the florets so there is no need to waste any part of this vegetable!
Providing your guinea pig with a good variety of different types of vegetables daily ensures they get a good range of all the nutrients they need and minimises the risk of health issues.
Nutritional information for broccoli
Below is the nutritional value per 100g of broccoli
- Vitamin C: 89.2 mg
- Calcium: 47 mg
- Phosphorous: 66 mg
- Fibre: 2.6 g
- Sugar: 1.7 g