No, guinea pigs shouldn’t eat onions. Onions contain calcium, phosphorus, sugar, compounds of disulfides, and thiosulphates, which are extremely toxic for guinea pigs. They damage their red blood cells and can cause renal failure.
Onions are generally very beneficial for humans, but many guinea pig owners worry about feeding onions to their guinea pigs.
In this article, you will learn if guinea pigs can eat onion, onion grass, onion skin, weed, leaves, and different types of onion.
Are onions bad for guinea pigs?
Yes, onions are bad for guinea pigs. Feeding onions can cause runny eyes and mouth, urinary issues, digestive problems, anemia, and even death if the problems caused by onions remain unaddressed.
Urinary tract problems
Onions contain far more excessive amounts of calcium than the requirement of guinea pigs.
The excess amount of calcium in the body leads to the formation of stones in the kidney and urinary bladder.
It causes urinary tract infections and blood in the urine of guinea pigs.
Digestive problems
Onions have high sugar content and low fiber which causes digestive disorders in guinea pigs.
They cause painful digestion, stomach aches, loose stool, nausea, and vomiting.
Diabetes
High sugar content in onions may also lead to diabetes in cavies.
Diabetes can further lead to obesity
Respiratory problems
Onions contain compounds of disulfide which can cause respiratory problems in guinea pigs.
These compounds destroy the red blood cells, which are primary oxygen carriers in the body, thus causing difficulty in breathing for guinea pigs.
Anemia
The disulfide and thiosulfate compounds cause hemolysis in the body of guinea pigs (meaning the destruction of red blood cells).
The red blood cells contain hemoglobin.
The destruction of red blood cells results in the deficiency of hemoglobin which eventually leads to anemia.
Irritation in eyes and mouth
Onions contain a lachrymator compound called syn-propanethial-S-oxide. which causes irritation in the eyes. Guinea pigs are allergic to this.
Therefore, onion causes discharge from the eyes, mouth, and nose of guinea pigs.
Death
The disulfides and thiosulfates in onion cause onion poisoning in guinea pigs, the earliest symptoms of which are runny eyes, nose, and mouth.
If onion poisoning is left untreated in guinea pigs it can prove to be lethal for them.
Even tiny amounts of onion can sometimes be life-threatening.
The compounds present in onions are poisonous because they destroy their red blood cells and cause anything from renal dysfunction to reduced supply of oxygen in the body which ultimately causes the death of guinea pigs.
Can guinea pigs eat onion grass?
No guinea pigs shouldn’t eat onion grass. It is also rich in calcium and potassium but in levels that cannot be tolerated by guinea pigs.
Calcium particularly creates stones in the body of guinea pigs.
Though onion grass is rich in vitamin A, and C, other nutrients present in it make it unfit for consumption by piggies.
Onion grass is also known as wild onion or onion weed, it is a common lawn weed that looks similar to the chive plant.
It is edible for human beings and it has many health benefits for them, but it’s not the same in the case of guinea pigs.
Can guinea pigs eat onion skin?
No, guinea pigs shouldn’t eat onion skin. Though onion skin is rich in Vitamin A, C, E, and other antioxidants, it also contains disulfide and thiosulfate compounds which are poisonous for guinea pigs.
These compounds are present in each and every layer of onion including its skin.
Hence, don’t try to feed the skin of an onion to guinea pigs in any situation.
Can guinea pigs eat onion leaves?
No, guinea pigs shouldn’t eat onion leaves. It contains absurdly high amounts of vitamin K. Excessive amounts of vitamin K can cause the rupture of red blood cells.
The onion leaves have a high amount of carbohydrates and sugar.
The high amount of sugar content in onion leaves can lead to allergic reactions.
The intolerance of high sugar content in guinea pigs causes nausea, vomiting, and gastric discomfort.
Can guinea pigs eat onion weed?
No guinea pigs shouldn’t eat onion weed. Onion weed contains vitamins, mineral antioxidants, and sulphur. The guinea pigs are allergic to sulphur compounds.
Onion weed refers to several species of plants that are either related to onions, have onion-like bulbs, flowers, or smell oniony or garlicky.
They are considered weeds outside their native ranges.
Surprisingly, onion weeds are very beneficial for humans but their toxicity is life-threatening for guinea pigs
Can guinea pigs eat red onions?
No guinea pigs shouldn’t eat red onions. Compounds harmful to guinea pigs like disulfides, calcium, and phosphorus are present in red onion making it an unviable food for them.
Can guinea pigs eat green onions?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat green onions. However, only the green leafy part of the onion should be fed. The bulbs part of green onions shouldn’t be fed as they contain disulfides and thiosulphates, which are poisonous for guinea pigs.
The leafy part of the green onion is in fact rich in proteins, vitamins B, C, fiber, calcium, and healthy fats.
Nutrients in the leaves of green onions help guinea pigs prevent scurvy, cancer, digestive problems, promote bone and teeth growth, increase metabolism, enhance cardiovascular health and brain growth in piggies.
Green onions are also called scallions, spring onions, or salad onions
Prevents Scurvy and cancer
Green onion contains vitamin C which is a good antioxidant that prevents diseases like scurvy and cancer in guinea pigs.
Bone and teeth growth
Calcium present in green onions helps bone and teeth growth in young guinea pigs. But the amount should be limited as calcium can cause urinary tract stones
Lactation and pregnancy
Green onions are a good source of calcium for lactating and pregnant guinea pig mothers.
Production of serotonin
Green onions contain vitamin B6, which helps in increasing the production of serotonin in guinea pigs.
Serotonin is a happiness hormone that helps guinea pigs have better sleep and better appetite
Cardiovascular and brain health
Green onions have zero cholesterol.
It has good fat content which dissolves in the blood of guinea pigs, enhancing their brain function and unclogging their blood vessels.
Improves digestion
Green onions contain carbs, protein, and fiber.
These nutrients help supply quick energy to guinea pigs. It also improves bowel movement.
Can guinea pigs eat white onions?
No, guinea pigs shouldn’t eat white onions. White onions are high in sugar content and low in sulphur, quercetin, and other antioxidants, making them unhealthy for guinea pigs.
White onions can cause diabetes and digestive disorders in guinea pigs.
Therefore, white onions are dangerous.
Can guinea pigs eat raw onions?
No, guinea pigs shouldn’t eat raw onions. The disulfides and thiosulphates compound in raw onions can kill their red blood cells.
These compounds in raw onions are life-threatening for guinea pigs.
Can guinea pigs eat salad onions?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat salad onions. The leaves of salad onion contain vitamin B, C, calcium, protein, and good fats but the intake should not exceed the serving limit as it contains disulfides, thiosulphates, phosphorus, and calcium which are harmful to guinea pigs.
Guinea pigs can eat only leaves of salad onion and not the bulb part because the bulb of salad onion also called spring onion is toxic for guinea.
Can baby guinea pigs eat onions?
No, baby guinea pigs shouldn’t eat onions. Onions contain bad calcium to phosphorus ratio. It has more phosphorus than calcium. However, baby guinea pigs need more calcium than phosphorus for their bones and teeth to grow.
Onions contain excessive amounts of phosphorus which the delicate organs of young guinea pigs cannot tolerate.
Moreover, the presence of disulfide compounds in onions does more harm than good for baby guinea pigs.
Therefore, never add onion to the diet of young guinea pigs.
Can guinea pigs eat cooked onions?
No, guinea pigs shouldn’t eat cooked onions. The toxic compounds of disulfides and thiosulphates in onions cannot be removed by cooking onions.
Besides, the gut of guinea pigs can not tolerate processed food, be it cooked or frozen.
The digestive system of guinea pigs is made only to digest fresh fruits and vegetables.
Can guinea pigs eat shallots?
No, guinea pigs shouldn’t eat shallots. Shallots contain vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, antioxidants, and disulfides.
The poor ratio of calcium to phosphorus, and the presence of disulfides make it unsuitable for guinea pigs.
Therefore, it causes more harm than benefits to guinea pigs.
The taste of shallots is milder than onions and they are beneficial for humans, unlike guinea pigs.
What to do if your guinea pig eats onion?
If you suspect your guinea pig has eaten onion, observe if it’s showing adverse effects. At most times, negligible amounts of onion don’t cause harm. If the effects are harsh, rush to a vet and take professional help.
The first signs of onion poisoning include excessive salivation and discharge from the eyes and mouth of guinea pigs.
Onion in lower amounts can cause stomach pain, and hemolysis, which is the destruction of red blood cells that eventually leads to anemia.
Do guinea pigs like to eat onions?
No, guinea pigs don’t like to eat onions. Guinea pigs dislike the strong scent and taste of onions. The onions are intolerable for the delicate stomach of guinea pigs.
How to prevent your guinea pigs from eating onions?
To prevent your guinea pig from eating onions, never leave your guinea pig unattended in the presence of onions.
Always keep onions at points that cannot be reached by your furry pets
If you have the practice of letting your guinea pig go outside to the garden, make sure the garden is blocked off properly from onion plants that might be growing outside your home.
Remove all onion plants within the reach of piggies. Keep the door of your pantry closed and make sure there’s no onion peel on the floor.
It’s best to prevent the access of your guinea pig to areas where it can find onions.
Can onions kill guinea pigs?
Yes, onions can kill guinea pigs. The presence of high amounts of sugar, calcium, thiosulphate, and disulfide compounds can kill guinea pigs if consumed continuously.
It’s always good to not let them eat even negligible quantities of onion as their delicate bodies cannot tolerate the toxic effects.
Quick facts about onions
- The scientific name of onion is Allium Cepa
- Onions belong to the family allium and are commonly cultivated all around the world
- Onions are found in different sizes, shapes and colors·
- Onions contain lachrymatory compounds which cause tears in the eyes.
Can guinea pigs eat purple onions?
No guinea pigs shouldn’t eat purple onions. Purple onions contain disulfide compounds and are high in sugar content. The body of guinea pigs can’t tolerate these compounds as they destroy their red blood cells, cause anemia, respiratory diseases, digestive disorders, and even death.
Can guinea pigs eat wild onions?
No guinea pigs shouldn’t eat wild onions. Wild onions contain higher amounts of calcium and potassium than the cultivated ones.
General info
Though onions are a good source of vitamin C, they cannot be consumed by cavies.
They contain excess calcium and can cause digestive troubles.
Excess calcium can lead to kidney stones.
Guinea pigs should consume leafy greens as part of their natural diet.
They should be given fresh vegetables which won’t cause health issues.
Guinea pigs should also be given enough water in a water bottle or bowl.
Alternate list of foods for guinea pigs include spinach, raspberries, cantaloupe.
Never ever try feeding onions to guinea pigs as chemical compounds like thiosulphates make them totally bad for guinea pigs