The number of people adding a pet guinea pig to their family is higher than ever right now and this has resulted in many people getting a pet guinea pig reaching out with various questions about their pets.
Many of the questions that we see from the guinea pig keeping community each month are based around what their pet guinea pigs can eat and in recent months, a number of people have been curious about feeding their pet guinea pigs lemongrass.
This is largely due to a social media video going viral of a guinea pig owner giving their pet guinea pig some lemongrass and the guinea pig wolfing it down and really enjoying it.
As with many viral videos, many people want to try the featured food with their own pet but this is not always the best thing to do as there can be a number of common problems with unsafe foods being in these videos.
In addition to that, there are a number of things that you have to factor in when it comes to lemongrass too so we wanted to publish our own article going over if guinea pigs can eat lemongrass or not to try and help as many of our readers as possible.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Lemongrass?
There is contradictory information out there on giving lemongrass to guinea pigs and although the general consensus is that lemongrass is not toxic for guinea pigs, it doesn’t seem to be totally safe either.
Many people harvest their lemongrass themselves rather than purchase it in a shop so there is a risk that pesticides, herbicides or other chemicals may have been sprayed on it so keep this in mind.
In addition to that, Citronella oil that is commonly used as a bug repellent is an extract of lemongrass too and this puts many guinea pig owners off giving their guinea pigs lemongrass.
A less common concern of giving your pet guinea pig lemongrass is that your guinea pig may end up having problems with the tougher texture of the lemongrass so always make sure that it is well cut if you do choose to use it.
That said, many people do give their guinea pigs lemongrass with minimal issues and some guinea pigs seem to really enjoy eating lemongrass too as it has a unique texture, taste, and scent.
Do Guinea Pigs Like Eating Lemongrass?
There is no definitive answer to this and it seems to be down to the individual guinea pig as some love it and others don’t seem to have much of a preference.
Most guinea pigs seem to be indifferent with eating lemongrass and they will eat it if they have nothing better available to them.
A small number of guinea pigs then sit on the ends of the spectrum with a small number loving to eat lemongrass and a small number not liking to eat lemongrass much.
As we mentioned above, one of the most common issues that people have with giving their guinea pigs lemongrass is the tough texture which can make it difficult for them to eat.
If your guinea pig is struggling to eat the lemongrass or seems unhappy with it, it may be best to try something else as there are plenty of other vegetables, fruits, and herbs that they will enjoy eating.
How Much Lemongrass Can Guinea Pigs Eat?
This is another area where there is conflicting information out there but the general recommendation is not to give your guinea pig lemongrass more than once per week.
Some sources say that you should only give your guinea pig lemongrass as a treat rather than making it part of their regular diet and this seems like good advice.
As with everything else, it is always best to start off slowly with lemongrass and see how your guinea pig reacts to it both in terms of their appetite and also any changes in their behavior or appearance.
If you do choose to give your guinea pigs lemongrass, make sure that it is thoroughly washed first and cut into small pieces so that they can easily eat it.
As always, if you are ever in doubt, the best course of action is to speak to your vet who will be able to give you specific advice for your guinea pig.
Nutritional Values Of Lemongrass For Guinea Pigs!
Lemongrass does have some nutritional benefits for guinea pigs and it is a good source of Vitamin C, dietary fiber, manganese, magnesium, calcium, and iron.
It also contains a number of other vitamins and minerals in smaller quantities which can all be beneficial for your guinea pig’s health.
The main downside of lemongrass is the tough texture which can make it difficult for guinea pigs to eat and also the fact that it is not particularly high in calories so they will need to eat more of it to get the same benefits as other vegetables.
Conclusion
As you can see, there is no definitive answer when it comes to giving lemongrass to your guinea pig and it really seems to be down to the individual pet.
Some guinea pigs love eating lemongrass while others don’t seem to have much of a preference and a small number seem to dislike it.
If you do choose to give your guinea pig lemongrass, make sure that it is washed thoroughly and cut into small pieces so that they can easily eat it.
As always, if you are ever in doubt, the best course of action is to speak to your vet who will be able to give you specific advice for your guinea pig.
