Corn husks (and silk) can be safely fed to guinea pigs in small amounts as an excellent source of fiber, similar to that found in hay and grass – making them safe to nibble on daily.
However, corn kernels should only be given to guinea pigs as treats – and always choose sweet canned corn as this typically contains too much salt!
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They’re like hay
Corn husks are the outer skin of corn ears and provide plenty of fibre. Guinea pigs love nibbling on this fibrous vegetable as it makes an excellent supplement to their regular diet of hay, which should make up most of its diet.
Husks can also help your guinea pig’s teeth stay in proper alignment by wearing down their front teeth, which are known as incisors, over time. Without fibrous foods to chew on, their front incisors could overgrow and become painful or cause more serious health concerns.
Corn husks grown organically and without pesticides are the ideal choice, as these will be free from chemicals that could be toxic to guinea pigs. Husks closest to the corn cob tend to be better as these may have been exposed to more chemicals. Make sure you thoroughly wash all products prior to feeding them to your guinea pigs!
They’re safe
Inner husks of corn make an excellent daily treat for your guinea pig, as they’re low in calories yet high in fiber. Just be sure to wash it well so as to eliminate any pesticide residue from being used on it, or else there could be an excess of pesticides on it! These treat are an ideal substitute to corn chips or tortillas which are high in salt content and not suitable for their consumption.
Corn husks provide roughage for your guinea pig to wear down its teeth and keep its oral health at its optimal levels. Without enough tough and fibrous foods such as corn husks, their front teeth may overgrow, leading to health complications for your pet.
If you are feeding a baby guinea pig, make sure that corn and husks are introduced slowly. Prioritize other nutritious foods so your pet receives all the nutrition they require, such as red and green leafy veggies, sweet bell peppers (including seeds and cores), carrots, whole-leaf kale and parsley. Aim for about one cup per day as fresh veggies!
They’re fun
Guinea pigs relish eating foods with texture and taste, such as corn husks and silks that they can playfully manipulate into their mouth for a satisfying chew. Not only can these items offer plenty of fiber that keeps their gut healthy and helps prevent issues with the GI tract, they’re much healthier alternatives to fruits which tend to contain too much sugar and should only be given as treats.
Although guinea pigs can eat corn on the cob, its high starch content should limit how often you give it as a treat. Aim to give a treat three or four times each week at most; or get creative and tie a bunch of husks together as “toys” that hang from their cage as decoration. These creative options can also add variety and help your guinea pig choose what works best in terms of diet; try testing different kinds out to see which they prefer!
They’re nutritious
Corn husks contain many essential nutrients for your guinea pig’s health, such as vitamin A and fiber. Furthermore, they offer plenty of carbohydrates, fats and proteins; thus providing her with enough calories and nutrition. However, they should not make up an overwhelming percentage of its diet due to high sugar content which could quickly cause weight gain; in addition, corn husks don’t offer tough and fibrous foods which help wear down teeth in a manner which supports proper chewing ability and would prevent overgrowth of teeth which would prevent development which would result in painful teething problems that hinder proper chewing capacity resulting in overgrown teething for life.
Avoid feeding your guinea pig the whole corn cob as this poses a choking hazard, instead cut a quarter or more of raw kernel cob into strips for your pet to consume. Use only insides of husks, as this tends to have less pesticide residue, as well as silks between kernels that provide additional nutrition.
