Guinea pigs like eating most parts of an ear of corn—the yellow parts called kernels, the husks, and the stringy silk parts. However, Guinea pigs won’t eat the actual corn cob itself—the same part that we don’t eat. Generally, the edible parts of corn are only suitable for guinea pigs in moderate amounts.
Corn isn’t toxic to guinea pigs, and it won’t cause harm to their health if consumed moderately. Still, it contains starch and is not something that guinea pigs should eat in abundance.
Read on to learn more about guinea pigs and if feeding them corn is something you should do.
Which Parts of Corn Can You Feed to a Guinea Pig?
Not all parts of the corn are the same or equally nutritious to your guinea pig.
Here, we go through all these parts and break them down.
Raw Kernels
For most guinea pigs, raw kernels are treats, and they shouldn’t be fed too often or as a part of a daily meal. In most cases, you can feed your pet raw kernels a few times a week and as a separate meal, though ideally, you should not feed them kernels at all. This is the part of the corn that has the most starch, and that’s why you mustn’t overdo it.
Canned kernels are also not good for a guinea pig—not just because of starch but because of the other things added to them, such as quite a lot of salt. Pets shouldn’t consume excess salt, so it’s best to stick to natural corn only.
The Inner and Outer Husks of the Corn
You can feed your guinea pig the inner and outer husks of the corn. That said, while the inner husks are typically harmless, the outer husks could create possible problems in the event that they’re sprayed with pesticides or other harmful substances. Therefore, it’s best to err on the side of caution and stick to the inner husks.
Corn Silk and Hair
Corn silk and hair can also be a daily meal for your guinea pig. It’s probably the healthiest part of the corn and will do your pet the most good in the long run. The silk and hair contain useful vitamins and minerals.
Stalks
Stalks are treats for your guinea pig and have almost no nutritional value. You can leave a few for them and let them munch on them for hours, if not days, and they will have little to no effect on the guinea pig. However, they do offer entertainment for your guinea pig and can be considered a toy of sorts.
What About Corn Cobs?
Corn cobs are not toxic for guinea pigs, but they’re not nutritionally great either. Still, they can be offered as occasional enrichment toys that your guinea pig can safely chew away at. A guinea pig won’t eat the inner part of the corn cob, and that isn’t for human consumption either. Therefore, it’s best not to even try to include it.
How to Feed Corn Cobs to Your Pet Guinea Pig
You’ll need to prepare the corn so your pet guinea pig can eat it without any potential health risks. Typically, the preparation is straightforward—all you need to do is shred the cob into small and thin pieces so your guinea pig can quickly eat them one at a time. The innermost part of the cob should not be offered to guinea pigs.
The corn should be fresh, and one of the ways you can help make it fresh is to put it in a zip-locked bag. That way, the corn won’t dry out, as it tends to do so quickly.
Final Words
Most parts of corn are edible and safe for guinea pigs, though it is worth noting that different parts of the corn have different nutritional benefits. A corn cob isn’t toxic for guinea pigs and can be offered as an occasional chew toy of sorts, but it shouldn’t be a dietary staple in their meals on a daily basis. The innermost part of the cob should not be offered to guinea pigs.
