Spinach - good or bad?

[Bubble&Squeak]

Sorry if this question has been asked before. I'm new to this forum and couldn't see it anywhere.

I had been feeding my guinea pigs fresh baby leaf spinach as a treat for ages and they absolutely loved it. They went mad over it and even preferred it to cucumber. I thought it would be good for them as it's full of iron, which is good for vit C absorbtion. But then I read in a book that spinach was a food to avoid and now I'm confused.

They seemed fined with it and it never made them ill. The only downside was they wouldn't shut up when they knew it was in the house and I could never eat it myself without them going mad at me for daring to eat what they thought was their food. I stopped giving it them when I read this but would like to give it them again - only of course if it's okay.

Does anyone know if it's okay for them to have?

 

[Wiebke]

Spinach is Ok as an occasional treat and in small quantities, but it shouldn't be a big part of a regular diet. It has a very high content of of oxalate (?) acid (sorry, I'm translating from a German website), which can build up in the body and cause illness. It also has a high content of calcium.

For more info about a balanced diet look here:
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=37030

 

[Modwyn]

Have a read through this sticky its' very informative and helpful.

http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=30297

 

[Laura-CCC4]

Hi Bubble & Squeak, welcome to the forum.

Spinach is safe for guineas, no need to worry about it being dangerous. The concern is with the oxalic acid content (or oxalates - you were right Wiebke), as in high quantities over a period of time it can combine with calcium to form stones. As with everything, as long as it is fed as part of a wide variety and in moderation (i.e. small amounts), it's fine to include in the diet.

 

[katiep]

I've found that sometimes spinach can give some of my pigs an upset tum, even with just a few leaves, so I tend to only give them a couple of leaves occasionally, not every day.. but I know what you mean about them shouting for it!