Why a diet with a proper calcium to phosphorus ratio?
Calcium, phosphorus and magnesium are three essential minerals found in the bodies of vertebrates. These minerals are used for numerous functions, including building bones and teeth, muscle contraction, blood clotting, maintenance of cell membranes, and nerve transmission. Basically, guinea pigs, like rabbits, absorb any and all calcium that is made available to them. Excess calcium is filtered in the kidneys, passed into the bladder and expelled. Humans, on the other hand, tend to only absorb the calcium they need at any given time. There are two levels of calcium guinea pigs have available to them. Highly digestible calcium is the calcium that can be absorbed by the body and is not bound to another substance preventing its absorption into the GI tract. This is the type of calcium found in alfalfa and commercial pellets. Lower digestible calcium is found in plant materials. In simplest terms, most of the calcium binds to oxalates, making them more available for cellular use. Calcium a
