Good fresh foods to feed your guinea pig include:
- Bananas
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupe
- Green peppers
- Parsley
- Green and red leaf lettuce
- Strawberries
- Tomatoes
- Watermelon
What foods are bad for guinea pigs?
- Meat (guinea pigs are herbivores, and cannot eat or digest any meat)
- Mushrooms
- Rhubarb
- Avocados (the skin is toxic, the flesh is just super fatty)
- Peanut Butter
- Unripe Tomatoes/Tomato Leaves/Stems (the rest of the tomato is fine, and nutritious)
What is the best diet for guinea pigs?
Safe Fruits and Veggies for Your Guinea Pig
- Romaine Lettuce
- Spinach
- Kale
- Parsley
- Carrots (and the carrot top)
- Zucchini
- Sweet Potato
- Peas
- Cucumber
- Broccoli
What can guinea pigs eat and not eat list?
- Stone fruit (all kinds) Contains cyanide and is rich in sugar. Can cause diarrhea.
- All kinds of exotic fruits like mango, papaya, pomegranate Causes serious indigestion and colics.
- Rhubarb Rich in oxialic acid
What should I Feed my guinea pig daily?
What Should I Feed My Guinea Pig Daily?
- Vegetables. Apart from an unlimited supply of timothy hay, grown-up guinea pigs need raw and fresh vegetables and fruits, rich in fiber and vitamin C.
- Fruits. Fruits shouldn’t be given too often since they have a much higher level of sugar and acid. ...
- Pellets. ...
- Things You Should Avoid Giving Your Guinea Pig. ...
What should I feed my guinea pigs daily?
The preferred basic diet for guinea pigs is unlimited amounts of Timothy or other low-calcium hay, supplemented with smaller amounts of a commercial, high-fiber, Timothy-hay based guinea pig pellets. Vitamin C (see below) should be given each day. Hay should be offered free-choice throughout the day.
What is the best foods for guinea pigs?
They should have fresh grass as often as possible too, ideally every day. They naturally graze, eating only grass, herbs and some other plants (such as dandelion or groundsel) for long periods, both day and night. Remember, guinea pigs need hay and/or grass for their digestive systems to function properly.
What fruit and veg can guinea pigs eat?
Other foods that are good to fed guinea pigs a few times a week include broccoli, cabbage, endive, carrot tops, Brussels sprouts, kale, silver beet, mint, and fruits such as apples (but with no seeds), mango, and papaya.
What vegetables can I feed my guinea pigs every day?
Summary. Of all the vegetables we have listed, the best ones are asparagus, broccoli, bell peppers, dandelions, romaine lettuce, spinach, and zucchini. You can begin adding these foods to your guinea pig's daily diet to help them get the nutrients they need to live long, healthy lives.
Do guinea pigs need vegetables every day?
Guinea pigs' need fresh greens and vegetables every day to help them get enough vitamin C (they can't produce it themselves). Our vets' advise one teacup of greens and veg, per guinea pig, per day, which can be split into morning and evening feeds.
What human food can guinea pigs eat?
Fruit and vegetables: Fresh vegetables can be offered once a day and should be equivalent to about one cup total per guinea pig per day. Leafy greens like romaine lettuce, red and green leaf lettuces, kale, cilantro and parsley should comprise the bulk of your pig's fresh produce.
What do guinea pigs drink?
waterPredominantly, guinea pigs drink water, clean and fresh from their bottle. Although they get a lot of moisture from their diet, they'll still need a water bottle to drink from when they get thirsty.
How often do guinea pigs need to eat?
twice a dayFeed your guinea pig on a consistent schedule—twice a day, morning and evening. Because guinea pigs will overeat if given the chance, be sure not to overfeed pelleted food, as it is predominantly carbohydrate and can lead to diarrhea and decreased appetite.
What foods are toxic to guinea pigs?
Poisonous food and plants for guinea pigsPet shop treats such as yoghurt drops, chew bars etc are very fattening and can contribute to poor dental health.Avocado.Buttercup leaves and flowers can cause extreme discomfort and in some cases be fatal.Foxglove.Ragwort.Ivy.Privet.Holly.More items...
How often should guinea pigs eat?
Other than the hay, it's a good idea to feed your cavy two times a day. Both in the morning and in the evening, to help prevent overeating and, consequently, obesity. Always remove any uneaten pellets about 1 hour after your cavy has eaten and any fruit or vegetables after 24 hours.
What fruit can a guinea pig eat?
The best fruits to feed your guinea pig include most berries, such as blueberries, cranberries, raspberries and strawberries. Berries taste delicious to your guinea pig, but they are relatively low in sugar and carbohydrates in comparison to other fruits.
Can guinea pigs eat banana?
Overall, bananas can be a great treat every once in a while for healthy guinea pigs. They are great health benefits like potassium and vitamin C, both are vital for your pig's health. Bananas can also be harmful to your guinea pig if they are not properly portioned due to their high levels of sugar and fiber.
Can guinea pigs eat bread or toast?
Some guinea pigs love eating bread crusts, but this doesn't mean that it's good for them. While it's okay to offer a small cube of wholemeal bread...
Can I leave some healthy food in the cage while I'm at school?
Absolutely. The trick is to make sure it is fresh when you put it in and check when you come home that it still looks good enough to eat. If the fr...
I have timothy hay as my bedding for my guinea pigs, and I use gourmet variety diet. However, they o...
Congratulations! By eating good quality hay your guinea pigs are eating a diet very close to what nature intended. Offer a small portion of gourmet...
My guinea pig roams around the house but doesn't have access to grass. Is this okay?
Grass is the ideal food for guinea pigs because it is high fiber and in grows in the sunshine. Chewing fiber wears down his teeth and regulates the...
What do guinea pigs eat?
At the most basic level, guinea pigs are herbivores. That means that they just eat fruits and veggies—no dairy, eggs, meat, or insects for these little guys. Fresh hay and fresh leafy vegetables should make up the bulk of your guinea pig’s diet.
How to supplement guinea pig hay?
Supplement your guinea pig’s hay with a small amount of high-quality pellets. Opt for plain pellets rather than a mix, as this prevents your guinea pig from just picking out the tasty bits and ignoring the healthy ones!
When Should I Feed My Guinea Pig?
Like most herbivores, guinea pigs are essentially grazers. They munch on hay and veggies all day. That means it’s important to keep fresh hay available constantly.
Can you feed a guinea pig from the table?
Just because you love your guinea pig as much as family doesn’t mean you can feed her straight from your table. While some human food is safe for your guinea pig to eat, feeding guinea pigs should involve far more care than just giving them table scraps.
Can guinea pigs take vitamin C?
Vitamin C: Guine a pigs can’t formulate their own Vitamin C, 1 making them vulnerable to scurvy. Guinea pig pellets should include Vitamin C to keep your pet healthy.
Do guinea pigs eat their own poop?
You might also catch your guinea pig eating her own poop, but don't be alarmed! Guinea pigs actually produce two different types of feces. One is soft and nutritious, and the guinea pigs re-ingest this to get more nutrients. Rabbits do the same thing !
Can guinea pigs eat fruits?
Not all fruits and veggies are safe for guinea pigs to eat. Be sure to avoid feeding your guinea pig:
What to give guinea pigs?
It’s a great idea to offer your guinea pigs lots of different vegetables and fruits, otherwise they might get picky with what you’re offering them.
What do guinea pigs eat?
Guinea pigs rely on fresh vegetables and fruits for their daily needs of vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients. While leafy greens should comprise the main part of their daily intake of fresh produce, fruits are generally considered treats because of their high sugar contents.
What is the best hay for guinea pigs?
While high-quality Timothy hay should make up at least 80% of your guinea pigs’ daily diet, fruits and vegetables are highly necessary to provide them with their much needed vitamins and other nutrients. As part of a healthy guinea pig diet, it is recommended to offer a mix of healthy fruits and vegetables on a daily basis.
What to use to keep guinea pigs clean?
Fresh, clean water. Guinea pigs need constant access to fresh, clean water. We recommend using water bottles made from glass because they’re easier to keep clean, but a small ceramic bowl could work too. Don’t forget to empty and refill daily, and keep the bottle clean at all times.
Why do guinea pigs need Timothy hay?
The reason why Timothy hay is preferred, is because of its low calcium content. If you want to learn more about hay, check our article on the best types of hay for guinea pigs.
How to keep guinea pigs water clean?
Don’t forget to empty and refill daily, and keep the bottle clean at all times. Do regular checkups by pressing the metal ball tip of the bottle once in a while , to make sure your guinea pigs can get the water out.
Can guinea pigs produce their own vitamin C?
According to this article from VCA Hospitals, authored by Laurie Hess (DVM) and Rick Axelson (DVM), guinea pigs cannot manufacture their own vitamin C. A lack of vitamin C makes them more prone to infections, skin problems and other diseases, which is why their diet must contain sufficient amounts of vitamin C.
What to feed guinea pigs for snacks?
For a special snack, try mixing some rolled oats into your guinea pig’s pellets or stuff a small cardboard tube with fresh hay.
What vegetables should I feed my pig?
It’s best to provide variety by feeding different greens each day. Vegetables like red or green pepper and broccoli have high levels of vitamin C in them and are great daily options.
How to keep guinea pigs fresh?
Keep it fresh. The steady amount of produce in your guinea pig's diet means that you need to be conscientious about removing uneaten fruits, veggies and other perishable foods before they spoil. Check for untouched or unfinished treats an hour or so after they’ve been offered to your guinea pig.
What sweetener is good for guinea pigs?
Loaded with artificial sweeteners such as high fructose corn syrup, fructose or sucrose, they provide little nutritional value and lots of empty calories.
What is the best food dish to use?
Opt for a ceramic food dish rather than a plastic one. Ceramic dishes are sturdy, chew-resistant and difficult to overturn. They're also durable and shouldn't need to be replaced unless they become cracked or chipped.
Do guinea pigs overeat?
How much to feed. Guinea pigs don't usually overeat, but it's important to provide the proper balance of pellets, hay and fresh vegetables. Like human beings, guinea pigs cannot make their own vitamin C, so they require vitamin C-rich foods in their daily diet.
Can guinea pigs eat salt wheels?
But if you’re feeding your guinea pig a varied and well-balanced diet, these products shouldn't be necessary.
How to get guinea pigs to eat fresh veggies?
If you cannot get your guinea pig to eat fresh veggies, try shredding the veggies into strips and add them to the pellets. This will get them used to the flavor and they'll eventually be more likely to try it..
What is the best food for guinea pigs?
Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer. Grass is the ideal food for guinea pigs because it is high fiber and in grows in the sunshine. Chewing fiber wears down his teeth and regulates the digestive system, so, for an indoor guinea pig, make sure he has plenty of good quality hay.
How to keep guinea pigs from overfeeding?
Control the number of veggies you give your guinea pig. Guinea pigs chew instinctively and will eat as much as you feed them throughout the day. Watch how much you give them and stick to a balanced diet. Explain this gently to small kids who own guinea pigs so that they do not overfeed their pets.
What vitamins do guinea pigs need?
Look for pellets that are supplemented with vitamin C. This is an important nutrient that guinea pigs need in their diet.
What do guinea pigs eat?
Feed your guinea pig hay. Guinea pigs love hay! They need it for digestive and dental health. Guinea pigs should have unlimited access to hay, which often means refilling a good-sized dish 3 to 5 times daily. Timothy hay is the best hay for all guinea pigs in general.
How to keep guinea pigs happy?
Guinea pigs, like all other pets, require specific nutrients for them to thrive. If you take the time to make sure your guinea pig is fed a healthy diet, it will go a long way towards assuring that they have a happy and healthy life.
Why do guinea pigs get scurvy?
Guinea Pigs are highly prone to getting scurvy, which is a disease caused by low levels of Vitamin C.
What do guinea pigs eat?
What to Feed Guinea Pigs. We’re going to go over the different kinds of foods your guinea pig can and cannot eat. The most essential food in the cavy diet is hay. In fact, 80% of their diet should be composed of hay—Timothy hay is usually best. Vegetables and herbs make up 10%-15% of their diet, and pellets about 5%-10%.
What vegetables are good for guinea pigs?
Cucumber. Zucchini. Broccoli (small amounts or they might become gassy) Celery leaves. Kale. Cilantro/coriander. Mustard greens. All of the above vegetables are high in vitamin C, which is an essential vitamin for guinea pigs.
What Are the Best Natural Treats for Guinea Pigs?
The best treats for your guinea pig can just be as simple as giving him a small portion of fruits or vegetables that he doesn’t have very often, as long as they are on the safe list. You could even opt to make a game out of their regular food, such as stuffing some fresh hay into a cardboard tube (that they can fit into, of course).
Why are guinea pigs called pigs?
And then secondly, they are not related to pigs in any way. It is believed that they were named “pig” because of the cute little squealing noise they make that sounds somewhat piglike. Your guinea pig’s diet, like with any pet, is of the utmost importance. You want to be sure that you’re fulfilling your cavy’s daily dietary requirements and ...
How to adjust guinea pigs to new food?
They need time to adjust to any new food, so always introduce it slowly, just adding tiny amounts and gradually increasing over time.
What percentage of a pig's diet is pelleted?
Vegetables and herbs make up 10%-15% of their diet, and pellets about 5%-10%. And all with the occasional treat thrown in.
Can guinea pigs eat cabbage?
Many of these items should be obvious as to why they aren’t good for guinea pigs. You should avoid giving your cavy any food that will cause gas, such as cauliflower and cabbage.
What is the most important food for guinea pigs?
Hay is the most important part of a guinea pig’s diet. Check out our full colour printable pdf download of fruit and vegetables that will help you on a daily basis to find the best fresh food for your guinea pigs. Category: Feeding. Previous Post.
What other foods do guinea pigs eat?
Apart from fresh vegetables, guinea pigs also need unlimited amounts of grass hay at all times and a small daily portion of special guinea pig pellets. It’s important that guinea pigs are NEVER given a diet of JUST fruit and vegetables but a good balanced diet.
What vegetables can guinea pigs eat daily?
Guinea pigs can eat foods such as Romaine lettuce, sweet bell peppers, kale, cucumber and coriander every day and some other green leafy vegetables too.
How much veg should guinea pigs eat daily?
About cup of vegetables is a good amount of fresh food for a daily portion for one guinea pig. This is not always easy to judge when you have lots of leaves so a little more is fine.
What are the best greens for guinea pigs?
Green leafy vegetables are extremely important in a guinea pig’s diet. Some of the best greens and the ones they tend to like best are Romaine lettuce, green and red leaf lettuce, spring greens, kale, various herbs including mint, parsley, coriander (cilantro) and basil.
Can guinea pigs eat frozen fruit and veg?
Frozen fruits or vegetables are not suitable for guinea pigs and neither is tinned or canned food. If you can’t get fresh veggies for whatever reason, see if you can forage for safe plants or weeds. You may be surprised how many of these are growing around where you live.
How to keep guinea pigs healthy?
Mixing several vegetables in their daily fresh food portion helps your guinea pigs get a good range of vitamins rather than a lot of a select few nutrients. This will contribute to them staying strong and healthy for longer.
What can pigs eat?
Fruits such as apples, grapes, and pears, can be fed as well, but in moderation due to their high sugar content. Mini-pigs also should be offered hay to increase their dietary fiber content. If it is available for them to graze on, fresh untreated grass also increases dietary fiber and water consumption by pigs.
What can a mini pig eat?
In addition to pelleted pig chow, mini-pigs may be fed small amounts of other foods, including fresh or frozen vegetables and small amounts of fruit. Pelleted food should be offered first to the pig to help ensure it is consuming a balanced diet. Celery, cucumbers, peppers, zucchini, carrots, squash, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, ...
What should I not feed my mini-pig?
Foods that are potentially toxic to pigs and that should be avoided include:
Can I feed multiple mini-pigs together?
Pigs can become very aggressive when it comes to eating and will frequently compete with other pigs for food. Fighting amongst pigs fed together is not uncommon and ultimately leads to the dominant pig’s consuming most of the meal. In general, pigs should be fed separately to ensure that submissive animals eat enough.
How long do piglets need milk?
Newborn piglets are generally bottle fed commercially available milk replacer for piglets and given starter food until about seven weeks of age , when they are weaned completely on to solid food. All pigs, even nursing piglets, should be offered fresh water daily.
Why should pigs be fed separately?
In general, pigs should be fed separately to ensure that submissive animals eat enough.
Why do pigs not finish their meals?
If a pig does not routinely finish meals, it is likely being overfed. Extremes in environmental temperature may make a pig consume less than normal. Pigs that normally finish their meals and suddenly stop doing so may be sick and should be examined by your veterinarian.
What is the main food of a pig?
Water is the central part of a pig’s diet. One-half to two-thirds of its body weight is water . Access to clean drinking water is essential to a pig’s growth rate. Newly weaned pigs are especially prone to dehydrate. However water is supplied, water devices must be sanitized and properly positioned.
How much weight do pigs gain?
With a proper diet, expect weight gains of about 1.5 to 1.7 pounds per day up to approximately 110 pounds.
What is the most important part of swine production?
The most important part of swine production is in knowing the correct way to feed pigs. Whether browsing through a piglet feeding guide or studying swine management techniques, pigs need a high energy diet that is low in fiber that contains ample protein. Pigs will consume enormous amounts of food quickly.
Why is it important to keep pigs cool in summer?
If, for example, temperatures are too cold, a pig will feed more but expend more energy to stay warm, resulting in slow growth. Hot weather can lead to heat stress and reduce feed consumption (and can possibly lead to death), so it is important to keep livestock cool in summer. Consequently, growth and mature rates slow, conception rates fall, and pig flow is reduced, disrupting stock levels. Depending on the season, keep buildings well-ventilated or heated, and provide adequate air space within the pen to ensure pig growth and production rates are maintained.
Why are pigs important?
Pig temperature requirements are important to growth and production . Pigs are a highly adaptable animal and can perform well within a range of temperatures. However, temperatures too low or too high can have adverse effects on stock.
What foods slow down growth?
Fish. Meat. Fruits. Potatoes. Foods high in sugars can slow growth rates while milk, meats, and fish can harbor viruses. Pits and seeds of apples, pears, apricots and peaches contain a naturally occurring substance called amygdalin which is a cyanogenic glycoside that is released when chewed causing illness, discomfort, or even death.
How to raise and maintain a healthy stock?
To raise and maintain a healthy stock, maximize growth and reproduction, and increase production, it is necessary to feed them the right food and a balanced diet from wean to finish.
What is the best food for guinea pigs?
What can be included in a Guinea Pig's Diet? Guinea Pig's diet should consist of unlimited amount of hay, about 1 cup of vegetables a day, and 1/8 cups of pellets a day (with fortified vitamin c, if the vegetables given does not contain enough vitamin). Introducing New Vegetables.
What do guinea pigs eat?
The next most important diet for guinea pig is the grass hay (i.e. Timothy Hay, Orchard Hay ). Unlike humans, who normally have two to three meals a day, guinea pigs need to constantly eat hay for their stomach to work properly. This means you cannot portion hay for your guinea pigs. They need to have huge amount of unsoiled hay accessible for them 24/7. You do not want the hay to ever run out.
What are the three nutrients that guinea pigs need?
I will talk about three metrics that we should look at: vitamin C, calcium to phosphorus ratio , and sugar. Vitamin C.
How old do guinea pigs need to be to have hay?
They need to have huge amount of unsoiled hay accessible for them 24/7. You do not want the hay to ever run out. If you have baby guinea pig (under 6 months old), try to supplement with alfalfa hay to supplement their growth.
What is the key to a happy piggy?
The key to a happy piggy is to keep things mixed up now and then. We will continue to increase the meal plans with more good veggies for guinea pigs, so be sure to come back to check them out every month! Happy veggie feeding!
Is lettuce safe for guinea pigs?
While Lettuce is technically safe for your guinea pig, it is not recommended in large doses. Different types of lettuce have different impacts on your piggie. For example, Iceberg Lettuce has very little nutritional value as it only contains small amounts of Vitamin C. Iceberg lettuce is not toxic but can cause diarrhea and stomach problems. Thus, Iceberg lettuce should be avoided. However, Romaine lettuce can be eaten more frequently. Romaine lettuce is rich in Vitamin A and supplies doses of Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, potassium, and iron. Yet, we normally recommend green leaf lettuce and red leaf lettuce over romaine lettuce for guinea pigs who has urinary issues or show signs of high calcium intake (white deposits in urine). Nonetheless, definitely do your research on which leafy greens are the best for guinea pigs before you start them on a new diet regimen!
Is calcium bad for guinea pigs?
Calcium (to phosphorous ratio) Calcium is important (despite the bad reputation in the guinea pig community). It is not always bad, but it can be bad. Humans and guinea pigs alike, animals need calcium to make up our bones.
