10 Foods You Can Feed Your Guinea Pig Daily
- Grass Hay. High quality grass hay should consist of 80% of your guinea pig’s daily diet. Hay should be freely...
- High Quality Guinea Pig Pellets. If you’re feeding a high quality pellet food, your guinea pig should only need about...
- Bell Peppers. Bell peppers are one of the best vegetables to feed your guinea pig...
What foods can I Feed my guinea pig every day?
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. ...
How many times a day should I Feed my guinea pig?
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 food is bad for guinea pigs?
Guinea pigs simply cannot eat any kind of meat. Cooked, raw, dry–it doesn’t matter. If the food is made from another animal or creature, it is bad news for guinea pigs. However, guinea pigs may have tiny brains, but they are not stupid. Generally, guinea pigs will avoid eating meat on their own.
How often a day do you feed a guinea pig?
Keep it fresh
- Check for untouched or unfinished treats an hour or so after they’ve been offered to your guinea pig.
- Replace pellets on a daily basis. ...
- If there are many pellets left in the food bowl every day, you’re probably giving your pig too much. ...
What should I feed my guinea pig 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.
How many times a day should you feed a guinea pig?
Feed 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.
Do guinea pigs need to be fed everyday?
Guinea pigs need fresh and dry food every day, along with an unlimited supply of hay. As a rule of thumb, each GP needs around one cup of fresh veg each day.
What vegetables can you give guinea pigs every day?
When it comes to feeding your guinea pigs daily, the only two vegetables they can be given daily are green bell peppers and romaine butterhead, or bib lettuce. Yellow and red bell peppers have too much vitamin C to be given daily and other types of lettuce don't have enough nutritional value.
Can guinea pigs eat romaine lettuce everyday?
The short answer is yes. Guinea pigs can eat romaine lettuce without any harm coming to them. It is actually important for them to eat this nutrient-dense vegetable. Romaine lettuce is not only safe for guinea pigs but also incredibly beneficial to them.
Can guinea pigs eat grass everyday?
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 can a guinea pig eat?
Foods like carrots, kiwifruit, berries, and pineapple are also great as a source of Vitamin C and a tasty treat for your guinea pigs but only feed them a few times a week, not every day, as these foods have quite a high sugar content.
How often should you clean a guinea pigs cage?
In addition to cleaning your guinea pig's habitat & accessories completely once a week, spot cleaning should be done daily. Spot cleaning can be done by removing soiled litter and bedding with a small food or litter scoop.
Can you overfeed a guinea pig?
Overfeeding can be damaging to your guinea pig's digestion tract, and cause obesity. To prevent yourself from overfeeding your guinea pig, all you need to do is serve your guinea pigs the right portioned meals and cut down on unnecessary sugary treats.
Can guinea pigs have carrots everyday?
Carrots are safe for your guinea pig to eat, as long as you feed them as an occasional treat rather than every day. Some guinea pigs, including those that have diabetes, allergies, or bladder stones, might be better off avoiding this colorful vegetable.
Do guinea pigs need fresh vegetables everyday?
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 is the best fruit for guinea pigs?
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 you overfeed a guinea pig?
Overfeeding can be damaging to your guinea pig's digestion tract, and cause obesity. To prevent yourself from overfeeding your guinea pig, all you need to do is serve your guinea pigs the right portioned meals and cut down on unnecessary sugary treats.
Do guinea pigs need food at night?
Guinea pigs can die from Gut Stasis if they go more than 12 hours without eating. Guinea pigs eat on-and-off all day and night, and should have food available to them around-the-clock. Hay should make up 80% of a guinea pig's diet and should be available to them at all times.
How many times a day should I feed my guinea pig veggies?
Feeding Your Guinea Pig Offer 1/8 cup of pellets per day for a 2 pound guinea pig. Hay should be available at all times. At least 1/2 -1 cup of fresh leafy greens or other vitamin C rich vegetables should be offered daily.
How much pellets should I feed 2 guinea pigs?
Guinea pigs should be given a pellet based food - about 1/8 cup per guinea pig per day (for pregnant, nursing, or guinea pigs 6 months or less, pellets should be available at all times even if this means feeding more than 1/8 cup per day).
What to feed guinea pigs?
Your pig will be perfectly happy with high quality pellets and hay and treats of fruits and vegetables. For a special snack, try mixing some rolled oats into your guinea pig’s pellets or stuff a small cardboard tube with fresh hay. Top 10 tips.
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 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.
Do guinea pigs need vitamin C?
Guinea pigs often kick bedding material or droppings into their food bowls and stale pellets will have little , if any, vitamin C. If there are many pellets left in the food bowl every day, you’re probably giving your pig too much. An eighth of a cup is all that's needed.
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.
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.
Why do vegetables and fruits vary in nutrients?
The nutrients in fresh vegetables and fruits vary greatly because they depend on growth conditions, weather, varieties, season, and more. Therefore our recommendation is to feed a varied range of fresh produce, preferably locally grown.
What are the nutrients that a human body needs?
A proper diet would cover their needs of these essential nutrients: 1 Fibers 2 Proteins 3 Minerals 4 Vitamins
Do guinea pigs eat vegetables?
Guinea pigs cannot hold themselves back, and they’ll eat whatever is offered. As they’re prone to weight problems, it’s your responsibility to keep their diet properly balanced. That means no excessive feeding of vegetables and fruits, the only thing they should have access to 24/7 is fresh water and hay.
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%.
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 ...
What fruits are low in vitamin C?
Cherries. Watermelon. Bananas. Raspberries. Blueberries. Blackberries. Again, like the veggies low in vitamin C, go easy on the fruit and just provide, for example, a few blueberries, or thin slices of apple, banana, or oranges as occasional treats a few times a week. Image: Natalya Matyushina, Shutterstock.
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 is Kathryn's job?
Kathryn was a librarian in a previous lifetime and is currently a writer about all things pets. When she was a child, she hoped to work in zoos or with wildlife in some way, thanks to her all-consuming love for animals. Unfortunately, she's not strong in the sciences, so she fills her days with researching and writing about all kinds of animals and spends time playing with her adorable but terribly naughty tabby cat, Bella. Kathryn is hoping to add to her family in the near future – maybe another cat and a dog.
How often should you fill a water bottle with water for rodents?
Water should be provided in water bottles designed for rodents, and they should have access to fresh water 24 hours a day. This means filling the bottle once a day with fresh water and always checking that the water bottle is working properly and that it hasn’t run out.
Can you give a cavy a lot of food?
You should avoid giving your cavy any food that will cause gas, such as cauliflower and cabbage. Iceberg lettuce can cause diarrhea, onions (and anything in the onion family) can lead to a blood disorder, garlic is toxic, and avocado is too high in fat.
What fruit should I feed my guinea pig?
Fruits for Guinea Pigs. Fruits should be handled as sweets for cavies and not to be provided too much (may be once a week) because of its fructose and fruit acids. Fruit. Hints / notes. Apple. Do not feed if one of your cavies has lip grind. Banana. Rich in sugar. Do not feed if one of your cavies has Diabetes.
How to keep cavies soft?
At winter season you should replace grass with fresh vegetables to keep them healthy with a diet rich in vitamins.
What do guinea pigs eat?
Diet plan. Hay, vegetables, fruits, branches, herbs and other plant. There is very much you can feed your Guinea Pigs. Cavies listen to their natural instinct and really like to eat what grows on ground – raw. Most of all feed hay!
How to care for guinea pigs in the evening?
Fresh hay has to be provided all time. Water has to be filled up from time to time. Only use clear and fresh water. There is no reason to provide special “rodent-water” from the pet shop if you take care about the food for your Guinea Pigs.
What is the best food for cavies?
Cucumber. Very popular food for cavies. Endive. rich in vitamins and minerals / appetizing. Fennel. rich in vitamins and minerals. Can take on color on urine. Helpful by digestive complaints. field salad.
What foods can you feed a da?
Feed carefully because of it oxialic acid. May take color on urine and feces. Can be provided with the green. Broccoli. High amount of vitamin C. Contains oxialic acid. Provide it increasing. Carrot. Rich in calories. Do not feed every da.
Can you give cavies fresh herbs?
Fresh herbs can be provided without limitation. Dry herbs might be provided only a handful once a week cause the cavies run in trouble clearing their water balance otherwise. All herbs can be provided fresh or dried.
Why is hay important for guinea pigs?
Hay prevents obesity, dental disease, diarrhea and boredom in guinea pigs that ’s why it is a vital part of their diet. It also provides fiber which helps guinea pigs to properly digest.
What do guinea pigs eat?
Guinea Pig Diet – What and How Much to Feed? Guinea Pigs loves to eat in fact they live to eat. The daily cycle of a Guinea pig includes Eat, poop, sleep, and repeat. As they are herbivores, their diet should include high-quality plant-like Hay. They need to have food in their digestive system constantly to avoid health problems like Diarrhea.
What is the best pellet for cavies?
Avoid pellets that have nuts and seeds in it. Choose those pellets which have been veterinarian-tested and approved. Alfalfa based pellets are best suited for young cavies as they are high in calcium, fat, and sugar. Timothy hay pellets are suitable for all cavies.
Do guinea pigs need pellets?
Always check if your guinea pig has left some food in the bowl or not. If yes, then you need to give them less of it and remove uneaten food. Pellets should be given in adequate quantity so that it doesn’t get wasted as stale pellets have very little vitamin C. And remember to clean their food bowl and water bottle regularly.
Is alfalfa hay good for guinea pigs?
That means it should be green with pliable stalks and free from foreign particles and fragrant. Note: Avoid alfalfa hay because it is mainly fed to young guinea pigs who are under the age of 4 months or nursing cavies. Alfalfa has a high amount of calcium that’s why it’s not good for a healthy adult cavy.
What kind of hay do guinea pigs eat?
Guinea pigs will eat lots of different types of hay, but the most popular is 2nd cutting Timothy hay. We call this hay our gold standard because it has the right levels of fat, protein, and fiber. It’s super soft and tasty and is sure to have any piggy popcorning. Another great cut is orchard hay because it creates variety ...
What to feed guinea pigs to avoid hay fatigue?
These herb blends might include dandelions, rosemary, nettle leaf, chamomile, hibiscus, and much more.
What can I feed my guinea pig?
Zucchini. Sweet Potato. Peas. Cucumber. Broccoli. Artichoke. Bell Peppers. In addition to the above vegetables, you can also occasionally treat your guinea pig to some fruit. Just be sure to watch how often you add fruit to their diet; lots of fruits are super high in sugar, and this is unhealthy in large doses.
What are healthy snacks made of?
Our Healthy Snackers are made with clean, human-grade pumpkin, pears, blueberries, bananas, carrots, apples, and oats, all mixed up with our own farm fresh hay.
Is it safe to give guinea pigs treats?
Other Safe Guinea Pig Treats. Guinea pigs are so sweet and loveable, it’s no wonder we want to give them some special treats every now and then. But, be careful which treats you’re adding to your guinea pig food list. Many commercial treats are super high in sugar and can have potentially dangerous chemicals and fillers.
Can guinea pigs eat pellets?
Many guinea pig parents wonder if they should feed their little cavy pellets, and the answer is: it depends. Many pet store pellets are filled with artificial fillers, dyes, preservatives, and other junky ingredients. Guinea pig pellets can be a great source of nutrition, as long as they are all-natural and hay-based.
Do guinea pigs need hay?
The first thing that every guinea pig parent should know is that guinea pigs need lots and lots of hay. Hay isn’t just for horses or bunnies. Guinea pig hay is the most important part of your cavy’s diet; it provides the fiber they need to keep their digestive systems moving.
What vegetables should I feed my guinea pig?
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.
What are some good vegetables for guinea pigs?
The 17 Best Vegetables for Guinea Pigs in Alphabetical Order Are: 1. Asparagus. Image Credit: MarieXMartin, Pixabay. Asparagus is a perfect example of a nutritious vegetable you can frequently feed your guinea pig. It’s low in sugar and provides your pet with plenty of vitamins and minerals.
What to feed guinea pigs for diarrhea?
Celery is another nutritious food that you should only provide your guinea pig once or twice a week because it can cause diarrhea in some pets, and it also has a lot of calcium which can cause health problems. It’s a rich source of vitamin C, and guinea pigs tend to enjoy it, but you should only provide no more than ¼ stalk along with the leaves at a time for a treat. Adding other vegetables can also help balance the nutrients and reduce the risk of diarrhea.
What is the best food for guinea pigs?
It’s also low in sugar, so it makes a perfect staple food. Cut raw bell peppers into manageable sizes and give them to your pet every day. 5. Broccoli. Image Credit: Auntmasako, Pixabay. Broccoli is a safe food to give your guinea pig, and you can begin adding it to its daily diet.
How much broccoli should I feed my guinea pig?
Cabbage. Both the red and green varieties of cabbage make an excellent addition to your guinea pig’s diet, and most experts recommend feeding it raw 2 or 3 times a week for optimal health.
What do guinea pigs eat?
Guinea pigs like to eat grass and Timothy hay, but they also like to eat various vegetables.
Do collard greens help with blood sugar?
Collard greens contain a wide variety of helpful nutrients , including vitamins A, C, and K. Some studies show that collard greens can help balance blood sugar due to an enzyme called alpha-lipoic acid that it contains . However, it also contains high calcium levels and water, so you should only provide less than a handful once a week to prevent diarrhea and other health problems.
