- Multivitamins and mineral wheels. Mulitvitamins and mineral or salt wheels are marketed as supplements to your guinea pig’s diet, and the wheels are also advertised as outlets for gnawing.
- A delish dish. Opt for a ceramic food dish rather than a plastic one. Ceramic dishes are sturdy, chew-resistant and difficult to overturn.
- Keep it fresh
What foods are good for guinea pigs?
What can Guinea Pigs Eat?
- Majority of a guinea pig diet should be hay.
- And in that hay, the most recommended hay is Timothy hay or any low calcium hay.
- Apart from that grass, they can also happily feed on pellets meant for guinea pigs only.
- They also like fresh green vegetables like lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, etc.
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 vegetables are good for guinea pigs?
- Lettuce
- Parsnip
- Bell peppers
- Spinach
- Broccoli
- Celery leaves
- Tomatoes without stems or leaves
- Cucumber
- Zucchini
- Kale
What can I feed my underweight guinea pig?
For malnourished, sick, or underweight guinea pigs, you can temporarily offer alfalfa-based, instead of timothy hay-based, pellets. Both KMS and Oxbow have alfalfa-based versions used for younger animals. It can be helpful to add water and create a mush to encourage pigs with a poor appetite to eat.
What do I do if my guinea pig is skinny?
Weight loss can be a sign of illness or a lack of nutrients and weight gain may mean you are overfeeding pellets or vegetables. If you are unsure of your guinea pigs body condition, then have them checked over by your vet.
What foods help guinea pigs gain weight?
If you want to help your guinea pig gain weight, add a few pea flakes to their daily diet. Then eat back into just feeding 1 or 2 a day, which is the recommended amount. You may also make your own pea flakes at home, but it's can be a serious time suck. If you're feeling ambitious, go for it.
How often do skinny 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.
Why is my guinea pig skinny but is still eating?
A health guinea pig can seem a little skinny, but that might just be her normal weight. Weight loss in guinea pigs isn't always bad as long as it's no more than an ounce. Guinea pig owners should take their piggies to the vet if they notice that they've lost 2 or more ounces in a week.
How can I help my malnourished guinea pig?
Hi! Please start syringe feeding and watering him, and also add some extra vitamin to it. Be careful when introducing vegetables to a guinea pig that may not have had any before.
Why is my guinea pig skinny?
If the only thing you have noticed in your guinea pig is weight loss, this can be caused by many things. Visit your veterinarian as soon as possible. Causes of weight loss include dental problems, liver or kidney diseases, intestinal disease, endocrine disease, infection and toxins — just to name a few.
How do I help my guinea pig gain weight?
How can my guinea pig gain weight with hay? If your pet is older or has trouble keeping weight on, including more hay variety into their diet can help encourage your pet to eat more hay. The various tastes, textures, and aromas can all be new and enticing! Some hay varieties to explore include oat hay and alfalfa hay.
Should I be able to feel my guinea pigs ribs?
While there isn't a precise weight that is ideal for every guinea pig, most cavy experts will tell you that you should be able to feel your pig's spine as you run your hand down her back. You should also be able to feel the outline of her ribs under your fingertips.
What fruits and veggies can skinny pigs eat?
Guinea Pig Food ListFood nameTypeHow Often?Beet GreensvegOccasionallyBeetrootvegCouple of times a weekBlueberriesfruitOccasionallyBok Choy (Pak Choi)vegA few times a week61 more rows•Mar 3, 2021
Can skinny pigs eat bananas?
You can serve it as a small slice, or smush the banana between your fingers for a sweet treat! 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.
Can skinny pigs eat carrots?
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.
Why is my guinea pig skinny?
If the only thing you have noticed in your guinea pig is weight loss, this can be caused by many things. Visit your veterinarian as soon as possible. Causes of weight loss include dental problems, liver or kidney diseases, intestinal disease, endocrine disease, infection and toxins — just to name a few.
How do I know if my guinea pig is dying?
Lack of Appetite. Guinea pigs that are very ill will refuse to eat, and may show signs of weight loss if the appetite loss has persisted for some time. ... Bad Urine and Feces. ... Fever. ... Respiratory Problems. ... Eye Condition. ... Poor Coat Condition. ... Mobility Issues. ... Lethargy.More items...
Are skinny pigs soft?
Skinny pigs have an unusual physical appearance. Their bodies are largely smooth, with some wrinkles around their legs and neck. A healthy skinny pig will have a plump body and you shouldn't be able to see its spine or ribs.
Why is my guinea pig so small?
Technically, a guinea pig who matured to a smaller size than she was supposed to might be considered a dwarf by some people. Small size can be the result of genetics or occur due to a lack of nutrition while the guinea pig was growing.
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 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.
Can guinea pigs have bladder stones?
Note: Because guinea pigs are susceptible to developing painful bladder stones, and some bladder stones are comprised of calcium oxalate, reducing or eliminating foods high in oxalates—such as spinach, parsley and strawberries—can provide benefit in guinea pigs who develop calcium oxalate stones.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How to keep a skinny pig healthy?
In order to keep your piggy healthy and happy, you will need to pay special attention to the care of their skin , by identifying issues and maintaining healthy skin.
Why is it important to take care of skinny pigs?
Looking after and caring for our pet skinny pigs is important to ensure a long and healthy life. Due to the lack of hair acting as a protective barrier from the everyday rigours of foraging and playing, Skinnies require some extra care to ensure they remain happy and healthy.
How much does a skinny pig cost?
How much do skinny pigs cost? The answer is largely dependent on where you get your new piggy from. The average cost of a skinny pig is around $25. But you can expect to pay anywhere near $40 if you are going directly to a breeder.
Why are skinny pigs so weak?
Due to their history and breeding complications , immune systems can sometimes be weaker to that of a haired Guinea pig. However, a well-bred skinny pig should have the same resilience as a haired Guinea pig. Skinny pigs need to be kept warm, due to the fact that they do not have any natural insulation in the form of hair.
What is a skinny pig?
A skinny pig is an almost hairless breed of Guinea pig. We say almost as they do have small patches of hair around the feet and muzzle. The Skinny Pig is a fairly new addition to the long list of Guinea pig breeds. When, back in the 1970’s Scientists started breeding them for deermatolical testing. Sources suggest a haired variety ...
Why do guinea pigs inbreed?
But unless you know the breeding history, it is impossible to tell! Because of the recessive gene, it has been known for some Guinea pig breeders to inbreed their skinny pigs to ensure skinny piglets. This, However is detrimental to the health of the piglets and weakens the immune system considerably.
How warm does a skinny pig need to be?
Skinnes will be very happy in a room temperature environment, which is usually around 23°C or around 70°f.
How Do I Know If My Guinea Pig Is Underweight?
Don’t get caught off guard. Guinea pigs are prey animals by nature and they often hide signs of illness to avoid attracting attention from predators (i.e. you).
How Much Should A Guinea Pig Weigh?
Okay, so I’m going to give you some general guidelines about how much guinea pigs “should” weigh.
Is It Normal For Guinea Pigs To Be Skinny?
It’s not normal for a male adult guinea pig’s weight to be several ounces below the 2lbs (900g) or for a female adult cavy to be several ounces below 1.5 lbs (700g).
What Causes Weight Loss in Guinea Pigs?
There are a few possible causes of weight loss. And to make matters worse, some of these issues can be difficult to diagnose.
How Can I Help My Cavy Put On Some Weight?
It’s best that you see a vet if you think that your piggie has gotten too skinny. If the cause is medical, your little friend will receive treatment.
What do skinny guinea pigs eat?
Skinny pigs are herbivorous rodents, they eat only plant foods. The pet’s diet is made up of hay, vegetables and root crops, grain mixtures, and greens. Dried grass is a roughage that not only helps to grind teeth but also improves digestion.
How much water should a skinny pig drink?
In addition, roughage is essential for grinding teeth. The pet should drink about 200 ml of water per day.
How big should a pig cage be?
Recommended construction size: length – 19 inches; width – 7 inches; height – 5-6 inches. The house should have an entrance, a roof, and several vents.
Why do guinea pigs have to be wrapped in a towel?
It is important to protect your pet’s ears and eyes from water. Then the soap composition is thoroughly washed off , and the animal is wrapped in a terry towel. The bald skinny guinea pig is sensitive to cold and draft and can easily catch a cold after swimming.
What temperature should a pig's thermometer be?
Hairless pets are demanding on temperature conditions. In the room where the rodent lives, the thermometer should not fall below +71 and rise to +86 degrees.
Why do pigs eat so slowly?
They are more prone to colds than their furry relatives. A common skinny disorder is malocclusion. Due to the pathological structure of the teeth, the pig eats very slowly, it hardly manages to chew food. This problem cannot be ignored – it can lead to oral injuries and exhaustion.
What does a pig's coat look like?
As they grow older, a rare coat of 0.39 inches long appears on the face and neck. Externally, pets look like small hippos. Exterior characteristics: skinny pigs – owners of a dense physique; the head is large, but looks neat; large eyes, expressive look; the iris is colored reddish, brown, or black;
What do you think about guinea pigs?
When you picture a guinea pig, you likely think about their chubby bodies, their adorable noses, and their thick, lustrous coats. Now, try to imagine a guinea pig that has all of that — but not the thick, lustrous coat. Congratulations, you’ve just pictured a Skinny Pig, which is what many people call hairless guinea pigs.
What is a skinny pig?
A Skinny Pig’s body is largely like that of any other guinea pig. It’s only the hair that’s different. Skinny Pigs usually aren’t completely bald but have little bits of peach fuzz on certain parts of their body.
Why are guinea pigs used in labs?
The reason that they’re used in such studies is that their skin is similar to that of humans. Skinny Pigs are legitimately adorable and every bit as fun to look at as regular guinea pigs are.
How much does a skinny pig cost?
Generally speaking, you can expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $200 for a Skinny Pig, ...
How much space does a skinny pig need?
Each Skinny Pig needs at least 7.5 square feet of tank space, but since you’ll likely need to keep several at a time, you’ll want a tank that’s quite a bit larger than that. They enjoy going up and down different levels, but they enjoy exploring horizontal space even more, so try to have a tank that’s at least as wide as it is tall.
What is the behavior of a skinny pig?
Typical Behavior & Temperament. Like all guinea pigs, Skinny Pigs are social and outgoing. They love being around friends, whether other guinea pigs or their owners. They are usually quite vocal when with their pals, and you’ll often hear them chattering loudly.
What do squid like to eat?
They also need a source of vitamin C, so offer them bell pepper, tomato, asparagus, and other veggies. They like other vegetables too, including leafy greens, cauliflower, carrots, and squash, and fruit, including pears, kiwi, oranges, and apples.
