A healthy diet for guinea pigs
- Hay and grass. Good-quality hay should make up most of your guinea pigs' diet, and they should always have it available to them.
- Pellets. ...
- Vegetables. ...
- A few things to remember about feeding your guinea pigs. ...
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. ...
What food do guinea pigs like best?
What do Guinea Pigs Like to Eat?
- Apple,
- Broccoli Spears,
- Orange,
- Pears,
- Strawberries,
- Papayas,
- Spinach,
- Romaine Lettuce,
- Artichokes,
- Bell Peppers ( Red & Green),
How often should I Feed my guinea pig?
[Feeding Chart & Guide]
- Vegetables High in Vitamin C for Guinea Pigs. All of the above vegetables are high in vitamin C, which is an essential vitamin for guinea pigs. ...
- Vegetables Low in Vitamin C for Guinea Pigs. ...
- Fruit High in Vitamin C for Guinea Pigs. ...
- Fruit Low in Vitamin C for Guinea Pigs. ...
- Food Not Good for Guinea Pigs. ...
- Guinea Pig Feeding Chart. ...
What fruits and veggies can I Feed my guinea pig?
- Broccoli
- Zucchini
- Pitted apricots
- Potatoes
- Cucumbers
- Carrots
- Dark green lettuce
- Squashes
- Beets
- Snow peas
What can I feed my guinea pig to 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.
What can you give an 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 do skinny guinea pigs eat?
Diet. Just like all other guinea pigs, skinny pigs need a healthy, balanced diet consisting of hay, pellets, fresh vegetables and fruit. And because all guinea pig breeds can't make their own vitamin C, you need to ensure they're getting enough of this essential vitamin from their pellets, veggies and supplements.
Is it normal to feel a guinea pigs spine?
It is normal to feel the bones, especially in very young and older piggies. You test the heft by Feeling the upper Body. For a good weight/Body size Ratio, you should be able to just feel the ribs. If they are all sticking out, a piggy is underweight.
Why can I feel my guinea pig spine?
Typically, a guinea pig is considered too skinny if you're able to easily see and feel the rib cage, spine or hip bones. It's a great way to see if he's the right weight. Guinea pigs that are underweight risk illness and even death.
What causes rapid weight loss in guinea pigs?
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 can I stimulate my guinea pig's appetite?
Treatment is based on the underlying cause of the appetite loss. But very often, your veterinarian will recommend special foods for the guinea pig such as commercial hand-feeding formulas, ground up pelleted chow, and vegetable baby foods; vitamin C supplements are sometimes necessary.
How do I know if my guinea pig is malnourished?
Signs to look out for that may indicate pain or illness in guinea pigs include:Reduced appetite or difficulty eating.Weight loss.Drooling.Drinking more water than usual.A change in the frequency and/or consistency of faecal pellets (e.g. diarrhoea or the absence of faecal pellets)More items...•
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 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.
What veggies can skinny pigs eat?
What are some good greens and veggies for my guinea pig?Leafy Greens -- 85-90% of veggie offeringVegetables -- 10-15% of veggie offeringRed or green leaf lettuceCucumber with leavesArugulaParsnipEndiveSummer/zucchini squashTurnip greensKohlrabi14 more rows•Mar 15, 2019
How can I stimulate my guinea pig's appetite?
Treatment is based on the underlying cause of the appetite loss. But very often, your veterinarian will recommend special foods for the guinea pig such as commercial hand-feeding formulas, ground up pelleted chow, and vegetable baby foods; vitamin C supplements are sometimes necessary.
How do I know if my guinea pig is underweight?
Monitoring Weight You should also be able to feel the outline of her ribs under your fingertips. If you're unable to feel her spine or ribs, your guinea pig is likely overweight. Conversely, if her spine and ribs are quite pronounced she is probably underweight.
Are pea flakes good for guinea pigs?
Wheeky Pea Flakes make a healthy snack and are a great source of protein for small pets. We recommend feeding these as a treat only, due to the high protein count, and limiting to 1-2 tsp per day max per pet. Wheeky Pea Flakes can also be used to help underweight rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters gain weight.
Can I feed my guinea pig oats?
Plain, old-fashioned rolled oats, and not the quick-cooking or instant variety. In fact you might be best off with oatmeal if you want to feed this to your piggies.
What to do if guinea pigs are skinny?
When it comes to the health of a guinea pig, there’s one thing you should keep your eye on-weight. If you notice that your piggies are looking skinny or not eating as much, it might be time to take them into the vet!
How to make sure guinea pigs are not too heavy?
The way to make sure your guinea pig does not get too heavy is to feed it slowly. That way your fur babies’ body can adjust and their weight will be more stable.
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.
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.
What happens if my cavy isn't eating?
After that, it will be in serious trouble and the chances of losing vital organs increases.
What to do if your piggie is too skinny?
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 is the best pellet diet for guinea pigs?
A good quality pelleted diet, such as Oxbow Essentials Cavy Cuisine Adult Guinea Pig Food or KMS Haloft's Timothy Choice Pellets should be regularly offered to guinea pigs at approximately 1/8 cup per day. Not all pellets are created equal, so be sure to follow the guidelines when choosing a brand. As vitamin C content is important, pellets can be a good source of this, but vitamin C content can degrade over time. Some brands offer stabilized vitamin C; be sure also to check the expiration date. Guinea pigs that are prone to bladder stones should not eat pellets.
How to help guinea pigs lose weight?
If you’ve taken your pet to the vet and received a diagnosis, or if your guinea pig’s weight loss is not so dramatic and there are no other signs of illness, you can prepare a diet that can help them put on weight. However, keep in mind that guinea pigs have very fragile gastrointestinal (GI) tracts that are kept in check with the foods they constantly consume. When you introduce different foods into their diet, do so very gradually. If they receive too much of anything new that isn't hay or healthy pellets, the flora balance in their system can quickly become upset.
Why Is My Guinea Pig Losing Weight?
After these steps are taken, your recovering guinea pig might benefit from foods that promote weight gain and healing.
What Is the Appropriate Guinea Pig Weight Range?
One extremely beneficial investment that everyone with small pets should make is a kitchen scale with values of grams, ounces, and pounds. When illness is suspected, weighing the animal daily can be a critical step to determine whether an emergency vet visit is warranted. In general, a healthy guinea pig's weight is cited as:
Why is my guinea pig not eating?
Anorexia: If a guinea pig is not eating, it is imperative to bring them to a vet (one experienced with rodents). The animal’s sensitive GI tract can be drastically affected in only 24 hours. There are many conditions that can cause a poor appetite, such as a urinary tract infection, upper respiratory infection, and bloat. These are all serious conditions that require an immediate vet visit. Whatever the reason, weight loss in guinea pigs should be addressed promptly.
How much weight can a guinea pig lose?
if your pet guinea pig loses more than two ounces , take them to the vet! it's much better to be safe than sorry, and consulting your veterinarian is always the safest way to identify and remedy health issues in pets.
How much does a guinea pig weigh?
In general, a healthy guinea pig's weight is cited as: 900–1200 grams for males. 700–900 grams for females. However, healthy weight varies depending on the individual. This is why it is so important to monitor and weigh your pets frequently when they are healthy.
How to Help A Guinea Pig Gain Weight
You can help your guinea pig gain weight at home by enriching their diet with nutrient-dense foods and vitamins. If you notice significant weight loss, you’ll want to consult with your veterinarian immediately.
FAQs
This could be a sign of an improper diet or a parasite. Consult with your veterinarian for the best treatment options.
Conclusion
A sudden weight loss of guinea pigs may indicate health problems. Since their bodies aren’t configured to handle drastic weight loss in a short period, you’ll want to act quickly to avoid further problems.
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 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 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.
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
