- Pelleted Food Twice Per Day. An adult guinea pig should receive about ¼ cup of pelleted food per day. ...
- Veggies and Fruit Once Per Day. Their pelleted food can be supplemented with roughly one cup of freshly washed vegetables per day. ...
- Unlimited Hay. Fresh hay should also be provided for your pet at all times. Guinea pigs need the fiber found in hay to digest their food.
- Unlimited Water. Guinea pigs are incredibly susceptible to heatstroke, so fresh water should be continuously available.
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 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 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 fruits and vegetables can guinea pigs eat?
- Mint (peppermint)
- Mustard greens. May cause gas or bloating.
- Nectarine
- ** Okra
- Orange. Citrus can cause mouth sores.
- Oregano. Feed in very small amounts.
- Papaya
- ** Parsley (curly or flat)
- Parsnip
- Passionfruit, purple
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.
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.
How often should I give my guinea pig veggies?
once a dayFruit 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 veggies can guinea pigs eat everyday?
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.
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.
How much hay should guinea pigs eat?
Guinea pigs need a minimum of about 3 oz of hay per day, so each piggy should go through about 6 lbs of hay each month. Again, don't overdo it with the pellets. The piggies do need some Vitamin C, but make sure they get it in healthy forms, like rosehips and fresh veggies.
Can guinea pigs eat grass everyday?
Guinea pigs' digestive tracts are designed for lots of forage, so not only is it OK for him to eat grass, but you can also let him eat as much as he likes. A good source of nutrition, fresh grass does come at a price: he may need regular deworming since soil and grass can contain parasite eggs.
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 much pellets should I feed 2 guinea pigs?
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 long can guinea pigs go without food?
So, how long can guinea pigs go without food and water? Healthy guinea pigs shouldn't go over 8 hours without food. They won't starve in this time, but they can develop potentially fatal GI stasis or other health issues. Healthy guinea pigs may go up to 24 hours without water.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 feed a guinea pig pellets?
Be aware pellets are high energy, and eating too many can lead to obesity and dental problems. Feed only a 1/8 cup per day to supplement the other parts of its diet. Look for pellets that are supplemented with vitamin C. This is an important nutrient that guinea pigs need in their diet.
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.
How much vitamin C should I give my guinea pig?
Guinea pigs are one of the very few mammals (along with humans) who can't make their own vitamin C, so they need to get it from their food. They need 10 - 30 mg of Vitamin C daily. Bell peppers are an excellent source of it.
What foods should I not feed my guinea pig?
High-calcium foods can be fed in small quantities. Vegetables to avoid feeding your guinea pigs include iceberg lettuce, potatoes, avocado, and cabbage.
Can guinea pigs eat alfalfa hay?
Alfalfa hay contains a lot of calcium, so is inappropriate for older pigs except as an occasional treat. Even if your guinea pig loves alfalfa hay, use it as a treat, not part of the normal diet. However, pregnant and nursing sows and guinea pigs under six months can eat more of it (in addition to Timothy).
Can you put vitamin C in guinea pig water?
Putting vitamin-c into your guinea pig's water is not recommended. Adding vitamin C to the water can cause a guinea pig to stop drinking water if they don't like the taste and most of the vitamin C breaks down within half an hour, anyway.
What is the most important thing a guinea pig needs to eat?
Any modifications to the diet should be made gradually. The most critical aspect of the diet of guinea pigs is their requirement for vitamin C. Apart from that, the key to a healthy diet in a guinea pig is unlimited amounts of hay.
What vegetables should I feed my guinea pig?
Other good choices for vegetables include green and red leaf lettuce, Romaine lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, endive, kale, carrot tops, beet greens, cilantro, carrot, and squash. Iceberg or head lettuce has little nutritional value and is mostly water, so it should not be offered. "The preferred basic diet for guinea pigs is unlimited amounts ...
How long does it take for guinea pig pellets to break down?
Therefore, be sure that your guinea pig pellets are used up or replaced within 90 days of the date of manufacture, or the vitamin C in them may be degraded.
Why is my guinea pig's hair rough?
A guinea pig that has a rough hair coat, is off food, has diarrhea, is reluctant to walk, perhaps appears to be painful, has swollen feet or joints, or has hemorrhages and ulcers on its gums or skin, is likely to be deficient in vitamin C and should be seen by your veterinarian as soon as possible .
Do guinea pigs eat rabbits?
Guinea pigs, like rabbits, are true herbivores, although the physiology and function of their gastrointestinal system is not as well understood as the rabbit. Guinea pigs develop food preferences early in life and do not take to changes in food types, appearances, or presentation easily. Sudden changes can result in a refusal to eat. Any modifications to the diet should be made gradually. The most critical aspect of the diet of guinea pigs is their requirement for vitamin C. Apart from that, the key to a healthy diet in a guinea pig is unlimited amounts of hay.
Do guinea pigs need vitamin C?
Guinea pigs and primates, including humans, cannot manufacture their own vitamin C, therefore it is essential to supplement their diet with vitamin C. Vitamin C is vital for the normal development and maintenance of skin, joints, and mucosal surfaces, like gums. It also plays an important role in the healing of wounds.
How much food should guinea pigs eat a day?
Guinea pigs should get at least 10% of their body weight in vegetables a day which is around one cup per day per guinea pig. If your pigs have never eaten any veggies, you can start off with carrots since they are usually easy to digest.
What are some good foods for guinea pigs?
Raspberries, Strawberries, Cranberries, Blueberries and Blackberries. Berries are tasty and unproblematic treats. They also have high levels of Vitamin C which can be very beneficial for your guinea pig and give them that extra boost of vitamin C they may otherwise not get with only hay and vegetables daily.
What are pellets for guinea pigs?
Together with other quality food, pellets can be a convenient way to assure that your guinea pig is getting the necessary quantity of nutrients and remain healthy. Choose specially designed guinea pig pellets that have vitamin C in it.
What vegetables can guinea pigs eat?
Fennel: A very filling and stomach-friendly vegetable. It has no sugar, low amounts of fat and a good amount of vitamin C. Celery: You can feed both the leaves and the stalk to your guinea pig, but you should be wary that it contains high levels of water, so it should be given in moderation.
Why is hay important for guinea pigs?
Quality hay is the foundation of any guinea pig’s diet because they need its fiber to have healthy digestion. But also to wear down the continuous growth of their teeth.
What are the benefits of guinea pig fibers?
The long-standing fibers, low protein, and low calcium make sure that your guinea pig’s digestive and intestinal systems are healthy. The high- fibers also lower the occurrence of intestinal gas and bloating.
Do guinea pigs have vegetables?
Since they can provide the necessary nutrients and vitamins (like vitamin C) for a well balanced healthy diet. If your guinea pig has never had any vegetables in the past or very little, which is often the case when you purchase a guinea pig from a pet store since they only feed pellets and 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!
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.
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 guinea pigs eat vegetables?
Vegetables for Guinea Pigs. Vegetables should be the main fresh food in their nutrition plan at the winter season if/and there is no way to get fresh grass. Of course vegetables does not replace hay. Fresh hay has to be provided permanent. All green marked vegetables can be used for proper diet. Vegetable.
