Tips to feed guinea pig’s grass instead of hay
- Offer them fresh grass.. Fresh grass is good and almost similar to hay. It contains vitamin C and high fibers that...
- Try to provide timothy or orchard grass.. As timothy or orchard grass provides the same nutrients as hay products,...
- Grass shouldn’t contain any chemicals.. Lawn chemicals, fertilizers, and...
What kind of hay is best for guinea pigs?
1 Grass hay ( meadow hay or timothy hay): This is excellent hay feed to guinea pigs by their owners. This hay is fresh grass, which is dried out after cutting. ... 2 Oat grass: This grass is made by oat grass, which is cropped before it grows. ... 3 Alfalfa grass: This is quite different than usual hay; it is more legume than grass. ...
What can I Feed my baby 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.
What are the three main foods of guinea pigs diet?
The three main foods of guinea pig’s diet are pellets, hay, and fresh vegetables. If we get to draw a chart of guinea pig’s diet, then hay would be written as the most important part followed by vegetables and pellets. That is because the digestive passage of guinea pigs is designed to absorb fiber found in dry grass.
What kind of grass can guinea pigs eat?
This is one of the best and most nutritious types of fresh grass you can feed your guinea pigs. As the name suggests, it’s extracted from the wheat plant. It’s simply the newly germinated shoots of a wheat plant. It contains potassium, fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and enzymes.
Do guinea pigs really need hay?
Hay is absolutely vital to the digestive health of your guinea pig. It prevents obesity, dental disease, diarrhea and boredom. Your guinea pig should have unlimited access to high quality grass hay. Your guinea pig should eat a pile of hay as big as his body every day.
What can guinea pigs eat besides timothy hay?
Hay and grass should make up the majority of your Guinea Pig's diet. You can also feed small portions of vegetables and it's essential to include plenty of vitamin C.
What can I substitute for timothy hay?
While many veterinarians recommend Timothy Hay as the best type of hay, Orchard Grass is a good substitute if you or your rabbit have issues with Timothy Hay.
Can guinea pigs eat pellets instead of hay?
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.
Can guinea pigs eat 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.
Can I make my own guinea pig food?
Offer Variety. Like all of us, guinea pigs do well on a variety of foods. Offer a range of vegetables at each feeding. Include leafy greens like kale, spinach or chard at each feeding, along with other options like peas, carrots, cucumbers, celery, corn or sweet peppers.
Can guinea pigs eat iceberg lettuce?
Iceberg lettuce is a popular and inexpensive food that many of us have in our homes. Most of us consider it healthy, so it's common to wonder if it's safe to feed our guinea pig. Iceberg lettuce will not harm your guinea pig, and it's fine for them to eat in small portions.
What is the best bedding for guinea pigs?
It should be easy to clean up and biodegradable for easy disposal. There are several types of bedding available for Guinea Pigs to nest in, including paper-based, fleece, wood, and hay. The best bedding for your Guinea Pig is either a paper or fleece based bedding.
What type of hay is good for guinea pigs?
Meadow hay. This type comprises the flowers, seeds heads, and grass parts of the meadow plant. It makes a good option since it offers more than just grass. Oat Hay – This makes a good option, especially for sick guinea pigs. This is thanks to the higher amounts of proteins, fat, and fiber.
What Foods Should You Feed Your Guinea Pigs?
As mentioned earlier, guinea pigs are herbivores. They need lots of forage for gastrointestinal health, dental health, and overall well-being.
Can You Feed Guinea Pigs Fresh Grass From Your Lawn?
While it is cute and fun to watch your guinea pigs munch on the grass on your lawn, it is not safe. Below are some reasons;
How Much Grass Can They Eat?
According to Canadian Living, Guinea Pigs’ digestive systems are meant to handle lots of forage.
Why is vitamin C important for guinea pigs?
Vitamin C is essential for guinea pigs since it facilitates collagen formation, which is vital for bone formation, repairing tissues, and blood vessel integrity. As your piggy grows older, she may get injured often. But Vitamin C can speed up the healing process and prevent inflammation.
How much of your cavies are pellets?
Guinea pig pellets can form at least 20% of your cavies diet since they are packed with vitamins.
What are the things that are hiding in grass?
Besides molds, insects, insect eggs, and other harmful items may be hiding on the soil or the grass’s blades.
What to do if guinea pigs prefer grass more than hay?
As indoor guinea pigs are herbivorous and love natural foods, many of them will choose grass over hay that’s prepared by the pet stores. When you will provide them two at the same time, they will realize which one is more natural and even healthier for them.
When can guinea pigs eat grass instead of hay?
You can only choose fresh grass instead of hay when hay isn’t available to you. Sometimes, you may run out of hay and don’t get any new products immediately. Though hay is available online or at local pet stores, sometimes there may be delays in delivery.
Is Grass the same as hay for guinea pigs?
Hay is a special form of grass and other herbaceous plants processed for guinea pigs and other pets whereas grass is the plant with its original form. Hay is the grass that’s cut, dried, stored, and prepared, and stored for small pets such as guinea pigs. On the other hand, fresh grass that you find outside in your lawn or garden doesn’t go through this process.
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.
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.
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.
What is the best hay for guinea pigs?
Alfalfa hay is best possible for baby guinea pigs. In the first month of their birth, guinea pigs will gain proteins by this hay. Pellets also carry alfalfa, so your guinea pigs will be in good health.
What to feed guinea pigs at 3 weeks?
Fresh hay and water are essential foods in those early days. Baby guinea pigs require high protein, thus offer them pellets and dry alfalfa grass. Your baby guinea pigs will stop drinking mother’s milk once they are three weeks old. You can consider adding a small serving of fresh veggies at this stage.
What do baby guinea pigs eat?
Excess sweet veggies like carrots or iceberg lettuce will lead to health problems. Instead of this, your guinea pigs mostly survive on eating dry grass.
How to feed a baby guinea pig?
Begin with bell peppers, cilantro, lettuce, and slowly transition to other veggies. Baby guinea pigs can munch on vegetables when they reach 4 weeks old, and their stomach gets stable enough to digest vegetables in small amounts. Fresh vegetables will also control the size of their teeth as their teeth keep growing.
Why do guinea pigs eat grass?
That is because the digestive passage of guinea pigs is designed to absorb fiber found in dry grass. There are kinds of hay available, each carrying a different quality:
How old are guinea pigs when they drink water?
Until baby guinea pigs turn 3 weeks old, they get hydration from their mothers. As they grow, baby guinea pigs need to drink more water as they eat lots of solid food. So drinking water becomes essential for them to be healthy.
Why do guinea pigs need food?
Your guinea pigs need more food to eat, as they are continually growing. Baby guinea pigs need food to stay warm after their fur sheds for the first time.
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 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 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 do guinea pigs eat?
Guinea pigs will eat anything and everything both indoors and outdoors. They will nibble on whatever they can get their little mouths around.
How to keep guinea pigs from getting sick?
Growing your own grass is the best way to guarantee that your guinea pig will have no unexpected illness after consuming it. If indoors, a small flat or even pots of grass will do the trick. Setting aside a small corner in the yard or gardens when outdoors is a mess-free experience that requires little to no attention.
How much grass can they eat?
Now that you know that Guinea pigs can, in fact, eat grass, the next question is most likely how much can they eat?
What is the best hay for a cavy?
Timothy hay is the preferred plant for your cavy with grass being the second best. Although grass is more nutritious in terms of the variety of vitamins, Timothy hay does a better job at dental maintenance. Overall, grass and hay together will keep the little guy healthy and happy. Guinea pigs do eat grass and love it too.
Why do guinea pigs need grass?
Grass helps reduce inflammation in many animals including Guinea pigs.
Can cavies eat grass?
Grass should be hearty and lush, similarly to their hay– not soggy and moist. When they get used to it, your cavies can ( and will) eat as much as they want. Like any other food though, remember to limit their intake to prevent overeating and excessive weight gain.
Is grass good for cavies?
Grassy benefits for cavies. The grass is eaten across a broad variety of animals. A few of the benefits include: A reduction in the cholesterol levels within their bodies. Grass limits the growth of cholesterol levels inside a Guinea pig body and helps them avoid the negative effects of too much cholesterol present in their systems.
What kinds of hay can guinea pigs eat?
Guinea pigs can eat a wide variety of hay, although not all of them are equally beneficial to our guinea pigs.
Why is hay important for guinea pigs?
Hay is a crucial part of a guinea pigs diet. Most of the nutritional need for guinea pigs come from hay.
How to store hay for guinea pigs?
Considering you bought a good quality fresh hay, you need to store it in a cool and dry place so that it remains fresh.
Can you feed a guinea pig only hay?
No, you cannot feed only hay to your guinea pigs. Although 80% of their diet must be hay, it still lacks one major nutrient i.e., vitamin c in it.
Can guinea pigs eat too much hay?
No, you can never overfeed hay to your guinea pigs. In fact, there must be an abundant supply of hay for your guinea pigs at all times.
How long can a guinea pig live without hay?
A guinea pig can go up to 24 hours without hay. Then after that, they might start suffering from some digestion issues.
Can guinea pigs eat grass instead of hay?
No, guinea pigs cannot eat grass instead of hay. You can definitely feed some grass along with side hay sometimes, but it definitely is not a substitute to hay.
What do guinea pigs eat?
In the wild, guinea pigs eat a wide variety of foods – everything from fruits and leaves to grasses, herbs, and root vegetables. While none of these is sufficient on its own to provide for all your guinea pig’s dietary needs, they can form a useful supplement to your pet’s usual meals.
What is the best lettuce for guinea pigs?
Much more nutritionally dense than Iceberg lettuce, the high fiber content in Romaine lettuce ( as well as red and green lettuces) can help keep your guinea pig’s digestion working smoothly. Always thoroughly wash your leafy green vegetables to remove any bacteria and harmful residues before feeding to your pet.
Can guinea pigs eat tomato plants?
Avoid the stems and leaves of the tomato plant and feed your guinea pig only the flesh. It’s fairly high in sugar but has the benefit of fairly high levels of Vitamin C as well, making it a good occasional treat.
Can guinea pigs eat broccoli?
High in fiber and low in sugar, every part of the broccoli plant can be fed to your guinea pig. It’s also high in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, making it an excellent choice to supplement your pet’s diet.
Do guinea pigs produce vitamin C?
Like humans, guinea pigs do not produce their own Vitamin C. This makes supplementation a necessity for their continued health and well-being, which can be accomplished by feeding them dark leafy greens and brightly colored vegetables like bell peppers.
Can guinea pigs eat bell peppers?
You can feed the whole pepper to them, stem and all, but be careful not to over do it; bell peppers are fairly high in sugar.
Is cauliflower good for guinea pigs?
Low in calories but extremely high in vitamins and fiber content, cauliflower is an excellent choice for guinea pigs thanks to its high Vitamin C content.