- 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. ...
- Oat grass: This grass is made by oat grass, which is cropped before it grows. Once the oat cultivates, this hay then does not carry any nutrients for guinea pigs. ...
- Alfalfa grass: This is quite different than usual hay; it is more legume than grass. Alfalfa hay is usually offered to young guinea pigs. ...
What do baby guinea pigs eat when they are born?
We noticed our guinea pig babies began to eat mama’s food within a few days of birth. As they grow, baby guinea pigs will require extra calcium to help their bones develop properly. Calcium can be found in alfalfa hay or alfalfa-based pellets, timothy hay and oranges.
What should I Feed my guinea pig?
This chart is just an example of what your cavy could eat throughout the week. By using the lists further up, you can make changes and adjust as you see fit. Because Timothy hay is such a vital part of the guinea pig’s diet, it should be made available at all times. Other than the hay, it’s a good idea to feed your cavy two times a day.
How do you take care of a baby guinea pig?
This article has been viewed 450,959 times. To care for baby guinea pigs, get a roomy cage and make sure they can't slip through the spaces between the bars. Feed the pups twice a day, provide a constant supply of fresh water, and handle them often so they can get comfortable with human interaction.
How do I get my baby guinea pigs to drink water?
Make sure that your guinea pig babies are able to reach the water bottle sipper. We placed an additional water bottle in the cage so that it was low enough for the babies to reach it. Guinea pigs need fresh water daily.
What foods can baby guinea pigs eat?
Your baby guinea pigs will start to nibble solid food from only a few days old. You can start introducing them to timothy and oaten hay, pellets, as well as small amounts of green vegetables and water in a shallow dish from when they are born, but this does not mean they are ready to be weaned.
What fruits and vegetables can baby guinea pigs eat?
Other foods that are good to fed guinea pigs a few times a week include broccoli, cabbage, endive, carrot tops, Brussels sprouts, kale, silver beet, mint, and fruits such as apples (but with no seeds), mango, and papaya.
What kind of milk do you feed a baby guinea pig?
Use full-fat goat's milk, or prepare a milk mixture of half water and half evaporated milk. Soak brown bread in the milk, and offer this to the baby GP on a teaspoon - they'll suck the milk out. This isn't as nutritious as a guinea pig mother's milk, but it's the second best thing.
How much should I feed my baby guinea pig?
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).
Do baby guinea pigs need special food?
Pups generally eat the same thing as adult guinea pigs, so you do not need to feed a specialized baby diet. One exception is that pups need additional calcium in their first few weeks of life. The extra calcium will help their bones grow properly.
Can baby guinea pigs eat carrots?
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.
Can baby guinea pigs eat fruit?
It is best to leave fruit for guinea pigs as a special treat, perhaps once or twice a week. You can offer fruit for guinea pigs from a young age. Baby guinea pigs can have small amounts of cavy-safe fruit, but since young guinea pigs are even smaller than grown ones, they should have even smaller amounts.
Can you bottle feed baby guinea pigs?
You can also purchase small plastic feeding bottles and plastic teats from large pet shops but you will need to buy the smallest teat possible as usually the puppy and kitten ones are generally too big. Most baby guinea pigs will feed from a syringe without a problem.
Can baby guinea pigs drink regular milk?
Guinea pigs are herbivorous creatures, and because of that, it is important to avoid ever feeding them any dairy products, including milk, according to the Humane Society of Huron Valley. The furry rodents are lactose intolerant, which means that their bodies simply do not digest dairy items sufficiently or adequately.
How long do baby guinea pigs need milk?
They will need to nurse for at least three weeks no matter what. During this time, the mother guinea pig does a lot of other things for her baby guinea pigs. She stimulates them to urinate and defecate by cleaning their bottoms periodically throughout the day.
What vegetables can baby guinea pigs eat?
Vegetables like red or green pepper and broccoli have high levels of vitamin C in them and are great daily options. Add carrots, zucchini, tomato or sweet potato once or twice a week.
Do baby guinea pigs drink water?
Guinea pigs need water! Even if they're not drinking it, you should refresh their water every few days. You never know when a thirst will take them. Like all animals, guinea pigs should always have fresh, clean water to drink.
What vegetables can I give my baby guinea pig?
Vegetables like red or green pepper and broccoli have high levels of vitamin C in them and are great daily options. Add carrots, zucchini, tomato or sweet potato once or twice a week.
Can baby guinea pigs eat fruit?
It is best to leave fruit for guinea pigs as a special treat, perhaps once or twice a week. You can offer fruit for guinea pigs from a young age. Baby guinea pigs can have small amounts of cavy-safe fruit, but since young guinea pigs are even smaller than grown ones, they should have even smaller amounts.
What can I feed my 3 month old 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. For guinea pigs younger than 6 months and for pregnant sows, the above diet should be supplemented with unlimited alfalfa-based pellets and daily amounts of alfalfa hay.
When can baby guinea pigs eat food?
Baby guinea pigs start nursing in 24 hours, and eat solid foods at three days as mom shows them how.
What Do Baby Guinea Pigs Eat?
One of the most important things to know is that guinea pig babies need more calcium in their diets, particularly during the first few weeks. The extra calcium is required to ensure that they develop sturdy, long-lasting bones. Alfalfa hay and alfalfa pellets are both rich in calcium, as is suggested by my recommendation.
What Do Baby Guinea Pigs Eat As Pets?
Guinea pigs are omnivores and like to eat a variety of vegetables. People who are new to guinea pig keeping are surprised to learn what they consume. Health issues can be caused by eating excessive sweet veggies such as lettuce or carrots. Instead, your guinea pigs prefer dry grass over other types of food.
How Much Do Baby Guinea Pigs Eat?
Guinea pigs, like all other mammals, drink their mother’s milk for the first few days before gradually introducing it and then giving them solid food. If you have a very young guinea pig who has been abandoned by its mother, you must hand-feed it.
How To Feed Baby Guinea Pigs?
Before using, double-check that all of your syringes and bottles have been cleaned thoroughly. Baby guinea pigs are lively and unpredictable. They spring forward suddenly and unpredictably. A fall of only a few feet might be deadly, so make sure they’re receiving food and being kept in a secure place.
What Are The Natural Predators of Baby Guinea Pigs?
Guinea Pigs are preyed on by a number of other animal species in the mountains due to their tiny size and natural inclination to freeze before attempting to flee rapidly back to their burrows. The most common predators for wild Guinea Pigs are weasels and birds of prey in areas where they reside near human settlements.
How Do Baby Guinea Pigs Protect Themselves From Predators?
Guinea pigs are herd animals by nature, and they will look to move around rather than stay together. They enjoy the companionship of others and will use one another to defend themselves. When in the wild, they’ll alternate turns looking for danger and calling out to each other when it approaches.
How Can I Protect My Pet Baby Guinea Pigs?
Keeping your guinea pig inside is one of the most apparent and easiest methods to keep them protected. Even if you live in a tiny flat or a large home, you can always find enough space if you put your mind to it.
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.
How to care for a female guinea pig?
This is important whether you are bringing home pups or caring for the ones that your female guinea pig has given birth to. Guinea pigs can be very sensitive to noise, so your pups will need to stay in a quiet area during their first few weeks of life.
How long does it take for a guinea pig to give birth?
Female guinea pigs typically give birth to an average of three pups per litter. The birthing process usually takes about 30 minutes, with about three to five minutes between pups. You will know when the process is over when all pups have been delivered and the mother has eaten the placenta and cleaned the pups.
How big should a guinea pig cage be?
The cage should be at least 7.5 square feet. If you purchased pups from the pet store, make sure that the cage is large enough before you leave the store. [1]
What does a guinea pig look like?
Female guinea pigs will have what looks like a tiny grain of rice in their genital area. Male guinea pigs will have a white ring in this area. It is recommended to have your veterinarian or a guinea pig expert determine the sex of your pups, if this has not already been done at the pet store.
What diseases can guinea pigs get?
Monitor your pups for sickness. Guinea pigs are susceptible to many types of diseases, such as heat stress, foot pad infections, and pneumonia. Because pups need a lot of vitamin C in their diet, a deficiency of this vitamin can cause a disease called scurvy.
How long can a guinea pig stay with its mother?
Female pups can stay with their mother until four weeks of age. Guinea pigs are usually ready to begin leading more independent lives when they are around six weeks old, but you should still aim to separate them by three to four weeks of age if necessary. ...
Do you have to know if a guinea pig is male or female?
If you purchased your pups from your local pet store, you probably will not need to determine whether they are male or female. If your adult female guinea pig gave birth, you can try to determine the sex of the babies soon after they are born.
What is the best food for guinea pigs?
As for food, timothy hay and pellets should make up the majority of a guinea pig’s diet. Fresh fruits and vegetables along with Vitamin C should be included in their diet. Make sure to check if the fruits/veggies are safe for your guinea pig. Some, such as oranges and melons, have a ton of Vitamin C already.
What kind of bedding should I use for guinea pigs?
Bedding for Guinea Pig Puppies. Our personal recommendation for bedding in guinea pig cages is Timothy Hay. This multi-purpose hay can be used as bedding and also food. In fact, Timothy Hay should be part of every guinea pig’s diet regimen.
How to get a guinea pig to come out of hiding?
It shouldn’t take too long for them to come out of hiding and eat the treat. After they come out, put another treat a little bit closer to you . Continue this process until the guinea pig is close enough for you to pet it. Slowly approach them with your hand and gently start petting them.
How to build trust with guinea pigs?
But from personal experience, the best way to build trust is by bribing baby guinea pigs with food and treats. No, we are not kidding. And, it works. If you want your guinea pig to come out from hiding, reaching in and grabbing them from the igloo may scare them even more. They may even make a shrieking sound.
How long should guinea pigs stay on their mother's side?
Let’s be clear, a newborn guinea pig should not leave its mother’s side for at least 3 weeks. In this crucial period after birth, the baby cavy needs to be nursed in a safe environment with the mother. Failure to do so will show how irresponsible the breeder is.
How old should a baby guinea pig be before you start raising them?
The ideal age of the baby guinea pig before you should purchase and start raising them is around 1 to 1.5 months. After 7 weeks, they will be ready to move into their new family’s home. Most commercial pet stores have guinea pigs within this range too.
Do baby guinea pigs need calcium?
Besides handling them with more care and being extra gentle, there are very few things that differ from adult guinea pig care. One of the few things is that baby guinea pigs need a little bit more calcium in their diets, especially in their first few weeks.
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%.
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.
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 ...
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.
How soon can you handle a baby guinea pig?
It is perfectly fine to handle your new guinea pigs within the first week. Interact with baby guinea pigs early and as often as possible so that they become used to humans. At first your guinea pig baby may seem afraid when you pick him up. Watch carefully for signs of stress or discomfort.
What are baby guinea pigs called?
Baby guinea pigs are called pups just like baby dogs. When baby guinea pigs grow up the males are called boars and the females are called sows. Just like adult pigs! Even though they share similar names, guinea pigs do not belong to either the dog or pig family. Rather, they belong to a rodent species called cavies.
How old do guinea pigs have to be to be weaned?
This is necessary to prevent pregnancy. The female pups can be weaned the following week at four weeks of age. By six weeks of age baby guinea pigs are self-sufficient and fully weaned. They have learned quite a few life skills from their mother and are ready to go to their new homes.
What happens to guinea pigs after delivery?
Following delivery, your guinea pig mama will be exhausted and hungry. She will naturally clean up the area around her: lick the babies clean, bite off the umbilical cord and eat the placenta. This served a purpose in the wild to prevent predators from finding the newborn baby guinea pigs.
Why do guinea pigs look so fast?
Look quickly because guinea pigs are not happy being held this way. Male guinea pigs have a donut-shaped opening. If you push gently on their lower abdomen the penis may appear. Female guinea pigs have a Y-shaped opening close to their anus.
How big is a guinea pig pup?
A typical guinea pig pup weighs between 60 and 115 grams and measures close to 3 to 5 inches long. Newborn guinea pigs have fur and are born with their eyes open. They are able to see, hear and move around once they are born. They look a little bit awkward as they begin to move around.
How much space between guinea pig bars?
You don’t want them to escape! Most guinea pigs cages are designed for adult guinea pigs with a one inch space between the bars. This is just enough space to allow the guinea pigs to escape.
