Guinea Pig Feeding Chart
| Guinea Pig Feeding Schedule | Food |
| Monday | |
| *with fresh water, hay, and pellets | Broccoli |
| Cucumber | |
| Parsley |
What's the best food for pigs guinea?
Good fresh foods to feed your guinea pig include:
- Bananas
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupe
- Green peppers
- Parsley
- Green and red leaf lettuce
- Strawberries
- Tomatoes
- Watermelon
What vegetables are safe for guinea pigs?
These veggies can be fed on a daily basis:
- Raddichio
- Green leaf lettuce
- Red leaf lettuce
- Romaine lettuce
- Bell pepper (any color, red have more sugar)
- Cilantro
- Pumpkin
- Tomatoes*
- Asparagus
- Yam
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 are guinea pigs' favourite foods?
The Most Healthy and Favorite Foods of the Guinea Pigs
- blueberries
- melon
- papaya
- peach
- pear
- plum
- pineapple
- tomatoes
- Brussels sprouts
- cucumber
What should I feed my guinea pig 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.
What household foods can you feed a guinea pig?
A small quantity of fresh vegetables—and occasional high-fiber fruit, such as apples or pears—should be offered daily to help keep guinea pigs hydrated....Foods guinea pigs cannot eatChocolate (or anything else containing caffeine)Onions.Garlic.Mushrooms.Iceberg lettuce.Avocados.Nuts.Potatoes.More items...
What fruit and vegetables can 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 should you not feed a guinea pig?
15 Things Guinea Pigs Shouldn't EatMeat of any kind. ... Dairy, including yogurt, cheese, kefir, sour cream, cream cheese, and cottage cheese. ... Iceberg lettuce and the lighter lettuces give guinea pigs diarrhea. ... Cabbage, cauliflower, or other gassy veggies can lead to bloat. ... Avocado.More items...
How often should you feed guinea pigs?
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.
Can guinea pigs eat carrots everyday?
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.
What do guinea pigs need in their cage?
Enclosures should be lined with newspaper and then at least 5cm of soft, nontoxic, nonabrasive, inedible, dust-free and absorbent bedding to provide cushioning and prevent foot problems. Suitable options for bedding include soft grass hay, fleece fabric, and shredded paper.
Can guinea pigs eat banana?
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. Bananas can also be harmful to your guinea pig if they are not properly portioned due to their high levels of sugar and fiber.
What veg can guinea pigs have daily?
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.
Are carrots safe for guinea pigs?
Carrots: These are loved by Guinea Pigs, however, they contain sugar, which can lead to tooth problems and diabetes. They also contain oxalate which can lead to oxalate stones. They also contain high amounts of vitamin A. Carrots can be fed occasionally.
What can guinea pigs drink?
Fresh Water: Guinea pigs drink a lot of water and need the bottles cleaned and fresh water added daily. It is recommended that you have more than 1 water bottle in the cage. Do not put anything but water in the bottles. Do not put vitamin C drops in the water.
What do guinea pigs like to play with?
What Do Guinea Pigs Like To Play With? This Top 10 List Will Give You Some Great Ideas!Crumpled paper or paper bags.Cardboard boxes.Tunnels.Hay or grass chew balls.Chew sticks.Fleece accessories.Stuffed socks.Stuffed tubes with hay.More items...•
What vegetables can guinea pigs eat daily?
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.
What fruit can a guinea pig eat?
The best fruits to feed your guinea pig include most berries, such as blueberries, cranberries, raspberries and strawberries. Berries taste delicious to your guinea pig, but they are relatively low in sugar and carbohydrates in comparison to other fruits.
Can guinea pigs eat bread?
Similar to human diets, avoid feeding your guinea pig foods with too much sugar, carbohydrates and fats. This means no toasted oat cereals that are often used as treats for gerbils or hamsters. Do not feed her beans, breads, cookies, crackers, oats, potatoes or other human foods.
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 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.
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.
What to feed a guinea pig?
You can use these as extra-special offerings to help bond with your guinea pig or as treats for training. Good fresh foods to feed your guinea pig include: Bananas. Blueberries.
What is the best hay for guinea pigs?
For hay, a mix of timothy, orchard, and oat is best. Some alfalfa hay is acceptable but it contains too much calcium to be the main part of your pet’s diet. Guinea pig hay needs to be stored in a cool, dry place to stay clear of mold or mildew. 4.
Do guinea pigs eat their own poop?
You might also catch your guinea pig eating her own poop, but don't be alarmed! Guinea pigs actually produce two different types of feces. One is soft and nutritious, and the guinea pigs re-ingest this to get more nutrients. Rabbits do the same thing !
Can you feed a guinea pig from the table?
Just because you love your guinea pig as much as family doesn’t mean you can feed her straight from your table. While some human food is safe for your guinea pig to eat, feeding guinea pigs should involve far more care than just giving them table scraps.
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.
What to feed guinea pigs?
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. Provide your guinea pigs with a dietary source of Vitamin C because (like humans), guinea pigs cannot synthesise Vitamin C ...
What is the best vitamin for guinea pigs?
Provide your guinea pigs with a dietary source of Vitamin C because (like humans), guinea pigs cannot synthesise Vitamin C from other food substances. Vitamin C rich foods such as leafy green veggies and capsicums (green, orange, and red) should be fed to your guinea pigs daily.
Why should guinea pigs have hay?
The hay should ideally be contained in a hayrack or basket to prevent it sitting on the enclosure floor and getting contaminated by your guinea pigs’ waste and becoming damp, dirty, and mouldy; this is unhygienic and could make your guinea pigs sick.
How long should guinea pigs eat hay?
The hay that you feed should be available 24 hours a day and of good quality; dry, sweet smelling, and not contain any mold, mildew or fungus.This is paramount in providing a complete diet and encourages the guinea pigs to chew for long periods of time.
Can guinea pigs eat caecum?
Please note that it is normal for guinea pigs to eat their soft, nitrogen-rich faeces that are derived from their caecum after they pass them (coprophagy). This does not indicate any kind of dietary deficiency or abnormality and guinea pigs should be allowed to do this.
Do guinea pigs eat roughage?
Guinea pigs are natural herbivores and would spend their time foraging and grazing in small herds in the wild. They need to be fed the types of food they have adapted to eat. Their teeth are continuously growing, which is one of the reasons why they need plenty of roughage to chew; this wears down their teeth and helps prevent serious dental ...
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 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.
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.
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.
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?
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 ...
How often should you fill a water bottle with water for rodents?
Water should be provided in water bottles designed for rodents, and they should have access to fresh water 24 hours a day. This means filling the bottle once a day with fresh water and always checking that the water bottle is working properly and that it hasn’t run out.
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.
What should I feed my guinea pig?
DO Feed Your Guinea Pigs a Variety of Fruits and Vegetables. Happy, healthy little herbivores like guinea pigs love nothing better than a great salad, fresh fruits and veggies. A mixture of crunchy, nutrient-filled foods make great supplements.
What is oat hay for guinea pigs?
Oat hay is to guinea pigs what warm, delicious oatmeal, oatmeal cookies, and rich, oat bread is to us. Mmmmm, they are going to LOVE their oat hay!
What are the nutrients in hay pellets?
Pellets, although comprised of mostly hay, offer necessary vitamins and minerals that grass hays simply do not contain. Vitamins A, B-12, C, D and E as well as minerals such as Phosphorous, Niacin, Biotin and Selenium help your cuddly cavies grow and develop into healthy active adults.
What is the best hay for a buffet?
The most popular, by far, is Timothy Hay —the perfect all day, every day buffet hay—which is low in fat, chock full of fiber and sufficient protein as well as moist and delicious. This hay is also readily available, so it’s easy to provide.
What does it mean when a guinea pig is hungry?
A Guinea Pig’s voracious appetite is a tell-tale sign of a happy, healthy little cavvy. They enjoy a variety of foods so thankfully, they’re easy to please. So, if you want to be cavvy savvy and offer your hungry little critters a balanced diet, have a good gnaw on these tips for what’s good and what’s not so good.
What is in grass hay?
Botanical grass hays typically contain tidbits of herbs such as clover, lemon balm, chamomile and lavender as well as dried flower petals. Yummy! The fresh outdoorsy scent alone may have your guinea pigs racing to the dinner table, so to speak.
How many servings of fruit should I give my cavy?
Limit fruit servings to 2 times per week— serving size is approximately 1-2 tablespoons for every 90 7 grams of body weight. A few things to keep in mind when supplementing your cavy’s diet with fresh fruits and vegetables is that due to possible higher water content, your little friends may not drink as much as usual.
What to Feed Guinea Pigs When Out of Food
You suddenly realize you are out of guinea pig food, and now you are scrambling to find alternatives. This can be a frightening situation for any guinea owner. However, there is no need to panic.
How Long Can Guinea Pigs Go Without Hay
In an ideal world, your guinea pig should never be without fresh timothy hay. It is recommended that guinea pigs do not go without hay for more than one day. However, sometimes these things happen. You may forget to buy hay, or your guinea pigs may go through it more quickly than you anticipated.
How Long Can Guinea Pigs Go When Out of Pellets?
Guinea pigs can go a surprisingly long time without pellets. This is because pellets are not necessarily the best source of nutrients for your piggy. This is why pellets should only make up around 20% of your guinea pig’s diet.
Seven Replacement Food to Feed Your Guinea Pigs When Out of Hay
While you must restock your guinea pigs with fresh hay as soon as possible, there are some healthy alternatives you can turn to in the meantime.
What Not to Feed Your Guinea Pig
If you run out of hay or pellets, it is important not to panic and feed your guinea pig, something that could make matters worse. The following foods should never be included in your guinea pig’s diet:
Conclusion
Guinea pigs cannot be without fresh hay or pellets for long. Ideally, your guinea pig should not be without these essential foods for more than 1-2 days. However, there are several alternatives to hay and pellets that you can provide for your piggy in the meantime.