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'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 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 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.
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.
How can I make my pig gain weight fast?
Feeding Supplements Boost consumption by adding up to a half-pound of whey, milk replacer or liquid protein supplements on top of his food at each feeding. Or, crack two raw eggs over his food each time you feed him. A pig must always have fresh, clean water.
How can I help my malnourished 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 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
Why is my guinea pig skinny but is still eating?
A health guinea pig can seem a little skinny, but that might just be her normal weight. Weight loss in guinea pigs isn't always bad as long as it's no more than an ounce. Guinea pig owners should take their piggies to the vet if they notice that they've lost 2 or more ounces in a week.
Why can I feel my guinea pigs spine?
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. Either way, the overall health of your cavy is at risk and needs to be addressed by a veterinarian.
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.
Can pigs eat raw eggs?
Yes, pigs can eat eggs but in moderation. Eggs are in fact a great non-processed source of protein. Eggs would make a safe and healthy treat option only when they are fed in the right manner.
Is salt good for pigs?
The right minerals are essential for muscle, nerve and immune system functions and for sound reproductive health. Salt is especially important for gestating and lactating sows, and can be useful as a carrier for other nutrients essential for swine.
Do you mix pig feed with water?
According to Brooks [1], mixing water with dry feed and feeding after a few minutes ensures that pigs receive a more homogeneous diet and increases the rate of hydration, especially if it is finely ground, favoring the action of both digestive and in-feed enzymes.
Do skinny pigs eat guinea pig food?
Skinny pigs eat lots more than normal haired guinea pigs. Food is their fuel to give them the energy to keep warm and healthy. Feed fresh fruit/veg/grass/fresh hay/Burgess excell guinea pig food and ready grass daily and of course, fresh water. Vitamin c is especially important in a guinea pigs diet.
How often should you feed skinny 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 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.
Can skinny pigs eat bananas?
You can serve it as a small slice, or smush the banana between your fingers for a sweet treat! 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.
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.
How to help guinea pig gain weight?
If your guinea pig has lost weight or is underweight, then you can do a few things to increase their weight.
What to do if guinea pig weight goes down?
If you see any other symptoms of diseases or your guinea pig weight is going down every passing day, then you must consult a professional veterinarian immediately.
What causes weight loss in guinea pigs?
There can be a lot of reasons that can cause weight loss in guinea pigs. While it can be concerning for guinea pig owners if their guinea pig is losing weight consistently, it is crucial to address the issue immediately.
How much does a guinea pig weigh?
Still, here is a rough idea: The average weight of an adult male guinea pig is between 900-1200 grams. The average weight of an adult female guinea pig is between 700-900 grams. If your guinea pig is below these standards, then you can consider them underweight.
What to do if guinea pig stops eating?
If your guinea pig is losing weight and has stopped eating, you should definitely visit a vet ASAP. There could be some serious health issues affecting the diet of your guinea pigs. If your guinea pigs are not eating their veggies properly then we have an ultimate guide for you which can definitely help you.
How to tell if guinea pigs are malnourished?
You can tell they are malnourished even with a slight touch of their bodies. However, experts recommend you to weight your guinea pigs every week to track their health.
What does it mean when a guinea pig is underweight?
Lethargy, Unwillingness to move & sleeping a lot is also a symptom that underweight guinea pigs have. If you notice such symptoms, then it indicates something is definitely wrong with your guinea pig health. You should seek medical advice immediately. Source: https://www.pfma.org.uk/guinea-pig-size-o-meter.