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 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 can guinea pigs eat and not eat list?
- Stone fruit (all kinds) Contains cyanide and is rich in sugar. Can cause diarrhea.
- All kinds of exotic fruits like mango, papaya, pomegranate Causes serious indigestion and colics.
- Rhubarb Rich in oxialic acid
What vegetables are good for guinea pigs?
- Lettuce
- Parsnip
- Bell peppers
- Spinach
- Broccoli
- Celery leaves
- Tomatoes without stems or leaves
- Cucumber
- Zucchini
- Kale
What should I feed my guinea pigs?
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 veggies can my guinea pig eat everyday?
What vegetables can guinea pigs eat daily? Guinea pigs can eat foods such as Romaine lettuce, sweet bell peppers, kale, cucumber and coriander every day and some other green leafy vegetables too.
What is poisonous to guinea pigs?
Make sure you do not feed your guinea pigs the following foods (this is not an exhaustive list): cereals; grains; nuts; seeds; dried beans, corn, and peas; buttercups; garden shrubs (such as hemlock or privet); lilies of any kind; sweet peas; nightshade; oak; avocado; onion grass; onions; potato tops; mushrooms; ...
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.
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.
Can guinea pigs eat cucumber everyday?
Overall, cucumbers aren't bad for guinea pigs. But feeding them too much in a day can lead to stomach upset and diarrhea because of their high-water content. As long as cucumbers don't make up a big part of your guinea pig's diet, you shouldn't have anything to worry about health-wise.
What fruit can guinea pigs eat daily?
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.
Can guinea pigs eat broccoli everyday?
Short answer is, yes - guinea pigs can eat broccoli. Broccoli is a vegetable that is high in vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, Fiber, and other essential nutrients.
What Should I Feed My Guinea Pig Daily?
Guinea pigs are herbivores and their food consists mainly of hay, pellets, fresh vegetables, and a lesser quantity of fruits.
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 is Oxbow guinea pig pellet?
Oxbow’s Adult Guinea Pig pellets are specially designed from high fiber timothy grass that contains a lower level of protein, calories, and calcium than young guinea pig food.
Why do guinea pigs need pellets?
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.
What do guinea pigs need?
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.
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.
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 can I feed my guinea pig?
Zucchini. Sweet Potato. Peas. Cucumber. Broccoli. Artichoke. Bell Peppers. In addition to the above vegetables, you can also occasionally treat your guinea pig to some fruit. Just be sure to watch how often you add fruit to their diet; lots of fruits are super high in sugar, and this is unhealthy in large doses.
What kind of hay do guinea pigs eat?
Guinea pigs will eat lots of different types of hay, but the most popular is 2nd cutting Timothy hay. We call this hay our gold standard because it has the right levels of fat, protein, and fiber. It’s super soft and tasty and is sure to have any piggy popcorning. Another great cut is orchard hay because it creates variety ...
How to keep guinea pigs from getting bored?
Mix up your piggy’s hay game so they don't get bored. As we mentioned earlier, in the wild, guinea pigs have access to countless different types of hays and grass. By adding in new things to their diet, you can avoid hay fatigue and keep them guessing.
Why do guinea pigs play with their food?
Even though our mothers always taught us not to play with our food (and we probably did it anyway), guinea pigs can actually be encouraged to play with their food to stimulate their brain. All-natural toys and chews are a great way to entertain your little friend and give them a little exercise.
What are healthy snacks made of?
Our Healthy Snackers are made with clean, human-grade pumpkin, pears, blueberries, bananas, carrots, apples, and oats, all mixed up with our own farm fresh hay.
Is it safe to give guinea pigs treats?
Other Safe Guinea Pig Treats. Guinea pigs are so sweet and loveable, it’s no wonder we want to give them some special treats every now and then. But, be careful which treats you’re adding to your guinea pig food list. Many commercial treats are super high in sugar and can have potentially dangerous chemicals and fillers.
Do guinea pigs need hay?
The first thing that every guinea pig parent should know is that guinea pigs need lots and lots of hay. Hay isn’t just for horses or bunnies. Guinea pig hay is the most important part of your cavy’s diet; it provides the fiber they need to keep their digestive systems moving.
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.
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 Can Guinea Pigs Eat?
There are over 72 questions in the form of “can guinea pigs eat something”. Some of them are:
Conclusion
Keeping a guinea pig as a pet is not just feeding, knowing exactly which good and which bad food they eat is essential. This article has listed some of the foods that guinea pigs can and cannot eat, but there are still many others to go.
How many vegetables can guinea pigs eat?
Vegetables: Guinea pigs can have up to one cup of vegetables each day. New vegetables should be introduced to your pet one at a time. Fresh, organically grown greens are the best option. Vegetables that your pet guinea pig can eat include:
What to give guinea pigs for teeth growth?
Since your guinea pig's teeth grow continuously, you should provide a variety of fun chews, including sticks, toys, balls, blocks and treats made especially for small animals.
What is guinea pig pellets?
Pellets: Commercial guinea pig food is specially formulated to provide balanced nutrition with the ideal dosage of Vitamin C and other essential nutrients. Choose pelleted food that has been veterinarian-tested and approved and follow the feeding instructions on the packaging as a guide.
What is the best hay for guinea pigs?
Make sure you purchase fresh, high-quality, clean hay that is dry, sweet-smelling and free of mold. A high-quality meadow hay such as Timothy hay is a great choice.
Why is my guinea pig having diarrhea?
An imbalance in nutrition can cause chronic diarrhea , obesity and diseases of the heart, liver or kidneys. Gradually introduce new foods to your guinea pig's diet as abrupt or significant dietary changes can cause problems (such as diarrhea). Feed your guinea pig on a consistent schedule, twice a day, morning and evening.
How long do guinea pigs live?
With proper care, you can expect your guinea pig to live up to eight years. Like any other pet, it's important for your guinea pig to get annual check-ups.
Can guinea pigs eat cold fruit?
Remember to also thoroughly wash all fruits before serving them to your guinea pig and avoid serving fruit cold.
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.
How to Feed a Baby Guinea pig?
Guinea pigs, like other mammals, are used to drink the mother’s milk after they’re born. They continue this for a few days before their life takes the gradual turn to make them solids. If you ever happen to have such young enough a cavy rejected by a mom or lost its way, you must hand feed it.
Why do guinea pigs need hay?
Cavies love hay. But more than that, they need hay for keeping their funny teeth at the bay. Apart from dental aid, hay is needed for maintaining its optimum digestion tract. Make sure your guinea pig has access to an unlimited amount of hay.
Do fruits help pets?
Fruits play an important role in meeting your pet’s nutritional demands. However, you should keep the ratio at a minimum while providing these delicious food items since they contain a heavy amount of sugar even though they’re high in vitamin C.
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.