Guinea pigs require access to an ample supply of high-quality hay and leafy greens and vegetables as part of their diet, supplemented by small doses of pellets to provide additional vitamins and minerals missing from their daily food sources.
Fresh fruits and vegetables should be fed to guinea pigs in moderation – no more than one cup per day – in moderation, no matter their source. Fruits containing high concentrations of sugar, calcium or oxalates should be avoided by them to maintain good health.
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Fruits
Fruit is an integral component of guinea pig nutrition, but knowing which types are appropriate may be difficult. Many fruits contain high levels of sugar which could result in weight gain and digestive upset for your piggy.
Your guinea pig has plenty of healthy options available to them for eating and snacking on, like berries. Berries offer low amounts of sugar while being packed full of essential vitamin C that’s vital for their wellbeing.
Grapefruit should also be offered occasionally as an occasional treat, though its acidity could potentially cause mouth sores and digestive issues, so offering small pieces at least twice weekly is best.
Fresh vegetables provide your guinea pig with essential Vitamin C, but should only be given in small doses. Leafy greens such as romaine lettuce, parsley and kale are safe options and should be offered naturally as opposed to being packaged or canned.
Vegetables
Guinea pigs have very specific dietary needs and require a diet consisting of pellets, hay and fresh vegetables in order to stay healthy and maintain an optimal level of dental health. Regular chewing helps ensure their teeth stay in good condition.
Vegetables are an excellent way to add vitamins and minerals to your guinea pig’s diet, such as vitamin C. Be sure to provide different kinds of greens every day as well as fruit for variety!
When introducing new vegetables to your guinea pig, it’s essential that they be introduced gradually. Too many veggies at once could result in diarrhea for your pet.
Some top choices of vegetables for guinea pigs include spinach, broccoli, carrots, radishes and cauliflower. Each contains vitamins and minerals to keep their health strong over time while being high in fiber content to aid with digestion and gastrointestinal motility.
Meat
Guinea pigs require timothy hay as the foundation of their diet (approximately 80%). Additionally, fresh water should also be available daily.
Guinea Pigs should be given leafy green vegetables such as romaine lettuce, red and green leaf lettuces, kale, cilantro and parsley as these contain many vitamins, minerals and antioxidants which are essential to their wellbeing.
Vegetables should be given in small portions at least several times each week, while cucumbers and fruits can be given occasionally as treats.
Some vegetables, such as cabbage, cauliflower, brussels sprouts and broccoli are high in calcium content, which can lead to kidney and bladder stones in guinea pigs if given in excessive amounts. It’s best to feed such items sparingly.
Asparagus is another nutritious vegetable to feed regularly to your guinea pig, but make sure that any pesticides have been washed off first before including in their diet. Carrots and peas can both provide vitamins C as well as fiber which provide your pet with essential nutrition.
Treats
Guinea pigs thrive when given treats, which is beneficial for their health as well as strengthening relationships between themselves and their owners.
Treats should only make up a small portion of a guinea pigs diet and should contain ingredients they can naturally synthesize.
Treats should only be given occasionally–once or twice each week–to avoid obesity and GI issues.
For a safe, high-quality treat that won’t break the bank, consider Kaytee Superfood Treat Sticks made with spinach and kale or crunchy Timothy Hay Biscuits with apple flavoring.
Timothy hay is packed full of fiber, making it an effective digestive aid and great way to keep their teeth in check. Plus, its soft surface gives your pet something fun to chew on!
