Guinea pigs consume up to 80% of their diet as hay. Timothy is usually preferred, though alfalfa or orchard grass works just as well.
Fresh vegetables should also be provided daily as part of their diet, such as one cup of greens such as romaine lettuce, red and green leaf lettuces, kale or cilantro – ideal choices.
Contents
Grass Hay
Guinea pigs are herbivorous animals that require access to high-quality grass hay at all times. Timothy or orchard grass varieties are popular choices; meadow, oat or brome varieties also make good options.
Grass hay should be an integral component of your guinea pig’s diet as it encourages foraging and grazing, helping maintain their health while wearing down teeth and reducing risk for digestive disorders.
Alongside their daily hay intake, vitamin C-fortified pellets should also be offered as part of a diet to provide their guinea pig with essential antioxidative support and immunity-building properties. This will help alleviate oxidative stress and boost their health and immunity.
As an alternative, your guinea pig may enjoy eating fresh vegetables as treats; these should only be given occasionally since they do not provide many essential vitamins and nutrients and could disrupt its digestive system.
Pellets
Pellets are a nutritious way to supplement a guinea pig’s diet. But in order to ensure optimal results, they should only ever be fed alongside fresh produce such as hay or other nutritious sources like vegetables.
Food should include vitamin C and fiber – two essential nutrients for guinea pigs. Avoid pellets containing seeds or any additional components that could pose a potential choking hazard, as this poses serious health risks to them.
Your guinea pig would also benefit from fresh vegetables and fruits offered as snacks periodically throughout the week as a means of satisfying its appetite without upsetting its stomach. Be sure to offer these in small amounts in order to prevent upset stomach.
Some guinea pig owners opt to supplement their guinea pig’s diet with multivitamin or mineral wheels as an occasional treat; these foods should only ever be considered non-natural foods and shouldn’t lead to obesity or dental issues in your pet.
Vegetables
Guinea pigs should be provided with fresh, safe vegetables each day as a source of nutrition, such as vitamins, phosphorus, calcium and oxalates – essential components that contribute to overall good health and strong bodies for these aquatic mammals.
Leafy greens and vegetables with vibrant hues such as broccoli, kale, cabbage, cauliflower and brussels sprouts are delicious options that provide essential vitamin C to support a healthy immune system and may help to prevent bladder stones.
Corn, cucumbers and peas are excellent food sources for guinea pigs. Corn contains high levels of starch; therefore it should only be given in small doses and only occasionally.
Care should be taken when feeding too many vegetables as this could cause diarrhea and bloating in guinea pigs, and may increase their susceptibility to bladder stones due to eating foods rich in oxalates.
Fruits
Guinea pigs are natural herbivores and should receive an abundant supply of fruits and vegetables in their diet in order to remain healthy while providing essential vitamins and minerals.
Fresh fruit should only be given in moderation to guinea pigs as a treat and should only be given once or twice per day, as too much may cause obesity and health issues.
Alternately, offering them some fruit once or twice each week may also provide them with their vitamin C requirements. When giving out fruit to them it’s important to remember to remove its seeds as these can pose choking hazards and may also contain toxic elements that should not be consumed by children.
Guinea Pigs love eating fruits such as bananas, cantaloupe, strawberries, watermelons and blueberries! All these treats will surely delight their palate but make sure that as these contain sugar it is only consumed occasionally to avoid overeating.
