First-time guinea pig owners often are surprised to discover their pet needs a constant source of high-quality hay for dental and digestive health reasons. Hay provides essential fiber necessary for small animals’ optimal wellbeing.
Make sure the hay you purchase contains plenty of stems; this will help grind down their ever-expanding teeth while providing maximum fibre content.
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Orchard Grass
Fiber, Fats and Proteins in this hay are in perfect balance; making it an excellent alternative for people with allergies who can’t tolerate Timothy hay.
Always keep hay available to guinea pigs as it provides essential nutrition. Make sure they eat it every day for maximum efficiency!
When choosing a hay to feed to your cavie, always opt for one free from alfalfa (which may cause bladder stones). Also avoid mixed hay bales unless they specifically state which types are included.
Your local pet store and feed store should carry an assortment of high-quality hay for your guinea pig’s needs, including orchard grass varieties. As this food source is essential to their diet, an endless supply must be available for them.
Timothy Hay
Guinea pigs love Timothy Hay, as it provides plenty of fiber to prevent their teeth from overgrowing. However, for optimal results it should be stored out of direct sunlight and heat as this could dry it out and degrade its nutritional value while also helping prevent mold growth.
Orchard hay is another top choice among guinea pig owners. Similar to Timothy hay, but featuring more leafiness and less stalks. Plus it contains moderate protein levels while boasting high fiber levels!
Meadow hay is comprised of long green strands of grasses, flowers, seed heads, and other plant material. Though less popular than Timothy or Orchard hay varieties, some guinea pigs may prefer it due to its increased variety.
Oat hay is another less-than-usual variety of guinea pig hay that may not be as familiar to their owners, yet can serve as a great substitute if your piggie is allergic to other types. It typically appears yellow in color and contains high levels of fiber, fats and proteins – all essential elements for health in their diets.
Meadow Hay
Quality hay is essential to your guinea pig’s wellbeing, as it helps wear down their constantly growing teeth, keeping them at an ideal length and preventing overgrown or misalignment issues that could lead to issues like tongue entrapment or malocclusion. Without adequate amounts of quality hay available, overgrown teeth could result in serious problems like tongue entrapment or malocclusion that require serious treatment from vets.
Meadow hay is composed of long strands of grass, flowers, and seed heads woven together. It’s soft but still nutritious enough for guinea pigs; often combined with plants such as dandelions or thistles that appeal to them further making this food source appealing to them.
Alfalfa hay can be beneficial to nursing or very young guinea pigs, however older ones should avoid it as its high concentration of calcium could lead to bladder sludge and other health issues. Instead it should be offered occasionally as treats or mixed in with other hays to add variety.
Mixed Hay Bales
Hay is an important component of your small pet’s diet as it provides them with essential dietary fibre. Without it, they could suffer from digestive issues like bloat or gut stasis – both potentially fatal conditions for them.
When purchasing hay, it is essential that it has not been exposed to excessive sunlight, heat or humidity as this will diminish its nutritional value. Furthermore, it should smell sweet and grassy with minimal dust; any bad batches will contain musty or mouldy scents and become dark or crumble.
Hay in bale form can be an economical and high-quality way to provide their guinea pig with food and shelter at once. When stored correctly, these bales of hay may last months or years in storage and double up as both bedding and nutrition for your pet!
