Guinea pigs must be fed a variety of fruits, vegetables, hay and fruit in small amounts to maintain good health. Fresh veggies such as broccoli, cauliflower and brussel sprouts may cause gas in our tiny friends if fed regularly!
Guinea pigs require vitamin C as they cannot produce it themselves, making vitamin-C-fortified pellets an integral component of their diet.
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Hay
Hay is an integral component of any herbivorous pet’s diet, helping maintain optimal dental and digestive health, as well as offering them a source of fibre. Guinea pigs should have access to high-quality timothy or oat hay at all times; foraging behavior may also be encouraged by hiding small piles of it inside toilet roll tubes, natural cardboard boxes, or untreated wicker baskets.
Timothy hay is a great choice for your guinea pig’s diet as it provides ample fiber and balance of essential vitamins and nutrients. For something different, meadow hay bales contain grasses with clover along with bits from flowers, seed heads, legumes and small sticks – as well as long grass strands which promote digestion and increase gut motility.
Vegetables
Guinea pigs need to be fed a wide range of vegetables each day to meet their daily vitamin and mineral needs, which cannot be obtained from just eating hay alone. Common vegetables for feeding guinea pigs include carrots, bell peppers, kale, collard greens, turnip greens and zucchini; though individual preferences will differ. Cruciferous veggies such as broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts tend to contain high levels of calcium that may cause digestive upset such as diarrhea in many guinea pigs.
As part of a balanced diet, it’s also essential that we provide our kids with an assortment of leafy veggies such as lettuce, dandelion greens, parsley, cilantro, watercress and mint. They should be provided in small portions daily so as to maintain balance within their diet. Fruit treats should only be offered once or twice every week since too much can lead to gastrointestinal problems if consumed frequently.
Fruits
Fruits and vegetables should form an integral part of a guinea pig’s diet, providing essential fiber, vitamin A, B-6 and C sources. Bananas (wash them thoroughly!) and apples are staple foods; other options can include banana peel, kiwi papaya strawberries as treats in small quantities; parsley, chives and basil are also good additions.
As part of an optimal diet, it’s wise to provide an assortment of fruits and vegetables daily. Excellent choices include green leafy vegetables, romaine butterhead and bibb lettuces, sweet or red bell peppers (with seeds), carrot tops and cores, zucchini, dandelion leaves, red deadnettle plants, plantains cleavers celery; mangos or figs should be avoided due to high sugar content.
Treats
Fruit and/or vegetables make healthy treats that can add variety and enjoyment to the diet of guinea pigs, and should be chosen with care as low-sugar options with lots of fiber and essential nutrients. Avoid treats made of materials like hay that contain too much sweetness as these may lead to obesity, digestive issues, sores around the mouth or other serious medical problems.
Guinea pigs require daily doses of fiber from long timothy or orchard grass hay to keep their digestive system moving smoothly and to prevent their teeth from over-erupting (known as dental striations). Vitamin C cannot be produced on its own and must be obtained through food sources; rotating fruits, vegetables and leafy greens daily helps ensure they get all of the essential vitamins they require and also prevent your pet from getting bored with eating the same thing each time!