Guinea pigs love eating a variety of fruit and vegetables. Some of their favorites are romaine lettuce, sweet bell peppers, whole-leaf kale and celery.
Fresh produce contains many beneficial nutrients to support growth, digestion and nervous system function. Just remember that fruits and veggies contain high amounts of sugar so should only be given in moderation.
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Vitamin C
Guinea pigs, like humans and certain bat and primate species, cannot produce their own vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Therefore, guinea pigs who do not get an adequate intake can develop scurvy (also known as hypovitaminosis C).
The best way to give your guinea pig vitamin C is through high-quality pellets with stabilized Vitamin C and fresh, well-washed vegetables such as kale, parsley, lettuce and salad peppers. However, adding Vitamin C directly to their water only lasts eight hours and may cause dehydration.
Your guinea pig may require additional vitamin C if they are growing, pregnant, nursing young babies or sick. In these instances, supplement their diet by giving them liquid Vitamin C solution through a dropper or syringe.
Flavonoids
Guinea pigs are herbivorous animals, meaning they must consume hay to stay healthy. Timothy grass and orchard grass are popular choices; however, for optimal growth they also require foods like fruits and vegetables.
Studies indicate that flavonoids like quercetin and rutin may help prevent the accumulation of cholesterol (CH) and triglycerides (TG) in the liver, as well as reduce expression of the gene responsible for producing this TG in hepatocytes: DGAT2.
Most guinea pigs enjoy snacking on apple slices, but it is essential that any seeds be removed as these pose a choking hazard. Also avoid canned or dried varieties of apples as these contain sugar and other unsuitable ingredients for their diets; stick with fresh or stewed apples which are much safer – one or two medium-sized apples per week is sufficient food for your pet guinea pig!
Calcium
Guinea pigs need ample calcium in their diet in order to ensure proper teeth development and strong bones. Absorption takes place via the digestive tract before passing to their kidneys where any excess is eliminated as urine. When too much calcium is consumed by guinea pigs it may lead to bladder stones or even lead to an accumulation of waste material in their bladder which leads to infections and disease.
To lower calcium consumption in their guinea pigs, owners may wish to consider supplementing part of their pellets with fresh vegetables that contain lower concentrations of calcium such as parsley and kale. Furthermore, encourage your pet to drink more water, which will dilute calcium concentration in urine and help avoid bladder sludge formation.
Phosphorous
Guinea pigs need enough protein in their diet for proper development and growth. Poor diet has been linked to muscle dystrophy, metabolic calcification of bones, pregnancy issues and difficulty with teeth or digestion issues.
Dietary calcium-to-phosphorus ratio is essential, with an ideal ratio being 1.3:1. You can achieve this through eating fresh food such as broccoli.
Young guinea pigs should initially be fed alfalfa hay with high calcium content; as they age and begin developing teeth issues it would be wiser to switch over to Timothy hay with lower calcium content to protect their dental health and avoid issues. It is crucial that there is always enough hay on hand in order to ensure good dental health in your pet and avoid any health complications down the road.
Fiber
Guinea pigs need fiber for proper digestion and to prevent issues like bladder stones. Furthermore, this ensures their blood remains healthy which in turn ensures optimal vision as well as nerve and muscle function.
Vitamin C is also necessary to ensure their body can utilize the protein they consume for growth; since humans cannot make their own vitamin C, they must obtain it through food sources.
Add vegetables to your guinea pig’s diet in order to increase vitamins and minerals intake, such as green or red peppers, parsley, romaine lettuce (not iceberg), or dandelion greens – but always consult your veterinarian before adding anything new!
