If your young guinea pig has been fed muesli-style diets, the transition should be gradual; sudden shifts may result in digestive upset.
For optimal nutrition, provide unlimited grass hay as well as fresh leafy greens and vegetables suitable for guinea pigs on a daily basis. Add vitamin C-rich fruits like kiwis, strawberries or citrus only as treats occasionally as these may be high in sugar.
Contents
Hay
Hay is an essential component of guinea pig diets; its high fibre content helps maintain digestive health and avoid issues like bloat or intestinal stasis.
Always look for high-quality timothy-based hay. Aim for one with bright green hue, plenty of stems (the delicious bits!) and minimal dust – as dust can lead to respiratory problems that need to be prevented at any cost.
Meadow hay (common cat’s tail hay) can also be an option; this consisting of long strands of grass, leaves and seed heads is popular with guinea pigs as it tends to be cheaper than its counterpart timothy and has crunchy seed heads they love!
Alfalfa hay is technically not grass, but more like a legume with high calcium content that may lead to kidney or bladder stones in guinea pigs. Still, pregnant sows and young piglets may find some benefit in providing it for them during gestation or lactation.
Pellets
Young guinea pigs need balanced nutrition that may be difficult to achieve from homemade mixes, so pellet food from Small Pet Select provides this. Our premium Timothy-based pellet is fortified with vitamin C to keep your little one in tiptop health! Pellets should be fed periodically throughout the day (approx. one tablespoon per guinea pig), and supplemented by hay which should account for at least 80% of their diet.
It is also essential to evaluate the ingredients in a pellet and avoid those with lots of fruit, nuts or seeds which provide no nutritional benefit to guinea pigs. Furthermore, foods high in sugar could contribute to obesity or diabetes in their caretakers.
Keep in mind that guinea pigs cannot produce their own Vitamin C, so it is crucial they receive plenty of fresh vegetables containing high levels of this essential nutrient such as romaine lettuce, red or green leafy veggies and herbs like parsley on a daily basis.
Fresh Vegetables
Fresh vegetables should form an integral part of their daily diet, yet be sure to vary which vegetables they receive, as their nutrient levels can differ considerably from one vegetable to the next. As an ideal goal, fruits and veggies should make up no more than 5 percent of daily caloric intake for your guinea pig.
Your guinea pig should consume leafy greens like romaine lettuce, red or green leaf lettuce, mustard or turnip greens, cabbage, kale and cilantro as these provide essential micronutrients and antioxidants while being low in starches and sugars.
Carrots should only be offered occasionally as their high sugar content may cause digestive upsets in guinea pigs. Other healthy vegetables that should be offered include radicchio (high in Vitamin C and other essential nutrients), sweet bell peppers and carrot tops; avoid iceberg lettuce as it may contain toxic compounds; potatoes are too starchy and could potentially lead to health risks from overeating; while broccoli’s high oxalic acid content could result in bladder stones formation.
Treats
Guinea pigs love to chew on things, so giving them safe treats such as rice pops or apple sticks can help maintain good oral hygiene. Avoid giving too many sweet-flavored treats such as candy and fruit; such foods contain high amounts of sugar that could potentially cause sores or diarrhea in guinea pigs.
Avoid giving your guinea pig seeds and nuts as these could contain too many hard pieces that could damage their teeth or digestive tract. Instead, try Oxbow Simple Rewards made of freeze-dried fruits and herbs without added sugars or seeds as an alternative treat option.
If your guinea pig stops eating or seems disoriented, this may be a telltale sign of illness and should be seen by a veterinarian right away. They will be able to advise on treatment as well as provide guidance as to what you should feed it in the meantime.
