Your guinea pig’s diet should consist of fresh Timothy or alfalfa hay as the cornerstone, along with access to various vegetables and occasional treats.
Vegetables include lettuce, leafy greens, bell peppers, kale, cabbage, parsley and cilantro – but try to avoid rhubarb which contains high levels of oxalic acid that could interfere with calcium absorption and lead to bladder stones.
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Tomatoes
Tomatoes are safe treats for guinea pigs and should only be fed in small amounts as treats. When offering tomatoes as treats, any seeds should be removed as these pose a choking risk to these little guys. They also contain vitamin C which is vital in their diet to avoid health issues like scurvy.
Tomatoes contain folic acid, an essential element for tissue development. Furthermore, tomatoes provide essential fiber benefits that aid digestion.
Attributes that make tomatoes safe for consumption by guinea pigs include their ripe fruit alone; any non-fruit parts like leaves or stems could be toxic and should only be given in moderation as excessive consumption could give your pet a stomachache. When offering tomatoes as treats only will ensure optimal results!
Guava
Guinea pigs cannot produce Vitamin C on their own, making it important that you provide plenty of it through food sources. A deficiency may result in scurvy, which is fatal for these tiny creatures. Leafy green vegetables like romaine lettuces and red/green lettuces, cabbage, kale and parsley should make up most of your guinea pig’s fresh produce diet.
Other vegetables you should feed occasionally to your pet include cooked brussels sprouts, carrots and tomato. Fruit can also provide healthy snacks – just be wary of giving fruits such as orange and kiwi that contain high amounts of sugar!
While these foods can add variety to your guinea pig’s diet, the mainstay should always be high-quality hay such as Oxbow Animal Health Harvest Hay Stacks made of Timothy hay that’s been hand-sorted into chunks known as “hay stacks.” High-quality hay provides essential fiber that ensures their digestive systems work effectively.
Kiwi
Kiwis are considered vegetables, yet their flesh can be safely consumed by your pet as long as its core and spikey skin have been removed. Like apples, kiwis provide necessary fiber that supports digestive health in your pet.
Kiwis contain high amounts of potassium which is beneficial for pets as it lowers the risk of heart-related issues later on. Like all fruits, however, kiwis should only be fed occasionally due to their high sugar content.
Just like humans, guinea pigs require vitamin C in their diet for protection from scurvy. Scurvy can lead to poor growth and development, reduced immunity and dental disease; typically these diets include fresh grass sources, leafy greens, other vegetables as well as specialty fortified pellets or fresh fruit; however their diet should include other sources that contain high concentrations of Vitamin C as well.
Mango
Guinea pigs enjoy fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs in their natural habitat. They spend most of their time foraging for nutritious plants and grasses such as dandelion flowers and leaves, nettle plantsain chickweed mallow and chamomile which all make excellent sources of nourishment for them to consume.
Fruits such as mangoes can provide healthy treats for guinea pigs when given in moderation and thoroughly washed prior to consumption. When feeding them a mango, be sure to remove all seeds as this contains amygdalin which, when digested by their bodies, turns into cyanide poisoning.
Mangoes are packed with vitamin C, which works synergistically with calcium to develop strong bones and teeth. Furthermore, mango is also an essential nutrient for digesting and using carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and other essential elements that the body requires for survival; furthermore it plays a vital role in blood cell formation and tissue repair processes. Guinea pigs should receive small portions of mangos at least several times weekly to maximize its benefits and promote overall good health.