Guinea pigs require plenty of Vitamin C to maintain the health of their teeth and bones. A good source is Timothy or alfalfa hay as well as plain food pellets.
Vegetables are essential in their diet, but too much may cause problems. A good serving size would include one or two orange pepper slices (half a cup) combined with various other veggies twice each week as part of their food mix.
Contents
Hay
Guinea Pigs require daily access to hay (timothy or orchard is best), fresh vegetables and plain food pellets; their diet should consist of leafy greens such as romaine lettuce, red and green leaf lettuce, mustard or turnip greens cabbage kale and cilantro as a core element.
Guinea pigs cannot produce Vitamin C themselves, making bell peppers an excellent source of this vital nutrient. Although any color of bell pepper will do, green and yellow ones tend to contain less sugar while offering up the highest vitamin C concentrations.
Oranges and tangerines are rich sources of Vitamin C, but should be enjoyed sparingly due to their high sugar content. Before eating either fruit, be sure to remove all peelings and seeds prior to feeding it to yourself or others.
Fresh Vegetables
Guinea pigs should consume an diet consisting of approximately 80% timothy and alfalfa hay, 10% fresh fruits and vegetables, and 5% pellets. Fresh foods should be offered once daily in addition to their usual feed of hay and pellets; fruits high in sugar such as kiwis, strawberries, oranges or citrus should only occasionally be offered – no more than one cup daily should be allowed per guinea pig.
Leafy greens such as romaine lettuce, red and green leafy vegetables, turnip greens, mustard or collard greens, kale, parsley or cilantro should form the bulk of their diet. Cauliflower should be avoided due to it causing gassy effects which could potentially lead to health problems including digestive upset, kidney disease and bladder stones in your pet.
Sweet peppers can provide a healthy dose of Vitamin C for your guinea pigs when offered in moderation as treats, providing tasty rewards without adverse digestive or behavioral consequences. Be mindful to give small doses at a time and monitor for any digestive or behavioral reactions in your pet.
Orange Bell Peppers
Sweet bell peppers (such as the orange ones cited earlier) provide an excellent source of Vitamin C for guinea pigs, along with antioxidants, folate, and potassium. Tomatoes should be avoided due to their high sugar content as too much could lead to weight gain, dental issues and digestive issues in your pet.
Guinea pigs should consume a diet comprised of hay, commercial pellets, fresh fruits and vegetables twice each day – in an ideal world you should give them both!
Fruits and vegetables provided to guinea pigs should never take the place of their regular diet of hay, but should serve as an addition to meet their nutritional needs. When feeding bell peppers to your guinea pigs, avoid feeding seeds as these pose serious choking hazards; skin and flesh of peppers pose no such risks to their health.
Plain Food Pellets
Guinea pigs require a balanced diet composed of hay, commercial pellets and fresh fruits and vegetables in their daily regimen. Produce such as fruits like kiwis, strawberries and citrus can provide fiber, vitamins and minerals as well as providing water sources for them. Just be wary when feeding too many fruits as their consumption could cause digestive upset in certain guinea pigs.
Green and yellow peppers are naturally low in sugar content and should be fed regularly as part of your pet’s diet. Red and orange peppers should be offered less often for optimal nutrition.
Be sure to remove the seeds as they pose a choking hazard, and be sure to wash all produce thoroughly prior to feeding it to your guinea pigs. Also, it’s advisable to introduce new food gradually each day, rather than giving a large quantity all at once, so as to prevent digestive upset or allergic reactions.
