Guineas spend much of their day eating. Make sure there is always access to grass hay and pellets (but be wary if they become overfed!), vegetables and fruits available as treats for them to munch on.
Always provide your pet with an assortment of leafy greens and herbs, such as parsley, romaine lettuce (not iceberg lettuce which has low nutritional value and may cause loose stools), carrot tops and bell peppers as these foods can all be safely consumed.
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Hay
Guinea pigs are herbivores, so hay should be their main diet staple to aid with digestion and limit tooth growth. Fresh Timothy Hay should be offered daily in large amounts to ensure maximum health and comfort for these little pets.
The American SPCA recommends feeding your pet an ideal diet composed of 80% hay, 5% pellets and 15% fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs such as leafy greens. Foods high in vitamin C should also be given, although certain items like iceberg lettuce and potato skins contain high concentrations of nitrates while some varieties of rhubarb leaves can be toxic to guinea pigs.
Your guinea pig needs a diet rich in hay, pellets, vegetables, fruit and water for their wellbeing. Since they don’t produce their own Vitamin C production on their own, it is vital that they receive daily exposure to foods rich in these vitamins.
Pellets
Guinea pigs require high-fibre hay as the primary component of their diet, supplemented by pellet food and fresh vegetables. A consistent supply of vitamin C-rich foods is necessary as guinea pigs cannot produce their own Vitamin C and may develop scurvy without adequate sources.
Pellet food should only be fed occasionally and combined with a hay feeder to promote foraging. Too much food will cause weight gain; vegetables should consist of mostly leafy greens with limited fruit consumption due to their higher sugar content – though fruit should never form the main part of their diet. Guinea pigs require constant access to clean drinking water that should be regularly changed out and maintained.
Vegetables
Guinea pigs require an abundance of vegetables in their diet. They require leafy greens and herbs as well as fruits as sources of vitamins, minerals and vitamin C; these should be provided 1-2 times every week; fruits should only be offered occasionally as treats as they contain high levels of sugar.
Timothy hay should make up a majority of their diet; it helps ensure dental health and digestion.
Alfalfa hay and pellets should only be given to pregnant or nursing mothers guinea pigs as it contains high amounts of calcium that could lead to bladder stones, while tomatoes contain acidity which could aggravate sores in their mouth. It’s best to only offer such foods when fresh and healthy!
Fruits
Guinea pigs are herbivorous animals and must consume fresh vegetables rich in Vitamin C. The following is an ideal food chart for your guinea pig; it features foods like romaine lettuce, kale, parsley, sweet peppers and tomatoes as well as fruits such as apples and bananas – avoid grape pits, pear seeds and avocado pits as they could potentially be toxic for your pet!
The chart also illustrates how often to feed each vegetable and fruit to your guinea pigs, with most people opting to give a cup of vegetables every day if possible; you can adjust their consumption according to your schedule. Make sure they always have access to fresh water; they can quickly become dehydrated without regular access; one great solution would be providing them with a water bottle that can be easily emptied, rinsed, and refilled each day for ease.
Water
Guinea pigs must always have access to clean water, with drinking habits monitored to ensure they receive enough. A non-tip bowl or bottle should be provided and regularly inspected for signs of blockages or leakage.
Hay should make up the bulk of your guinea pig’s diet and should ideally consist of Timothy or meadow hay, to avoid high calcium content that could potentially lead to bladder stones in older guineas.
Fresh vegetables should form an integral part of your guinea pig’s diet and should be provided on an ongoing basis. Aim to provide a variety of veggies such as dark greens, celery and cucumber while limiting acidic vegetables like tomatoes that could potentially lead to dental issues in your pet.