Hay is an essential element in their diet and provides most of their essential nutrients.
Hay is also important in keeping their teeth from becoming overgrown, which could pose health problems for their pet. Make sure they always have access to some kind of hay; experiment with different varieties until you find out which your pet prefers most!
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Timothy Hay
Hay is the cornerstone of a guinea pig’s diet and provides most of their nutrition. Their digestive systems were originally designed around feeding their guinea pigs hay-based food; without it, serious and life-threatening stomach conditions may arise that need medical treatment.
The optimal guinea pig hay should possess a fresh scent with some green hue. Additionally, it should be free from additives and mold growth. Store away from direct sunlight in an airtight environment to prevent it from being affected by strong-smelling products such as cleaning supplies or perfumes that could absorb any odours into its fibers.
Guinea pigs cannot consume all their food at once, so they break it into small pellets called caecotrophs that they excrete via their cecum and colons before digesting and eating again for the nutrition they provide to their bodies. Hay is essential in their digestion as well as keeping their teeth healthy.
Orchard Grass
Orchard grass hay offers similar nutrition and price to Timothy hay; however, its main difference lies in its reduced calcium content which may help guinea pigs prone to bladder stones. Furthermore, orchard grass contains plenty of stems which help grind teeth while also providing essential fibre.
Many hay farms now provide a combination of orchard grass and timothy for the best experience with their guinea pigs, who don’t seem to appreciate alfalfa and may easily develop allergies to it.
Be wary of hay with added seeds, grains or fruit as this can encourage picky eating. Instead, use vitamin C-fortified pellets daily – one eighth cup is sufficient – along with providing plenty of fresh hay as well as vitamin C-rich veggies and fruits to supplement their diet.
Alfalfa
Hay is an essential component of a guinea pig’s diet as it supplies most of their daily nutrition. Their digestive systems have evolved around regular consumption of hay, and without it functioning optimally they could experience serious health issues or even life-threatening situations that threaten them.
Hay is an excellent source of both vitamins and fiber for your guinea pig’s diet, making up the bulk of their nutrition. Timothy or orchard grass varieties should make up most of its diet.
As part of their diet, guinea pigs should receive fresh leafy vegetables, limited fruit, and pellets as supplemental items a few times each week in small quantities.
Avoid offering sweet treats like yogurt drops, nuts, seeds and popcorn that contain high levels of sugar as these can lead to serious medical problems for guinea pigs. Provide ample fresh water sources within their enclosure as this will also provide a source of hydration.
Pea Pods
Your pigs should receive high quality Timothy hay and vegetables as part of a varied diet, providing all the nutrition they require for good health. Although fresh fruit and veg should still be offered occasionally, hay should form the bulk of their diet.
Hay is essential to the wellbeing of guinea pigs as it supplies their digestive systems with essential roughage for proper function. Guinea pigs also grow new teeth constantly and chewing hay can help wear down those newly emerging ones to ensure that they remain short and healthy.
Hay is a high source of fibre, so it’s vital that your guinea pig has access to it throughout their day. Hay can be placed throughout their cage, fed into a feeder or provided through a rack; just be sure not to store it somewhere that may become moist; this could lead to mould growth which is harmful for their health.
