As a general guideline, guinea pigs should not be left alone for more than 24 hours at a time. Their diet must include timothy hay and pellet food to provide fiber for digestion as well as roughage to wear down their teeth and vitamin C-rich vegetables for protection from scurvy.
They need access to fresh water at all times; make sure they have a water bottle or bowl with an easy-open flip top lid, or leave them an abundance of clean water bowls nearby.
Contents
1. Water
Healthy guinea pigs can survive up to 24 hours without food, but not water. Guinea pigs are susceptible to dehydration and should always have access to clean, fresh water at their disposal – this means keeping bowls, bottles and spouts full while checking regularly for possible blockages or empty spots in spouts or bottles; additionally if you must go away temporarily for short periods, leave plenty of fresh, clean water in multiple locations so one doesn’t dry up or become blocked while you’re gone.
As soon as a guinea pig loses their appetite suddenly, alarm bells should sound immediately. Being hindgut fermenters themselves, these creatures need food moving through their digestive tract at all times or they risk developing deadly condition called “gastrointestinal stasis”; so the sooner you bring your pet in for care at a vet’s, the sooner they’ll recover!
2. Hay
Guinea pigs must be fed daily compared to dogs, cats and birds who can go longer without receiving fresh food. If one stops eating altogether it should be brought immediately to your veterinarian.
Guinea pigs are hindgut fermenters and must ensure food keeps passing through their digestive systems or else risk suffering from gastrointestinal stasis, which could prove fatal.
To maintain optimal health, guinea pigs require a diet consisting of hay, pellets and fresh vegetables. Their bodies don’t produce vitamin C on its own; as an alternative source they must get it through food sources like veggies and fruits that contain high amounts of water and vitamins; do not attempt to supplement this requirement with high-fluid foods such as ice cubes or soda!
3. Veggies
Guinea pigs are herbivorous animals whose digestive systems require constant movement for nourishment. Even going 6-8 hours without food may result in the risk of GI stasis – in which intestines cease moving altogether and this condition becomes fatal.
A guinea pig eating vegetables that contain high water content could potentially outlive this timeframe; nevertheless, it’s still wise to provide a bowl or bottle of fresh water in its cage and check on it regularly to ensure maximum efficiency.
Maintain a supply of high-vitamin C foods like kiwis, strawberries and citrus which degrade quickly. Offer one timothy-based vitamin C-fortified pellet every day and supplement this diet with fresh produce three or four times weekly.
4. Critical Care
Guinea pigs were designed to constantly munch, so their digestive systems are always processing food. If their feeding stops abruptly and they experience what’s known as GI stasis (gastrointestinal stasis), this should be treated as an emergency situation requiring immediate medical intervention to protect their health and prevent long-term damage to the animal’s wellbeing.
They require access to water for proper hydration, especially as small guinea pigs can quickly overheat in warmer environments; providing plenty of fluids is crucial in order to keep them healthy.
If your guinea pig suddenly stops eating and refuses Critical Care, contact the vet immediately. Syringe feeding is an emergency procedure requiring professional expertise; your vet may suggest giving them food with added sugars and Vitamin C in it to encourage them to return to eating independently more quickly.
5. Other Food
Guinea pigs are meant to snack all day long and their digestive system works 24/7 to move food throughout their bodies. But without enough hay to consume for more than 6-8 hours, their gut can go into an abnormal state known as GI Stasis which results in severe dehydration, leading to further health issues for your furball.
If your guinea pig refuses to eat, try offering watery veggies like cucumber and lettuce that contain high water contents. Also have emergency feed available that’s specifically made to be syringe-fed if necessary – typically powdered food that includes ingredients similar to pellets but additionally provides added Vitamin C and sugars to help the animal recover faster.
