Guinea pigs rely on high-fiber Timothy hay to aid their digestion, maintain dental health and satisfy their chewing instinct. Fiber also keeps their gut moving smoothly to prevent blockages (also called an obstruction).
Kaytee Timothy Complete is made with premium sun-cured timothy hay that does not include seeds or additional food items that would not benefit small animal diets. Formulated to provide essential nutrition and include vitamin C which supports immune health.
Contents
What is a guinea pig?
Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) are highly social animals that enjoy human companionship. With short legs, four toes on their forefeet and three on the hind feet and sharp claws, guinea pigs make excellent exploration companions, using scent and hearing to explore their environment; learning routes to food quickly. Guinea pigs excel as jumping but poor climbers; they may freeze or run if startled suddenly causing further stress to them and their owner alike.
Guinea pigs must have access to hay for at least 85-90% of their diet. Hay helps keep teeth trimmed and digestive system functioning well while providing much-needed fibre. Guinea pigs also require fresh and safe leafy greens on a daily basis as Guinea pigs can develop picky eating habits if food presented isn’t fresh and appealing, leading them into disease or even death.
The Natural Diet
Guinea pigs, like all small animals, require ample amounts of high-quality, premium timothy hay to help maintain good oral hygiene and provide essential fibre sources. In addition, vitamin C-fortified pellets should also be offered, along with fresh fruits, vegetables and water as essential daily foodstuffs.
Natural diets require plenty of fresh timothy hay and grass to support gut health and chew fibre to wear down teeth as they continually develop. A lack of this nutritious food may result in gut stasis.
Kaytee Timothy Complete Guinea Pig Food is developed by experts in animal nutrition. This diet features hand-selected timothy hay as well as essential vitamins and minerals formulated specifically for small animals, fortified with vitamin C and free from loose seeds or sugary fruit – these may cause dental issues as well as weight gain in small animals. In order to maximize health outcomes it is also wise to avoid feeding muesli-style mixes (brightly colored pellets containing many seeds and flakes), as these high in sugar content while lacking in fibre content – these should also be avoided as these high in sugar content is low on the food chain.
Pelleted Food
Guinea pigs require an abundance of fibre from hay and grass in order to keep their guts moving freely, their teeth in good shape, and satisfy their natural chewing habit. Furthermore, they require vitamin C-rich foods like fresh timothy hay/grass piles as well as fresh greens* which will provide sufficient amounts (mown grass can make them sickly).
Many pellets contain alfalfa hay which may lead to weight gain and kidney stone problems in adult guinea pigs, making it important that you read through and check the ingredients list of any pellet you purchase. Furthermore, try and avoid selecting products with high amounts of proteins and sugar such as oatmeal, molasses or soy in their composition.
Kaytee Timothy Complete Guinea Pig Food is made up of premium-grade Timothy hay, wheat middlings, ground wheat, dehulled soybean meal and some dried fruits and vegetables (not mown grass). Plus it includes added vitamin C for optimal nutrition! And its mix of long and short strands prevent selective feeding!
The Best Overall
Guinea pigs need plenty of fiber in order to maintain healthy digestion and digestive function, which they receive by chewing large piles of timothy hay or grass with high fiber content. Guinea pigs also chew this fiber frequently in order to wear down their continually expanding teeth – another reason it’s essential that they have access to plenty of hay and grass!
For optimal guinea pig health, pellets made exclusively of timothy hay with no seeds or sugary fruits should be chosen as they provide more nutrition to their intestinal systems and are fortified with vitamin C as well as prebiotics and probiotics that support good intestinal health.
Kaytee Timothy Complete Guinea Pig Food has been designed by an animal nutrition expert to promote your pet’s wellbeing and help ensure a happy, healthy life. Packed full of essential vitamins and nutrients including high fiber timothy hay to aid with digestive health, this complete daily diet features hand-selected Timothy Hay that’s high in long-acting vitamin C for lasting immunity and provides long-term support.
