Guinea Pigs should receive one cup of fresh vegetables and fruits per day. These should include dark leafy vegetables such as rocket and dandelion greens, carrot tops (without seeds), cucumber and kale.
Broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower contain vitamin C, calcium and phosphorus – three essential nutrients! Avoid eating sweet treats such as strawberries and rhubarb which contain more sugar; these could cause digestive upset.
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Hay
Guinea pigs love eating hay, making a constant supply essential. Hay provides numerous health benefits that include aiding digestion, preventing gut stasis, restricting teeth growth and acting as a place for relaxation.
Hay should account for at least 80% of your guinea pig’s diet. There are various varieties to choose from; Timothy hay is most recommended and must be free from dust and other contaminants while also possessing a sweet smell.
Orchard hay can also make a tasty treat for guinea pigs who don’t seem too fond of Western Timothy hay, as it contains leafy greens while being less grain-heavy than its Western Timothy counterpart. Orchard hay could even help your pet make friends!
Pellets
Guinea Pigs often obtain most of their nutritional needs through eating grasses such as hay or meadow grasses, similar to how humans graze on plants for nutrition. This hay-based diet mimics their natural herbivorous diet and allows their teeth to wear down naturally without becoming overgrown, which could result in serious dental issues for your pet.
Guinea Pig pellets contain all the necessary vitamins and minerals needed for optimal growth, such as folic acid, biotin, choline and niacin.
Add fresh vegetables and fruit to a pelleted diet can enhance its nutritional value. A variety of leafy greens, herbs, cucumber (without seeds) and turnip greens should be provided daily as part of their feeding routine; dandelions should only be given sparingly due to high starch content.
Vegetables
Guinea Pigs are natural herbivores and require a diverse array of vegetables in their diet to remain healthy. Some of their favourites are romaine lettuce, sweet corn on the cob (without seeds and core), cucumber and leafy greens such as spinach or kale for optimal nutrition. While carrots can also be enjoyed occasionally as they contain sugar that could lead to dental issues and lead to the formation of oxalate stones in their teeth.
Broccoli and cauliflower are great vegetables to give to kids as they contain a lot of vitamin C, while both flat and curly varieties of parsley make tasty snacks for snack time.
Assuring your guinea pig receives ample fresh vegetable and hay is crucial to their happiness, health, and activity levels. Always provide high-quality grass pellets like Oxbow as well as access to Timothy hay in their daily diet.
Fruits
Guinea pigs may enjoy enjoying fruits as treats; just make sure that only small portions are offered and that all seeds have been removed (as they present a potential choking risk). Some examples include strawberries, apples, pears, watermelons, bananas, oranges and grapefruit.
Timothy hay is the primary food for guinea pigs and supplemented by fresh fruits and vegetables such as romaine lettuce, spring greens, carrots, sweet bell peppers (without seeds and cores removed), cucumber, and parsley are some of the favorites among them.
All these foods are low in sugar and rich in essential vitamins and minerals, making them great additions to your guinea pig’s diet. Variety is also vital, as guinea pigs may suffer from vitamin deficiency from eating one type of food every day.
Water
Water is vitally important to guinea pigs as it serves several key functions within their bodies: temperature regulation, joint lubrication and spinal cord protection, digestion aiding waste removal as well as preventing calcium build-up which could otherwise lead to bladder stones in older animals.
Guinea Pig Diet Basics | Timothy Hay and Pellets with Vitamin C fortification and Fresh Vegetables (or equivalent). Avoid pellet blends that contain seeds, dried fruit or grains as these could contribute to obesity as well as being devoid of key vitamins.
Everyday, ensure your kids receive a wide variety of fresh vegetables. Try offering dark leafed greens such as rocket, dandelion and snow peas as well as herbs such as marjoram, borage, nasturtium and rosemary.
