Guinea pigs are herbivores and require a diet rich in various types of vegetables in order to remain healthy. Timothy hay should constitute most of their daily nutrition with fresh produce provided occasionally throughout the week.
Avoid feeding them any type of meat as their digestive systems may not be prepared to deal with it and it can be extremely harmful.
Contents
1. Garlic
Guinea pigs cannot digest garlic due to its toxic components. The bulbs contain an organic chemical known as n-propyl disulphide that disrupts red blood cell formation and may lead to anemia as well as other health complications.
A guinea pig’s basic diet consists of unlimited timothy-based hay and pellets, supplemented by fresh, well-washed vegetables high in vitamin C such as bell peppers (including stems and cores), endive, turnip greens, cauliflower kale cucumber.
Avoid fruit with seeds or pits as these could present a choking risk. Citrus fruits tend to be high in both sugar and acidity levels and should only be fed in small amounts.
2. Rhubarb
Guinea pigs are typically selectors and, when living in their natural environment, would consume large amounts of energy-rich plant matter daily. Therefore, supplement their diet with fresh vegetables and fruit high in Vitamin C content for maximum nutritional benefit.
Ideal vegetables to feed to pets include spring greens, kale, carrots and celeriac; sweet peppers (including seeds and cores) and cucumber. Romaine butterhead and bib lettuce is another good choice. Avoid offering your pet light-coloured vegetables that offer low nutrition value or contain too much sugar, calcium or oxalates as these may pose health issues; such foods should only be given once or twice every week at most.
3. Dandelions
Guinea pigs are herbivorous animals that prefer grazing over any other activity, requiring roughage for chewing and wearing down their teeth as well as plenty of fresh foods to meet nutritional requirements.
Green and red leaf lettuces, romaine, endive, spinach, kale and broccoli are excellent vegetables to include in daily feedings for cats and kittens. In addition, they can snack on dark leafy herbs such as marjoram, borage marigold nasturtium as well as dandelion leaves (without roots), parsley watercress and nettle tops – and there may even be opportunities for experimentation!
Turnip greens contain vitamin C as well as calcium and phosphorus, making them suitable for occasional consumption.
4. Apples
Guinea pigs require an adequate source of vitamin C, which cannot be synthesized by their digestive systems. Try offering fruits and vegetables high in Vitamin C content like blackberries, strawberries, oranges, bananas, kiwis or citrus fruit to meet this need.
Children need a range of other vegetables in their diets, including turnip greens (with their high ratio of calcium to phosphorus), watercress, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower.
Garlic and onions, both rich in allium, should also be avoided as these foods contain toxic elements which can poison guinea pigs. Instead, opt for low sugar vegetables and treats which will keep teeth healthy while combatting obesity.
5. Beetroot
Guinea pigs are natural foragers that primarily feed on plants like grass, leaves, shoots, flowers and some berries. Since their digestive system was not meant to digest meat, dairy, high carb foods like bread pasta crackers chocolate citrus fruit should also be avoided as these can cause tummy upsets and other forms of stomach discomfort. Other food items to stay away from include raw potatoes which contain solanine that is toxic as well as anything with oxalates such as beet greens strawberries spinach that contain oxalates as these could lead to urinary tract stones forming in later years.
To ensure that your guinea pig receives optimal nutrition, provide unlimited Timothy Hay and fresh vegetables and fruits twice weekly.
6. Cauliflower
A healthy guinea pig diet should consist of at least 80% quality hay (preferably second cut timothy) and 20% fresh vegetables and herbs, including grass if it has not been treated with herbicides or pesticides.
Guinea pigs require plenty of fibre and vitamin C in their diets. Cauliflower stalks are an excellent source of Vitamin C without as much added sugar than broccoli or oranges; beetroot also boasts this essential nutrient; both can reduce oxalates levels too! However, be mindful that these foods may cause gas build-up.
