Guinea pigs are herbivores by nature, spending much of their time foraging for food in the wild. Guinea pigs require plenty of roughage in order to wear down their constantly expanding teeth and maintain digestive health.
Hay should be the primary food item and a high quality pellet mix is also essential. Vegetables should be limited as they contain high amounts of sugar that can cause gastrointestinal distress. Rhubarb contains high concentrations of oxalate acid which binds calcium in bladder stones in guinea pigs.
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Pellets
Pelletized food may seem like an easy and convenient solution for providing your pet with all the nutrients it requires, but guinea pigs require more than simply pellets to live healthily. For best results, food that does not include seeds or dried fruit could potentially cause obesity and dental disease issues in guinea pigs.
Quality feed for guinea pigs is also of vital importance, and should include non-added hays as well as premium pellets such as Oxbow Essentials Adult Guinea Pig Pellets. Alfalfa hay is too high in calcium for these creatures.
Consider finding pellets that contain vitamin C as guinea pigs are unable to produce enough of this vitamin on their own and could become at risk of scurvy without adequate amounts. The top guinea pig pellets typically include stabilized vitamin C for optimal health; you can supplement their diet with additional sources like dark leafy greens and fruits as needed.
Hay
Hay is the foundation of any guinea pig’s diet. It provides essential fiber, nutrients, and helps wear down their teeth properly; without sufficient supplies of hay available they could develop dental issues that are costly to remedy.
When selecting hay for guinea pigs with respiratory conditions, look for something fresh, fragrant and non-dusty. Some pet parents use paper grocery bags flipped on their side as an effective means of offering their pets their food while limiting dust inhalation.
If you can’t find quality grass hay, small animal or orchard hay may be an adequate substitute. When selecting alfalfa hay as its high levels of protein and fiber may not be suitable for your guinea pig’s needs. Fruit can also be offered from time to time as treats if its sugar content doesn’t exceed 30g per week.
Fruit
Guinea pigs need vegetables and fruit in their diets, but only small amounts should be fed at any one time. Too much fruit can lead to weight gain or digestive upset if fed too frequently; therefore it is wiser to limit their consumption once or twice each week.
Fruits that can make an excellent treat for your guinea pig include oranges (with their peels), kiwis, strawberries and bananas. Apples are another delicious treat and provide Vitamin C, potassium and fiber; just be sure to remove all seeds and cores so your pet doesn’t struggle digesting their meals!
Fresh leafy greens should be included as part of a weekly meal. Aim to include dark leafy varieties such as rocket, dandelion, romaine, Bibb lettuce as well as herbs like marjoram, borage marigold basil parsley chives and mint for optimal nutrition.
Feed your guinea pigs various vegetables, such as tomatoes, sweet bell peppers (with seeds removed), cabbage, zucchini, carrot tops, radish leaves, turnip greens, Brussels sprouts and kale.
Vegetables
Guinea pigs are herbivores and should receive plenty of vegetables to supply their vitamins needs. Vegetables low in sugar and oxalates such as romaine lettuce, spinach, carrot tops, celery leaves and mint should be fed several times each week to meet this objective.
Avoid high-sugar vegetables like berries and bananas as these can contribute to dental issues in guinea pigs. Oranges and pineapples contain acid which could result in mouth sores if given too often.
Farm shops or farmer’s markets often carry inexpensive vegetables for you and your pet to purchase at reasonable costs. If you have the space, consider planting some yourself if possible; herbs in particular make easy plants to cultivate yourself that will save money over buying ready-grown plants from supermarkets. Avoid offering your pet iceberg lettuce which contains large amounts of water without much nutritional benefit, and potato leaves which contain toxins which could cause tummy upset; try offering something more nutritional like broccoli, collard greens, kale mustard greens turnip greens or even fennel leaves instead.
