Guinea Pigs spend up to 70% of their time foraging for food in nature; as natural herbivores they must consume plant matter in order to survive.
Weeds provide more natural nutrition for guinea pigs than vegetables and offer greater variety. Furthermore, they contain higher quantities of vitamins.
Make sure that only healthy plants – not ones with pesticide spraying – are selected for your guinea pig’s environment, as guinea pigs tend to form specific eating habits early in life and may become wary of new foods when introduced into their diets.
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Vegetables
Guinea pigs will benefit from eating both garden and supermarket vegetables, but pellets and hay should make up the bulk of their diet. Guinea pigs require plenty of roughage for chewing which wears down their teeth, helping prevent serious dental problems from developing. Leafy greens such as dandelion and chicory leaves (containing high levels of oxalic acid) as well as kale, romaine lettuce, parsley and spinach are particularly appreciated foods that will satisfy their tastebuds.
Some vegetables that guinea pigs love include carrot tops, sweet bell pepper and tomato seeds and cores, apple and pear slices, zucchini squash. Unfortunately some foods like dried beans, potatoes, garlic onions hot peppers rhubarb and iceberg lettuce should be avoided due to potential allergies or digestive issues.
Hay
Wild guinea pigs spend much of their time foraging for food and munching on hay as part of their daily diet, providing vital fiber and protecting their teeth against becoming overgrown.
Timothy hay is the most commonly fed to guinea pigs and provides essential nutrition. You should also offer orchard and meadow grass hays for maximum benefit.
Alfalfa hay, commonly referred to as legume hay, provides additional protein and calories and can be especially helpful for growing guinea pigs (6 months old or later) as well as pregnant or nursing mothers as it serves as a natural source of calcium.
Fruits
Guinea pigs enjoy fresh fruit, vegetables, and herbs and should receive an assortment each day – being sure to wash all food items first to remove pesticides and chemicals that may remain.
Purchase fruit and veggies for your guinea pig from farms, markets or organic stores whenever possible as this will often be more cost-effective and nutritious.
Foods you should feed guinea pigs include peppers (removing the seeds first), broccoli, mint, kale, cucumber, silver beet and beetroot – as well as low-sugar fruits like oranges or kiwis if possible. Too much repetition of one vegetable or herb could lead them to reject it altogether so ensure their diet stays varied by mixing up their daily meal choices a bit.
Herbs
Guinea Pigs love foraging for vegetables and herbs alike; it’s important to know which plants are safe before giving any to your pet.
Thyme is an herb that’s safe to give guineas and contains high concentrations of Vitamin C and calcium; however, as its serving should only exceed one small stem per week to avoid excess calcium intake.
Marigolds are safe to feed to guineas as well, providing an abundant supply of Vitamin C while simultaneously aiding their gut health.
Nuts
Pistachio nuts contain important vitamins and nutrients; however they should not be fed to guinea pigs as they contain high concentrations of fat and sodium which could potentially lead to kidney or bladder stones being formed by digesting such foods.
A basic diet for guinea pigs should consist of unlimited amounts of timothy hay and commercial, vitamin C fortified pellets. Furthermore, fresh vegetables and herbs such as green/red lettuce/romaine/turnip greens/collard greens should also be provided daily, alongside herbs such as dandelion leaves/flowers/cleavers/plantain/mallow/chamomile foraging can provide them with beneficial exercise! Foraging around your garden provides added stimulation! Foraging gives your guinea pig some much-needed exercise!
Seeds
Guinea pigs are grazers and don’t typically feed on seeds as part of their diet. Seeds present choking risks and have an excessively high fat content which does not fit with a low-fat guinea pig diet; furthermore they do not provide essential Vitamin C that they require in their daily meals.
Offer small quantities of seeds as an occasional treat and try not to offer too much fruit, as too much sugar could lead to obesity and digestive issues in your dog.
