Guinea pigs are natural herbivores that spend most of their time foraging for plants to nibble on in the wild. Guinea pigs require roughage in order to wear down their teeth and aid with digestion, which also wears down teeth enamel and supports digestion.
Each day, your cat needs about one cup of fresh vegetables, with the majority consisting of leafy greens and veggies rich in vitamin C (such as carrot tops, tomatoes and raw sweet potato). Your pet may also enjoy treats occasionally — only once or twice weekly is enough!
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Vegetables
Guinea pigs enjoy eating fresh vegetables, but it is important to remember that they are vegetarians and cannot consume meat as their digestive tract does not allow it.
Guinea Pigs require plenty of long fibre in their diet in order to wear down their teeth, maintain optimal gut health, and avoid gut stasis – there are plenty of guinea pig-friendly veggies which contain this vital nutrient including leafy greens, endive, carrot tops, kale and bok choy that provide ample amounts of long fiber!
Guinea Pigs require an abundant source of Vitamin C, easily obtained through various vegetables. Bell peppers offer the greatest concentration of Vitamin C among all vegetables; other great sources include broccoli, brussels sprouts, strawberries and citrus fruits. Avoid foods high in calcium or oxalic acid (like cabbage, dill or spinach) which may cause digestive discomfort for guinea pigs.
Fruit
Guinea pigs enjoy fresh leafy vegetables, fruits, and herbs as well as natural vegetation – such as grass or other forms of vegetation that has not been fertilized with chemicals, treated with pesticides, or cut by lawnmowers – that is unfertilized, unsprayed with pesticides, or cut with lawn mowers.
Although your pet should receive their primary diet of second cut timothy hay, including fruit and vegetables can provide them with added variety. Fruit is an excellent source of vitamin C which guineas need to prevent scurvy. However, some fruits contain too much sugar; cantaloupe is one example that should only be fed in small doses since its seeds could pose a choking hazard.
Vegetables such as cucumber, broccoli, cabbage, kale, carrot tops, endive and radish make for great daily choices of nutritious produce. Although spinach contains high levels of oxalate which may lead to calcium and phosphorus stones forming, turnip greens offer an alternative that has lower concentrations of both.
Hay
Like other herbivorous creatures, guinea pigs rely heavily on hay as part of a balanced diet. Hay is one of their preferred foods and should always be accessible – this will help maintain digestive health, avoid gut stasis and keep their teeth from overgrowing.
Guinea Pigs can eat many types of hay that is safe for them, although timothy grass hay tends to be the ideal choice due to its high fibre and nutritional content. Just ensure it has an appealing sweet green aroma without mold or dust spots!
Orchard grass, rye oats hay and meadow hay can also be safely consumed as sources of nutrition for your caged guinea pigs. Just be sure that it’s stored away from direct sunlight and heat as this could dry it out, degrade its nutritional content and attract bugs and pests into the cage. Also avoid feeding alfalfa legume hay as this has more calories per bite which could potentially cause gastrointestinal issues in guinea pigs.
Water
Fresh water is essential to the wellbeing of guinea pigs. A bottle is suitable, though should be regularly changed out and thoroughly sanitized as bacteria can quickly form within its walls. Guinea pigs also enjoy having access to drinking bowls which must be heavy enough so as to not tip over.
Foliage-rich vegetables and herbs should be provided on a weekly basis, including kale, cabbage, collard greens, turnip greens, mustard greens, fennel endive dandelion greens silver beet parsley mint and other herbs. Also consider providing fruits like apples (without seeds), melons berries strawberries etc as treats.
Guinea pigs should drink approximately an eighth-cup of water daily. Any animal drinking significantly more or less water should be seen by a veterinarian as this could be an early indicator of illness; dehydrated guinea pigs do not thrive as expected and may suffer serious health consequences as a result.
