Guinea pigs must consume hay daily to help maintain their digestive system and move food through their intestines. Without it, digestion slows down significantly which could result in serious health problems.
When selecting a quality hay for your guinea pigs, ensure it contains the ideal amounts of fiber, protein and other necessary nutrients. Furthermore, steer clear of hay with too much calcium as this could lead to bladder stones in adult guinea pigs.
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Orchard Hay
Orchard hay, like Timothy hay, is an excellent source of fiber for guinea pigs. This soft texture and sweet taste make it popular among many small animals.
Oxbow Orchard hay is an ideal substitute for timothy hay for pet parents with allergies to its long, stringy strands. Harvested fresh and hand-sorted by experts, this high quality choice for small animals ensures maximum enjoyment and health.
This hay is 100% natural with no additives or binders added – the ideal way to provide your small animal with a nutritious diet they’ll love!
No matter if your guinea pigs enjoy it as a treat or consume it daily, they’ll benefit from high-quality hay. In fact, it’s an essential component of their diet to help with digestion and avoid bloat, stasis, or other serious GI issues that could prove fatal.
Timothy Hay
Timothy hay is a popular choice for guinea pigs, as it provides the ideal balance of fiber, fat and protein. Plus, its sweet smell and taste makes it irresistible to these adorable animals.
Guinea pigs can choose between several types of hay, including first cut, second cut and third cut hay. First cut hay is coarser with more seed heads while second and third cuts contain less nutritional value as well as fibre.
Your guinea pig’s food should be fresh and free from pesticides. Without it, they won’t be able to absorb essential vitamins and minerals for healthy living.
It is also essential to select hay that is dust-free. Dust can be harmful for guinea pigs and lead to respiratory issues.
Meadow Hay
Guinea pigs enjoy snacking on hay as it’s an important component of their diet. They consume it 10-20 times per day, which aids digestion and prevents gut stasis.
Additionally, providing them with the correct type of hay helps keep their teeth from overgrowing. With proper nutrition and care, guinea pigs can stay healthy and happy.
Timothy hay is a popular choice among many pet parents, and Oxbow’s Western Timothy Hay is an ideal option to feed to your guinea pigs.
Meadow hay is another common type of hay for guinea pigs to enjoy. It’s made up of grasses, clovers and edible plants like dandelions, sunflowers and more.
However, it’s essential to be careful with this type of hay as it may contain twigs and other debris that could be hazardous for your guinea pig. Furthermore, some meadow hay may contain toxic grass seeds.
Bermuda Hay
Hay is an essential part of your guinea pig’s diet. Not only does it keep their digestive tracts healthy and prevent tummy troubles and poop issues, but it also provides them with essential fiber for healthy teeth as they grow. Hay can be fed in small amounts throughout the day to keep up with all those little munchies!
Guinea pigs can eat a variety of hay types, but it should be high in fiber and low in calories to help your pet remain in excellent condition and prevent obesity.
It’s essential to purchase fresh hay that has not been stored in a warehouse for an extended period of time, since this can become moldy or rotting. Oxbow’s experienced staff manually separates strands of hay from the bale before sorting them for cleanness and nutritional value.
Bermuda hay has lower energy and fiber contents than alfalfa, making it more easily digestible for horses with kidney issues. Furthermore, Bermuda hay contains a safer ratio of calcium to phosphorus than richer types such as alfalfa which may cause muscle trembling or weakness in horses.
