Guinea pigs need vitamin C-rich vegetables and fruits as part of their daily diet, such as romaine lettuce, carrots, sweet bell peppers (without seeds and cores) and whole-leaf kale.
Other vegetables to provide include broccoli, brussels sprouts, spinach and dill (avoid coriander as it can lead to gas and bloating), with one cup per day as the recommended minimum amount for their consumption.
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Leafy Greens
Integrating fresh veg into your guinea pig’s diet is crucial to their happiness and health. Our vets suggest offering your pet one teacup of greens and veggies daily, divided between morning and evening feedings. Be sure to choose only fresh produce as this could cause illness.
Guinea Pigs should receive leafy greens like romaine lettuce, spring mix (muscalin), dandelion leaves, rocket salad leaves and collard/kale as part of a balanced diet. Chicory is another leafy option but should only be fed sparingly due to high levels of oxalic acid content.
Leavened greens like parsley and spinach contain high concentrations of calcium, so should only be offered occasionally and in small amounts. When providing such foods, make sure to also provide plenty of other vegetables so your guinea pig receives an array of essential vitamins.
Cruciferous Vegetables
Kale, cabbage and brussel sprouts may seem like forbidden foods to guinea pigs; however, when fed moderately these nutritious veggies can provide plenty of vitamins and minerals. Radicchio is another delicious staple veggie enjoyed by guineas when served alongside high vitamin C foods like bell peppers. Cucumber is another highly hydrating veggie that will help your pet to stay hydrated on its own!
Guinea Pigs require a varied diet in order to receive enough Vitamin C; their bodies simply cannot produce it themselves and hay is only a modest source of protein and other essential nutrients. To ensure they receive adequate amounts, provide fresh fruits, veggies, and herbs rich in Vitamin C on a regular basis; make sure they also have access to fresh grass hay or pellets based on timothy grass; remove uneaten vegetables so as to prevent spoilage.
Root Vegetables
Guinea pigs, being herbivorous creatures, require an adequate supply of greens and root vegetables in their diet. Leafy greens such as bok choy, collard greens and spinach provide vitamin C and folic acid while kale, Swiss chard and Bok Choy provide calcium-rich meals – but too much cabbage may lead to gas or diarrhea!
Other veggie choices to consider are carrots, sweet potatoes and parsnips – each packed full of vitamins, minerals and fibre – along with radish (though its high oxalate content means it should only be consumed in moderation) and beetroot.
Diversifying guinea pig diets ensures they receive all of their necessary micronutrients – such as vitamin C, soluble fibre, potassium and calcium – which they need. Try offering your pet a mix of fresh vegetables every day as well as some timothy pellets and fresh hay as part of its daily meal.
Fruits
Guinea pigs love fresh foods, making it an integral part of their diet. Just as with all food, however, it should be thoroughly rinsed to eliminate pesticides or chemicals contaminating it in any way and new foods should be introduced gradually so as to avoid diarrhea or upset stomach.
Leafy greens like romaine butterhead lettuce, red or bib lettuce, green peppers without seeds or cores (without red bell pepper), kale, dandelion/mustard/turnip greens and cabbage should make up most of a daily veggie intake for your guinea pig. Carrot tops, zucchini/sweet potato/tomato combos may also be given occasionally or fruits may be given but these should only constitute 10% or less of his/her daily veggie consumption – while apples/other fruits should only be offered once or twice weekly as high sugar content could lead to obesity or digestive issues in turn resulting in health conditions such as obesity or digestive issues in turn affecting health issues or worse.
