When offering your guinea pig a veggie diet for the first time, there is a possibility they may stop eating it entirely.
Remember, this is a new experience for them and may take some time to adjust. Be patient and gradually introduce one new vegetable at a time to replace some of the old ones.
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Hay
If your guinea pig has stopped eating vegetables or pellets, it’s essential to determine the cause. Your pet could be suffering from dental issues or mouth injuries, or simply feel stressed due to his environment.
Guinea pigs possess 20 teeth, and to help reduce the size of those pearlies they must chew and grind food to reduce its size. Hay therefore forms the majority of their diet while providing essential nutrition.
However, if your guinea pig is having trouble eating, you should take them to the vet for a checkup. He could have an oral injury or overgrown tooth that makes it difficult for him to chew.
Consider changing how you offer hay to your pet. For instance, placing it in a lower feeder so your guinea pig doesn’t have to bend over may encourage them to consume more hay.
Vegetables
Guinea pigs usually enjoy fresh vegetables. However, if they are not used to eating them, you may need to offer them veggies a few times before your pet learns to enjoy them.
If your guinea pig does not consume vegetables, they could be missing out on essential nutrients from their food. Vegetables provide fiber, vitamin C and phytonutrients which are all great sources for health benefits.
Vegetables should be offered daily to your pet, and it’s best if they get a variety of different kinds. Try mixing leafy veggies with two or more other fresh vegetables to ensure your pup gets an optimal balance of vitamins and nutrients.
Spinach, kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower are all great dietary choices due to their high vitamin C content and ease of digestion. Be sure to remove the green stalks and seeds before serving them as well. Additionally, turnip greens, watercress and red peppers contain plenty of vitamin C as well as a hint of calcium for an additional benefit.
Pellets
Guinea pigs tend to be picky eaters. If the food doesn’t look appealing, they won’t eat it at all.
They may become fussy if fed the last remaining pellets from a bag. These may contain dust particles on them which the guinea pig cannot distinguish from other food items.
To prevent this, be sure to provide your guinea pig with fresh pellets every meal.
Pellets should include timothy-based hay with high fiber content to aid digestion. Furthermore, the pellets must have adequate levels of protein and calcium.
Generally, young guinea pigs require more pellets than mature ones. However, you should reduce their pellet intake in later life as excessive weight gain may cause health issues.
Treats
Guinea pigs tend to be picky eaters and some will refuse certain types of food. This is completely normal and could occur if you recently adopted or purchased a guinea pig.
Vegetables are an integral part of a guinea pig’s diet, providing essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C and calcium. Plus, they aid in digesting pellets and hay better; in some cases, you can even use some vegetables as training treats!
However, some commercially-made treats may not be beneficial for guinea pigs and contain toxic chemicals. Steer clear of chocolate, crackers, biscuits, breads, cereals, breakfast bars and pasta products.
Guinea pigs should receive a nutritious hay-based diet as well as access to fresh greens, fruits and veggies, herbs and flowers. Furthermore, they should always have access to fresh water and a small amount of pelleted food.
