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what can you feed a guinea pig

by Mrs. Josefina Johns DDS Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Your pig will be perfectly happy with high quality pellets and hay and treats of fruits and vegetables. For a special snack, try mixing some rolled oats into your guinea pig's pellets or stuff a small cardboard tube with fresh hay.

What foods are good for guinea pigs?

What can Guinea Pigs Eat?

  • Majority of a guinea pig diet should be hay.
  • And in that hay, the most recommended hay is Timothy hay or any low calcium hay.
  • Apart from that grass, they can also happily feed on pellets meant for guinea pigs only.
  • They also like fresh green vegetables like lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, etc.

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What is the best diet for guinea pigs?

Safe Fruits and Veggies for Your Guinea Pig

  • Romaine Lettuce
  • Spinach
  • Kale
  • Parsley
  • Carrots (and the carrot top)
  • Zucchini
  • Sweet Potato
  • Peas
  • Cucumber
  • Broccoli

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What vegetables are good for guinea pigs?

  • Lettuce
  • Parsnip
  • Bell peppers
  • Spinach
  • Broccoli
  • Celery leaves
  • Tomatoes without stems or leaves
  • Cucumber
  • Zucchini
  • Kale

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What is the best snack for guinea pigs?

What do Guinea Pigs Like to Eat?

  • Apple,
  • Broccoli Spears,
  • Orange,
  • Pears,
  • Strawberries,
  • Papayas,
  • Spinach,
  • Romaine Lettuce,
  • Artichokes,
  • Bell Peppers ( Red & Green),

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What's a guinea pigs favorite food?

The preferred basic diet for guinea pigs is unlimited amounts of Timothy or other low-calcium hay, supplemented with smaller amounts of a commercial, high-fiber, Timothy-hay based guinea pig pellets. Vitamin C (see below) should be given each day. Hay should be offered free-choice throughout the day.

What veggies can guinea pigs eat?

The Best Vegetables for Guinea PigsLettuce.Parsnip.Bell peppers.Spinach.Broccoli.Celery leaves.Tomatoes without stems or leaves.Cucumber.More items...•

What can guinea pigs eat other than their food?

Some common vegetables for guinea pigs are:Parsley.Romaine lettuce.Cilantro.Leaf lettuce.Carrots.Tomatoes.Clover.Dandelion greens.

How often should guinea pigs eat?

Other than the hay, it's a good idea to feed your cavy two times a day. Both in the morning and in the evening, to help prevent overeating and, consequently, obesity. Always remove any uneaten pellets about 1 hour after your cavy has eaten and any fruit or vegetables after 24 hours.

Can guinea pigs have bananas?

Overall, bananas can be a great treat every once in a while for healthy guinea pigs. They are great health benefits like potassium and vitamin C, both are vital for your pig's health. Bananas can also be harmful to your guinea pig if they are not properly portioned due to their high levels of sugar and fiber.

What is toxic to guinea pigs?

Make sure you do not feed your guinea pigs the following foods (this is not an exhaustive list): cereals; grains; nuts; seeds; dried beans, corn, and peas; buttercups; garden shrubs (such as hemlock or privet); lilies of any kind; sweet peas; nightshade; oak; avocado; onion grass; onions; potato tops; mushrooms; ...

What do guinea pigs drink?

waterPredominantly, guinea pigs drink water, clean and fresh from their bottle. Although they get a lot of moisture from their diet, they'll still need a water bottle to drink from when they get thirsty.

What do guinea pigs like to play with?

What Do Guinea Pigs Like To Play With? This Top 10 List Will Give You Some Great Ideas!Crumpled paper or paper bags.Cardboard boxes.Tunnels.Hay or grass chew balls.Chew sticks.Fleece accessories.Stuffed socks.Stuffed tubes with hay.More items...•

What veggies and fruits can guinea pigs eat?

Other foods that are good to fed guinea pigs a few times a week include broccoli, cabbage, endive, carrot tops, Brussels sprouts, kale, silver beet, mint, and fruits such as apples (but with no seeds), mango, and papaya.

What veggies can guinea pigs not eat?

Iceberg lettuce and the lighter lettuces give guinea pigs diarrhea. ... Cabbage, cauliflower, or other gassy veggies can lead to bloat. ... Avocado. ... Onions, leeks, chives, or shallots can lead to blood disorders.More items...

What fruit can guinea pigs eat every day?

The best fruits to feed your guinea pig include most berries, such as blueberries, cranberries, raspberries and strawberries. Berries taste delicious to your guinea pig, but they are relatively low in sugar and carbohydrates in comparison to other fruits.

Can guinea pigs eat cauliflower and broccoli?

Cauliflower is a popular vegetable, and if you have a guinea pig and are wondering if it's ok to feed it to your pet, the short answer is yes, your guinea pig can eat all parts of the cauliflower plant.

What to give guinea pigs?

It’s a great idea to offer your guinea pigs lots of different vegetables and fruits, otherwise they might get picky with what you’re offering them.

What do guinea pigs eat?

Guinea pigs rely on fresh vegetables and fruits for their daily needs of vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients. While leafy greens should comprise the main part of their daily intake of fresh produce, fruits are generally considered treats because of their high sugar contents.

What is the best hay for guinea pigs?

While high-quality Timothy hay should make up at least 80% of your guinea pigs’ daily diet, fruits and vegetables are highly necessary to provide them with their much needed vitamins and other nutrients. As part of a healthy guinea pig diet, it is recommended to offer a mix of healthy fruits and vegetables on a daily basis.

What to use to keep guinea pigs clean?

Fresh, clean water. Guinea pigs need constant access to fresh, clean water. We recommend using water bottles made from glass because they’re easier to keep clean, but a small ceramic bowl could work too. Don’t forget to empty and refill daily, and keep the bottle clean at all times.

Why do guinea pigs need Timothy hay?

The reason why Timothy hay is preferred, is because of its low calcium content. If you want to learn more about hay, check our article on the best types of hay for guinea pigs.

How to keep guinea pigs water clean?

Don’t forget to empty and refill daily, and keep the bottle clean at all times. Do regular checkups by pressing the metal ball tip of the bottle once in a while , to make sure your guinea pigs can get the water out.

What are the nutrients that a human body needs?

A proper diet would cover their needs of these essential nutrients: 1 Fibers 2 Proteins 3 Minerals 4 Vitamins

What do guinea pigs eat?

Diet plan. Hay, vegetables, fruits, branches, herbs and other plant. There is very much you can feed your Guinea Pigs. Cavies listen to their natural instinct and really like to eat what grows on ground – raw. Most of all feed hay!

How to care for guinea pigs in the evening?

Fresh hay has to be provided all time. Water has to be filled up from time to time. Only use clear and fresh water. There is no reason to provide special “rodent-water” from the pet shop if you take care about the food for your Guinea Pigs.

How to feed cavies?

Fresh Grass is a great seasonal food for their diet from spring to fall but you have to pay attention if you start to feed grass each year. Start with short amount of it and increase every day a bit. This guarantees that cavies will be softly get into the way of it. At winter season you should replace grass with fresh vegetables to keep them healthy with a diet rich in vitamins. Fruits should be always handled like candy and should not be provided that much. Herbs can be provided fresh or dried permanent in any quantity.

How long does it take for a guinea pig to lose its teeth?

After 24 hours. Guinea Pigs lose their deciduous teeth at womb and will be born with a complete set of teeth.

What is the best food for cavies?

Cucumber. Very popular food for cavies. Endive. rich in vitamins and minerals / appetizing. Fennel. rich in vitamins and minerals. Can take on color on urine. Helpful by digestive complaints. field salad.

What foods can you feed a da?

Feed carefully because of it oxialic acid. May take color on urine and feces. Can be provided with the green. Broccoli. High amount of vitamin C. Contains oxialic acid. Provide it increasing. Carrot. Rich in calories. Do not feed every da.

Can cavies cause constipation?

Rich in sugar. Do not feed if one of your cavies has Diabetes. Can cause constipation.

What Should I Feed My Guinea Pig Daily?

Guinea pigs are herbivores and their food consists mainly of hay, pellets, fresh vegetables, and a lesser quantity of fruits.

What are some good foods for guinea pigs?

Raspberries, Strawberries, Cranberries, Blueberries and Blackberries. Berries are tasty and unproblematic treats. They also have high levels of Vitamin C which can be very beneficial for your guinea pig and give them that extra boost of vitamin C they may otherwise not get with only hay and vegetables daily.

What is Oxbow guinea pig pellet?

Oxbow’s Adult Guinea Pig pellets are specially designed from high fiber timothy grass that contains a lower level of protein, calories, and calcium than young guinea pig food.

Why do guinea pigs need pellets?

Together with other quality food, pellets can be a convenient way to assure that your guinea pig is getting the necessary quantity of nutrients and remain healthy.

What do guinea pigs need?

Apart from an unlimited supply of timothy hay, grown-up guinea pigs need raw and fresh vegetables and fruits, rich in fiber and vitamin C.

What vegetables can guinea pigs eat?

Fennel: A very filling and stomach-friendly vegetable. It has no sugar, low amounts of fat and a good amount of vitamin C. Celery: You can feed both the leaves and the stalk to your guinea pig, but you should be wary that it contains high levels of water, so it should be given in moderation.

How much food should guinea pigs eat a day?

Guinea pigs should get at least 10% of their body weight in vegetables a day which is around one cup per day per guinea pig. If your pigs have never eaten any veggies, you can start off with carrots since they are usually easy to digest.

What is the best food for guinea pigs?

These quantities are what you should aim for daily. As you can see 80% of your guinea pigs diet should come from hay. Grass hay in particular, is the best for wearing down teeth and aids a healthy digestive system.

What is the guinea pig feeding guide?

Our guinea pig feeding guide is our version of “The Eatwell guide” which is a document produced in the UK that shows how much we should eat every day. It also includes the different food groups humans should be eating from.

Why do guinea pigs need vitamin C?

One Vegetable High in Vitamin C. Guinea pigs need to be fed Vitamin C rich foods daily in order to keep healthy and ward off disease. If your vet has advised you that your guinea pig has a Vitamin C deficiency then its especially important to provide them with foods rich in Vitamin C.

What is the last food requirement for guinea pigs?

The last guinea pig requirement is just some plain old greens to keep it interesting! It’s vital to get your guinea pigs used to a wide range of foods when their young as they tend to get rather fussy when they are older!

How to introduce dietary changes to guinea pigs?

Introduce dietary changes slowly and always with other food, never on its own. Keep a close watch over your guinea pig and during its health check to watch for any changes.

Can guinea pigs make their own pellets?

Choose pellets that also have vitamin C added since guinea pigs are unable to make their own like us!

What do guinea pigs eat?

At the most basic level, guinea pigs are herbivores. That means that they just eat fruits and veggies—no dairy, eggs, meat, or insects for these little guys. Fresh hay and fresh leafy vegetables should make up the bulk of your guinea pig’s diet.

When Should I Feed My Guinea Pig?

Like most herbivores, guinea pigs are essentially grazers. They munch on hay and veggies all day. That means it’s important to keep fresh hay available constantly.

How to supplement guinea pig hay?

Supplement your guinea pig’s hay with a small amount of high-quality pellets. Opt for plain pellets rather than a mix, as this prevents your guinea pig from just picking out the tasty bits and ignoring the healthy ones!

Can you feed a guinea pig from the table?

Just because you love your guinea pig as much as family doesn’t mean you can feed her straight from your table. While some human food is safe for your guinea pig to eat, feeding guinea pigs should involve far more care than just giving them table scraps.

Can guinea pigs take vitamin C?

Vitamin C: Guine a pigs can’t formulate their own Vitamin C, 1 making them vulnerable to scurvy. Guinea pig pellets should include Vitamin C to keep your pet healthy.

Do guinea pigs eat their own poop?

You might also catch your guinea pig eating her own poop, but don't be alarmed! Guinea pigs actually produce two different types of feces. One is soft and nutritious, and the guinea pigs re-ingest this to get more nutrients. Rabbits do the same thing !

Can guinea pigs eat fruits?

Not all fruits and veggies are safe for guinea pigs to eat. Be sure to avoid feeding your guinea pig:

How many vegetables can guinea pigs eat?

Vegetables: Guinea pigs can have up to one cup of vegetables each day. New vegetables should be introduced to your pet one at a time. Fresh, organically grown greens are the best option. Vegetables that your pet guinea pig can eat include:

What to give guinea pigs for teeth growth?

Since your guinea pig's teeth grow continuously, you should provide a variety of fun chews, including sticks, toys, balls, blocks and treats made especially for small animals.

What is guinea pig pellets?

Pellets: Commercial guinea pig food is specially formulated to provide balanced nutrition with the ideal dosage of Vitamin C and other essential nutrients. Choose pelleted food that has been veterinarian-tested and approved and follow the feeding instructions on the packaging as a guide.

What is the best hay for guinea pigs?

Make sure you purchase fresh, high-quality, clean hay that is dry, sweet-smelling and free of mold. A high-quality meadow hay such as Timothy hay is a great choice.

Why is my guinea pig having diarrhea?

An imbalance in nutrition can cause chronic diarrhea , obesity and diseases of the heart, liver or kidneys. Gradually introduce new foods to your guinea pig's diet as abrupt or significant dietary changes can cause problems (such as diarrhea). Feed your guinea pig on a consistent schedule, twice a day, morning and evening.

How long do guinea pigs live?

With proper care, you can expect your guinea pig to live up to eight years. Like any other pet, it's important for your guinea pig to get annual check-ups.

Can guinea pigs eat cold fruit?

Remember to also thoroughly wash all fruits before serving them to your guinea pig and avoid serving fruit cold.

Vegetables and Greens

Feeding vegetables and greens to your guinea pig are essential as they are safe to eat and nutritious.

Chews And Treats

For treats including fruits, it is recommendable not to exceed ten percent of the total food intake of your guinea pig.

Scurvy In Guinea Pigs and The Requirement for Vitamin C

Guinea pigs have an elevated risk of developing scurvy for their inability to synthesize vitamin C to prevent scurvy; your guinea pig requires 30 to 50 milligrams of vitamin C daily.

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1.What can guinea pigs eat? | The Humane Society of the …

Url:https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/guinea-pig-feeding

4 hours ago Fruit and vegetables: Fresh vegetables can be offered once a day and should be equivalent to about one cup total per guinea pig per day. Leafy greens like romaine lettuce, red and green leaf lettuces, kale, cilantro and parsley should comprise the bulk of your pig’s fresh produce. It’s …

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Url:https://www.petmd.com/exotic/what-can-guinea-pigs-eat

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Url:https://guineahub.com/guinea-pig-foods/

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Url:https://www.guinea-pig-advisor.com/feeding/food-list/

16 hours ago  · As you can see 80% of your guinea pigs diet should come from hay. Grass hay, in particular, is the best for wearing down teeth and aids a healthy digestive system. We prefer to …

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Url:https://mypetguineapig.com/what-should-i-feed-my-guinea-pig-daily/

2 hours ago  · It’s generally best to stick to feeding your guinea pig a diet of hay and high-quality pellets, with occasional treats of fresh fruits and veggies. Article Sources The Spruce Pets uses …

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