Madeleine Hull
Guinea pigs are herbivores, and their diet should consist of lots of good-quality feeding hay, grass, and leafy greens. They also require vitamin C-rich foods in their daily diet as they cannot produce it themselves. In addition, it is important to monitor the amount of food they eat to prevent them from becoming underweight or overweight.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main food | Hay |
| % of diet that should be hay | 80-90% |
| Other foods | Grass, pellets, fresh vegetables and fruits, greens, herbs |
| Vitamins | Vitamin C supplements |
| Water | Unlimited access to fresh, clean water |
| Food quantity | Depends on age, lifestyle, and general health |
| Food bowl | Hanging water bottles or no-tip bowls |
| Food schedule | Plan out their diet and keep a schedule |
| Food transition | Transition food over 14-28 days |
| Weight | Monitor weight to prevent obesity |
| Food to avoid | Lawn mower clippings, spinach, parsley, strawberries |
| Food to reduce | Pellets should not make up the majority of a guinea pig's meal |
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What You'll Learn
Hay should make up the majority of a guinea pig's diet
Hay is critical to a guinea pig's diet and should make up the majority of it. Guinea pigs require a very high-fibre diet to keep their digestive systems healthy and their continuously growing teeth at a healthy length. Hay is the best way to ensure they are getting enough fibre.
Guinea pigs need constant access to hay to aid their digestion and limit the growth of their teeth. Hay should be offered free-choice throughout the day. Good-quality feeding hay should be the main part of a guinea pig’s diet. The average life expectancy for guinea pigs is 4-8 years, and their teeth are always growing, so eating hay helps to keep their teeth the right length and shape. Hay and grass should make up 85-90% of their diet. Timothy hay is a great option, and fresh grass can be eaten straight from the lawn or picked for them if they don't have outdoor access.
Guinea pigs are susceptible to developing bladder stones, and a diet high in fresh hay and plenty of fresh water is paramount to preventing urinary issues. Hay is also important to keep the bacteria in their intestinal tract healthy and functional. The preferred basic diet for guinea pigs is unlimited amounts of timothy or other low-calcium hay, supplemented with smaller amounts of commercial, high-fibre, timothy-based guinea pig pellets.
Guinea pigs can be fed a variety of fresh, well-washed, leafy greens or coloured vegetables, especially those high in vitamin C, such as bell pepper, tomato, turnip, collard greens, and asparagus. However, it is important to know which fruits and vegetables are safe for them to eat. Guinea pigs can eat lots of different fruits and vegetables such as kale, pak choi, cabbage and banana, but these should be in small amounts.
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Guinea pigs need vitamin C-rich foods
Guinea pigs are herbivores and require a well-balanced diet with plenty of vitamin C-rich foods. Like humans, guinea pigs are unable to produce or store vitamin C, so it is essential to supplement their diet with it. Vitamin C is vital for the normal development and maintenance of skin, joints, and mucosal surfaces, like gums. It also plays an important role in healing wounds.
A guinea pig that is deficient in vitamin C may exhibit symptoms such as a rough hair coat, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, reluctance to move, swollen feet or joints, and haemorrhages or ulcers on the gums or skin. These symptoms indicate a serious health issue, and the guinea pig should be taken to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
Guinea pigs require a constant supply of vitamin C-rich foods in their diet to prevent vitamin C deficiency, also known as scurvy. Scurvy can lead to a weakened immune system, abnormal bone and tooth development, and delayed wound healing. To ensure they receive enough vitamin C, their diet should include vitamin C-rich foods such as fresh vegetables and fruits.
Bell peppers, tomatoes, turnips, collard greens, and asparagus are examples of vegetables high in vitamin C. Guinea pigs can also eat fruits such as bananas, but these should be given in moderation due to their high sugar content. Additionally, guinea pigs can benefit from vitamin C supplements, which are available as paediatric vitamin C drops or tablets formulated specifically for guinea pigs.
It is important to introduce new foods gradually to avoid upsetting their stomachs. Guinea pigs are susceptible to developing painful bladder stones, so it is recommended to reduce or eliminate foods high in oxalates, such as spinach, parsley, and strawberries. Fresh hay and plenty of clean water are also essential components of a guinea pig's diet to prevent urinary issues.
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Fresh greens and vegetables are a great addition
It is recommended that guinea pigs are given a teacup full of greens and vegetables every day, alternating between different types of safe produce. Guinea pigs can eat lots of different fruits and vegetables such as kale, pak choi, cabbage, and banana, but these should be given in small amounts due to their high sugar content. A variety of herbs also make great treats for guinea pigs, but these should only be fed a few times a week in small amounts. It is important to know which fruits and vegetables are safe for guinea pigs, and to introduce new foods gradually to avoid upsetting their stomachs.
Some safe vegetables that guinea pigs can eat include bell peppers, tomatoes, turnips, collard greens, and asparagus. These vegetables are also high in vitamin C, which is an essential part of a guinea pig's diet. Guinea pigs cannot produce their own vitamin C, so they need to get it from their food. If they don't get enough, they can develop scurvy, which can be very dangerous.
In addition to greens and vegetables, it is important to provide guinea pigs with unlimited hay and grass, as well as a small daily amount of guinea pig pellets. Hay and grass provide guinea pigs with the fibre they need to keep their digestive systems healthy and their teeth worn down to a healthy length. The best type of hay is Timothy hay, and fresh grass can be offered straight from the lawn or grown indoors in pots.
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Avoid mown grass clippings
A guinea pig's diet should consist of a high-fibre, nutrient-rich variety of foods. As herbivores, they require a vegetarian diet that includes unlimited hay and grass, pellets, and fresh produce.
Hay is critical to a guinea pig's diet, as it helps wear down their continuously growing teeth and keeps their digestive system healthy. It is recommended that hay makes up 80-90% of their diet. Timothy hay is a great option, and fresh grass can be offered straight from the lawn or picked for them if they don't have outdoor access.
Now, while it may seem convenient to offer your guinea pigs mown grass clippings, this practice should be strictly avoided. Mown grass clippings tend to ferment quickly, which can cause serious digestive issues and make your guinea pigs very unwell. Instead, opt for fresh grass that they can graze on directly, ensuring it is free from pesticides, chemicals, and contamination from other animals.
In addition to hay and grass, a small daily amount of guinea pig pellets is recommended. These pellets should be specifically formulated for guinea pigs, grass-based, and consistently shaped and coloured to ensure your pets don't only eat the bits they like best. One tablespoon per adult guinea pig per day is generally sufficient.
Fresh produce, including vegetables, fruits, and herbs, can also be offered in moderation. Guinea pigs require vitamin C in their diet, as they cannot produce it themselves, so choose produce high in this vitamin, such as bell peppers, tomatoes, and dark, leafy greens. Introduce new foods slowly over two to four weeks to prevent tummy upsets.
Lastly, always provide your guinea pigs with constant access to fresh, clean water. This can be offered in hanging water bottles or no-tip bowls, ensuring they are cleaned regularly to maintain your pet's health.
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Introduce new foods gradually
Guinea pigs are herbivores, so they require a high-fibre diet. Fibre is essential for maintaining good gut and dental health. They also need a constant supply of hay and grass to provide them with enough fibre. Hay helps wear down their continuously growing teeth and keeps their guts moving.
It is important to introduce new foods to your guinea pig's diet slowly and gradually. This is because guinea pigs develop food preferences early in life and do not easily adapt to changes in food types. Sudden changes can result in a refusal to eat or tummy upset, which can be very serious in guinea pigs. Start by mixing a small amount of new food with their current food. Each day, gradually increase the amount of new food while reducing their old food until they have fully transitioned. Monitor your guinea pig's eating habits and droppings during this process. If you notice any problems, slow down the transition period.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are a great addition to a guinea pig's diet as they are rich in health-boosting nutrients. However, they should be introduced slowly and in moderation to avoid upsetting their stomachs. Guinea pigs can eat a variety of fruits and vegetables such as kale, pak choi, cabbage, bananas, bell peppers, tomatoes, turnips, collard greens, and asparagus.
It is also important to provide guinea pigs with vitamin C in their diet, as they cannot produce it themselves. Vitamin C is vital for the normal development and maintenance of skin, joints, and gums. A lack of vitamin C can lead to scurvy, which can be dangerous. Guinea pigs can get vitamin C from fresh greens and pellets. If you are concerned that your guinea pig is not getting enough vitamin C, you can give them a daily vitamin C supplement.
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Frequently asked questions
A guinea pig's diet should consist of unlimited fresh grass hay, a small amount of guinea pig pellets, and a variety of fresh produce.
Hay should make up 85-90% of a guinea pig's diet. Guinea pigs should have continuous access to good-quality, dust-extracted feeding hay.
Guinea pigs can eat a variety of fruits and vegetables such as kale, pak choi, cabbage, bananas, bell peppers, tomatoes, turnips, collard greens, and asparagus. Fresh herbs such as dandelion and groundsel are also good for them.
Any changes to a guinea pig's diet should be made slowly over a period of two to four weeks. Start by mixing a small amount of new food with their current food and gradually increase the amount each day.
