What do Guinea Pigs eat? These are the Best Foods to Feed Your Guinea Pigs!

Every parent experiences a moment in their lives when their child asks the unavoidable question: “Can you have a Guinea Pig?”

It may seem easy to give up, considering guinea pigs are low-maintenance and relatively inexpensive pets. Once you bring one home, you’ll realize that they don’t eat what you eat.

Guinea pigs aren’t restricted in their diet and can be found at any pet shop. However, this doesn’t mean that you have no options. In this guide, we will show you exactly what to feed your guinea pigs and why.

An overview of what Guinea Pigs eat

Guinea pigs can eat any kind of herbivore, including filet mignon. They will eat the most succulent and juicy plants they can find.

But it’s not enough to just give them fresh leaves every day. Guinea pig food must meet two requirements: it must be fibrous, and it must contain plenty of vitamin C.

Because guinea pig teeth grow constantly, it is important that the material be strong and fibrous. They need something that can wear down their tiny chompers over time. Overgrown teeth can cause severe gum disease and a rip in their gums.

While most mammals can make their own vitamin C, guinea pigs are not capable of doing so. They will need to eat a lot. Your pet could get sick if it doesn’t eat enough. It can be just like a pirate. You will need to supplement your pet’s vitamin C intake if the food they eat isn’t adequate.

Take Care When You Start Them Off

Although you might feel that variety is the best thing about life, your Guinea Pig is not likely to agree. They will eat the same food as they did when they were young and resist change later in their lives. It is important to ensure that you have access to their favorite foodstuffs.

You should gradually change the dog’s diet to make them happy. This means that you start slowly by adding some new food to the existing food, and then gradually increase the amount until they are eating the new food exclusively.

You shouldn’t try to change your child’s diet too fast. They will likely have digestive problems – if they eat the new food.

If you are considering adopting a guinea pig, it is important to ask about the current diet. It is not possible to just give it whatever you see in the store and expect positive results.

Guinea Pig Foods

Hay

Hay is an essential food for guinea pigs. You should give it to them, even if they eat other foods. Hay is very fibrous so it helps to clean their teeth while they eat.

It is also high in fiber which is essential for their digestive health. Although it may seem bad to feed them something that makes their poop worse, we can assure you that it is better than the alternatives.

However, you can’t give them just any hay. There are three main types of hay that are suitable for Guinea Pigs: Timothy, Orchard, and Oat. Timothy is the most popular and likely the best.

Alfalfa Hay may be offered to you. If so, do not purchase it. Alfalfa Hay is a legume, not a grass. It has more calcium than grass and more calories than your guinea Pig needs. It may be possible to give it occasionally, or if your guinea pig is suffering from certain illnesses.

When feeding your guinea pig hay, the most important thing is to ensure that there is no mold. It should be kept in a dry, cool place and replaced every day. It may be necessary to replace it more frequently if it becomes wet.

Pellets

Guinea pig pellets can be found in almost any pet food shop. These pellets are usually made from Timothy hay and other ingredients. It should not contain any seeds, dried fruits, dyes, or additives.

You should look for a pellet that is fortified with vitamin A if you go the pellet route. Supplementation with fresh fruits or vegetables is likely.

Plain pellets are better than those with seeds or fruits because guinea pigs can be picky eaters. Your guinea pig might eat only the tasty bits if there are any other ingredients.

Follow the instructions of the pellet manufacturer when feeding your guinea pig. The pellets should be given to your guinea-pigs two times per day. However, they should be picked up after an hour as guinea pigs are happy to eat their own obesity.

As a reminder, just because you feed your guinea-pig pellets does not mean that they can stop eating hay. Expect to purchase both grassy and pelleted food for your guinea pigs.

Fresh Vegetables

Guinea pigs require about one cup of fresh vegetables each day. These should be mainly in the form of leafy greens such as kale, romaine, cilantro, and even parsley.

Bell peppers, tomatoes, and other vegetables can be given to them every day. However, they should only be eaten once or twice per week.

Wash the vegetables before you serve them to your guinea pig. They prefer salads at room temperature so keep them out of the refrigerator.

However, not all vegetables are good for you. Here is a partial list of what you shouldn’t give to your Guinea Pig:

• Iceberg lettuce
• Onions
• Garlic
• Mushrooms
• Potatoes
• Seeds
• Corn
• Bok choy
• Rhubarb
• Cabbage

Fresh Fruit

Guinea pigs love fresh fruits, but should only be allowed to eat them in moderation as they are high in sugar. A pet that eats too much fruit can become obese. Limit their fruit intake to 10% or less.

Vitamin C can be added to pets’ diets by adding fruits. This is possible with citruses, blueberries, and strawberries.

• Can Guinea Pigs Eat Blackberries Here’s What You Need to Know

Introduce new fruits to your guinea pig’s diet, but be careful. It is more likely that fruit will cause upset stomachs than other foods on the list so it is best to introduce new fruits slowly.

No matter what you do, avoid giving your guinea-pig raisins, grapes, or coconut. These are all toxic. You should also pick up any unopened fruit within 24 hours. Older stuff can cause them to get sick.

Treats

You’ll find treats made for guinea pigs when you shop for your pet. These treats can be given to your pet every once in a while, provided you choose a quality one.

Many contain high levels of sugar, high fructose Corn syrup, fat, and other harmful ingredients. These ingredients can cause obesity in guinea pigs.

Look for one made primarily of Timothy Hay, with some fresh fruit added. It is also important to consider the shape of your pet’s treatment. A round treat encourages foraging and is beneficial for their mental and physical health.

You don’t necessarily have to spend a lot on treats. These animals only need a little bit of fresh fruit to feel loved and pampered.

Feces

This was a comprehensive list. We didn’t want to leave out this option. Let’s be clear, we are talking about guinea pigs eating their own poop. They shouldn’t be given foreign feces.

Guinea pigs are accustomed to eating their own waste. This is a good thing since it increases the animal’s intake of nutrients.

There are two types of guinea-pig poop. The hard, dark pellets and the soft, squishy bits are known as “caecals”. Guinea pigs won’t eat other guinea pig poo because they are full of undigested plant matter. They can eat them to replenish all the vitamins and minerals that they have lost the first time.

Caecals may not be visible around the cage of your guinea pig, as they often eat them directly from their source. This is a fun fact that you can remind yourself of the next time your guinea pig gives you a kiss.

What about wheels?

You might also find mineral wheels in your local pet shop. You might be tempted to purchase one of these as they are great for chewing.

This shouldn’t be necessary. These accessories should not be necessary if you feed your guinea pig enough hay. They will have plenty of time to chew on their food so they don’t need them.

Some of these products are also held together by glue or other adhesives. This is not something your guinea pig should be ingesting. Some are bleached which adds a lot of chemicals to their diet.

Mineral wheels are safe for your guinea pigs, but they can be dangerous.