Feeding Your Guinea Pig

Just as cats love to sleep, a guinea pig’s favorite pastime is eating. Virtually every waking moment will be spent eating, and this is why if you feed your guinea pig a diet of grass, and have them housed in a mobile hutch outdoors, they can take very good care of your lawn. Feeding your guinea pig is a very easy thing to do well, because they eat almost any balance of natural fruits, vegetables, and pellets. However one guinea pig may have a slightly different food interest than the next, and this is due at least in part to the fact that their preferred diet is almost set in stone in the first few days of life.

Some of the favorite foods of all guinea pigs are; Parsley, Sweet Peppers, Carrots, Apples, Green Vegetables, Tomatoes, Oranges, Lettuce, Hay and Grass. It is quite common for guinea pigs to develop vitamin deficiencies, so the important thing is to make sure they get variety in their diet. Another important thing to consider when feeding your guinea pig is that if at any time he or she looks remotely sick, get help straight away. They are small creatures and it does not take a lot for them to get very sick if ailments are left unattended.

Guinea Pigs require a high fibre diet, meaning that hay or grass should be available at all times. This is as a snack, as opposed to their normal daily dietary requirements, like fresh fruit and vegetables, etc. Things like Clover and Lucerne should not be allowed as they are very high in protein and calcium. The use of hay encourages longer chewing times, which helps to keep their teeth and gums in a healthy state. As you can see already feeding your guinea pig does not require a lot of effort, just a few simple guidelines need to be followed to get the best out of your pet.

Always include fresh leafy green vegetables in their diet. Change the variety 2 or 3 times a day, and make sure to introduce any subtle differences slowly, as this avoids any potential for gastric upset. There is also a need when feeding your guinea pig, to include a source of Vitamin C. Without enough Vitamin C in their diet they can end up with Scurvy. The Vitamin C requirement should be satisfied through the consumption of the fresh green vegetables however small doses of fresh citrus fruit will also boost their intake.

Most pet stores and stockists of pet food will supply dry pellets, much like they do for cats and dogs. These should only be used as a dietary supplement as opposed to a main food source. Like all other commercially manufactured food products, they normally consist of a very high level of fats and carbohydrates, and are very low in fibre, at around 15%. Natural is always best, but as a treat, the pellets can be a good snack food. If your guinea pig is pregnant, she will require a higher than normal dose of Vitamin C, so if in doubt about this, please consult your vet for more advice on feeding your guinea pig.