FEEDING YOUR GUINEA PIG

Your guinea pig should have access to clean and fresh water at all times. Some guinea pigs drink from a bottle, so it is important to check that it is always working properly. Other guinea pigs prefer drinking from a bowl. If this is the case, the bowl should be heavy enough to prevent it from tipping over.

Fibers :
Since guinea pigs are herbivores, their diets should consist mainly of fiber. Not only is it important that they eat a lot of it, but also that they eat it often. Indeed, nibbling all day long ensures a continuous digestive transit. This is crucial to them because if the transit stops (gastrointestinal stasis), then an important amount of gas will accumulate in their stomach and, since guinea pigs cannot burp or vomit, will cause distension of the gastrointestinal tract followed by a possible rupture. Consequently, guinea pigs need constant access to hay. Timothy hay is preferred over alfalfa hay, which contains too much calcium.

Another benefit provided by a diet rich in fiber is that it ensures proper wear of guinea pigs’ teeth. In fact, their teeth are constantly growing and, if they are not worn adequately, will deviate and form sharp edges that can wound the animals’ tongues or cheeks. Chewing hay promotes a circular movement of the jaw, which wears out all sides of the teeth evenly. Pellets, on the other hand, are the least adapted food for guinea pigs’ dentition because chewing is done vertically and wears only parts of the teeth. For that reason, pellets should not take up too much space in this species nutrition.

Vegetables :
A handful of vegetables can be given to guinea pigs once or twice a day. Those who are leafy and dark green are to be prioritized such as lettuce (romaine, leaf, etc., except Iceberg which should be avoided), celery with its leaves, green peppers, zucchini, chard, mint, coriander, chicory and dandelion leaves. Spinach, broccoli, cauliflower and Brussel sprouts can also be offered, but only in small quantities because they contain a lot of calcium.

It is important to introduce new vegetables in small amounts, one at a time. They also need to be washed with clean water beforehand. If a new vegetable causes diarrhea, then it should not be given again.

In regards to fruits, it is best to limit the quantity to 1 tablespoon per day as the sugar content is very high.

Vitamin C supplementation :
Guinea pigs also need a diet rich in vitamin C because they cannot synthesize this vitamin (contrary to the majority of mammals). A lack of vitamin C can cause scurvy, a sickness that mainly affects cartilage, bones, the skin, and nails.

Fruits and dark green and vibrant colored vegetables are the best sources of vitamin C. Here are a few examples: kale, parsley, beet leaves, chicory, spinach, red and orange peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, kiwis, and oranges. At least one of these foods must be given daily in order to fulfill your little companion’s vitamin C needs. Be careful though once again with spinach and fruits because, as mentioned before, they contain a lot of calcium and sugar respectively. These should only be offered in small quantities (not more than 1 tablespoon per day).

High quality guinea pig pellets can also represent an adequate source of vitamin C. However, because vitamin C, among others, is particularly sensitive to heat and light, it deteriorates quickly in the pellets. Consequently, a bag of pellets should not be kept, either open or closed, for more than 2 months. In fact, pellets should be purchased only in small amounts and the bag tightly sealed and refrigerated in order to conserve its content’s freshness as long as possible.

In addition to containing vitamin C, a feed is of high quality when it is rich in fiber (20% and more) and low in protein (16% and less), low in fat (2.5% and less), and low in calcium (1% and less). It can be given, again in small quantities, at a portion of 2 tablespoons per kg (bodyweight). Young, growing guinea pigs can freely eat pellets until 6 months of age. Pellets fed to them should be higher in protein (18%).

In certain cases, additional supplementation of vitamin C, available as a liquid to be added to your guinea pig’s drinking water, might be necessary. Feel free to consult with your veterinarian to know if he needs it and how much to give him.

In order to prevent a shortage of vitamin C, pellets and liquid supplements should not be the only sources of vitamin C in your pet’s diet.

Other foods:
Nuts, grains, corn, dried fruits, bread, pasta, chocolate, and other sweets should be avoided as well as pellets that contain these foods.