What is the best everyday food for guinea pigs?
Good-quality hay should make up most of your guinea pigs' diet, and they should always have it available to them. They should have fresh grass as often as possible too, ideally every day.
It's ideal to give your guinea pig 30 minutes to an hour of floor time each day, and even longer if they live in smaller cage. Because guinea pigs like routine, it's important to schedule your guinea pig's floortime around the same time each day.
Guinea pigs need appropriate room to roam, with separate spaces for a nest, bathroom area and food and water. No animal is meant to live in a cage all the time, so make sure to provide your pig with time outside their enclosures at least once a day to stretch their legs, explore and exercise.
| Foods to Feed | Foods to Avoid |
|---|---|
| Grass hay | Salt licks or mineral blocks |
| Plain pellets | Animal byproducts |
| Fresh vegetables (and the occasional fruit) | Seeds with kernels that cavies can choke on |
| Daily vitamin C supplement | Veggies with a lot of calcium |
About one slice of fruit a day is enough. Recommended fruits include: apples, strawberries, blueberries, grapes, and oranges. Fruits and veggies should be fed to guinea pigs in small, bite-sized portions throughout the day (as opposed to all at once).
Cucumbers are low in sugar which is good but they are also high in water and quite low in vitamin C and fibre so although it is fine to feed a few times a week to your guinea pigs, don't give them large quantities. A half inch chunk is plenty as part of their daily veggie portion.
Many guinea pigs enjoy simple toys like balls, tunnels, and tubes. Tubes and tunnels are also great to keep in guinea pig cages so they have areas to hide and sleep. Guinea pigs do like human affection from time to time, especially stroking.
How much time do you have? Guinea pigs need time out of their cage every day. Whether this time is spent stretching their legs and exploring new environments or cuddling in your lap, daily interaction and attention are essential for a guinea pig's well-being.
Most guinea pigs love spending quality time with their owners, so handling them is enjoyable for all concerned. Once your guinea pig gets to know you, being hand-fed and petted become important parts of their lives. This means it's actually up to you how much you hold them - you can do so as often as you like.
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 are the 3 biggest expenses of owning a guinea pig?
Its cage, food, bedding, and health are all regular expenses you need to know about in order to gauge the annual cost of a guinea pig.
Bananas are rich in fiber, vitamin A, vitamin B-6, and vitamin C so it is very beneficial to your guinea pigs health. Vitamin B-6 maintains your guinea pig's fur by keeping it smooth and soft.
- Broccoli.
- Brussel Sprouts.
- Carrot.
- Celery.
- Corn on the Cob.
- Kale.
- Tomato.
- Watercress.
Fears of toys, people, and loud noises are the most common fears. There are many reasons why a guinea pig may develop fears of people. For example, a bad experience with a small child could result in a guinea pig that is fearful of all small children.
Are bananas healthy for guinea pigs? Yes! Bananas are an excellent source of vitamin C and potassium, both of which are vital to a guinea pig's diet. But, as with all good things, serving in moderation is key.
| Leafy Greens — 85-90% of veggie offering | Vegetables — 10-15% of veggie offering |
|---|---|
| Leafy green lettuce (Romaine, butterhead, Bibb) | Bell peppers (any color, seeds removed) |
| Red or green leaf lettuce | Cucumber with leaves |
| Arugula | Parsnip |
| Endive | Summer/zucchini squash |
How much apple should you give guinea pigs? Feeding your piggies two, one-inch slices of an average sized apple (which is between 150-200 g) should be enough! They should also only be given apples once or twice a week as a treat.
Cucumber: Guinea Pigs can eat both the flesh, seeds (not too much) and the skin. Green beans:These contain vitamin C, and can be fed in a raw state. However, be cautious as they also contain calcium and phosphorus. Peas: As with most vegetables, these contain Phosphorus and Calcium.
Although spinach is safe for your guinea pigs to eat and most piggies love this green leaf, due to the high oxalate content, it shouldn't be fed to them too often or in large quantities.
Since you don't want to overdo it with celery, never give your guinea pig a full celery stalk to munch on. “Guinea pigs can safely have [one] 2-inch section of celery with some of the leaves included in their diet up to three times per week,” Henson said. “However, they do not need more than that.”
Can guinea pigs eat broccoli everyday?
Short answer is, yes - guinea pigs can eat broccoli. Broccoli is a vegetable that is high in vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, Fiber, and other essential nutrients. Due to guinea pigs being unable to synthesize their own vitamin C, broccoli helps to fill that void.
House guinea pigs in a quiet area away from other pets or activity. Limit the number of animals in each enclosure to prevent overcrowding, and don't change their social groups too often. Follow a consistent routine for daily care. feeling anxious or when startled by sudden movement.
Processed, sugary, salty, and fatty foods top the list. Other no-nos include meat, alcohol, caffeine, dairy, or foods that cause gas. When in doubt about a food, ask your guinea-pig savvy veterinarian. Keep in mind that guinea pigs are herbivores.
The cage should mimic its natural environment as much as possible. It should have medium-height grass and areas where they can hide or lounge away when the cavies do not want company. Tunnels, cardboard boxes, and pipes can be placed within the cage to mimic a safe hiding area. Guinea pigs love clean spaces.
Guinea pigs often form strong bonds with their human companions. However, they can be flighty animals and will sometimes run away from you, even if they're used to being picked up. They tolerate being picked up but are unlikely to enjoy it.
Guinea pigs are recommended to have at least 1 hour outside of their cage, every day. However, if your guinea pig has never been outside, start with small amounts of time and increase gradually. It can be quite tiring to them at first.
Wheeking is the sound a guinea pig makes when it is hungry so don't be surprised if the wheek around the time you usually feed them or if they see you bringing some food.
While guinea pigs do not require any vaccinations, it is recommended that you take your pet to a veterinarian familiar with guinea pigs at least once each year for a routine checkup.
There are several types of bedding available for Guinea Pigs to nest in, including paper-based, fleece, wood, and hay. The best bedding for your Guinea Pig is either a paper or fleece based bedding.
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Good fresh foods to feed your guinea pig include:
- Bananas.
- Blueberries.
- Cantaloupe.
- Green peppers.
- Parsley.
- Green and red leaf lettuce.
- Strawberries.
- Tomatoes.
Can guinea pigs eat tomatoes yes or no?
Tomatoes are safe for guinea pigs to eat. Tomatoes have many beneficial dietary benefits including: Great source of fibre - necessary for correct digestive health. High in Vitamin C - A necessary vitamin in their diet.
Guinea pigs are naturally sociable creatures that need companionship to stay happy. In the wild, they live together in large herds, so they should always be kept in pairs or small groups.
Alpaca guinea pig
Some guinea pig lovers consider the Alpaca guinea pigs the most beautiful of the guinea pig breeds, and they are also one of the rare breeds of guinea pigs. That's why they're generally expensive and difficult to come by.
The cost of a guinea pig from a breeder is around $25 to $50 on average.
Also note that iceberg lettuce is not good to give to your guinea pig because it has so little nutritional value! Their spot in your guinea pig's meal is best taken by something else more nutritional.
- 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.
To sum things up, small portions of strawberries can be a treat for your guinea pig once or twice a week. Strawberries, because of their sugar content, are not fit to be included in your pig's diet every day. The stems and leaves are healthy for your pig, perhaps even better than the fruit itself.
The Guinean cuisine of West African is traditionally based on cereals, leaves, and tubers, such as maize, fonio, manioc, yams, taro, and of course vegetables, particularly eggplant. Rice appeared later in Africa, but nonetheless is has become the top most popular food in Guinea.
Excess fat in their diet can kill liver and pancreatic cells, deteriorating gastrointestinal function. Aside from this, peanut butter also contains a lot of sodium, sugar and too many calories. Peanut butter also has a dangerous mechanical effect, it is a choking hazard for them!
Timothy hay based pellets are generally the best dry food for your guinea pigs.
What is the biggest killer of guinea pigs?
Pneumonia. Pneumonia, or inflammation of the lungs, is a frequent cause of death in guinea pigs. Pneumonia in guinea pigs is usually caused by bacterial infection (most often Bordetella bronchiseptica, but other bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae or Streptococcus zooepidemicus may also be the cause).
Many guinea pigs like to be petted behind the ears or gently stroked from the neck to the rear in the direction of the fur (do not pet against the grain). Place your guinea pig on your lap with a towel or lap pad. Provide some food whilst having lap time to positively reinforce the experience.
Never hold your guinea pig with only one hand. If your guinea pig becomes stressed, there is a higher chance that they will attempt to jump or wiggle out of your grasp. It is always best to hold your guinea pig so that they are secure and comfortable in both of your hands.
Luckily, grapes are not known to be toxic to guinea pigs like they are to dogs and some birds. “That being said, [two to three] grapes per week are all you need for vitamin C benefits without overloading a guinea pig with sugar,” Henson said.
In short, it's safe to give your guinea pig a small slice of watermelon to enjoy but only in moderation. A piggy's diet should mainly consist of fresh hay, grass, high-quality pellets, and some nutritious veggies.
However, you should avoid feeding your guinea pig any dried fruit, including raisins. Dried fruit is very sticky and can get caught in your guinea pig's teeth or pose a choking hazard. Dried fruit is also higher in sugar than fresh fruit, which can cause fast and unnecessary weight gain.
Foods like carrots, kiwifruit, berries, and pineapple are also great as a source of Vitamin C and a tasty treat for your guinea pigs but only feed them a few times a week, not every day, as these foods have quite a high sugar content.
Guinea pigs' need fresh greens and vegetables every day to help them get enough vitamin C (they can't produce it themselves). Our vets' advise one teacup of greens and veg, per guinea pig, per day, which can be split into morning and evening feeds.
Can guinea pigs eat bananas daily? Due to the high amount of sugar and fiber in a banana, both Henson and Smothermon suggest giving your guinea pig a small piece of banana no more than a few times a week. “In moderation, bananas are a healthy treat for guinea pigs,” Smothermon told The Dodo.
Guinea pigs only need to be bathed once a month in the summer, and every two months in the winter. This is unless your pet needs of an anti-parasite bath, or if you've been told by a vet to bathe them more frequently. In general, too much bathing puts the animals at risk of skin infections and chills.
How often do you need to hold a guinea pig?
Most guinea pigs love spending quality time with their owners, so handling them is enjoyable for all concerned. Once your guinea pig gets to know you, being hand-fed and petted become important parts of their lives. This means it's actually up to you how much you hold them - you can do so as often as you like.
What are the downsides about lettuce for guinea pigs? With any food that contains calcium, regardless of the amount, overconsumption can lead to the risk of the formation of bladder stones. It's important to monitor your guinea pig's urine in order to decide what is too much for them!
Tomatoes are safe for guinea pigs to eat. Tomatoes have many beneficial dietary benefits including: Great source of fibre - necessary for correct digestive health. High in Vitamin C - A necessary vitamin in their diet.
Excess fat in their diet can kill liver and pancreatic cells, deteriorating gastrointestinal function. Aside from this, peanut butter also contains a lot of sodium, sugar and too many calories. Peanut butter also has a dangerous mechanical effect, it is a choking hazard for them!
