 |
Photo courtesy of HappyCavy fan pyza*
Guinea pigs are always eating. Whether it’s pellets, grass hay, daily greens, or the occasional fruit snack, it may often seem like your guinea pig is born to eat (and create magic beans).
With an insatiable diet comes the responsibility to learn what constitutes a proper guinea pig diet. Choosing guinea pig safe foods can be a bit of a challenge. There are so many types of fruits, vegetables, and herbs that guinea pigs can eat.
So what should you be feeding your guinea pig?
What fruits and ? What fruits can guinea pigs eat?? And herbs? What about those?
- What can guinea pigs eat?
- Which vegetables, fruits, and herbs are safe to feed your guinea pig?
- Are the foods you have been giving your cavy “guinea pig safe“?
- Besides water, high-quality hay, and pellets, what else can your guinea pig eat?
→ Jump to the Guinea Pig Safe Food List
First, let’s take a look at the basics of a guinea pig diet or jump to What The Happy Cavy Herd Eats for a general guide on the daily dietary requirements of guinea pigs.
A guinea pig’s diet should consist of the following:
#1. Water
A constant fresh source of fresh (preferably filtered but NOT distilled) clean, room-temperature water is an absolute must.
Water bottles should be emptied, rinsed, and re-filled each day.
#2. Grass Hay
High-quality grass hay (such as timothy hay) should be available at all times for your guinea pig. Hay delivers the fiber that that is essential for your guinea pig to be able to properly digest and proces food and nutrients. Without a constant intake of fresh hay, guinea pigs’ digestive tracks can shut down. Plus, hay helps guinea pigs keep their teeth clean prevents their teeth from growing too long.
How do you know if hay is high-quality? High-quality hay should be green with pliable stalks, free of mold and foreign particulates, and fragrant (not dusty or void of smell). Cheap, store-bought hay is no substitute for fresh, high-quality yummy goodness.
Most hay purchased at “big box” stores (PetCo, etc.) is NOT high-quality hay. Farm-to-cage is ideal and special caution should be taken when providing the most important food of your guinea pig’s diet: high-quality, pesticide(?) free hay.
NOTE: An alfalfa hay mix (1/2 timothy, 1/2 alfalfa) should be primarily fed to young guinea pigs under the age of 4 months and pregnant or nursing cavies. Because alfalfa hay is high in calcium, it should NOT be fed to healthy, adult cavies. Healthy, adult guinea pigs should be fed lower-calcium hays such as timothy hay or orchard grass hay.
#3. Pellets
Provide your guinea pig with about 1/4 – 1/8 cup of plain, corn- and seed-free guinea pig pellets for eating each day. Pellets are less important than a constant supply of fresh grass hay, though pellets can provide additional vitamins and nutrients that your guinea pig isn’t getting from hay alone, especially if the pellets are fortified in Vitamin C.
Guinea pig pellets should consist of only high-quality hay and should be served in a ceramic bowl, which is large enough to not tip over.
NOTE: Pellets alone are NOT a substitute for hay! High-quality grass hay is a must for proper guinea pig health.
Vitamin C
Like Humans, guinea pigs cannot manufacture their own vitamin C. To prevent survy and other health issues, each guinea pig should get 10 to 30 milligrams of Vitamin C each day; young, ill, nursing and/or pregnant animals require extra Vitamin C. While many guinea pigs will get an adequate serving of Vitamin C from vegetables and pellets, you may wish to supplement your cavy’s diet with a small amount of Vitamin C, either in power or tablet form.
NOTE: It is NOT recommended that you use water-soluable drops for supplementing Vitamin C. Watch How to Give Vitamin C to Your Guinea Pig (video) to see how HappyCavies get their Vitamin C.
Vegetables, Herbs, & Other Foods
Guinea should be fed only up to 1 cup (240 mL) each (adults) of vegetables per day. However, it is ideal for you to limit their intake of vegetables. Just because they CAN have up to 1 cup doesn’t mean they need it. Please remember that your guinea pig’s food supply should NOT be mainly vegetables. And watch their calcium intake! Foods high in calcium can lead to the formation of bladder stones and other health issues.
To help you find which vegetables, herbs, and fruits are safe to feed your guinea pig, please refer to the Guinea Pig Food List below.
NOTE: Always introduce new foods to your guinea pig slowly and patiently. Begin introducing new foods by providing a small piece or two during the “first try”. Then, portions of a particular guinea pig safe food may be increased slightly with each subsequent serving. The way that you introduce nutrients is as important as a healthy diet. Guinea pigs have a sensitive digestive system which is easily upset.
Help Us Maintain The Food List!
There are so many foods a guinea pig can eat. If you know of a food that is not included in this list which you think we should add, please let us know!
Share This Guinea Pig Nutrition & Diet Info
Then Like and Plus →
Guinea Pig “Safe Food List”
Updated: February 14, 2024
Click a letter to view that vegetable and refer to the “Notes” for cautionary advice.
Information on this chart is derived from the USDA FoodData Central. Information may have changed since the publication of this chart.
This chart takes into consideration several factors to arrive at our feeding frequency suggestions: sugar, calcium, phosphorous, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, oxalic acid content, and calcium to phosphorous (Ca:P) ratio. Not all fields are displayed due to space requirements. Chemical composition can be referenced at the USDA FoodData Central.
IMPORTANT: There are other important nutritional factors not represented in this chart. Please use GuineaLynx’s Vegetable/Fruit resource for additional information such as Calcium/Phosphorus Ratios and Oxalic Acid information: http://www.guinealynx.info/diet_ratio.html
CHART KEY
Almost daily
Frequently: 2-4 times per week
Occasionally: 1-2 times per week
Rarely: 1-2 times per month
DO NOT copy or distribute this list it without express permission from HappyCavy.com. Contact us if you wish to use this list on your website.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M |
| N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |
Recommended Feeding Frequency:
Almost daily
Frequently: 2-4 times per week
Occasionally: 1-2 times per week
Rarely: 1-2 times per month
| VEGETABLE / FRUIT (fresh & raw) |
VITAMIN C in mg (per 100g) |
CALCIUM in mg (per 100g) |
Notes |
| Alfalfa – pellets | 0 | 2200 | Alfalfa pellets are suitable for young, growing and/or pregnant guinea pigs (under 1 year of age). Ref. Pellets: Alfalfa vs Timothy. |
| Apple | 4.60 | 6.00 | Apple seeds are poisonous |
| Apricot | 10.00 | 13.00 | |
| Arugula lettuce | 15.00 | 160.00 | |
| Asparagus | 17.69 | 28.14 | May cause gas or bloating. |
| Banana | 9.10 | 6.00 | Can cause constipation. |
| Basil | 4.5 | 38.0 | Can cause constipation. |
| Beet greens/leaves (beetroot greens/leaves) |
30.00 | 117.00 | |
| Beets (beetroot) | 4.90 | 16.00 | |
| Bell pepper | See Peppers (capscium) | ||
| Blackberries | 21.00 | 32.00 | |
| Blueberries | 9.7 | 6.00 | Feed in moderation. |
| Broccoli raab, rabe, rapini | 93.00 | 48.00 | May cause gas or bloating. |
| Broccolini | 93.00 | 48.00 | Stems are liked better than flowers |
| Brussels sprouts | 85.00 | 42.00 | May cause gas or bloating. |
| Cabbage, green | 51.00 | 47.00 | May cause gas or bloating. |
| Cabbage, red | 57.00 | 51.00 | May cause gas or bloating. |
| Cabbage, Chinese pak-choi | 45.00 | 74.00 | May cause gas or bloating. |
| Cabbage, Savoy | 31.00 | 35.00 | Feed in moderation. May cause gas or bloating. |
| Cantaloupe (rock melon) | — | — | See Melon – Cantaloupe (rock melon) |
| Carrots | 5.9 | 33.00 | High Vitamin A. Feed in moderation. |
| Carrots, baby | 2.60 | 32.00 | High Vitamin A. Feed in moderation. |
| Carrots, top greens | unknown | unknown | Unknown nutrient makeup. Feed sparingly. |
| Cauliflower / Broccoflower | 46.40 | 22.00 | |
| Celery | 7.00 | 40.00 | Choking hazard. Remove the celery “veins” to prevent hazard. |
| Cherimoya | 9.00 | 23.00 | Very in very small amounts. |
| Cherries (without pits) – sour | 10.00 | 16.00 | |
| Cherries (without pits) – sweet | 7.00 | 13.00 | |
| Chicory, greens | 24.00 | 100.00 | |
| Chicory, witloof | 2.80 | 19.00 | |
| **Cilantro (corriander) | 27.00 | 67.00 | Feed in moderation. |
| **Collards | 35.30 | 145.00 | May cause gas or bloating. |
| Corn on the cob (1 med ear) | 6.10 | 2.00 | May cause gas or bloating. |
| Cranberries | 13.50 | 7.00 | Feed in moderation. |
| Cress, garden | 69.00 | 81.00 | |
| Cucumber with peel | 5.30 | 14.00 | |
| Dandelion Greens | 35.00 | 187.00 | |
| Dill | 85.00 | 208.00 | |
| Eggplant | 6.5 | 6.5 | |
| Elderberries | 36.00 | 38.00 | Feed in small amounts. |
| Endive (escarole) | 6.50 | 52.00 | |
| Fennel, fronds & leaves | not recorded specially for fronds & leaves | not recorded specially for fronds & leaves | Feed rarely. |
| Grapefruit, white | 37.00 | 15.00 | Sour foods can cause mouth sores. |
| Grapes | 4.00 | 14.00 | |
| Grass (lawn) | — | — | See Hay |
| Green beans, snap | 12.20 | 37.00 | |
| Hay | varies by type | varies by type | IMPORTANT: Read Selecting Hay. |
| Honeydew | 120.00 | 135.00 | See Melon – honeydew |
| Kale | 120.00 | 135.00 | |
| Kiwifruit, fuzzy (kiwi or kiwi fruit) | 92.70 | 34.00 | Remove brown, fuzzy skin. |
| Kohlrabi | 62.00 | 24.00 | Feed in moderation. |
| Kumquat | 37.40 | 44.00 | |
| Lavender | 12.00 | 215.00 | |
| Lettuce – butterhead, boston, bibb |
3.70 | 35.00 | |
| Lettuce – romaine (cos lettuce) |
4.00 | 33.00 | |
| Lettuce – red leaf |
3.70 | 33.00 | |
| Mammy-apple (mamey) | 14.00 | 11.00 | |
| Mandarin orange (or tangerine) | 30.80 | 14.00 | Feed in small amounts. |
| Mango | 27.70 | 10.00 | |
| Melon – Cantaloupe (rock melon) | 36.70 | 9.00 | Feed in small amounts. |
| Melon – casaba | 16.00 | 5.00 | |
| Melon – honeydew | 24.80 | 6.00 | |
| Melon – watermelon | 9.60 | 8.00 | |
| Mint (peppermint) | 31.80 | 243.00 | |
| Mustard greens | 70.00 | 103.00 | May cause gas or bloating. |
| Nectarine | 5.40 | 5.00 | |
| **Okra | 21.10 | 81.00 | |
| Orange | 53.20 | 40.00 | Citrus can cause mouth sores. |
| Oregano | 2.30 | 1597.00 | Feed in very small amounts. |
| Papaya | 61.80 | 24.00 | |
| **Parsley (curly or flat) | 133.00 | 138.00 | |
| Parsnip | 17.00 | 36.00 | |
| Passionfruit, purple | 30.00 | 12.00 | |
| Peach | 6.60 | 5.00 | |
| Peas, edible-podded | 40.00 | 25.00 | |
| Pears – Asian | 3.80 | 4.00 | |
| Pears – European | 6.60 | 18.15 | |
| Peppermint | 31.8 | 243.00 | |
| Peppers (capscium), sweet green | 80.40 | 10.00 | May cause gas or bloating. |
| Peppers (capscium), sweet orange | 146.7 | 0.00 | May cause gas or bloating. |
| Peppers (capscium), sweet red | 127.70 | 7.00 | May cause gas or bloating. |
| Peppers (capscium), sweet yellow | 183.50 | 11.00 | May cause gas or bloating. |
| Persimmon | 66.00 | 27.00 | Feed in very small amounts. |
| Pineapple | 15.40 | 7.00 | Citrus can cause mouth sores. |
| Plum | 9.50 | 4.00 | |
| Pumpkin | 11.00 | 39.00 | High in Vitamin A. |
| Pumpkin Leaves | 11.00 | 39.00 | High in Vitamin A. |
| Quince | 15.00 | 11.00 | |
| Radicchio | 8.00 | 19.00 | |
| Radishes | 14.80 | 25.00 | |
| Raspberries | 26.00 | 25.00 | |
| Raspberry leaves (from raspberry plant) | 25.00 | 22.00 | |
| Spearmint | 13.3 | 199.00 | Feed in very small amounts |
| **Spinach | 28.10 | 99.00 | May cause gas or bloating. Contains high levels of oxalic acid. |
| Squash, summer | 17.00 | 15.00 | |
| Squash, winter | 12.30 | 28.00 | |
| Starfruit | 34.40 | 3.00 | |
| Strawberries | 56.70 | 14.00 | Feed in moderation. |
| Sweet potato | 22.70 | 22.00 | |
| Sweet potato leaves | 11.00 | 37.00 | |
| **Swiss Chard | 30.00 | 51.00 | Feed in moderation. May cause diarrhea. |
| Taro leaves | 52.00 | 107.00 | |
| Thyme | 160.01 | 405.00 | Feed in moderation. |
| #Tomato, red, cherry tomatoes | 19.10 | 5.00 | Avoid leaves and stems (poisonous) – See Dangerous Food List |
| Turnip greens | 60.00 | 190.00 | |
| Watercress | 43.00 | 120.00 | |
| Watermelon | — | — | See Melon – watermelon |
| Watermelon rind | — | — | Vitamin & mineral content unknown. Watermelon rind is safe. |
| Wheatgrass | ~4.00 | ~28.00 | Fresh grasses may cause gut upsets. |
| Zucchini (courgette) | 28.00 | 1.00 |
# Vitamin C values for tomatoes differ depending on variety and season.
** Contains oxalic acid which may contribute to the formation of bladder stones.
Please email website[at]happycavy.com to make additions to this list.
Such cuties! 🙂
Why was carrots mentioned twice and once it was red… ?
Stick to hay, pellets, and water. Stop feeding so many vegetables and “snack” foods. Any human food is not OK — rice cakes, nuts, pasta, etc.
Guinea pigs do not have the ability to properly handle the the ingredients of foods like rice, nuts, etc. Continue to feed a guinea pig these foods will cause an issue much sooner than later. Something is bound to happen.
Whether they beg or not, it’s up to you to be the cavy “parent”.
Don’t eat when they are near you. Or keep the food away so they can’t get to it easily.
Cheers 🙂
I’m hoping someone can give me an answer. I got my son a guinea pig just before Christmas. The family who had him said he was about four years old. He’d been listed on Craig’s List for 6 months but the father of the family was very picky about who he would allow to take this guinea pig home. He wasn’t confident anyone else would take good enough care of him until I came to see him. My son renamed him Dr. Whoves. He is the sweetest, gentlest creature I’ve ever known. A month later I found out I should be feeding him Timothy hay in addition to pellets and fresh food.
A few months ago he started having runny stools and wasn’t eating much fresh food. I asked at the pet store what would cause this and was told I was feeding too much Timothy hay. The employee said they love it to the point that they won’t eat other food and I should only give a small amount a day. I cut the amount down to very little and he did start eating more. On and off he would have diarrhea or constipation and his eating would fluctuate. A little over a month ago he started eating very little again. He has a very fluffy coat so I didn’t realize that he’s nothing but bones underneath. Then after we pulled him out of his cage and got him to eat something by hand feeding he started having puss running from his face every time we got him to eat a little bit. I found the only pet in the valley to handle small animals and Monday I took him to see her. She examined him, She examined him. She checked for mites and some other issues to rule those out. She said he had an occluded tooth and it had become infected. (When she pushed on the area the pus ran.) She told me that he hasn’t been eating because it’s so painful and he smells so bad because his body has started to break down. She said we could put him on antibiotics and put him under anesthesia to pull the tooth but that would be very expensive and painful and small animals don’t handle pain well. She recommended we put him to sleep. I took him home so that we could have time to say good by. I had planned to take him back in the morning but I forgot to make the appointment (probably because I don’t want to). Since I brought him home we’ve been feeding him mushy foods like over ripe banana and he’s been eating. Tonight he started squealing at me until I gave him some kale. I haven’t seen any puss for days and I think he may have started putting on a little weight…or is that me hoping.
Can anyone tell me what kind of chance he might have of surviving a dental procedure like that and then having his teeth filed?
Thank you.
Can Guinea Pigs eat Mulberry leaves?
Hi. I have a guinea pig and another guinea pig that’s a mother to 2 babies. They eat clover, crabgrass, Cheez-its, and potato chips as snacks. (But mostly the plants) Is this okay?
No Cheez-Its or potato chips. No human foods — especially any processed foods — should be fed to guinea pigs. Doing so can lead to health issues in the future. As for clover, “white clover” is OK, but can cause gas and I would assume it has high amounts of calcium. So feed very sparingly, just a few small pieces once a week.
I just got 2 piggies Squeaker and Shadow they love veggies and was wondering if they could eat veggie crisps
No veggies crisps, please! 🙂
Hi I just got two New Guinea Pigs and I am looking for advice! On anything!
Hi I’m a new cavy owner any tips or advice??
My Guinea Pig (Vendetta) Favorite is Carrots . She will just go in the bag & eat almost all. She haves to eat about 10 times a day along with her eating her hay & pellits or she sqeaks like no tomorrow. She’s not a fan of the pellets but she loves hay ! & occasionally some fresh air when it’s nice & weather is beautiful. She gets her nails done regularly like she is suppose to, she really dislikes it though she always bites the person who does it. I feed her while they clip her nails now. Keeps her distracted a little. Also she loves to sleep she’s sooo lazy but she’s a character. She’s always doing things on purpose. She even likes to lick my little sister tears when she cries. But really only did it once
Awww, that is so cute!! Just be careful with the carrots. Although the chart says “almost daily”, guinea pigs should be getting only one baby-carrot sized carrot a day at most.
Okay thanks.
My neighbors grow squash and the vines come throw my fence. Can I feed my pigs the leaves if I wash and pat dry them?
Yes, the leaves are fine, as long as they have not been treated with chemicals, such as pesticides. But go easy — new treats can cause upset tummies 🙂
I just got a guinea pig but I dont know anything how to take care or feed him can someone help me
I feed my lil girl green peppers and kale are her favorites she will eat until gone and both carry the vitamin c needed. That they cannot produce on their own
Kale contains high levels of calcium, which can lead to the formation of bladder stones. Some peppers can have high levels of calcium, as well. This is why we do not recommend veggies as being the only method you rely on to get your pig’s vitamin C. Cut down/skip the kale and stick to supplementing your guinea pig’s diet with Vitamin C: http://www.happycavy.com/guinea-pig-vitamin-c-requirements/ 🙂
What do the colour codes mean? Do you have to give fresh food every day? Can you overdose on vit c? How many times a week is considered feeding in moderation? Thanks!
The color codes are at the bottom of this article:
Green = Almost daily
Yellow = Frequently: 2-4 times per week
Orange = Occasionally: 1-2 times per week
Red = Rarely: 1-2 times per month
Guinea pigs need hay and pellets every day. Fresh foods are NOT needed everyday; fresh foods are to be fed sparingly like a treat…such as potato chips for Humans. Feeding in moderation is one or two small pieces, only once a week at most. If you are supplementing your guinea pig’s diet with Vitamin C powder, follow the instructions carefully. I am not sure if guinea pigs can overdose on Vitamin C — it would have to be a lot, I’d think. Here’s more Vitamin C info at GuineaLynx: http://www.guinealynx.info/scurvy.html
Oops, I didn’t see them there, thanks! That’s interesting, my local p@h says they need fresh food daily, and does so in store. Why should they be given fresh food as if junk food? Thanks for your comprehensive answer! Oh, and when you say they need hay daily, is fresh grass the same or does hay have extra benefits? Thanks!
Maybe I don’t know what you mean by fresh food. You should ensure that their food supply (hay and pellets) are fresh, but they do not need fresh food such as vegetables or fruits. Fruits and veggies should be thought of as “snack” foods, hence the comparison to Human junk food 🙂 It isn’t a perfect comparison, but it gets the point across, I think. Guinea pigs need timothy hay, some prefer oat hay, but timothy is the staple hay to provide 🙂
My guinea pig will not eat the pellets no matter what. We dont have money to get all the other substitutes for it. Idk what to do.
Guinea pigs need pellets, but most important hay, to survive. Is your guinea pig eating hay? If so, pellets aren’t really necessary. If you really want your pig to eat pellets (due to weight issues, etc.), you can try buying a few brands to see what he/she likes.
I have a shy piggy her name is Peaches, she’s about 2-3 months. I’m trying to find a veggie or fruit for her to eat during play/cuddle time. She doesn’t seem to be a big fan of rasberries, apples, spinach, bananas, tomatoes, or carrots. Anyone have any other ideas of possible good treats? She is picky and would rather eat her hay! Our other lite girl Fay about 1-2 months loves spinach and apples! Any.suggestions? I want to help her get out of her shy shell!
She died today. But I just wanted to thank you for all the great advice it’s just hard right now knowing I can’t wake up to her kisses and wanting to eat her hay. But now she can rest in paradise with her other guinea pig friends
I am so sorry to hear that, yanna 🙁
What do you mean not so many veggies? You are supposed to give lots of veggies and a big variety of them. Along with pellets , which is just pressed hay, and lots of hay. You are not supposed to keep your piggy on an all hay diet.
So I have a piggy Fay whose ear looks like another piggy has been picking on her. They look like bite marks..anyone have any suggestions? They have a big cage and plenty of hidees! Could it be mites?
That is not true. Guinea pigs can live on hay alone. Veggie snacks are simply meant to be snacks — guinea pigs should not be fed “lots of veggies”. Snacks should not be fed to provide their daily nutritional needs.
Is it best to keep leafy greens as the cup of veggies you exspose to give them a day and use other vegetables as snacks. I need differnt combos
Hello! I really need help! My guinea pig was sitting on my lap while I was doing my Homework. Then she bit some of the graphite off the pencil! I need to know if she will be alright! PLEASE HELP!
i have a guinea pig named Snickers she looks almost exactly like that
I got two 3 month old guinea pigs so how much lettuce can I give them?
You list is color coded without a key to explain the color coding
Hello- can they eat spaghetti squash or acorn squash? If so, cooked or raw in small bits? Brand new for me!
If you have another cage or a way to separate the one they’re in now, I would suggest that you do so and watch to see if any new marks occur. Mites are extremely small and your cavy is unable to bite its own ear, so it’s probably a dominance issue. Are your piggies both female or one of each? Females tend to be less violent with one another, but that doesn’t mean it never happens. If nothing new shows up during separation, then it is definitely agressive from the other piggy. If they share a food bowl or water bottle, try putting two in their cage so they won’t fight over them. Also, give them treats separately, like during floor time or during cuddles. Hope this helped!
I am trying to find better places to get my piggies their food so i can stop supporting petsmart and petco and am curious if this food in the picture is okay for them? It says it is made for them but I keep getting mixed messages because of the stuff in the pellet mix like the corn and seeds. thank you.
Hi, Rose,
I’m not sure which picture you are referring to, We buy our pellets from KMS Hayloft if that helps 🙂
You are supposed to give them a salad every day. They can’t produce their own vitamin c
How about butternut squash?
I noticed that parsley is on the frequent list… Is it on for 3 days a week or would it be to high in oxalic acid? I’m new n trying to figure out what to feed my female pig … I know that she needs hay n Timothy pellets daily but I’m trying to find 2 or 3 veggies I can use every week to keep her vitamin c up
Hi, there! Parsley was indicated as frequent, but that was a mistake. I just moved it to Occasional. It is high in oxalic acid, thus the “occasional” designation. When we used to feed occasional veggies, we would go for a few pieces of cucumber and a few pieces of green pepper every week. Also, we always supplement diets with Vitamin C (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RUObQDa8bU) so that we don’t have to worry about feeding a lot of veg to make up for that.
hello, I have three young cavy’s (1 silkie male 2 months 1lb 2oz and 2 abby male 1 month 150z). I need some recommendations on pellets and hay for this particular age I already seen a vet that did not seem to knowledgeable, so I’ve been doing a lot of internet searching, which is overkill at this point…they are currently on kaytee timothy hay and this higgins sunburst pellets that I thought would be the right thing as I saw pea flakes and other goodies, but they just sift through the bowl for the goodies and disregard the pellets. I know of the very highly regarded Oxbow now…I was thinking of getting the young guinea pellets and possibly some alfalfa hay, but they seem pretty picky every time I try to introduce them to something new, kale, apple, endive (they ate a little)…even parsley and oranges…they are not liking any veggies, I am not sure why. I rather integrate some veggies so they can get the proper nutrients. and they love the seed heads…as you can see….
Hi, Janine! Your babies are adorable!
Guinea pigs under 6 months old should be fed alfalfa hay, as it’s higher calcium content give them the nutrition they need to grow. Once they hit 6 months, they should be switch to timothy hay. For babies, it’s probably a good idea to keep it light on the veggies since you want them to get used to hay and pellets. Some owners worry that, if they aren’t keen on pellets and hay now, that they just don’t like them. But, if you just provide hay and pellets, I guarantee that they will start eating them and get used to them.
You want pellets that don’t have a lot of those flakey vegetable pieces. Just a straight, pure hay pellet is the best, and they will probably like that the most. Remember, guinea pigs can get the nutrition they need through high-quality hay and pellets, and it’s a good idea to supplement their diet with vitamin C (http://www.happycavy.com/guinea-pig-vitamin-c-requirements/). There really is no need for veggies, other than an occasional snack.
Hope this helps? Give your piggies a kiss from us! 😀
aww thanks, your piggies are adorable as well! I appreciate your reply. I went to the store and bought the Oxbow young guinea pellets, they are gobbling them up. My luck that I know nobody with guinea pigs and so I’m scouring the net for info…the vet doesn’t see many exotics so he was a bit unhelpful, he wrote checked them out and gave me a panthlet
o.O
I just got a 4-6 week old teddy guinea pig and was wondering if he can have yellow, green bell peppers daily , parsley, baby kale, slivers of carrots and cucumber, and how often can I give it to him, we’ve had him almost a week and he has already figured out when I open fridge and crisper and start preparing his meal he goes crazy, loud whistling and popcorning.heven still eats pellets and massive amounts of timothy hay so far i give him way less tgan a 1/2 cup at a time 2-3 times a day. Don’t want to overfeeding him to where he gets diarrhea. Thanks for you input
Hi, Regina! Guinea pigs under 6 months old should be fed a diet of alfalfa hay and alfalfa-based pellets. Alfalfa hay provides important nutrients to growing pigs that timothy hay does not. So first, shop around for alfalfa.
Also, remember that veggies are a snack for guinea pigs. It shouldn’t constitute a large portion of their diet. We would only feed a small amount of fed (a few sprigs of parsley or a slice or two of green pepper) once a day. Veg like parsley, kale, and other dark leafy greens can have high amounts of oxilates which can lead to the formation of bladder stones and other nasty health issues. So, stick with just hay and pellets and, as they get older, you can incorporate a bit of veg each day. To ensure they are getting enough vitamin C, it’s a good idea to supplement their diet with Vitamin C power, like we demonstrate here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RUObQDa8bU
Hope this helps 😀
Ok I’ve been giving him veggies daily, mainly green and yellow pepper and baby kale, I’ll cut back but he’s very vocal when hungry especially in the morning, not sure exactly how old he is the pet store had 12 babies less than a week before they sold out and the breeder told them they were 4-6 weeks and was just weaned. Thanks for the info