Type of Food we have to feed Guinea Pigs
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is one of the most important nutrients for guinea pigs because they cannot produce it themselves. Without enough vitamin c in their diet, guinea pigs can quickly become ill with scurvy – which could be fatal if not addressed promptly! Guinea pig owners must ensure that there’s a constant supply of this nutrient available at all times. The amount varies depending on what reference source you consult, but according to some sources, 10-30mg per day should suffice (with pregnant/nursing animals needing more).
- If you feed a good selection of vegetables high in vitamin C along with your best guinea pig pellets, then you can probably meet the needs for beta carotene that are necessary to keep them healthy.
- Guinea pig pellets are a delicious and healthy way to provide your little friend with the vitamins they need. There is one caveat though, vitamin C doesn’t last long. Luckily there is an easy solution: keep them in a cool dark place! And if you want even more of those essential nutrients then be sure to get some stabilized pellet for that extra oomph!
- There are a number of ways to supplement with vitamin C. One possibility is to buy chewable 100 mg tablets for humans, which work well because guinea pigs cannot taste the bitterness in them and they do not contain any animal-based products such as gelatin or fish oil (which could be toxic). The downside is that these human supplements may have more than just Vitamin C so you will need to make sure it only has one ingredient: Ascorbic Acid.
- Guinea pigs are often the forgotten members of a household. They can be entertaining and helpful in getting rid of pests from your home, but they also need to have their needs met too. Vitamin C is one such necessity for these furry animals; without it, guinea pigs will eventually suffer from various illnesses that may lead to death! One way you can make sure that your pet has enough vitamin c is by crushing up tablets or sprinkling crushed tablet on vegetables or pellets if they would like them as treats instead then take care not overindulge since water soluble vitamins don’t store long term so excesses get excreted easily most likely while urinating 😉
- Adding vitamin C to water has been shown not be an effective way of getting guinea pigs the necessary vitamins and minerals that they need. This is because it loses its potency in water, so a fresh supply must be made every day if you want your pet’s consumption to provide any benefits at all. It may also reduce or refuse their intake of drinking this super-charged drink due to taste which can lead them into other health problems!
- The best way to make sure that your guinea pigs are getting enough vitamin C is by feeding them a variety of fresh vegetables or supplementing with tablet forms.
Pellets
Commercial guinea pig pellets should be fed daily. The number of pellets may need to be restricted if a guinea pig becomes obese, so choose high-quality food designed for the animal’s nutritional needs and keep it in storage conditions that preserve its freshness. Some pellet varieties use stabilized vitamin C or have an expiration date; these are good options when shopping because they will offer more nutrients than those with no such designation.
For guinea pigs, alfalfa-based pellets are fine when they’re young. But for adults, it’s often better to search out a Timothy hay-based pellet. For example, Oxbow Hay’s Cavy Cuisine and KM Hayloft’s Timothy’s Choice!
Guinea pigs need a diet that is healthy, balanced, and rich in nutrients. Animal by-products, nuts, or seeds can harm the digestive system as they contain small pieces of food, leading to intestinal blockages. Beet pulp is high in sugar, while dried fruits are less nutritious so avoid them when choosing your guinea pig’s pellets!
Hay
Hay is an essential part of any guinea pig’s diet. Although it can be expensive, a quality supply should always be available for your furry friend at all times. Grass hays are best suited to adult cavy diets; alfalfa hay is better if you have small or pregnant pigs but may not work well with adults who tend to eat more and thus need something to fill them up longer than the wider variety does.
Hay – arguably one of the most important parts of caring for your pet! It has long been heralded as being good fodder because its high fiber content ensures gastrointestinal health. At the same time, its lower protein levels minimize unwanted calories consumed by rodents such as Guinea Pigs (Cavies). Hay falls into two broad categories:
Fresh Vegetables and Fruit
Research has shown that leafy greens are the most important part of a bunny’s diet, followed by hay and vegetables. Rabbits should be fed fresh fruits in small quantities to keep them healthy.
Good choices for vegetables include kale, spinach, turnip greens, parsley, and romaine lettuce. Avoid cabbage because it can lead to gas in the digestive tract, and broccoli – cauliflower- collards – bok choy – other cruciferous vegetables should be avoided or limited. Starchy veggies such as potatoes are also off-limits, but carrots (along with carrot tops), green bell peppers, apple apricots, oranges, strawberries tomatoes are all good options too!
You can also offer fresh, pesticide-free grasses such as clover and chickweed if you have access to them. Please make sure they are young new growth for the most nutritious meal!
Adding new foods to your diet can be fun and exciting, but you must introduce them gradually. That way, if there is any digestive upset, the most serious thing will be a little bit of discomfort while your body adjusts to this change in its routine.
Mild reactions include small (and hopefully temporary) changes like gas or bloating which are often relieved by increasing fiber intake from other sources such as fruits and vegetables with high levels of soluble fibers like oats and beans. If these symptoms become more severe, consider seeing your doctor because some people may have sensitivities to certain types of food – especially those who do not eat many different varieties on their regular diets!