What kind of food can a guinea pig eat?
Guinea pigs are, of course, herbivores. They are small machines for eating vegetables. But if you’re going to be a responsible homeowner, you need to know what they can eat, what they like to eat, and what they can’t eat. First, remember that guinea pigs, like humans, do not make their own vitamin C. If a pig does not get adequate vitamin C in its diet, it will become ill and may even die. Therefore, when choosing a brand of pellets, make sure the bag says it is for guinea pigs (not rabbits or gerbils) and make sure it says it contains vitamin C.
The mainstay of his diet is Timothy Hay. I can’t say enough how important it is to provide an unlimited supply of Timothy’s hay. Hay helps your pigs digestive system and helps them grind their teeth. People often make the mistake of buying alfalfa hay. This is a big no-no. The amount of calcium in alfalfa hay is too much for guinea pigs and can cause bladder stones. So, give hay to Timothy and only hay to Timothy. Make sure they also get fresh hay every day. If the hay has been there for a while, it dries up and they often don’t eat it. Also, they often use hay as a bathing area, and once it is soaked in urine, it is no longer attractive. Pigs can be picky that way.
They need daily vegetables. My little pigs love romaine lettuce and carrots. But again, you need to be aware of giving them foods that are high in vitamin C, because even though the granules contain the vitamin, it is impossible to tell how old the granules are, and as vitamin C degrades over time, older granules will. . they lose their vitamin C potency. So try to find some veggies rich in vitamin C that you can eat. This can be a trickier trick than it sounds, because I’ve found that once a guinea pig gets into his head what he wants or doesn’t want to eat, it’s hard to change your mind. Also, they may love something one day and not touch it the next. They are like people in this capacity. We also get tired of the same old stuff, you know. Vegetables rich in vitamin C include kale, parsley, mustard greens, spinach, all of which none of my pigs will eat. This is not to say that your pigs don’t like these, but mine are a bit difficult. However, they will eat bell peppers, and this has a good amount of C.
If all of your efforts have been frustrated and you are concerned that your pet is not getting enough vitamin C, consider giving vitamin C supplements. I do not recommend drops that can be added to water. First, this can make the water taste strange to pigs and they will not drink it. Second, exposure to light will break down vitamin C, so it doesn’t really make sense. My vet recommended a chewable vitamin C tablet, although for it to work, you must first convince your pig to eat it. Of course, none of mine would touch it. But if all else fails and you are convinced that your guinea pig is not getting adequate vitamin C, you can administer the liquid drops with a syringe.
In short, your piglets should have pellets that indicate they are for guinea pigs and have vitamin C. They should also have an unlimited supply of Timothy Hay and fresh vegetables daily. And don’t forget they need fresh water too! Please note that I am an experienced and knowledgeable guinea pig owner, but I am not a medical professional. Always consult a veterinarian for any health concerns.