DIETARY FACT SHEET - Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs are herbivores and eat only grasses, grain, vegetables and fruit.
For a balanced diet, guinea pigs need dry feed, hay, fresh fruit and vegetables and water.
Dry Feed: Peters guinea pig foods are specially formulated for all breeds of adult guinea pigs. The ingredients in our product range are carefully selected for their taste and texture, shape, size and colour, to provide variety and interest in your pet’s diet.
Hay: Hay is very important for maintaining your guinea pig’s health. Hay provides essential roughage that aids digestion and reduces the risk of hairballs and other internal blockages. It also helps to satisfy the chewing urge and helps to wear down the constantly growing teeth. Feed Peters Pasture Hay or Timothy Hay daily in generous amounts.
Hay is also ideal for bedding; your guinea pig will enjoy burrowing into a generous nest of hay for warmth and comfort. Always ensure your pet’s bedding is clean and fresh by replacing it regularly.
Fruit & Vegetables: Offer a variety of fresh vegetables and fruit each day. Guinea pigs are unable to produce vitamin C naturally so it is important to include some vitamin C rich foods in the daily diet. Most of the following foods are a source of vitamin C:-
Apples, banana peel, beans, beetroot, broccoli, brussels sprouts, carrots, cauliflower leaves, celery, corn (husks or silk), cucumber, green and red peppers, melons, oranges, parsley, parsnips, peas, pears, pumpkin, silver beet, spinach and turnips.
Too much lettuce and cabbage may cause diarrhoea so feed sparingly.
Ensure the fruit and vegetables are fresh and washed clean. Place the roughly chopped food in a heavy ceramic bowl that can’t be tipped over. Introduce new foods slowly and in small amounts to avoid stomach upsets. This will also help you to identify your pet’s favourites.
Do not feed rhubarb, radishes, potatoes or oxalis as these are toxic to guinea pigs. Do not feed any mouldy or spoiled food. A number of plants are also toxic so beware of feeding plants or shrubs from the garden.
Treats: Peters small animal treats will provide hours of contented nibbling activity when your guinea pig is confined to its enclosure. Great as a reward or training aid, Peters treats can be hung in the enclosure or mixed into the dry feed to add variety and interest to your pet’s diet.
Water: Ensure your guinea pig has plenty of fresh water. We recommend a gravity flow plastic bottle with a metal tube (sipper tube) as this keeps water clean. Replace daily.