What can guinea pigs eat? 25 Ideas!

If you are the guardian of one of these little ones, have you ever wondered: what can guinea pigs eat?

Guinea pigs are herbivores, which means they eat only plants and plant-based foods. Their diet should be based on high quality hay, palletized feed and limited amounts of fresh vegetables and fruits.

Establish a routine for your guinea pig, offering food twice a day, morning and evening. If given the opportunity, they will eat more than they should, so be sure not to overfeed with pelleted food, as this can cause diarrhea and decreased appetite.

An imbalance in nutrition can lead to chronic diarrhea, obesity and even dental disease.

When introducing new foods into your guinea pig’s diet, do so gradually – abrupt or significant changes in diet can cause them to stop eating and potentially develop life-threatening gastrointestinal problems.

What vegetables can guinea pigs eat?

• Peppers
• Carrot
• Cauliflower leaves and stalks
• Celery leaves
• Pods
• Savoy cabbage
• Cress
• Endive
• Arugula

Some other leaves your guinea pig can eat:

• Coriander
• Mint
• Oregano
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Thyme
• Basil

What fruits can guinea pigs eat?

Fruit is not usually part of their diet when they are in the wild, but you can give them small amounts as an occasional treat.

Fruits are rich in sugar, which can cause obesity, so they need to be offered in controlled portions and infrequently.

Fruits that are safe for guinea pigs include:

• Apple (seedless)
• Banana
• Cherry
• Kiwi
• Melon
• Pear
• plum
• Pumpkin
• Strawberry

Rabbit food is not for guinea pigs!

The food developed for rabbits does not contain the necessary level of vitamin C for the piglets’ bodies. In general, these little animals need to receive supplementation of this vitaminalong with the feeding routine, avoiding serious diseases such as scurvy. Consult your veterinarian to find out which supplement is correct for your pet.

What can’t guinea pigs eat?

You also need to know which foods are not recommended for these animals, as some can be toxic or cause health problems for your guinea pig.

Make sure you do not feed them the following foods:

• Cereals;
• Grains;
• Nuts;
• Seeds;
• Dried beans,
• Corn and peas;
• Lettuce;
• Carvalho;
• Avocado;
• Onion;
• Potato;
• Mushrooms;
• Human foods such as: bread, cookies, candy, sugar, breakfast cereals, dairy products, chocolate, pasta, crackers, or preserved foods.

And of course, make sure your guinea pig has clean, fresh drinking water throughout the day.

Consult your veterinarian immediately if you notice any changes in your guinea pig’s eating, drinking, or bathroom habits.

Do you have any questions? Leave them in the comments and we’ll answer them!

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