Learn all about what guinea pigs eat, also called guinea pigs, in this post you will find what fruits and vegetables they can eat and which ones they cannot, as well as prizes and tips for these animals.
What do guinea pigs eat?
If you have one of these animals in a cage, there are certain foods that you must guarantee them, since they are essential for their good health and survival, just as it happens with that What do dogs eat, whose also have specifications, these are:
It cannot lack the vital liquid for all living beings, water is essential, you must be changing it constantly, since it must be clean and fresh, avoid leaving the same water for many days, it must be changed at least every two days.
In addition to water, you must have hay available, being an essential food for these animals, its importance is due to the fact that their teeth are always growing so it is necessary that they wear them down in some way and this will be achieved through the consumption of hay , but it not only fulfills this function, but also facilitates digestion.
It generates fiber for your body, there is also a diversity of this food that you can get in the markets, such as the one with alfalfa, alone or with flowers, as you wish.
In addition to that, you should also provide foods that have vitamin C, such as; tomatoes, strawberries, spinach and others.
occasional foods
Addition food for guinea pigs mentioned above that are mandatory there are others that you should give at least on occasions that you think are convenient and that are within your reach, try not to limit your diet to only what is mentioned above, they have tastes in fruits and vegetables as you will see in the following segments.
These animals like lettuce, parsley, celery, plum, watermelon, melon, peach, among others, so the variety is wide, if you do not have one you can give them another, always trying to vary them so that their diet is more balanced. .
It is important to note that in the case of lettuce and parsley, it should not be abused, that is, not given in excess, since it can harm them when eaten in large quantities.
your body
To understand the process of feeding guinea pigs, it is necessary to know about their organism, which has the capacity to synthesize vitamin C, therefore, they must acquire it only through food.
Therein lies the importance of giving him vitamin C in his diet, this type of food should never be ignored, since if he does not consume it, great problems can be generated in terms of his health, greatly deteriorating his quality of life, since You could even have lost your teeth.
Other conditions with which you can find a lack of vitamin C are skin lesions, as well as diarrhea, cold, and death cases have also been seen.
Feed and treats that guinea pigs eat
In addition to the foods already mentioned, you can supplement with "feed", if it is within your reach, place them with cereal bars, since they love them and are considered suitable for these animals. Do not use those that are intended for hamsters or rabbits, since it will bring them malnutrition.
You can give this food once a day, in quantities of a fist, no more than that, with this you will be helping to keep your teeth with a good size, but never make it the food base.
Another quite interesting fact is the fact that in your local poultry farm you will surely get another type of food for guinea pigs, you can get them as prizes, many times they are dehydrated fruit; which should be given with prudence and not in excess, since they are only "prizes".
recommended fruits
There are always some foods that are more necessary than others, some that are recommended and others that are flatly denied, generating correct intestinal mobility is essential, you have to guarantee that function that will have a positive or negative impact on your body.
When they are in the wild they do not seek to feed on cereals or tubers, so their consumption of these foods when they are in captivity must be limited, be punctual when giving them, that is, only as an occasional gift.
Fruits can be given two to four times a week, of course, as long as they do not have a high acid index. The following are recommended:
- Pear
- Pin
- Melon
- Apricot
- Cambur
- Peach
- Apple
- Carrot
- milky
- Pineapple
In the case of the latter, it can be given as long as it is not so acidic, but rather has a little sweetness but not too much, since sugar is not good for them either. Avoid excess fruit, as they contain a lot of water, which could cause the animal to get diarrhea.
Recommended vegetables for guinea pigs
Naturally, that is, when this animal is in its natural habitat, it feeds mainly on hay, as well as grass that it gets on its way; Due to this, what is recommended is that you acquire these foods as essential. You can buy them continuously or you could also seed it.
You should give them vegetables every day, it is important to note that before giving them any form of food, be they fruits or vegetables, wash them, to prevent them from acquiring parasites or diseases, you should also give them in small pieces so that it is easier for them to consume them .
The recommended vegetables are:
- Lettuce
- Broccoli
- Zucchini
- Canons
- The cucumber
- Cauliflower
- Eggplant
- Spinach
- Tomato
- Celery
- Green cabbage
- Artichoke
- Pumpkin
- Artichoke
- Green beans
- tender shoots
- Chard
- Sprouted alfalfa
- Endives
- Red pepper
- Green pepper
- Pumpkin
- Lion teeth
In the case of celery and artichoke they will be an excellent diuretic, while lamb's lettuce, arugula and peppers will generate vitamin C.
If your guinea pig is sick, you can give it chard, since it can improve kidney function, while artichoke is recommended for the liver. If, on the other hand, he is overweight, you can give him cucumber, aubergine, and zucchini, and if what you want is for him to gain weight, you can give him pumpkin or endive.
Those that are the most recommended among all those mentioned are both broccoli and cabbage.
Food not allowed
You must be extremely attentive to guinea pig food that will not be of benefit to them, although there are few exceptions, you must always take them into account to avoid major inconveniences in terms of the welfare of this animal, it is a relatively short list unlike the Forbidden dog food.
Those foods that cannot be eaten are:
- Onion
- Garlic
- Potatoes
- hot chili peppers
- Chilli peppers
- Orange and tangerine, as it can cause heartburn.
- Beet
- high sugar fruits
- Fruit seeds such as grapes and apples
- Eggs
- Dairy products
If what you want is for your guinea pig to be totally healthy, you must follow all those tips that appear throughout the article, be varied but balanced, covering each and every one of its needs, both in fiber and in vitamins, the variety is wide so there is no major inconvenience to cover all this.
General advice
The tips that you should always follow to feed a guinea pig and be sure of it by providing the proper and nutritionally balanced diet are the following:
- Fresh water, essential, when it is winter, be checking because low temperatures can cause it to freeze.
- Acquire good quality hay, one that is dust-free and fresh, place it without any limit, always have it at your disposal.
- Acquire pellets in stores, as these will prevent nutritional deficiency. These should be given in greater quantity to those who are pregnant, those who are underweight, the elderly and the young.