Guinea Pigs Care Information

Guinea Pig Diet

Guinea pigs are very popular to keep as pets. But to keep it healthy and safe, it needs a proper guinea pig diet. There are a few key things to keep in mind, and you must remember the age of the pig you are feeding, since young ones have different nutritional needs than fully mature guinea pigs.
The main difference between the diet of a growing pig and an adult one is in the type of hay that is being fed. Hay is a critical part of the guinea pig’s diet. Young guinea pigs should have access to hay as soon as possible since it is so good for the health of their digestive tract. There are different types of hay on the market which are grown and prepared specifically for guinea pigs. Alfalfa hay is higher in calories than other types of hay. Young pigs should be fed alfalfa hay, since this can provide the calories needed for a young pig to get to a healthy body weight.

An adult pig should be fed other types of hay such as timothy grass or mixed grass hay. But it cannot be said enough how critical it is to make sure that there are not any chemicals added to the hay which could harm your pig.

Pellets in the Diet

Pellets are another key component of a healthy guinea pig diet. You need to make sure that it is nutritionally complete. Many pellets are made of alfalfa and these are more suitable for a younger guinea pig. When selecting the kind of pellets to feed your pig it is a good idea to check if it has vitamin C. This is one nutrient which is critical to guinea pig health. However, vitamin C can deteriorate over time, so it is important to make sure that the pellets are used before the best before date. Also, supplementing using fresh fruits and vegetables is also a good idea.

Young guinea pigs should have an unlimited supply of pellets available to them. Most adult guinea pigs will not overeat as a rule. However, if you do notice your guinea pig becoming obese, you should consult a veterinarian, and follow their guidelines for reducing pellet consumption.

Introducing Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables can be good for your guinea pig. They can add nutrients that cannot be found in pellets, and provide roughage and fibre that is good for your pig. You need to make sure that if you are introducing any new vegetables that you do so one at a time and watch for any negative side effects such as wet or soft stools. Any that do cause this problem should be taken back out of the diet. You should also be careful feeding fruit to your pig. They can be wonderful additions to the diet, but guinea pigs do have a sweet tooth and they may opt to eat only fruits if given the chance.

Fresh water is the other important factor in maintaining a healthy guinea pig. There should be fresh water that your guinea pig has access to at all times and if you notice that there is any dirt or debris in the water dish it should be cleaned and refilled. An alternative to the water bowl is a water bottle which is suspended from the side or top of the cage. It features a gravity fed spout which the guinea pig can use to get a drink. Keep in mind that if you opt to add vitamin supplements to the water, the altered taste can keep the guinea pig from drinking, and you should watch out for this.

Your guinea pig relies on you to make sure that it is receiving a balanced diet. Keeping your pet’s nutritional needs in mind is the first step in make sure that it remains healthy and contented throughout its’ life.

Tags: Guinea Pig Care, Guinea Pig Health

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