Sandos, Two adult Guinea Pigs (Cavia porcellus), CC BY-SA 3.0
Healthy diet for guinea pigs
Hay as forage
In nature, guinea pigs feed on grass, herbs, leaves and other plants. They are pure vegetarians, which means they do not eat insects or other animals. Domestic guinea pigs rarely have grass available when living indoors, so they feed on it mainly from hay, vegetables and lettuce.
The hay is not only important as feed, they also need it for digestion. Crude fibres, which are contained in large quantities in hay, stimulate intestinal activity and salivation and are therefore important for the nutrition of the small animals.
In addition, the teeth grind down well when eating hay. By grinding hard fibers, they are automatically shortened. It has to be, because if the teeth are too long, the guinea pig will eventually no longer be able to eat.
It is therefore optimal to provide the animals with grass or hay around the clock as basic fodder. So they already get many nutrients that they need to live. They also like to snuggle up in the hay and pad their sleeping places with it. Therefore, they should always have enough hay in the barn.
Tasty vitamins in winter
In addition, the guinea pigs need vitamins, which they eat with grass and herbs in summer and with salad, vegetables and fruit in winter. Gathering wild herbs like dandelion, chamomile, plantain, and clover is healthy and saves money by not having to buy them.
Because of the exhaust pollutants, however, you should not collect in the area of streets. Also, please wash well before giving them to the animals, because they can contain pests such as mites or ticks.
In winter, when there is no fresh grass, the guinea pigs need more lettuce and vegetables such as cucumbers and carrots to ensure vitamin intake. There should therefore always be enough fresh and juice feed available. Most guinea pigs love pickles and lettuce. However, you should not feed lettuce and lamb’s lettuce too often, as the nitrate content can be very high here. Carrot greens are also usually very popular.
Carrots themselves are also very popular, but they contain a lot of sugar. Therefore, they should not be on the menu every day. Garden bamboo is also suitable as green fodder in winter. This sweet grass is non-toxic and is readily eaten by all rodents. In addition, it grows very quickly. If you already have it in the garden or as a potted plant, you can also use it as fodder in winter.
Guinea pigs like these vegetables
Especially important in winter
A very popular vegetable for guinea pigs is fennel, which is also very positive effects on digestion has. The essential oils contained help against flatulence and taste good for most animals. Fennel and also the fennel green may be fed indefinitely. Other well-tolerated vegetables are parsnips and parsley roots. However, not all animals like them. You should therefore feed them slowly.
Bell peppers are not popular with all guinea pigs, but some animals enjoy eating yellow or red bell peppers. You should not feed the stalk because of the solanine content. Celery is very well tolerated and tastes good to most pigs. All parts can be fed. Celeriac is also ideal for winter feeding and can be served with leaves. On top of that, it has a supporting effect on the digestion of the animals.
Cabbage also enriches the feeding plan
Many varieties of cabbage are suitable for feeding in moderation. Cauliflower and broccoli in particular are popular with guinea pigs and are also very healthy. Broccoli contains a lot of vitamin C. In the beginning you should feed all types of cabbage slowly.
The stalk and the leaves can also be fed. Brussels sprouts and kohlrabi are also often eaten, although many guinea pigs find the leaves very tasty. Red cabbage and white cabbage are also suitable, but not too much of it, otherwise it could bloat.
The following types of vegetables are incompatible with guinea pigs:
- avocado
- tomatoes
- all onions (too hot)
- radish (too hot)
- Radishes (leaves are edible though)
- Sweetcorn (Too starchy and sugary
- sugar beets (sugar)
- Potatoes (too much starch and oxalic acid)
- legumes (poisonous)
fruit as a supplement
In the summer, cabbage is less important, although there are some varieties year-round. However, guinea pigs can also absorb vitamins from fruit. Not every fruit is healthy, however, as too much acid and sugar can cause diarrhea or irritation. Small pieces of apple are usually very popular. If the little animals tolerate them, they may also have them more often.
Strawberries with leaves, currants, raspberries, cranberries and rose hips are also suitable. Watermelon and physalis are also very popular. Honeydew melons, grapes, stone fruit, pears and bananas, on the other hand, contain too much sugar and should only be given very rarely. Citrus fruits are too acidic and can cause skin irritation.
Exotic fruits are generally unsuitable because they can lead to digestive disorders. It is therefore better to avoid giving mango, pomegranate or papaya.
Pellets and grain feed not absolutely necessary
In addition, the guinea pigs need always fresh water, especially if they get little juice feed. Dry feed is not absolutely necessary, as grain is very starchy and some pellets do not really contain what the animals need. Basically, corn and pea flakes are far too rich unless a guinea pig is sick and needs to be fed.
However, there are also Dry food with herbs, hay pellets and vegetable chips. There is basically nothing wrong with this and it can be given daily in small amounts. Most animals love to nibble in between meals. However, it is better to avoid cereal grains, corn and pea flakes. Store-bought treats aren’t necessary either, and will only add weight.
branches for employment
With a balanced diet, the animals do not need a salt lick either. What the guinea pigs really like, on the other hand, are fresh branches and twigs to nibble on from time to time. Bark and leaves contain important nutrients for species-appropriate nutrition and also offer variety.
Particularly Branches of fruit trees, hazelnut or linden are well suited. Coniferous tree branches are rather indigestible and don’t taste so good to the guinea pigs. Care should also be taken with oak branches. Yew and arborvitae are very poisonous and must never end up in the stable.
A varied and varied diet is very important in any case, so that the little rodents stay healthy and have as long and happy a life as possible.