Timothy, bluegrass, meadow grass, and orchard grass hays are all good options to feed. [1] X Research source Do not feed alfalfa hay to guinea pigs over 6 months. Alfalfa is high in calcium and purposely branded for pregnant or nursing sows and pups under the age of 6 months.
If you have more than one guinea pig, provide their serving of pellets in separate bowls in case one guinea pig decides to eat all the pellets by themselves.
If you have more than one guinea pig, provide their serving of pellets in separate bowls in case one guinea pig decides to eat all the pellets by themselves.
Try cos lettuce, tomatoes, celery, cucumber, carrot, spinach, kale, coriander, basil, Brussel sprouts, etc. Avoid avocado as it’s high in fat. Iceberg should also be avoided as it contains high water content with little nutritional value. Cabbage is also another vegetable that should be avoided as it’s high in calcium and can cause bloating. Be mindful of each vegetable’s nutritional value. Some vegetables are high in sugar, such as carrots, with others being high in calcium, such as spinach and kale. If they are fed too much calcium it could lead to health problems with their liver and urine.
If you want, you can make your treats. These are healthier than store-bought ones (which you should avoid), but still should be fed very sparingly. If you do buy treats from a store avoid giving them more than once a day. Pea flakes are a better store-bought alternative to other commercial treats, but should still be kept to a minimum. These are used to clicker train guinea pigs.
Pellets can be measured via a quarter of a cup or 1/8. Vegetables may be a bit harder to measure as they cannot be measured in liquid form. Instead of measuring one cup, weigh the vegetables. One cup should be equivalent to half a pound (or 8 oz).
According to Guinea Lynx, you should ideally weigh your guinea pigs weekly. Not only to see if they’re putting on too much weight but to spot any decline in weight as a symptom of a sudden health issue. Weighing is one of the best ways to monitor your guinea pigs health. [4] X Research source To weigh your guinea pig, use a normal kitchen or bathroom scale that fits your guinea pig’s whole body. [5] X Research source The weight of your guinea pig will determine how much you need to feed them. If they are over the recommended weight they are likely eating too much. Cut down the portion of their pellets and cut out sugary treats altogether, including fruit.
