Everything about feeding guinea pigs

The guinea pig, or guinea pig, is a small herbivorous rodent which requires a specific diet to stay in good health. Understanding and providing a balanced diet is essential for the well-being of these endearing little furballs.

Guinea Pig Feeding Basics

Before starting, you should know that guinea pigs have particularly long intestines in relation to their size, around 225cm long. This is why they do many small meals per day, between 30 and 40. It is therefore important to restock them regularly or leave them something to snack on during the day during your absence to satisfy their appetite.

Hay: pillar of guinea pig diet

Making up the majority of their diet, THE hay must be available at all times. It is crucial for the proper functioning of their digestive system and help To the natural wear of their teeth.

Natural wear of teeth

Guinea pig teeth grow continuously throughout their life. Chewing hay is a natural activity which allows the necessary wear of the teeth, thus avoiding theserious dental problems, such as dental overgrowth, which can lead to malocclusions causing severe pain.

THE silica grains contained in hay effectively allow this natural wear of the teeth.

Digestion support

Guinea pigs have a specific digestive system that requires a constant intake of fiber. Hay, rich in crude fiber, helps maintain the proper functioning of their digestive system. Chewing hay stimulates intestinal motility, thus preventing gastrointestinal problems like illeus, where intestinal transit slows down or even stops completely. In this case, it is a life-threatening emergency for your little guinea pig and a visit to the veterinarian is mandatory.

Source of nutrients

Although hay seems simple, it is nutritionally rich. It not only provides fiber, but also essential proteins, minerals and vitamins to the overall health of guinea pigs.

The choice of type of hay can vary to offer different nutritional benefits: timothy hay (or Timothy) is for example very appreciated for its richness in nutrients just like alpine hay. . THE Crau hayWill also be very appreciated by your little guinea pigs, but be careful, because it is rich in calcium. It is therefore preferable to give it in addition to hay less rich in calcium.

Do not give hay mainly composed of alfalfa because it will be too rich in calcium.

Behavior and well-being

Hay also contributes to psychological well-being guinea pigs. The research process, , Selection of the tastiest strands and chewing hay stimulates their natural behavior, reducing boredom and stress. This allows guinea pigs to engage in activities that are both enjoyable and beneficial to their health.

Choice and quality of hay

The quality of the hay is essential. Good hay must be dry, , own And free from mold or dust. He must have a fresh smell and be of green color rather than brown or yellow. The strands should be long. Prefer hay dried in the open air and in the sun because it will be richer in vitamin D.

Hay should be stored in a dry place to prevent mold and deterioration. Close the bag of hay tightly after use so that it retains its freshness and delicious smell.

Hay distribution

Hay must be distributed in a rack to stay clean and dry. There are a number of racks, whether classic to attach to the bars of a grid or in the form of hanging ball. You can also use of the hay bagsBut be careful, because these little rascals tend to slip in to sleep there and at the same time risk soiling the hay contained. Finally, hay can obviously be distributed on the ground but your little guinea pigs risk soiling it and it will then become unfit for consumption. In this case, it must be renewed more regularly.

There quantity of hay distribute should be equivalent to what your guinea pigs can eat per day. Adapt the quantity of hay according to the waste they leave behind them.

In conclusion, hay is not just a staple food for guinea pigs, but an absolute necessity for their physical and mental health. Ensure A constant supply Good quality hay is one of the most important aspects of caring for these little wonders. Guinea pig owners must therefore recognize the vital importance of hay in the diet of their little companions to keep them happy and healthy for as long as possible.

Vitamin C: absolutely essential for the good health of your guinea pigs

Guinea pigs are the only rodents Not to synthesize vitamin C themselves. It is therefore essential to provide them with this vitamin in their diet to avoid deficiencies. This can be done naturally, in fresh vegetables and fruits which are given to him, but this supplement can also be done in other forms. There is in fact a supply of vitamin C in the form of drops to be diluted in water, of treats or even tablets.

Vitamin C is a antioxidant which plays an essential role in the production of red blood cells and in the transport and absorption of iron. A vitamin C deficiency can lead, among other things, to travel difficulties or even a blockage of the hindquarters or another limb, pododermatitis, of the blindness, lack of appetite, loosening of teeth And bleeding gums, it is therefore vital for the good health of your guinea pigs to provide them with this vitamin.

Foods that naturally contain a high amount of vitamin C include parsley (160 mg/100g), bell pepper (110mg/100g), fennel (93mg/100g), broccoli and cauliflower (70mg/100g). 100g). However, it is difficult to estimate the vitamin C intake provided by these foods because this vitamin degrades quickly. It is therefore essential to provide them with vitamin C through drops or tablets.

The need for vitamin C in guinea pigs is 16 mg per kilogram. This need passes to 30 mg/kg at the house of young guinea pigs, , those who are sick Or recovering also for pregnant females. At any rate, always seek the advice of a veterinarian to know the dose and frequency to give vitamin C to your guinea pigs depending on their state of health. Overall, it is appropriate to give 0.5ml per day with little guinea pigs, and 1ml twice a week to adult guinea pigs.

Vitamin C is heat sensitive And is degrading quickly Outdoors.Ensure preserve your vials of vitamin C Protected from light. Diluted in bottle water, vitamin C will quickly volatilize after a few hours, there is no need to choose this option. Prefer to give liquid vitamin C directly into your guinea pigs’ mouths through a pipette. Finally, the coloring of liquid vitamin C changes over time. Translucent at first, it can turn yellow but this does not mean that it has become unfit for consumption. On the other hand, if it becomes brownish, this indicates that it is expired, head to the trash.

Introduction and management of fresh food in guinea pig diets

Guinea pigs enjoy a wide variety of fresh vegetables and fruits, which should be introduced gradually to avoid digestive disorders. These bring to our little friends varied nutrients essential to their good health as well as water.

Vegetables: what to give, what to avoid

Among the vegetables that will make your little guinea pigs move with pleasure, we find red, green and yellow pepper, fennel, cucumber, zucchini, carrot tops (on the other hand, a slice of carrot from time to time, but not daily because they are too rich in sugar), celery stalks and celeriac, parsnips, rutabaga, are vegetables that can be given each day.

Among those that we can distribute from time to time to diversify their menu, we find cabbage in general and broccoli (but in small quantities because they are responsible for bloating), lamb's lettuce and batavia, radish with its tops, pumpkin, endive and green beans.

Finally, among vegetables to absolutely avoid of the diet of your little ones have found: turnip tops, eggplant leaves, onion, garlic, chard, leek, mushroom, lettuce, spinach, avocado, rhubarb, potato.

Fruits: source of sugar and vitamins

As for fruit, strawberry, banana, raspberry, pineapple, clementine, apricot, melon will make their vibrissae vibrate with excitement! These latter can be given regularly but in small quantities to avoid obesity. The fruits must provide a treat or reward. It is not necessary to give it every day.

Among the fruits that can be given with more moderation, we find, apple, mango, orange, pear, kiwi, blueberry, nectarine, tangerine, lychee and tomato.

On the other hand, especially do not give fig, coconut, mirabelle plum, watermelon, plum or prune (due to the high risk of diarrhea that they can cause).

Aromatic herbs and wild herbs

Here again, some herbs are healthy for the health of your little ones while others are much less so.

Among the aromatic herbs that will make your little friends' butts stir, parsley and mint, will be very appreciated.

Others will be to savoroccasionally as basil, tarragon, thyme and coriander.

Finally, among the aromatic herbs which are To forbid from the plate of your guinea pigs, have foundsavory, chives, sage, sorrel and chervil.

During your walks, you can harvest wild herbs that will be appreciated by the discerning palates of your little companions. These latter love dandelions, plantain, lanceolate plantain, white clover, purslane, borage, marigold flower, rose or even mallow. Also think about picking raspberry, mulberry, hazel leaves, and even nettles.

Some tips for optimal distribution

Fresh vegetables and fruits should Be given gradually and sparingly, notably when introducing a new food. Guinea pigs, like other rodents, are very sensitive to dietary changes. Have your guinea pigs taste new foods one by one and in very small quantities, so that their digestive system can assimilate them correctly. Think about include a wide variety of fruits and vegetables as early as possible in your guinea pigs' menu, especially when weaning them, so that they don't become choosy later.

Do not forget to remove seeds and pits because these contain a toxic substance which could be deadly for your little friends. Also avoid giving the part of the flesh that was in direct contact with the seeds and the core.

Give at least five different vegetables and fruits per day for your little residents and varied pleasures. Think of remove fresh food that has not been eaten during the day to prevent the development of bacteria and their rot. Vegetables and fruits should be washed and dried before distribution At room temperature (and not straight from the fridge). On the other hand, they must be distributed raw and uncooked.Focus on vegetables rather than fruits because the latter are rich in sugar. For example, you can distribute a piece of apple in the morning, but not give any more in the evening, when the menu will consist only of vegetables.

Distribute them in a Bowlintended for this purpose and clean it regularly. Make sure this container is sufficiently heavy to prevent your little friends from knocking it over and dirtying its contents.

Be careful that this ration of fresh food is reasonable and does not exceed 150 grams per day per guinea pig. An excess could result in digestive disorders, in particulardiarrhea.

Finally, we can ask ourselves whether it is useful to give vegetables or fruits that have been frozen. The answer is No, because these lost part of their nutritional value. Fresh vegetables and fruits are sufficiently diverse throughout the year to provide them with fresh, seasonal foods.

Pellets: supplement to hay feed

THE pellets specially designed for guinea pigs must be given in addition to its main food, hay.

To start, not to give to your guinea pigs seed mix. Indeed, the gourmet in him will be happy to sort the tastiest seeds (like sunflower seeds for example), and therefore neglect the others. In addition, these mixtures very often contain cereals responsible overweight in guinea pigs that consume it.

In order to avoid this unnecessary waste, prefer to give your little friends pellets specially dedicated to their food. Also check the composition of these granules. They must contain a significant part of fibers (more than 20%), a smaller one in proteins (15%), and a small share in fat (less than 5%). If they also contain vitamin C intake, It's a plus.

These granules are uniforms, which helps reduce not only sorting but also waste. A ration of 20 grams of pellets per guinea pig per day is sufficient. Adjust the portion according to what your guinea pigs consume per day.

If you want to change the pellets your guinea pigs eat, do it gradually over several days so that the transition is smooth: add a few new pellets to those you want to change and increase the dose each day until All that's left is the new pellets.

Hydration: clean, fresh water renewed daily

As with all other animals, the guinea pig needs to have at its disposal clean, fresh water at all times. Think of renew this water each day, and even several times a day in summer, so that it stays fresh and clean.

Distribute the water in A feeding bottle meant for that purpose. Place it at the height of your guinea pigs' mouths to prevent them from twisting their necks. Ensure a complete and meticulous cleaning from the bottle every week to prevent the proliferation of bacteria and microalgae. This option ensures that your guinea pigs do not tip over their water bowl and are not left without water during the day or night. The bottle is also known to be more hygienic in the sense that guinea pigs cannot contaminate the water contained with litter or with their food.

If your guinea pig is used to drinking from A water trough, clean this one each day when giving it water to avoid the proliferation of bacteria. Make sure it is quite heavy so as not to be knocked over by your little friends. Preferably place the water bowl in an area where there is no litter, for example on the upper floor of their duplex, and placed on a chenille rug, in case it tips over. It is entirely possible to arrange both, bottle and water bowl, according to the convenience of your guinea pigs.

Make sure that the water distributed is low in calcium (less than 10 mg/L) and chlorine.

It goes without saying that the guinea pig only needs to drink water, do not have fun giving him tea, coffee or any other sweet drink which would be fatal to him.

If you notice that your guinea pig is not drinking enough, it is probably because he gets his daily water ration from his diet, in this case you will have to reduce the intake of rich fruits or vegetables. in water.

Foods to gnaw to avoid boredom and exercise

A rodent among rodents, the guinea pig must have something to cut its teeth at its disposal at all times. This hobby is absolutely essential for their well-being and an very distracting occupation.

So provide your little residents with of the apple wood, hazel or willow branches.

THE gnawing stonesShould be distributed in moderation because they can lead to urinary problems.

Finally, there are many gnaw toys Who We will avoid boredom to your little companions. They stimulate their intelligence and curiosity for their greatest pleasure. Before giving them, check the composition of these toys, in particular that they do not contain no colorings, preservatives or additives. Preferably give toys made with natural materials like (untreated) wood, for example willow balesWhich hide delicious treats, or even composedhay and compacted plants.

Foods to avoid because they are toxic or even deadly

It is obvious, but let us remember all the same, that we do not give to a guinea pig what we eat as humans, that is to say no sweets, no biscuits, cereals or bread, no cheese or other dairy products, in short, nothing that does not constitute his herbivore diet.

Some foods are toxic Or indigestible for guinea pigs and should be avoided, either because they contain too much calcium or too muchoxalic acid.

THE calcium, in too large quantities for guinea pigs and rabbits, cause urinary and kidney problems. Among foods too rich in calcium, we find: chervil, fresh alfalfa, spinach, turnip tops, endive.

L'oxalic acid is responsible for digestive disorders. Among the foods that contain oxalic acid, we find tarragon, sorrel, chives, figs, rubarb, chard.

Some plants are also toxic, especially indoor plants, so make sure that your little guinea pigs do not have access to it, but also garden plants. Some are deadly, like lily of the valley, rhododendron, and oleander, but the list of these deadly plants is much longer.

In case of ingestion of food contrary to the diet of your guinea pigs, either because you were not aware or because your guinea pig chose to taste something that was in his mouth, monitor his behavior. There digestion is a good indicator in case of food poisoning. This can result in diarrhea, main symptom of a digestive disorder or soft droppings. Afterwards, monitor your general condition. If your guinea pig becomes apathetic, , remains prostrate in his corner, seizures Or refuses to eat, , alarm you immediately. In all cases, consult a veterinarian as soon as possible, its survival depends on it.

You would have understood it, the key to healthy guinea pigs largely depends on what they eat. A diet rich in good quality hay, a wide variety of fresh vegetables and a moderate intake of fruit, clean and fresh water daily, a pellet supplement dedicated to guinea pigs, and a vitamin C intake will ensure your cute little companions a healthy and sustainable life for the happiness of all.