Guinea pigs are a favorite pet animal and they are adopted by many pet lovers. This creature is herbivores and they eat only greens but not all greens. When it comes to finding their food, it sometimes confuses their owners about how to choose their food and where to get the food.
As guinea pigs mostly eat greens, their diet should be full of high-quality hay. Hay is one such item that they can eat in abundance without getting ill. However, some amount of vegetables and fruits are also required and you will be able to give them some chosen fruits and greens when you know which ones are useful for them.
Contents
The 9 Best Guinea Pig Food
The safe ingredients for the pellets of the guinea pig should consist of timothy hay, soybean in different forms like soybean bentonite and soybean meal, wheat middlings, and calcium carbonate with soybean oil and barley. Also, it should contain zinc amino acid complex, manganese amino acid complex, and copper amino acid complex. Vitamins like C, E complex should also be present in the pellets.
Now we will discuss the best pellets available in the market, which you can get for your guinea pigs.
1. Oxbow essentials guinea pig food
This is all naturally sourced food and it can be fed to the adult as well as baby guinea pigs. The main ingredient of the food as mentioned by the manufacturer is timothy hay. This is why this food will be easily digested and will keep the guinea pig in good health. There is vitamin C as well as antioxidants in this food which is good for the immunity of this small rodent.
The pellets are all of the equal size so measuring the food for each serving will be easy for the owners. The formula of this food is recommended by renowned veterinarians so it will be ideal for the consumption of your pet guinea pig. This food will be a complete solution for the need of the guinea pigs but still, we recommend offering the guinea pig some fresh hay and grass once a day.
Pros:
- Good quality food
- Recommended by vets
- Contains antioxidants and vitamin C
Cons:
- Not low in calcium
2. Kaytee Timothy hay complete plus fruits and vegetables
This food comes in the flavor of timothy hay which is a favorite for all the guinea pigs. These pellets help the guinea pigs to initiate the chewing habit so their dental health seems intact and in better condition. It contains a good amount of probiotics and prebiotics which is great for the digestion process of the guinea pig. Also, gut health remains in the best condition when this food is offered to the guinea pig.
This food also contains a variety of flowers and herbs which ensures that the guinea pig gets an ample quantity of vitamins and minerals which are essential nutrients for them. There is also long-lasting vitamin C which means your guinea pig will get a daily dose of vitamin C from this food consumption.
Pros:
- Contains vitamin C
- Contains herbs and flowers
- Prebiotics and probiotics for the digestive system
Cons:
- Plaint pellets but the herbs and flowers not apparently perceptible
3. Manna Pro Guinea pig food
This food contains vitamin C and that is an essential part of the diet of guinea pigs. This food is a complete solution for the nutritional care of the pet guinea pigs. This one comes in an assorted flavor and thus it will make the guinea pig feel that it is having some naturally sourced food. This is a great ingredient for the regular development of guinea pigs. It will not only fill the tummy of the small rodents but also keep their bone structure and joints in good condition.
As it contains no artificial color of the essence, this can be called a clean and safe food for the guinea pigs. These pellets will provide a healthy meal for the guinea pigs as it also contains a good amount of fibers and that ingredient is always needed to keep the digestive system of the pet in better condition. You must follow the directions mentioned in the packet to make sure how many pellets should be fed to your guinea pig at which age.
Pros:
- No artificial color
- Contains fiber
- Assorted flavor
Cons:
- Not available everywhere
4. Supreme tiny friends farm Gerty guinea pig tasty mix
This premium branded food for your guinea pig is available in strawberry and apple flavor which is a temptation for all pet guinea pigs. This food is also available in the form of pellets and thus offering the food is easy for the owners. This food contains wheat, flaked maize, soybean meal, alfalfa meal, whole oats, extruded maize, extruded locust bean, calcium carbonate, etc. this product is available at a pocket-friendly price which makes it more alluring.
Most of the guinea pigs owners are happy with the outcome of this product as they say that their pets love to gobble on this food. This food keeps the guinea pig healthy and there has been no complaint regarding the quality of the food so far. Also, the guinea pigs stay healthy and fit after consuming this food. The taste and flavor of the food are also liked by the pets usually. This food is available at various online sites as well as some offline stores, so you can get one pack for your fussy eater or sick guinea pig and see how it loves this food.
Pros:
- Nice taste and flavor
- Good for all ages
- No side effects
Cons:
- Large chunks are difficult to swallow by baby guinea pigs
5. Oxbow animal health garden select young guinea pig food
Though the name suggests that this food is for the young guinea pigs, you can still choose it for the adult ones. This food contains no soy or wheat so your guinea pig will be safely consuming only the good nutrients and will not suffer from any allergy or indigestion. This is a non-GMO food which means it will not have any illness or side effects on your pet guinea pig. This food contains a garden-inspired recipe that assures that the taste of the food will be loved by the pet as the freshness of flavor will stay intact in this food. This food is found in form of pellets and you can count the number of pellets when serving to your pet.
There are three varieties of grass included in this food so the guinea pig can experience all these different flavors in this food. This food is made from all the fresh sources and no synthetic colors have been added to it. The herbal aroma of the food will be tempting for the guinea pigs and they would gorge on this food.
Pros:
- Non-GMO
- Naturally sourced ingredients
- Variety of taste
- Herbal aroma
Cons:
- Not all guinea pigs like its taste
6. Mazuri timothy based guinea pig food
This pellet-shaped food is just awesome for the guinea pigs and they will love how this food smell and taste like timothy hay, their favorite food in natural form. This food contains all the necessary nutrients and thus it will provide your guinea pig with the goodness of all the necessary nutrients. When feeding this food to your guinea pig you do not have to be bothered about the supplements and medicine containing vitamin C or any other minerals as this food comes with all the important nutrients.
The formula of this food contains a balanced proportion of protein and minerals. The fiber is high in the pellets and thus your guinea pig will feel energetic after you start feeding this food to it. The pellets need to be chewed longer which will initiate good dental activities. The dental health of the pet will also be taken care of. There is no strain of alfalfa hay so it is completely safe for your pet. There are probiotics in this food that will support the gut health of the pet too.
Pros:
- Maintains healthy gut
- The right balance of nutrients and minerals
- Contains vitamin C
- Contains timothy hay
Cons:
- Some packets contain a good amount of powdered food
7. Sunseed Vita Prima complete nutrition guinea pig food
This is a hay-based pellet-formed food that is sourced from timothy hay, thus it will be a hygienic and healthy food option for your guinea pig. This one contains a good amount of vitamin C which is a much necessary vitamin for guinea pigs of all ages. There is no artificial color or preservatives added to this food so your guinea pig will have a healthy meal with each portion of this food in its diet.
The food contains all the rich nutrients and a mix of all the necessary ancient grains which gives the naturally availed protein to your guinea pig. This food is suitable for all the sizes and ages of guinea pigs and you can safely give it to young ones. This food is also fortified with healthy fatty acids like the omega 3 and omega 6 ones. Also, it contains probiotics which take care of the immunity as well as the good digestive system of the pet.
Pros:
- Rich in nutrients
- Contains vitamin C
- Contains probiotics
- Omega 3 fatty acid
Cons:
- Guinea pigs can gain weight
8. Wild harvest WH-83545 advanced nutrition diet for guinea pig
This advanced diet food is available in flip-top containers which makes it easy for the pet owners to serve the food. These pellets are high on fiber and thus will manage the obesity of the guinea pigs and also it will keep the digestive system in the best condition. This food comes with a variety of vegetables and thus the taste, as well as the flavor of the food, gets enhanced. This food actually replicates the diet of the naturally sourced ingredients and that is why it will be loved by guinea pigs of all ages and sizes.
All the nutritional needs will be satisfyingly met by this food brand. This food also will keep the energy level of your pet high and the pet will not suffer from any ailment due to the consumption of this food. This one contains vitamin C which means it will keep the immunity of your guinea pig in check.
Pros:
- Rich in nutrients
- Contains vitamin C
- Improves energy level
- Good for all ages
Cons:
- Sometimes it gets dusty
9. Higgins sunburst gourmet food mix for guinea pigs
These pellets and seeds are a nice mixture of two types of food and this is counted as one of the gourmet food for the guinea pigs. The interesting fact about this food is, it comes in the flavor of pumpkin and that is just awesome for the guinea pigs. This food is great for all the breed sizes so you can offer it to your matured guinea pigs as well as to the young ones. This food contains DHA and omega fatty acid which is good for the heart of the guinea pig.
There are digestive probiotics that make sure that the guinea pig has the best of the digestive system and their immunity power increases. The food also contains some wholesome fruits as well as vegetables and seed grains. All these are natural food for the guinea pigs and that is why this food will be loved by the guinea pig all the time. Along with that it also contains nuts and legumes which maintain the protein quotient of this food. This is how this becomes a highly referred food for the pet guinea pigs.
Pros:
- Contains high-quality protein
- Naturally sourced
- No preservatives
- Pellets and seeds
Cons:
- Somehow overpriced.
Must know about feeding Guinea pigs
How much food should the guinea pigs eat every day?
For the adult guinea pig, the food should be 1/8 cup of pellets, which is commercially available, for one day. You can offer the guinea pig also a good amount of hay along with the packaged food as hay never harms their digestive system. Timothy hay is something that they can have any time and at a good amount, as timothy hay has all the goodness that is required by the guinea pigs.
If you want to manage the weight of your pet guinea pig then you can increase the amount of hay and decrease the amount of packaged food.
What food should be given to the guinea pig on a daily basis?
Timothy hay or other hay that are low in calcium can be the regular food of the guinea pigs. Sometimes the commercially available food is also needed to be given. The pellets that you decide to give your guinea pig should also have timothy hay as the main ingredient. Vitamin C is also a much-required nutrient for the guinea pigs so you could either give it the supplement or the food that contains this vitamin.
Which foods are not right for the consumption of the guinea pig?
When it comes to hay, which is an all-time favorite food of the guinea pigs, there are certain restrictions too. They can eat timothy, oaten, barley, or any other grassy hay but some varieties like Lucerne, which is more popularly known as alfalfa hay, and clover hay, should not be fed to the guinea pigs. These hays are too high in protein and calcium and those are not required nutrients for the guinea pigs.
Can guinea pigs eat nuggets?
Nuggets are a treat for the guinea pigs so you can give them some when you are training them or giving them some direction. But this should not be a regular habit and you must not give the nuggets to the guinea pigs on a regular basis.
Can you give an apple to the guinea pig?
Guinea pigs do not eat fruits with great interest but yes, you can offer them fruits when cut into small pieces. They are not able to digest any and every kind of fruit but carrots or apples are okay for them if given in a small amount.
Can you overfeed your guinea pig?
Yes, you can as guinea pigs eat whenever you give them food. So keeping the amount moderate is in your hand. You have to follow a strict diet for the guinea pigs if you see that your pet is getting obese. Guinea pigs get obese much easily so they should always be given a limited amount of food. Also, the meal should consist of a good amount of fiber and no sugar should be present there. Always keep a check on the bodyweight of this creature so it enjoys a long and healthy life with you.
Can you give fries to your guinea pig?
French fries or fries are never to be fed to the guinea pig. Though it is a vegetarian item potato is not a suitable vegetable for the guinea pigs. In fact, potatoes are toxic to some extent for the guinea pigs and they should never eat this. Along with that, fries contain salt and fat, which are also not at all good for the health of the guinea pig. They can get sick after eating fries so never try to feed them with fries.
Can you give straw to your guinea pig?
As straw is another variation of hay, some owners may think of giving straw to their guinea pigs instead of hay. But that is not right. Straw is a much harsher and tough thing and it can harm the guinea pigs’ throat and mouth. The hay also will prick the inner part of the mouth and cause injury, so never offer straw to your guinea pig.
Can you offer bread to the guinea pig?
Bread is all about carbohydrates, and that is not a good ingredient for the guinea pigs. Some bread also contains sugar and salt. You must not feed the guinea pig with bread as there is no essential nutrient available for the guinea pig.
Can you give only pellets to your guinea pig?
Pellets are always a good form of food for the guinea pigs but that not only should be the diet of your pet. It will be cruel if you offer them pellets for a day in and out. They need to taste some fresh greens, hay, and some chosen fruits and vegetables.
They may get their necessary nutrients from the pellets but to keep them energetic and healthy you should also provide them with some amount of fresh greens and vegetables daily.
Can you give cucumber to your guinea pig?
Yes, cucumber can be eaten by the guinea pigs, the seeds, flesh, and the skin. The crunchy vegetable is great for them but there is not much vitamin C so do not give them cucumber in great portions. Only a small piece of cucumber can be given once in a few days.
Can you give watermelon to the guinea pig?
Yes, watermelon is a safe item for the guinea pigs, though it should be given in moderation. When you think of giving watermelon to the guinea pig, it should be in form of a small piece. Watermelon is a source of natural sugar and it contains a good amount of that. Sugar is not at all helpful for the guinea pigs and thus, you should keep the intake of the watermelon restrained for the guinea pigs.
Are grapes good for guinea pigs?
Grapes are a good source of various vitamins and minerals, so they should be an ideal food for guinea pigs. But it also contains fructose and which is a form of natural sugar. Guinea pigs love to eat grapes but you should not give them grapes daily, as that can make them obese.
What kinds of pellets are not suitable for guinea pigs?
The pellets that contain seeds, nuts, corn, and fruit are not ideal for guinea pigs. This small rodent does not have the ability to consume such a variety of ingredients at the same time. All these rich ingredients will be harmful to the guinea pig and will not be suitable for the digestion of the pet.
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