Can a guinea pig live on just hay?

Hay is absolutely vital to the digestive health of your guinea pig. It prevents obesity, dental disease, diarrhea and boredom. Your guinea pig should have unlimited access to high quality grass hay. Your guinea pig should eat a pile of hay as big as his body every day.

Can I give my guinea pig hay everyday?

Timothy hay: Provide an unlimited quantity of fresh timothy hay every day. Guinea pigs need continuous access to hay to aid their digestion and limit the growth of their teeth. Fruit and vegetables: Fresh vegetables can be offered once a day and should be equivalent to about one cup total per guinea pig per day.

Can guinea pigs live without pellets?

As long as you provide a healthy diet with various veggies they will be fine without pellets. They may need a bit more veggies than before.

Can guinea pigs lay on hay?

There's no escaping the fact that guinea pigs love the stuff. They eat it, play in it, forage in it and sleep in it. Hay is a great bedding choice as it encourages lots of natural behaviours. You can line the base of the cage/hutch with some layers of newspaper and then pile plenty of hay on top.

Can guinea pigs live on hay bedding?

Timothy hay: Timothy hay can make a good bedding for guinea pigs. In addition to being a natural food source, guinea pigs enjoy tunneling through it, making nests in it and just playing with it. Fresh timothy has a pleasant smell, and will absorb some urine.

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Do guinea pigs prefer hay or straw?

Just like people, some guinea pigs appear to be more sensitive than others. Straw is not recommended as it usually contains very hard and often sharp stalks which can cause hay stick injuries. It is also not an appropriate substitute for hay, as it has very little nutritional value.

What can I use instead of bedding for guinea pigs?

Can guinea pigs eat too much hay?

The short answer is that you really can't put too much hay in a rabbit or guinea pig's habitat. The more hay they have available, the greater their opportunity to constantly forage and graze, which is extremely important not just for their physical health, but for their mental stimulation as well.

What do guinea pigs like to sleep in?

But they still like to take naps under the protection of a shelter. Owners have a variety of creative choices when providing a guinea pig with a place to nap. Some people give their pets an old cardboard shoebox, tissue box, or other small boxes to sleep in.

How much hay should I put in my guinea pig's cage?

Guinea pigs need a minimum of about 3 oz of hay per day, so each piggy should go through about 6 lbs of hay each month. Again, don't overdo it with the pellets. The piggies do need some Vitamin C, but make sure they get it in healthy forms, like rosehips and fresh veggies.

Can guinea pigs survive without veggies?

Adult Guinea Pig

Going without veg for a day or 2 here and there occasionally wont hurt them but it's important that they do get a good variety of fresh veg, salad and fruit in their diet daily for the rest of the time.

What should guinea pigs eat daily?

The preferred basic diet for guinea pigs is unlimited amounts of Timothy or other low-calcium hay, supplemented with smaller amounts of a commercial, high-fiber, Timothy-hay based guinea pig pellets. Vitamin C (see below) should be given each day. Hay should be offered free-choice throughout the day.

Do guinea pigs need vegetables daily?

Guinea pigs' need fresh greens and vegetables every day to help them get enough vitamin C (they can't produce it themselves). Our vets' advise one teacup of greens and veg, per guinea pig, per day, which can be split into morning and evening feeds.

Can guinea pigs eat hay instead of grass?

Hay and grass

Remember, guinea pigs need hay and/or grass for their digestive systems to function properly. Also, their teeth are always growing, and eating hay helps wear them down to keep them at the correct length and shape. The wrong diet can cause serious dental disease.

How long can guinea pigs survive without food?

So, how long can guinea pigs go without food and water? Healthy guinea pigs shouldn't go over 8 hours without food. They won't starve in this time, but they can develop potentially fatal GI stasis or other health issues. Healthy guinea pigs may go up to 24 hours without water.

How often should you change guinea pig hay?

Since replacing the hay in your guinea pig's habitat can encourage picky eating, we recommend changing it only when soiled. Young (less than six months old), pregnant, nursing, or ill animals can benefit from eating alfalfa hay in addition to grass hay because of the higher nutritional elements.

Do guinea pigs like to be in the dark?

So, do guinea pigs like the dark? Yes, guinea pigs prefer the dark. They are prey animals and can easily be spotted during daylight hours by predators.

Should you cover a guinea pig's cage at night?

How Much of the Cage Should you Cover at Night? Covering the whole cage at night can create problems and affect your guinea pigs breathing. That means that you should only cover part of their cage at night. This ensures that the cage remains properly ventilated while still letting in some light.

Is tap water OK for guinea pigs?

A good rule is to offer your guinea pigs the same type of plain water that you drink. If you drink tap water, that's fine for your guinea pigs.

Can guinea pigs get fat from hay?

Hay And Guinea Pigs: Too much food and too little exercise are usually the cause of excess weight. One food that you can free-feed with confidence is hay. Guinea pigs rely on the high fiber of hay to wear down their constantly growing teeth and to keep their digestive tract moving.

Why do guinea pigs squeak?

Squeal: Some guinea pigs will squeal when they are experiencing potential pain or they need attention. It can sometimes be that another guinea pig is stealing his favorite spot to eat. Pay attention to your guinea pig if you hear a squeal because it could indicate that they need help from something hurting them.

What can I put on the floor of my guinea pig cage?

Can guinea pigs use cat litter?

Recycled newspaper such as 'Breeders Choice Cat Litter' is probably the most suitable material as it provides great absorption & odour control. Regular house-cleaning is essential for the health of your guinea pig, and for preventing smells.

Do guinea pigs need bedding in their cage?

Guinea pigs spend quite a lot of time in their habitat so they require an excellent bedding material that's not only highly-absorbent, but soft and cozy too.