Do guinea pigs need pellets?

Commercial Guinea Pig Pellet Food

In reality, guinea pig pellets are not a necessary or required part of their regular diet. In fact, guinea pigs that overeat pellets can develop obesity as well as dental disease, so the amounts should be restricted.

Do guinea pigs need pellets every day?

About 1/8 cup of pellets once a day—supplemented by hay and fresh vegetables as described below—will be enough. 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.

Can guinea pigs survive off only hay?

Your guinea pig is an herbivore, which means he eats only plant material like hay. Herbivores need to have food moving constantly through their digestive systems to avoid serious health problems.

What can I substitute for guinea pig pellets?

Do guinea pigs eat hay or pellets?

According to Petco, because guinea pigs are herbivores, their diet should consist of hay, pellets, fresh vegetables, and fresh fruit. That being said, it is important to make sure that whatever food you are giving them is high in vitamin C because guinea pigs are naturally deficient of it.

Do Guinea Pigs Really NEED Pellets?

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 grass?

They should have fresh grass as often as possible too, ideally every day. They naturally graze, eating only grass, herbs and some other plants (such as dandelion or groundsel) for long periods, both day and night. Remember, guinea pigs need hay and/or grass for their digestive systems to function properly.

How often should you feed guinea pigs?

Feed your guinea pig on a consistent schedule—twice a day, morning and evening. Because guinea pigs will overeat if given the chance, be sure not to overfeed pelleted food, as it is predominantly carbohydrate and can lead to diarrhea and decreased appetite.

How long can guinea pigs go 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.

Can you overfeed a guinea pig?

Overfeeding can be damaging to your guinea pig's digestion tract, and cause obesity. To prevent yourself from overfeeding your guinea pig, all you need to do is serve your guinea pigs the right portioned meals and cut down on unnecessary sugary treats.

Can I feed my guinea pig grass instead of hay?

On the whole, fresh grass is the best choice to temporarily replace hay. Guinea pigs can forage for this in the backyard, replicating natural behaviors, or grass can grown in trays inside. It is important to be selective about the type of grass you use for your guinea pig's diet, and to introduce it slowly.

Do guinea pigs need bedding?

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.

What veg can guinea pigs eat every day?

What vegetables can guinea pigs eat daily? Guinea pigs can eat foods such as Romaine lettuce, sweet bell peppers, kale, cucumber and coriander every day and some other green leafy vegetables too.

How often should guinea pigs eat pellets?

Pellets should not be fed free choice, as sedentary guinea pigs can become overweight with unlimited feeding. Offer 1/8 cup of pellets per day for a 2 pound guinea pig. Hay should be available at all times. At least 1/2 -1 cup of fresh leafy greens or other vitamin C rich vegetables should be offered daily.

How many times do guinea pigs poop a day?

A 'normal' guinea pig will produce up to 100 poos a day. This number is naturally lower in older or less mobile guinea pigs. If the number of faecal pellets drops below 50 a day it may be a sign that something is wrong.

What do guinea pigs need in their cage?

Enclosures should be lined with newspaper and then at least 5cm of soft, nontoxic, nonabrasive, inedible, dust-free and absorbent bedding to provide cushioning and prevent foot problems. Suitable options for bedding include soft grass hay, fleece fabric, and shredded paper.

Do guinea pigs need veggies every day?

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.

Do guinea pigs need water at night?

Vets don't make any clear recommendations on the length of time a guinea pig can survive without water, but no pet should be deprived of water for more than 12 to 24 hours. Simply put, it's best to ensure your pet always has access to water.

How often do guinea pigs poop?

Because some guinea pigs poop more than others, it's not that easy to say how much they should poop in a day. What we can tell you, however, is that it's a lot. Healthy piggies can poop up to 100 times in one day, which means you might be cleaning the hutch out three or four times a day.

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.

Why does my guinea pig vibrate when I pet it?

Good vibrations

When petting your guinea pig, you may notice it start to vibrate. Much like when cats purr, these vibrations show that they are at ease and are in a good mood. This response is more commonly seen in younger guinea pigs, a characteristic that they grow out of as they get older.

Can guinea pigs eat lettuce everyday?

Romaine and green leaf lettuces can be fed 5 to 7 times per week. Both Romaine and green leaf lettuce have relatively low calcium content and relatively high Vitamin C content, making them the best lettuces for guinea pigs.

Do guinea pigs prefer to be inside or outside?

Guinea pigs can live indoors or outdoors, so long as they have enough space and you can keep them at a comfortable temperature in the summer heat or bad winter weather. You can also keep your guinea pigs in their own heated outhouse, a car-free garage or a shed.

How much attention do guinea pigs need?

Guinea pigs need time out of their cage every day. Whether this time is spent stretching their legs and exploring new environments or cuddling in your lap, daily interaction and attention are essential for a guinea pig's well-being. Guinea pigs need to be groomed regularly.

Can guinea pigs be out in the rain?

Yes, Guinea Pigs can live outside all year long, however, if you choose to keep your piggy outside during the winter, you must ensure his hutch is protected from the cold, wind and rain. Guinea Pigs are sensitive to extreme temperatures.