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 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.
What veg can I give my guinea pig daily?
Vegetables. Your guinea pigs should have fresh, washed leafy greens or weeds each day, such as kale or broccoli, which are excellent sources of Vitamin C. Guinea pigs don’t naturally eat fruit or root vegetables, but you can give them in small amounts as treats, such as small pieces of carrot or an apple quarter.
How many times a day should a guinea pig eat?
Other than the hay, it’s a good idea to feed your cavy two times a day. Both in the morning and in the evening, to help prevent overeating and, consequently, obesity. Always remove any uneaten pellets about 1 hour after your cavy has eaten and any fruit or vegetables after 24 hours.
What should I feed my guinea pig daily? – Related Questions
Do guinea pigs need attention everyday?
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.
Can guinea pigs have bananas?
You can serve it as a small slice, or smush the banana between your fingers for a sweet treat! Overall, bananas can be a great treat every once in a while for healthy guinea pigs. They are great health benefits like potassium and vitamin C, both are vital for your pig’s health.
Can I feed my guinea pig 3 times a day?
Feed your guinea pig hay.
Guinea pigs love hay! They need it for digestive and dental health. Guinea pigs should have unlimited access to hay, which often means refilling a good-sized dish 3 to 5 times daily. Timothy hay is the best hay for all guinea pigs in general.
How long should you hold your guinea pig per day?
How long should you hold your guinea pig? It is recommended to hold your pet for maximum of 10-15 minutes at a time, as it naturally needs to go to the bathroom: If held for too long, your pet will let you know if it wants to get back to its home (it becomes restless, starts whining and nibbling your clothes)
How often should you take a guinea pig out of its cage?
Guinea pigs are recommended to have at least 1 hour outside of their cage, every day. However, if your guinea pig has never been outside, start with small amounts of time and increase gradually. It can be quite tiring to them at first.
How do I know if my guinea pig is happy?
A common sign of happiness is rapid hopping up and down, similar to popcorn popping. Another sign of friendliness is rubbing noses, which guinea pigs will often do with each other. Licking is another friendly signal.
What do guinea pigs like in their cage?
Guinea pigs need appropriate room to roam, with separate spaces for a nest, bathroom area and food and water. No animal is meant to live in a cage all the time, so make sure to provide your pig with time outside their enclosures at least once a day to stretch their legs, explore and exercise.
What do guinea pigs love the most?
Your pig will be perfectly happy with high quality pellets and hay and treats of fruits and vegetables. For a special snack, try mixing some rolled oats into your guinea pig’s pellets or stuff a small cardboard tube with fresh hay.
Should you cover a guinea pig’s cage at night?
ALL CAGES should have a PARTIAL, OPAQUE COVER. We think of a needing a cover for keeping them safe. Full cage covers, if they are open enough for proper ventilation and light, then they still aren’t really providing that sense of security your guinea pigs desire. They want to feel safe from overhead birds of prey.
Do guinea pigs need a bed in their cage?
Do guinea pigs need a bed? Guinea pigs don’t need a bed as such, but they do need a hideout. Soft, open beds are an optional extra but a lovely addition to their cage if you have enough space for one. Doughnut beds, hammocks and cuddle cups are all very popular, and guinea pigs love these.
Do guinea pigs need baths?
Unlike humans, guinea pigs will only ever need a bath approximately 2 to 4 times a year. For hairless varieties, bathing is very rarely encouraged due to their particularly sensitive skin, and their difficulty in regulating their temperature.
Can I use a towel for guinea pig bedding?
Towels or bed linen can be repurposed to use for guinea pigs. Ideally natural materials like cotton should be used, they tend to be more absorbent than synthetic materials. Cloth materials are not as good as fleece liners at wicking moisture away so will need changing more frequently.
Do guinea pigs recognize their owners?
However, they have also been shown to demonstrate the same enjoyment for socialization with their human family. When we are in their presence, they want to see, smell and hear us. This means that, yes, guinea pigs do recognize their owners.
Do guinea pigs like to be touched?
The truth is, all guinea pigs are different and carry different personalities, just like people. Guinea pigs in general are very timid and cautious creatures, so it is not surprising that they may not want to be touched. For example, Tofu and Dumpling do not like for their belly or bottom to be pet.
Do guinea pigs know their name?
It may be surprising to some animal lovers, and even some piggy parents, but guinea pigs do indeed know their name. In our last YouTube Vlog, there were a few times that I called out to Tofu. While I was calling out to Tofu, Dumpling did not react at all.
Do guinea pigs get cold at night?
Some rodents, like ground squirrels or Eastern chipmunks, hibernate when the weather turns cold, but guinea pigs don’t. Instead, guinea pigs are most comfortable in air temperatures of about 65°F to 75°F. Anything below about 60°F is probably too cold for your pig.
