Feeding Your Guinea Pig – Three Simple Tips
Posted by Burgess PetCare
Guinea pigs are friendly pets that make great companions for those who not mind taking on the extra responsibility of ensuring that the pet is properly cared for. Similar to rabbits, these pets require fibre to help aid the digestion that is so important to the wellbeing of the animal. If a guinea pet is your companion of choice, the following information will be helpful for you. Listed below are a few important tips for feeding your guinea pig.
Focus on fibre
How much fibre your guinea pig consumes on a daily basis is important. Focus on fibre by feeding your guinea an unlimited amount of fresh hay. Timothy hay is recommended over alfalfa because it is lower in calories. If you are concerned about the weight of your pet, choose timothy hay over other higher calorie grasses.
A variety of food is crucial
Most pet owners feel that if they feed guinea pigs a serving of pellets once daily, they’ve done their job. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Guinea pigs, like other small furry animals, need a variety of foods. This includes hay, fresh fruits and vegetables, water, snacks, etc. How does the variety in your guinea pig’s diet measure up? Keep in mind, however, that guinea pigs will almost always choose sweeter food over more nutritious options. Avoid feeding too many fruits. Giving fruit once or twice a week is more than enough.
Avoid feeding your guinea pig human treats
What tastes good to you may taste good to your guinea, too, but that doesn’t mean it will be healthy for your pet. Avoid giving your guinea pig human snacks such as chocolate, yogurt bites, cookies, pasta, etc. While you might not see immediate health problems develop in your pet, consuming these types of snack will promote a toxic growth of unhealthy bacteria in the intestinal tract.
Your guinea pig’s feeding plan will make all the difference in how healthy your animal is. To ensure that you have a healthy, happy guinea pig, use the feeding tips listed above and follow a feeding plan such as Burgess' Excel Feeding Plan for guinea pigs. Following these guidelines will help your guinea get adequate nutrition and fibre. It will also help your pet to maintain a healthy weight. Focus on fibre, add in a variety of foods, and avoid feeding your pet human treats to help maintain health. What will you feed your guinea pig?
