Basic Diet for Guinea Pigs

 Guinea Pigs need certain Vitamins, Nutrients and Minerals which can differ a lot from other rodents such as Rabbits or Hamsters. 

Hay or Fresh/Dried Grass
These should be 80% of their daily intake. In the wild they mostly eat grasses as their native environment is usually situated within Temperate Grasslands, Woodlands or in extreme conditions, Low-Mountainous Environments. However, if you want to introduce fresh grass to them, you should do introduce it slowly, with a small amount and increasing the amount slowly, which would therefore not upset their stomachs. Make sure not to give Guinea Pigs sopping wet grass, which could give them too much water. This can be similar to humans drinking too much water (water intoxication). Also make sure not to feed your piggies any grass which has had animal faeces or urine, which could therefore be poisonous (or any pesticides for that matter), another problem could be if you feed any grass which has been put through, or cut via a lawn mower as it has been through something that may be oily or have other such elements/compounds which may be poisonous to Guinea Pigs, in addition to this; who would want to eat something that was cut by a machine or strimmer.

Guinea Pigs need good quality hay, and most turn to timothy hay, as it is rich on nutrition and fibres. Hay can also wear down Guinea Pig's teeth which is a great thing as their teeth never stop growing. They need a constant supply and constant access. Hay racks a great, however they can obstruct the access to the hay, thus resulting in your piggies eating less hay in comparison to keeping a small or large pile of hay.

Vegetables
An estimated need for veggies is 15% of their entire diet. Make sure that you feed them a good mix of different veggies. You can include Carrots, Bell peppers, celery, beetroot, kale, cucumber and a whole lot more. I personally give my piggies 2 Bowls of veggies a day, which is 1 bowl per piggie.

Pellets
This should be 5% of their food, which should be only a supplementary food. These pellets shouldn't be based on grains or seeds. The best pellets are cylindrical shaped, and should offer a good rand of vitamins and other such nutrients.

Some piggies don't eat a lot of these pellets which is perfectly fine, just make sure they're still eating and drinking other foods which is in their diet. If they're not eating at all, they may be experiencing Anorexia (Read about it here)

Water
This specific liquid is very important to every animal alive, as it is the building blocks of life. Make sure your Guinea Pigs have a constant supply of water, either from a bottle and sipping tube. However it also needs to be fresh and clean. Make sure to clean their bottle often as well.

Anorexia (Refusal to eat or drink)

 A guinea pig's health can deteriorate very fast. By the time the illness or any problems are noticed, these illnesses may be life-threatening. Fast, competent veterinary care is crucial to saving a life of a sick Guinea Pig. When an illness is found early, they (in some situations) may be able to be cured with a course of antibiotics which are safe for guinea pigs.

Anorexia

Anorexia occurs when a Guinea Pig refuses to eat or drink. This can be extremely serious, as your pet's organs will shut down because of the lack of food and drink. After as few as 16 to 20 hours of Anorexia, liver cells being to break down. Onwards from that point your Guinea Pig's state will only worsen.

If you suspect or know your Guinea Pig is not eating or drinking, visit a vet immediately to determine the cause, thus bringing the possibility of treating this.

Anorexia can also be seen as eating very little. If no faeces or urine are being passed, and your Guinea Pig is not eating, you must seek veterinary care immediately! In addition, a pet which is loosing weight (or if young, failing to gain) is also at a great risk of Anorexia. Guinea Pigs are very vulnerable because of their need for Vitamin C and a tendency to develop ketosis.

There is a large variety of causes for anorexia, some of which may include

• Wide temperature swings
• Water Deprivation
• Changes in their diet
• Poisoning
• Loss of a cage mate
• Mechanical problems with feeders or sipper tubes
• Dental malocclusion
• Pain
• Obesity
• Loss of smell
• Oral lacerations
• An aggressive cage mate pre venting another's eating.
• Food changes (too hard or unpalatable food, or even a poorly designed diet)
• Infectious diseases (such as pneumonia)
• Metabolic disorders such as Vitamin C deficiency or renal failure

Some guinea pigs prescribed antibiotics (especially baytril) will and can stop eating. If this does happen, the vet should be notified and consideration given to switching to a different antibiotic which is suitable for Guinea Pigs.

The most common causes Guinea Pig owners usually encounter for Anorexia are illnesses such as a bacterial respiratory infection, malocclusion, antibiotic intolerance, pain and sometimes the loss of a cage mate.

Diagnosing Anorexia

A Guinea Pig may seem hungry and would like to eat or may be "truly anorexic". A Diagnosis will be based upon information about their diet, environment, recent changes, character of urine and faeces.

DISCLAIMER

I am not a vet. The purpose of this posts and similar ones is to spread awareness, but not to give medical advice. If you are not sure about your pets health, always consult a qualified vet first.

Is a Guinea Pig the right pet for you?

The domestic cavy is the only species of guinea pig which can be kept as a pet, living for an average 5-8 years. Guinea pigs are sociable animals, thus its important and ethical if you keep then in groups of 2 or more. Just because it may be easy to look after Guinea Pigs, doesn't mean you shouldn't be prepared. On the very exiting day which you take your furballs home, you'll most likely feel better knowing you're ready to give them the best life you possibly can.

Quick note about caring for Guinea Pigs

Guinea Pigs don't usually like loud noises, thus meaning that most people keep them outside in a hutch. However some people keep them indoors in an area which everyone within the household tries to keep as quiet as possible. You should get a cage, enclosure or hutch as big as you can. Don't buy small plastic cages as they can be far too small, and your Piggies will quickly become Depressed. They need a large area with shelter to hide from scary things or to relax. Make sure they cannot escape from their hutch, enclosure or cage! (See our post on cage size guidelines).

Guinea Pigs need plenty of Vitamin C and and lots of fibre, so make sure you keep an eye out for this in their food. You also need to ensure that they have fresh and easily accessible water and hay, as well has pellet food or equivalent. Don't buy or feed treats or food to Guinea Pigs until you know that it is safe for them to eat. There's a huge list of Dos and Don'ts with Guinea Pigs, for example don't buy salt licks as their food should already contain the salt that they need to survive. Too much salt can be very unhealthy and could possibly result in death.