The 5 Best Guinea Pig Foods
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Guinea pigs may be small, but they pack a lot of personality into those little bodies. These little animals are sweet and friendly, if a little bit skittish, but they are low maintenance, which makes them a great beginner pet.
Like any pet, however, they require a certain degree of care, which includes a healthy and balanced diet that meets their nutritional needs.
In this article, we’ll explore the subject of proper nutrition for guinea pigs so you can learn how best to feed your guinea pig. You’ll also see our top 5 picks for the best guinea pig food.
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Quick Look at Our Top Picks
We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below where we highlighted the features of each product. You’ll also find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Compare Best Guinea Pig Foods
|
Best For Baby/young Guinea Pigs
2. Small Pet Select Guinea Pig Food Pellets |
Best Affordable
3. Kaytee Timothy Complete Plus Fruits & Veggies Guinea Pig Food |
Best For Weight Gain
4. Oxbow Essentials Cavy Cuisine Adult Guinea Pig Food |
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|
Type
Fresh Hay |
Type
Pellets |
Type
Pellets |
Type
Pellets |
Type
Fresh Hay |
|
Main Ingredients
Timothy Hay |
Main Ingredients
Timothy Hay, Soybean Hulls, Soybean Meal |
Main Ingredients
Timothy Hay, Wheat Middlings, Ground Wheat |
Main Ingredients
Timothy Grass, Soybean Hulls, Soybean Meal |
Main Ingredients
Timothy Hay |
|
Life Stage
All |
Life Stage
Adult |
Life Stage
All |
Life Stage
Adult |
Life Stage
All |
What To Look For In Guinea Pig Food?
Guinea pigs are herbivores, and they tend to be picky eaters. Once they develop a taste for a certain kind of food, they do not adjust easily.
You should also know that the guinea pig’s gastrointestinal system is poorly understood, so any changes made to your guinea pig’s diet should be made slowly to avoid potential problems. Generally speaking, guinea pigs need unlimited amounts of Timothy hay supplemented with small amounts of commercial pellets and fresh fruits and vegetables.
Here are some important things to look for in a guinea pig diet:
- Fresh timothy hay. An unlimited amount of fresh timothy hay should be the foundation of your guinea pig’s diet. Avoid alfalfa hay and others that are too high in calcium.
- Commercial pellets. On top of fresh hay, feed your guinea pig about 2 tablespoons of commercial pellets formulated for guinea pigs and made primarily with timothy hay.
- Fresh fruits and vegetables. Supplement your guinea pig’s diet with fresh leafy greens and brightly colored veggies with small amounts of fresh fruits that are low in sugar.
- Added vitamin C. Brightly colored vegetables are a great source of vitamin C for guinea pigs, but you may also want to add a supplement to his water or choose a pellet rich in vitamin C.
- Unlimited fresh water. Fresh water is essential for healthy digestion and overall health, so make sure your guinea pig’s water bottle is always full.
Our Top Picks For The Best Guinea Pig Foods
Now that you have a better idea what to look for in an guinea pig food, it’s time to start shopping! Keep reading to see our top 5 picks for the guinea pig foods.
When shopping for guinea pig food, you need to keep your guinea pig’s core nutritional needs in mind. Fresh timothy hay should be the foundation of your pet’s diet, supplemented with commercial pellets and fresh vegetables.
Avoid any guinea pig foods that contain too many seeds or crunchy pieces because they offer limited nutritional value – your guinea pig’s pellets should consist primarily of timothy hay. Even if you feed your guinea pig a balanced diet, you may need to use a vitamin C supplement as well.
Oxbow Western Timothy Hay Small Animal Food
Product Info
- Type: Fresh Hay
- Main Ingredients: Timothy Hay
- Life Stage: All
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Made with 100% all-natural timothy hay
- High in fiber to support healthy digestion
- No additives or preservatives
- Not fortified with vitamin C or other supplements
- Freshness may vary from one shipment to another
High in fiber but low in fat, this fresh hay also supports your guinea pig’s healthy digestion, keeps its teeth trim, and provides enrichment as well.
Small Pet Select Guinea Pig Food Pellets
Product Info
- Type: Pellets
- Main Ingredients: Timothy Hay, Soybean Hulls, Soybean Meal
- Life Stage: Adult
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Timothy-based formula high in fiber for healthy digestion
- Fortified with essential vitamins and minerals
- Delivered fresh for maximum nutritional value
- Contains some added sugar (molasses)
- Some guinea pigs take time to transition onto pellets
These pellets feature high-quality timothy hay fortified with essential vitamins and minerals to provide your guinea pig with a healthy and balanced diet. They are also high in fiber for healthy digestion and delivered fresh for maximum nutritional value.
Kaytee Timothy Complete Plus Fruits & Veggies Guinea Pig Food
Product Info
- Type: Pellets
- Main Ingredients: Timothy Hay, Wheat Middlings, Ground Wheat
- Life Stage: All
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Made primarily of timothy hay and supplemental grasses
- Supplemented with vitamins, minerals, and probiotics
- High in fiber to support healthy digestion
- Contains some added sugar (molasses)
- Guinea pigs may pick out the veggie pieces if available
There is also a recipe supplemented with dried flowers and herbs as well as one that includes dried fruits and vegetables.
Oxbow Essentials Cavy Cuisine Adult Guinea Pig Food
Product Info
- Type: Pellets
- Main Ingredients: Timothy Grass, Soybean Hulls, Soybean Meal
- Life Stage: Adult
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Timothy grass as the main ingredient
- Fortified with essential vitamins and minerals
- Formulated to meet the needs of adult guinea pigs
- Contains some added sugar (molasses)
- May not be high enough in protein for very young guinea pigs
The formula is high in fiber for healthy digestion with moderate protein and low fat content as well.
Kaytee Natural Timothy Hay Small Animal Food
Product Info
- Type: Fresh Hay
- Main Ingredients: Timothy Hay
- Life Stage: All
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Hand-selected for maximum quality and nutrition
- No additives or preservatives
- Made only from all-natural timothy hay
- Not fortified with vitamin C or other supplements
- Freshness may vary from one shipment to another
Tips For Feeding Guinea Pigs
Now that you’ve seen our top picks for the best guinea pig food, you should have a better idea what goes into a healthy guinea pig diet. You may, however, still be wondering how much to feed your guinea pig and what supplemental foods you should include in its diet.
Here are some simple tips for feeding guinea pigs:
- Provide unlimited fresh timothy hay for your guinea pig – you can use a hay rack to keep it off the floor of the cage, so it stays clean.
- Choose a commercial pellet that is formulated for guinea pigs – rabbits have different nutritional needs so, while you might be able to feed a rabbit guinea pig pellets, the opposite is not true.
- Make sure your guinea pig’s pellets are primarily made up of timothy hay – avoid anything with too many seeds or cereals as well as pellets that contain high levels of alfalfa.
- Give your guinea pig about 2 tablespoons of pellets per day, ensuring that most of his nutrition comes from fresh hay.
- Supplement your guinea pig’s diet will small amounts of fresh vegetables once a day and small amounts of fresh fruit a few times a week.
In addition to providing your guinea pig with a healthy and balanced diet of timothy hay and commercial pellets, make sure to provide plenty of fresh water. Rinse and refill your guinea pig’s water bottle once a day and consider using a liquid vitamin C supplement as well, to be safe.
Final Remarks
Feeding your guinea pig a healthy and balanced diet is the best way to ensure its long-term health and wellness. Timothy hay, both fresh and in pelleted form, is the best food for your guinea pig, though you have some leeway when choosing commercial guinea pig foods. Just keep your pet’s core nutritional needs in mind to make a smart decision.
If you’re still not sure where to start in looking for a guinea pig food, try out one of the top 5 best guinea pig foods we’ve reviewed above. Good luck!
