Diet

Diet - What do your guinea pigs really need?

A guinea pig's diet is actually more complex than most people think. Unfortunately, many pet shops and produce stores are unaware of the needs these little guys have and sell products that aren't actually good for your guinea pigs. So what is good, and what do they actually need? Hopefully we can explain it all for you here!

To download our fruit and vegetable list, please click here
To download a list of hay and Pig'n'Mix locations, please click here

1. Hay

A good quality grassy, barley or oaten hay should make up 90% of your guinea pigs diet. Hay is high in fibre, necessary for their digestive systems to function and it helps guinea pigs to grind back their teeth, to help prevent the development of possible dental issues. Guinea pigs under 12 months old can have lucerne hay, however the calcium content in lucerne hay is too high for older piggies. Once your guinea pig is over 12 months old, we recommend switching to a barley or grassy hay purchased from a local produce store, a recommended company such as Oxbow, another shelter or QGPR. It's essential to ensure the hay is stored in a dry, cool place to minimise the chances of it becoming stale or mouldy and therefore no longer suitable for your piggies' delicate digestive system. Hay and water should be available for your guinea pigs at all times and can be either placed in the cage, in a hay rack, hay feeder or hay bag.

2. Dry Food

With so many different guinea pig mixes on the market it can be so hard to know exactly which one is actually good for your beloved piggies. When selecting a mix, avoid products containing beet pulp, corn, seeds, nuts, dried fruits, rice bran, sweeteners, colouring, preservatives and oils. For guinea pigs over 12 months old, select a product lower in lucerne to avoid calcium overload. At QGPR, we make our own guinea pig food called Pig'n'Mix, which can be made lucerne free if you find that your senior piggy is susceptible to even the smallest amounts. Otherwise, we recommend Oxbow Cavy Cuisine pellets, also available for sale at our open days.

3. Fruits and Vegetables

Fresh fruits and vegetables play an important role in your guinea pig's diet, as they provide a natural source of fibre, vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients. Not only that, your guinea pigs LOVE them. However, it is important to ensure you don't overfeed your guinea pigs with vegetables and fruits high in sugar or feed them toxic veggies. Guinea pigs should be given around a cup each of fresh food every day, and mostly vegetables. Fruits should be given a maximum of three times per week to ensure they aren't receiving too much sugar in their diet. Leafy greens such as cos lettuce, silverbeet and kale should make up a large portion of vegetables given. Please note that iceberg lettuce should not be fed at all as it has a high water content and can cause digestive issues. Follow our food guide as to what we recommend you do and don't feed guinea pigs and mix it up to keep them interested. For some fruit and vegetable facts, click here. Remember - washed potatoes, onions, rhubarb and tomato leaves are toxic to guinea pigs and should not be fed.

4. Water

Water is an incredibly important part of a guinea pig's daily diet. Ensuring that you always have a water bottle full of fresh, clean water for your piggy is essential. Some piggies drink lots, and some little, but ensuring fresh, clean water is always available is a must. Don't add vitamin drops to their water, as many won't drink it and this can lead to dehydration.

5. Treats

There is also an endless supply of treats on the market for guinea pigs - some are great and some are not. Brands such as Oxbow Small Animal Nutrition make fantastic treat products for guinea pigs. At our open days, we sell a variety of treats, including from Oxbow and Smooshy Face Treats, made here in Australia. Some guinea pigs also enjoy chewing on pine cones as a treat. For more information about pine cones, please read our food facts. A simple treat option that piggies often love the most is their favourite fruit or vegetable!