Diet - What do your guinea pigs really need?

A guinea pig's diet is actually more complex than what may meet the eye. Unfortunately, most pet shops and produce places are simply unaware of the needs these little guys have and therefore sell products that aren't actually good for your pets. So what is good, and what do they actually need? Hopefully we can explain it all 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!
Hay should make up 90% of your guinea pigs diet. Not only is it high in fibre which is necessary for their digestive systems to function, it helps guinea pigs to grind their teeth back, saving you from possible dental issues down the track. Guinea pigs under 12 months old are able to have lucerne hay, although the calcium content in this variety of hay is too high for older piggies. Once your piggy is over 12 months old we recommend switching them to a barley or grassy hay purchased from a local produce store, a recommended company such as Oxbow, another shelter or us. 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 should be available for your guinea pigs at all times and can be either placed in the cage, in a hay rack, hay roller, 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 you want to avoid products containing beet pulp, corn, seeds, nuts, dried fruits, rice bran, sweeteners, colouring, preservatives and oils.  When searching for a food for guinea pigs over 12 months old you also want to select a product lower in lucerne to avoid calcium overload. Here at QGPR we make our own guinea pig mix called PIG'n'MIX which can be made with absolutely no lucerne if you find that your senior piggy is susceptible to even he smallest amounts. Otherwise, we recommend Oxbow Cavy Cuisine pellets.

3. Fruit and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables play an important role in your guinea pig's diet. They provide a natural source of fibre, vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients. Not only that, your guinea pig will LOVE them. It is important however to ensure you don't overfeed your guinea pigs with veggies, feed toxic veggies or overfeed vegetables and fruits high in sugar. Keeping fruit to a maximum of three times per week will ensure they aren't receiving too much sugar in their diets, as guinea pigs should mostly be given vegetables. Leafy greens should then make up a large portion of this vegetable amount - veggies such as cos lettuce, silver beet and kale are always a hit at the shelter. Mix it up to keep your guinea pigs interested, just follow our food guide as to what we recommend you do and don't feed to your little guys. For some fruit and vegetable facts, click here.
Remember - washed potatoes, onions 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 water is always available is a must.

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. If you're local to the shelter, sometimes you can also purchase our own home made Piggy Bikkies from our open days. 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 option, that piggies often love the most, is their favourite fruit or vegetable!