![]() Guinea pigs should have as large an enclosure as possible, ideally with the right amount of lined, covered space and soft grass hay to provide cushioning. More information on feeding your guinea pigs can be found here. It’s important to also know what not to feed a guinea pig, as there are plenty of items that might seem harmless but can in fact cause significant health issues. Access to clean fresh water at all times.High quality commercial ‘Guinea Pig’ pellets (minimum 16% fibre content) may be offered in small quantities, but these should not form the main part of the diet.This is usually supplied sufficiently by the fresh leafy green veggies, but it is safer to supplement this with small quantities of Vitamin C rich foods such as citrus or kiwi fruit. A dietary source of Vitamin C because, like humans, guinea pigs cannot make their own Vitamin C from other food substances.Some examples of these include broccoli, cabbage, dark leafed lettuce varieties, and parsley. Just as with hay, Lucerne (alfalfa) should not be given fresh and clover should be avoided where possible and not given in large quantities. If they do not have an areas where they can graze safely (for example, free roaming in a safe enclosure), then offering cut grass is another alternative (however, they should not be fed lawn trimmings, as these can cause digestive upsets). Guinea pigs should not be fed Lucerne (alfalfa) or Clover hay, as these are too high in protein and calcium.Providing the opportunity for your guinea pig to graze on grass is also important to their wellbeing. This should be dry, sweet smelling and not contain any mold, mildew or fungus. Ensure that your guinea pigs have a constant supply of grass and/or grass hay (such as Timothy, Oaten, Barley, or grassy hay).Their teeth are continuously growing, which is one of the reasons why they need plenty of roughage to encourage chewing, which wears down their teeth and helps prevent serious dental problems.įor your guinea pig to be happy and healthy, they need plenty of the following basic components in their diets: Guinea pigs are natural herbivores, who would spend their time foraging and grazing in small herds in the wild. Please see more about guinea pigs’ companionship needs here. Ideally, your guinea pigs should be desexed, but if not it’s a good idea to keep only females or only males to avoid unwanted breeding. Guinea pigs are very social animals, and are happiest when kept with other guinea pigs. It does not cover every aspect of guinea pig care and we strongly advise that you seek further information to ensure the health and welfare of the animals in your care. The following information is only a basic overview. Although they are commonly thought to be easy first pets for children, they require plenty of attention, care and time, and a well-researched approach to their care. They are social inquisitive creatures and make lovely pets. Guinea Pigs (also known as cavies) are a species of rodent native to the South American Andes.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |