This small rodent, originally from South America, is finding its place in homes more and more. Very appreciated by children as well as adults, it likes to be cuddled as much as to walk in a large space. Strictly herbivorous, it has specific nutritional needs.
A strict diet
The guinea pig is herbivorous, which means that it feeds exclusively on vegetables and plants. It is a gourmet that consumes nearly 1/10th of its weight per day. A balanced meal consists of extruded food in small quantities, hay at will and especially the daily vegetable ration.
For kibble, choose extruded food prepared exclusively for guinea pigs. Reject seed mixes where the guinea pig only chooses what it likes and leaves the rest.
Choose fresh vegetables and unripe fruits, for fear of causing him stomach pains. Vary the vegetables, but don’t give him more than four varieties a day. He will particularly appreciate peppers, spinach, fennel, celery, strawberries, oranges or pears. Be careful not to abuse apples, which cause colic. The guinea pig does not support potatoes, cabbage, beans or chives.
Finally, do not forget the daily vitamin C. Indeed, the guinea pig does not synthesize it and its organism needs to ingest a small dose every day, otherwise it will develop a hypovitaminosis. You can give him food rich in vitamin C in his cage or administer it with a small pipette.
Small treats
If you feel like spoiling your cute rodent, be careful not to get carried away with your feelings and give him anything.
Just because he seems to like hard bread a lot doesn’t mean it’s good for him. Guinea pigs are not adapted to foods that contain grains. Moreover, the bread will swell in his stomach, causing him to feel heavy.
Give preference to fresh grass and vegetables that he likes the most. You can also grow some herbs in your garden and give him some from time to time. This is a good way to tame your new little friend. Gently hand him a treat that he enjoys. Eventually, he’ll get bolder and eat out of your hand, never to leave you again!
Properly fed and balanced, your guinea pig will live happily with you for many years. This is essential to prevent him from contracting deficiencies or diseases that would reduce his life expectancy. A healthy and mixed diet, accompanied by lots of petting by his master, will make him perfectly happy.
