What do guinea pigs eat? This is a common question, and I’m here to answer it.
Here is what you should be feeding your guinea pigs:
- Hay+Grass
- Vegetables+Greens
- Pellets
- Treats+Fruit
Let’s learn more about the guinea pigs’ diet.
Hay+Grass
Your guinea pigs should have access to hay or grass at all times; in the cage, during floor-time, etc. It makes up most of the guinea pigs’ diet and is crucial for their health.
Hay contains lots of fiber, which supports digestive (and overall) health. It also wears down their continually growing teeth.
Grass contains lots of vitamin C and fiber. Also, like hay, some types of grass help to wear down guinea pigs’ teeth.
Now let’s talk about the different kinds of hay that you should/can provide for your piggies!
Timothy hay
Timothy hay is the most commonly used hay for guinea pigs and is widely available.
It has a bunch of seed heads, which is probably the tastiest part, as most guinea pigs (including mine) love them.
Also, it has lots of stalks which are good for wearing down your guinea pigs’ teeth. The plentiful leaves of the hay contain lots of minerals and vitamins.
Feeding amount: Unlimited
Alfalfa hay
Alfalfa hay is a “legume hay”.
Legume hays are high in calcium, which can lead to health problems, such as bladder stones, if overfed.
However, young (under 6 months), pregnant or nursing guinea pigs may benefit from the extra protein and calcium alfalfa hay provides (in small amounts, that is).
Alfalfa hay should not be the main type of hay you feed your guinea pigs, but it can be fed in small amounts.
Feeding amount: Occasionally
Meadow Hay
Meadow hay provides a large range of minerals, as it is not all hay, but it also contains clovers, leaves, flowers and other edible plants. Meadow hay is also harvested and packed without being processed.
Feeding amount: Unlimited
Oat Hay
Oat hay is a great type of hay, as long as you feed it in moderation. Because it is not actually grass hay, oat hay should be used as a treat.
In addition to this, oat hay doesn’t contain as much fiber as other hays, making it unsuitable as a primary source of fiber.
Oat hay adds more variety to your guinea pigs’ diet and makes a great, healthy treat hay.
Feeding amount: Occasionally
Orchard Grass Hay
Orchard grass hay is a great choice for guinea pig owners with allergies because it is less dusty compared to some other hays.
Also, as far as nutrition goes, orchard grass hay is very similar to timothy hay. The texture of orchard grass also tends to be finer and softer than some other hays, which makes it a big hit for some guinea pigs.
Feeding amount: Unlimited
Some other Types of Hay Guinea Pigs can have Include:
- Botanical/Gourmet hay (Feeding amount: Unlimited)
- Bermuda/Bermudagrass hay (Feeding amount: Unlimited)
Now let’s learn about hay cuttings.
What are 1st, 2nd and 3rd Hay Cuttings?
You may have heard about hay cuttings, but what is a ‘hay cutting’ and what is the difference between different cuttings?
The term 1st, 2nd or 3rd cutting refers to how the hay has been cut, which affects the texture and nutrition of the hay.
Let’s learn more about the different hay cuttings.
1st Hay Cutting
1st-cut hay tends to have lots of stems, which helps wear down guinea pig teeth. Because of this, it has a course texture. It is also high in fiber, which is important for your guinea pig’s health.
Depending on the type of hay, 1st-cut hay may also have lots of seed heads, which many guinea pigs love, but are not super nutritious.
One of the downsides to getting 1st-cut hay is that if your guinea pig is picky, it may eat the seed heads, but not eat the stalks, which is where most of the nutrients are.
2nd Hay Cutting
2nd-cut hay tends to have more leaves than 1st-cut hay does. Because of this, 2nd-cut hay has a softer texture.
It also has less seed heads than 1st-cut hay does, which means the guinea pig may get more fiber from it, since they won’t be distracted by the less-nutritional seed heads.
In addition to this, many guinea pigs prefer 2nd-cut hay to 1st-cut hay.
3rd Hay Cutting
3rd-cut hay is very leafy, even leafier than 2nd-cut hay is, and it doesn’t have a lot of stalks.
Most guinea pigs just love 3rd-cut hay, but because it has very low fiber content and high protein content, it is unsuitable as staple hay for adult guinea pigs. However, younger, growing guinea pigs may benefit from the extra protein 3rd-cut hay provides.
Which Hay Cutting is Best for Guinea Pigs?
The hay cutting that is best for guinea pigs is 2nd cut hay (although 1st cut hay is a very good option as well), and guinea pigs under 6 months old may benefit from 3rd cut hay.
The hay I feed my guinea pigs is a mixture of 1st and 2nd-cut hay.
Buying Hay in Bulk
Buying hay in bulk really just means buying bales of hay. This is a great way to save money on your furry friends because hay sold at pet stores is often overpriced.
Where to Buy Hay-Bales
Bales of hay can be bought from a farm or farm supply store.
Bales of hay are also available from online pet stores, such as Chewy.com. You can also buy bales of hay from Craigslist.
What if I Don’t Have Much Space for a Hay-Bale?
If you don’t have enough space for a large bale of hay, there are a few things you can do to be able to store it more easily:
#1. You can ask for a smaller bale.
#2. You can buy a compressed bale. Compressed bales of hay take up less space than a normal bale of hay would.
#3. Store the bale in a different place than you had in mind at first. If your bale of hay doesn’t fit right next to the guinea pig cage, try storing it in a closet or in a shed instead. To be able to access the hay more easily, fill a plastic bin with hay from the bale and keep it near the guinea pigs’ cage; refill the bin as needed.
Now let’s talk about grass.
Feeding Your Piggies Fresh Grass
In order to feed your guinea pigs grass safely, here are a few tips:
- Introduce grass slowly to your piggy’s diet, if they have never eaten it before.
- Do not feed your piggy lawn clippings or digestive upset and illness may occur.
- Don’t let your guinea pig graze on wet grass since standing in wet grass for too long can cause health problems for your piggy.
- If you live in an area where it stays pretty damp a lot, it might not be a good idea to feed your piggy grass from outside, as it may be moldy.
- Never let your guinea pig eat grass that has been treated with any kind of lawn chemical as this may lead to severe illness or even death to your pet.
Can Fresh Grass Replace Hay?
Can you feed your guinea pig fresh grass instead of hay? The answer is no.
You can substitute hay for fresh grass for a few days, but you shouldn’t take hay completely out of your guinea pigs’ diet since it is much better at wearing down your guinea pig’s teeth than grass is.
Although fresh grass shouldn’t replace hay, if you have a lot of grass, you can make your own hay by cutting the grass (do not use a lawn mower to do this) and putting the grass out in the sun to dry (make sure that air can get to all the grass).
Once it smells and looks like hay, it’s done! Store your homemade hay like you would if it were normal hay.
Vegetables+Greens
Fresh Vegetables and Greens are very important for your guinea pigs’ health because they provide them with vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, which guinea pigs cannot make on their own. Piggies who don’t get enough vitamin C in their diet are more likely to develop illnesses.
For this reason, your guinea pigs should each be fed about 1 cup of veggies and greens daily.
Calcium, Sugar and Ca:P Ratios in Vegetables
Calcium
Calcium is probably the most misunderstood mineral among guinea pig owners.
Since giving your guinea pig too much calcium can cause bladder stones over time, some pet owners have put their guinea pigs on very low calcium diets to avoid it.
However, doing this may result in the guinea pigs not getting enough calcium, which can cause dental and bone problems, so it is a good idea to balance out how much calcium you feed. (More about this under Ca: P ratios.)
Sugar
Vegetables such as red bell peppers, tomatoes and carrots are pretty high in sugar and shouldn’t be fed as often as others.
Veggies that are high in sugar are okay for guinea pigs if fed in moderation.
Ca: P Ratios
Concentration and Calcium: Phosphorus (or Ca: P for short) ratios are another thing to consider when feeding vegetables.
If you feed your guinea pigs 1 high calcium veggie and a few moderate calcium veggies, or 2 high calcium veggies and 2 or more low calcium veggies, you should get the balance right without having to stress over it!
Can Guinea Pigs eat Cooked, Frozen or Dried Veggies?
No, guinea pigs cannot eat cooked, frozen or dried vegetables.
Cooked veggies are difficult for guinea pigs to digest. Also, the longer vegetables are cooked, the less vitamin C they contain, and vitamin C is essential for your guinea pigs’ health.
Frozen veggies are often partially cooked, so they shouldn’t be fed either. Dried vegetables may contain added preservatives which are harmful for your guinea pigs (dried veggies can be fed if they are sold for small pets, though).
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Unripe or Spoiled vegetables?
No, guinea pigs should always eat fresh, ripe veggies. However, if you have some vegetables that are a bit wilted, you can feed them to your piggies!
How to Prepare Veggies for Your Guinea Pig
It’s a good idea to wash any vegetables (if the veggies are organic, you don’t have to wash them) you will feed to your guinea pigs thoroughly before feeding. After washing them, cut them up and serve to your piggies. Some vegetables, such as celery, should be cut up into small pieces to help prevent choking.
Here are 9 healthy vegetables/greens to feed your guinea pigs:
- Bell pepper
- Parsley
- Carrot
- Kale
- Lettuce
- Dandelion greens
- Cucumber
- Tomatoes
- Celery
Let’s learn more about each one.
Bell Pepper
Bell pepper is a very healthy vegetable; it is high in vitamin C and low in calcium.
Bell peppers are also a great source of vitamin A, vitamin K, fiber and other antioxidants that your guinea pigs need to be healthy. However, red and orange peppers shouldn’t be fed as often, due to the fact that they are high in sugar.
What Parts of the Pepper can Guinea Pigs Eat?
- The bell pepper itself
What Parts of the Pepper should you not feed guinea pigs
- The stem
- Bell pepper seeds
Feeding amount (green and yellow pepper): 1/4 bell pepper per guinea pig, 5-7 times a week
Feeding amount (red and orange pepper): 1/4 bell pepper per piggy, 1-2 times a week
Parsley
Parsley is high in vitamin C, which is essential for guinea pigs, but it is also high in calcium.
Parsley also provides your piggies with lots of vitamin K, vitamin A, potassium and other antioxidants, which are essential for your guinea pigs’ health.
What Parts of the Parsley can Guinea Pigs Eat?
- Parsley leaves
- Parsley stems
- Parsley roots
Feeding amount: 1/4 cup per guinea pig, 2-3 times a week
Carrot
Carrots are low in calcium, but they are also high in sugar and don’t contain very much vitamin C, so carrots shouldn’t be fed too often.
Carrots also are a good source of fiber, vitamin A and beta-carotene, which guinea pigs need for good health.
What Parts of the Carrot Can Guinea Pigs Eat?
- The carrot itself
- Carrot skin
- Carrot greens
Feeding amount (carrot): 1 medium carrot per piggy, 3-4 times a week
Feeding amount (carrot greens): 1/4 cup per guinea pig, 2-3 times a week
Kale
Kale is a healthy vegetable to feed to your piggies, as it contains lots of vitamin C, but since it’s high in calcium, it should be fed in moderation.
Kale is also packed with lots of vitamin A, vitamin K, potassium, iron and magnesium–all kinds of necessary nutrients for your piggy.
What Parts of the Kale Can Guinea Pigs Eat?
- Kale leaves
- Kale stems
Feeding amount: 1-2 small leaves per piggy, 1-2 times a week
Lettuce
Lettuce is tasty and healthy veggie, having a moderate amount of vitamin C and not too much calcium.
Lettuce also provides your guinea pig with vitamin A, vitamin B-6, iron, magnesium, zinc and other healthy vitamins and minerals.
Here are 6 types of lettuce that you can feed your piggy:
- Green leaf
- Red leaf
- Endive
- Romaine
- Little gem
- Radicchio
What Parts of the Lettuce Can Guinea Pigs Eat?
- Lettuce leaves
Some guinea pig owners have said that lettuce stalks are a choking hazard for guinea pigs, but I have never had that problem with my piggies.
Feeding amount (green leaf, red leaf and endive): 1-2 medium leaves per guinea pig, up to 7 times a week
Feeding amount (romaine): 1-2 medium leaves per piggy, 5-6 times a week
Feeding amount (little gem): 1-2 medium leaves per guinea pig, 3-4 times a week
Feeding amount (radicchio): 1-2 medium leaves per piggy, 2-3 times a week
Dandelion Greens
Dandelion greens are another tasty addition to your pet’s diet, providing a good amount of vitamin C, but it has a lot of calcium, so it should be fed in moderation.
Dandelion greens provide your guinea pig with vitamin K, fiber and other antioxidants needed for good health.
What Parts of the Dandelion Plant Can Guinea Pigs Eat?
- Dandelion leaves
- Dandelion stems
- Dandelion flowers
Feeding amount: 10-20 leaves per guinea pig, 2-3 times per week
Cucumber
Cucumber is a great veggie to feed your piggies, especially in the summer. It has low calcium, but it is also low in vitamin C and pretty watery, which means it shouldn’t be a staple veggie.
Cucumbers are a great source of vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin B-6 and magnesium.
What Parts of the Cucumber Can Guinea Pigs Eat?
Guinea pigs can eat the flesh, seeds and skin of the cucumber as a tasty, watery treat.
Feeding amount: 2-3 normal-sized slices per piggy, 3-4 times a week
Tomato
Tomato is a good vegetable to feed in moderation, since it contains a lot of sugar; having low calcium and providing a small amount of vitamin C.
Tomatoes are a good source of vitamin A, vitamin B-6, vitamin K and potassium. Tomatoes also contain a small amount of fiber.
What Parts of the Tomato Can Guinea Pigs Eat?
- The tomato itself
- Tomato seeds
What Parts of the Tomato should you not feed guinea pigs
- Vines
- Leaves
- Unripe tomatoes
Feeding amount: 1 cherry tomato or a slice the size of a cherry tomato per guinea pig, 1-2 times a week
Celery
Celery is a good every-once-in-a-while veggie, which is low in calcium and provides a little vitamin C.
Celery provides your guinea pigs with vitamins K, folate and other antioxidants that your piggies need to be healthy.
What Parts of the Celery Can Guinea Pigs Eat?
- Celery leaves
- Celery hearts
- Celery tops
- Celery sticks
What Parts of the Celery should you not feed guinea pigs
- Celery roots
Feeding amount: 1/2 stalk per piggy, 1-2 times a week
Veggies to Avoid
Here is a list of several veggies to avoid:
- Onions
- Leeks
- Chives
- Shallots
- Garlic
- Rhubarb
- Avocado
Of course, there are even more veggies your piggies can’t eat, but these were just a few ones to avoid.
Pellets
Good quality pellets provide your guinea pig with needed vitamins and minerals. You should feed your guinea pigs a 1/8 cup of pellets per piggy each day.
Let’s learn about how to choose the best pellets for our piggies!
Here are some things to look for in guinea pig pellets:
- At least 20% fiber content
- About 14-16% crude protein (pregnant, nursing and young–under 6 months–guinea pigs can have slightly more than this)
- 5% or less fat content
- Only pellets; no fruits, nuts, seeds or other things mixed in
Here are some ingredients to avoid in guinea pig pellets:
- Animal products
- Beet pulp
- Corn products
- Seeds
- Nuts
- Rice bran
- Rice flour
- Vegetable fiber
Here are some preservatives, dyes and sweeteners to avoid in guinea pig pellets:
- Corn syrup
- High fructose corn syrup
- Sucrose
- Propylene glycol
- Food coloring (FD&C blues, reds and yellows)
- Propyl gallate
- Potassium sorbate
- Sodium nitrate/nitrite/metabisulfate
- Ethoxyquin
- Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)/ Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
Just be sure to read the labels on the package before buying pellets for your guinea pigs!
Timothy Pellets Vs. Alfalfa Pellets
Alfalfa pellets are made with a main ingredient of alfalfa, which is high in calcium and is good for guinea pigs under 6 months, who are still growing. Alfalfa pellets can also be used for pregnant or nursing guinea pigs.
However, once your guinea pig is over 6 months you should switch them over to timothy pellets (unless they are pregnant or nursing), since too much calcium can cause bladder stones and other health problems in guinea pigs.
Good-Quality Alfalfa Pellets
Good-Quality Timothy Pellets
- Oxbow Essentials Adult Guinea Pig Food
- Kaytee Timothy Complete Guinea Pig Food
- Small Pet Select Guinea Pig Pellets
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Rabbit Pellets?
Guinea pigs should eat pellets that are specifically formulated for them.
If you run out of pellets, you can use rabbit pellets as a one-or-two-day substitute until you get more, but it is best to feed guinea pig pellets to your piggy.
Do Guinea Pigs Need Pellets?
No, guinea pigs do not need pellets. In fact, I know several different guinea pig owners who choose not to feed their guinea pigs pellets.
However, if you are not going to feed your guinea pigs pellets, you should make sure that you feed each of your piggies some more vegetables than what you normally would have.
Treats
Now we’ve come to last part of your guinea pigs diet–treats (and fruit, which is considered a treat because of its high sugar content)! Treats simply add some more variety (and some nutrition) to your piggy’s diet.
Treats to Avoid
Often, treats that can be found at pet stores are so temping. With fun colors and cute shapes, they may even look tasty to you! However, these yummy-looking treats often have added sugar, flavors and colors!
A good rule of thumb is: If a guinea pig treat looks tasty to you, avoid it!
Also, read the ingredients on the package. Keep in mind that guinea pigs can’t eat:
- Treats made for meat-eaters, such dogs, cats and ferrets (guinea pigs can’t digest meat)
- Dairy products (including yogurt drops)
- Nuts
Great Treats to Feed Your Piggies
Here are some great treats for your piggies:
- Forage mixes
- Pea flakes
- Hay sticks
Guinea Pig Forage Mixes
A forage mix is a good treat to feed your guinea pig! Guinea pig forage mixes are a mix of hay, dried veggies and sometimes dried fruits, too. They provide some fiber and other nutrients.
However, forage mixes are treats and should be fed in small amounts.
Here are some great guinea pig forage mixes:
- All Living Things Market Medley Guinea Pig Forage Mix
- Vitakraft Vita Prima Sun Salad Treat (contains alfalfa hay)
Feeding amount: A few times a week in small portions
Pea Flakes
Pea flakes are split peas that have been rolled using a rolling pin, then baked, without any added ingredients.
They contain lots of different nutrients, making them a great treat to feed to your piggy!
Feeding amount: Several pea flakes per guinea pig per day
Hay Sticks
Hay sticks are just what they sound like, sticks of hay! They are great for wearing down your guinea pigs’ teeth and make excellent treats! Hay sticks also contain a lot of fiber, which is necessary for your guinea pig’s health.
When you get hay sticks for your piggies, try to get ones that are made with timothy hay, instead of alfalfa hay.
Here are a few great types of hay sticks:
Feeding amount: A few hay sticks per day
Fruit
Fruit is a great source of different vitamins and minerals. However, since it has a high sugar content, it shouldn’t be fed more than twice a week.
Always make sure that you feed fresh, ripe fruits. Don’t feed fruits that are unripe or spoiled.
Also, it’s a good idea wash all fruit before feeding it to your piggies!
Apples
Apples are a great source of vitamin C, fiber and antioxidants.
Guinea pigs can eat:
- The apple itself
- The apple skin
- The apple leaves
Do not feed guinea pigs:
- Apple seeds
- Apple core
Feeding amount: One slice per guinea pig, once per week
Banana
Bananas provide your guinea pig with fiber, vitamin B-6, vitamin C, omega-3 and omega-6.
Guinea pigs can eat:
- The banana itself
- Banana peels (in moderation)
Feeding amount: 2-3 normal-sized slices per piggy, once every other week
Strawberries
Strawberries are a great source of vitamin C, fiber, protein, magnesium and iron.
Guinea pigs can eat:
- The strawberry itself
- Strawberry tops
- Strawberry leaves
- Strawberry seeds
Feeding amount: Half a strawberry per piggy, 1 time a week
Blueberries
Blueberries provide your guinea pig with vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B-6, potassium, iron, vitamin K and fiber.
Guinea pigs can eat:
- The blueberry itself
- Blueberry leaves
Feeding amount: 1-2 blueberries per guinea pig, once every other week
Grapes
Grapes are a great source of vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B-6, potassium and other antioxidants.
Guinea pigs can eat:
- The grape itself
Do not feed guinea pigs:
- Grape seeds
- Grape leaves or vines
Feeding amount: 1 grape per piggy, 1 time a week
In Summary:
Grass and hay, such as timothy, meadow or orchard grass, along with the occasional alfalfa or oat hay, should make up most of your guinea pig’s diet. Hay or grass should always be available in your guinea pigs’ cage and floor-time area.
A variety of fresh vegetables such as bell pepper, parsley, carrot, kale, lettuce, dandelion greens, cucumber, tomato and celery is the 2nd biggest part of your piggy’s diet. You should feed each guinea pig about 1 cup of vegetables daily
Pellets (if fed) and treats should make up the last, small part of your guinea pig’s diet. Feed a 1/8 cup of pellets daily per guinea pig.
I hope that this has been helpful!
Your site is so thorough and professionally done. I feel that even though I have never had a guinea pig as a pet, I could take care of one with all that I have learned here.