Charlotte Veterinary Clinic

A Guinea Pig's Diet

Sweet natured, very cute, and comparatively low maintenance, guinea pigs (also known as cavies) are popular pets across the Western world. As with humans, getting the right food is essential to their health. If you are considering adopting one of these delightful pets, or if you simply want to make sure you are correctly caring for your own pet, please review this basic introduction to the cavy diet.

The Basics

If you are using commercial food pellets as the basis of your pet’s diet, make sure it is a formula that has been specially designed for guinea pigs. They require lots of Vitamin C, so any food produced for them should be rich in it.

It is also important to note that food pellets alone are not an adequate diet, even if they are high quality. Cavies need fresh leafy greens such as lettuce, carrot tops, or cabbage. You can also supplement with plants you can pick right outside, such as grass and clover. Just be sure that any field you pick from is absolutely free of pesticides or other substances that may hurt a small animal.

Supplying plenty of Timothy hay will also help your pigs with digestion and give them something good for chewing, one of their favorite pastimes – and one of the most important. Like many other small mammals, cavies need to wear down their teeth consistently, or their health can suffer.

Treats

Bits of citrus fruit can make for a delightful treat for a guinea pig, as well as an excellent additional source of Vitamin C. There are also commercial treats on the market, such as yogurt drops or treat sticks, but these are generally not good for guinea pigs. Their systems aren’t designed for dairy products, and chew sticks can be a choking hazard.

Visit a Charlote Veterinarian Clinic

For more information on the proper feeding of guinea pigs, contact your local Charlotte vet.