What Should I Feed My Guinea Pig?

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Daily Needs Per Piggy

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Unlimited Timothy Hay – high in fiber.

Orchard Grass, Meadow, and Botanical hays can be used in addition to Timothy Hay. Oat Hay and Alfalfa Hay should ONLY be used for weight gain – babies, pregnant moms, older piggies – as it contains calcium and can lead to stones and sludge.

 

1 Cup of Veggies – Be mindful of sugar, calcium, and water content. Use the list below to create a variety of daily menus.

 

Pellets - Every other day – 1/8 cup of Guinea Pig specific pellets. No alfalfa ingredients unless the piggy is under 6 months old. Check the ingredients!

 

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Create a Daily, Balanced, Healthy Diet

 

Bell Pepper – any color – ¼ a pepper

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Carrot Peels – 1/8 a cup

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Cilantro – a few sprigs

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Corn Husks & Silk – high in fiber

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Cucumber with Peel – ¼ a cup

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Lettuce – Endive / Frisee – 1-3 leaves

Lettuce – Escarole – 1-3 leaves

Lettuce – Green Leaf – 1-3 leaves

Lettuce – Red Leaf – 1-3 leaves

Lettuce – Romaine – 1-3 leaves

Lettuce – Butter – 1-3 leaves

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Radicchio – ¼ a cup – can cause pink urine

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Spring Mix – without kale or spinach – 1 cup

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Include Treats – Once a Week or Less

 

Apple Slice with Peel – high in sugar

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Arugula – 1/8 a cup – high in calcium

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Baby Carrot – 1-2 – high in sugar and calcium

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Banana Coins – with the peel on – 1 or 2 - high in sugar

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Blackberries – 1-2 - high in sugarBlueberry – 2-3 – high in sugar

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Cantaloupe – without rind - 1/8 a cup – high in sugar

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Carrot Top – one fresh top, in season – high in calcium

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Celery – ¼ a stalk – high in water

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Cherry Tomatoes – 1 or 2 – high in sugar and acid

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Chicory Greens – 1-2 leaves – high in calcium

Collard Greens – 1 leaf – high in calcium and oxalates

Dandelion Greens – 1-2 leaves – high in calcium and oxalates

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Dill – a couple sprigs – high in calcium

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Green Beans – 2-4 – high in fiber but high in calcium

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Kale – one leaf – high in calcium

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Kiwi – one slice – high in sugar and acid

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Oranges – one small segment – high in acid

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Parsley – a few sprigs – high in calcium

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Pumpkin with Rind - no seeds – ¼ a cup – high in sugar

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Radish Greens – 1-2 leaves – high in calcium

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Raspberries – 1-2 – high in sugar and oxalates

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Snap Peas – 2-3 – contain oxalates and sugar

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Spinach – 1/8 a cup – high in calcium and oxalates

Spring Mix – ¼ a cup – with calcium greens (kale, spinach)

Swiss Chard – 1 leaf – high in calcium and oxalates

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Watermelon with Rind – ¼ a cup – high in sugar and water

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Zucchini – 1-2 slices – high in water

 

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It is best to NEVER give your piggies…

 

Avocado – high in fat and contains TOXIC Persin

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Bread – * see starches *

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Broccoli – can cause gas and bloating

Brussels Sprouts – can cause gas and bloating

Cabbage – can cause gas and bloating

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Canned Food - NEVER

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Cauliflower - can cause gas and bloating

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Cherries – even pitted, can still contain Cyanide from the seed

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Chocolate – TOXIC, high in theobromine and caffeine

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Crackers – * see starches *

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Dairy – NEVER – lactose can be TOXIC

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Frozen Food - NEVER

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Garlic - part of the TOXIC allium family

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Lettuce – Iceberg – high water content can cause diarrhea and GI Stasis

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Meat – NEVER – can cause FATAL gut stasis

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Nuts – NEVER – can be TOXIC and cause choking

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Onions – part of the TOXIC allium family

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Oils – NEVER – can cause digestive issues

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Pasta – * see starches *

 

Pineapple – high in sugar and acid

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Pits – NEVER – can be TOXIC and cause choking

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Potatoes – high in starch and contain TOXIC Solanine

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Radishes – high in calcium and phosphorus

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Rhubarb – every part is LETHAL and TOXIC, high in oxalic acid

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Seeds – NEVER – can be TOXIC and cause choking

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Starches – can be TOXIC and lead to Enteritis

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Sweet Potatoes – high in starch and sugar

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Tomato Leaves & Stems – TOXIC, contains Tomatine

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