Guinea pigs originated within the Andes Mountains, the place they will nonetheless be discovered dwelling right now. They reside in deserts, savannas, and different habitats, however wherever they reside, they exist on a weight loss plan that consists primarily of grass, and solely of plant materials. Guinea pigs grew to become domesticated after they had been reared for meals and utilized in rituals. At this time, they’re saved primarily as pets. They’re sociable animals that shouldn’t be saved as solitary pets, and they’ll normally take properly to dealing with and human contact.
Guinea pigs additionally spend loads of time awake, roughly 20 hours a day, and most of this time consuming. They eat a weight loss plan primarily consisting of grass or hay, with some greens. As a result of they’re herbivores, they can not digest meat correctly, and it may well make them fairly ailing. As such, and since it’s normally excessive in energy and lacks the vitamins that guinea pigs require, pet food isn’t a protected or appropriate meals for guinea pigs.
Guinea Pig Weight-reduction plan
As herbivores, guinea pigs exist on a weight loss plan that consists primarily of grass and hay. They are often allowed to graze in your garden, though you do want to make sure that the grass is protected for them to eat, however they need to by no means be fed garden mower clippings. They want a weight loss plan that’s wealthy in fiber, which helps preserve their digestive system shifting, and this implies round 85% of a cavy’s meals ought to be high-quality hay. Examples embody Timothy hay, grass hay, and orchard grass hay. Keep away from feeding alfalfa hay besides to very younger and pregnant guinea pigs.
In addition to offering the fiber a guinea pig wants, chewing the hay additionally helps put on down their enamel, which develop continuously by way of their lives and might change into dangerously lengthy if allowed to develop unchecked.
The remaining 15% of their weight loss plan will probably be made up of leafy greens. Spring greens and rocket are nice sources of vitamin C, which is a vital vitamin for guinea pigs. A small quantity of fruit will be fed often, as a deal with. Take away the core and seeds from an apple, guarantee it’s washed completely, and you’ll feed a few slices each 2–3 weeks, for instance.
Pet food isn’t formulated for guinea pigs which suggests it accommodates components that aren’t acceptable for them. It additionally lacks lots of the vitamins that they want in a nutritious diet. As such, guinea pigs can’t eat pet food and it could make your cavy ailing if it does eat any, no matter whether or not it’s dry or canned meals.
The Risks of Canine Meals
Pet food is formulated for canine, and whether or not it’s canned meals or dry kibble, pet food is excessive in protein, low in fiber, and doesn’t comprise the important nutritional vitamins and minerals wanted by your little rodent, but it surely does comprise meat, which might make them very unwell.
Guinea Pigs Can’t Digest Meat
The only most essential purpose you shouldn’t feed pet food to guinea pigs is that they’re strict herbivores. They can’t digest meat and feeding meat to a cavy may cause severe gastrointestinal issues.
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Not Sufficient Vitamin C
Guinea pigs can’t synthesize their very own vitamin C, which implies that they must get it from their weight loss plan. The leafy inexperienced ingredient of a piggie’s weight loss plan supplies many of the vitamin C they require, with some coming in pellet kind. Pet food doesn’t comprise excessive sufficient ranges of vitamin C.
Excessive In Energy
Pet food is excessive in energy when in comparison with a typical guinea pig weight loss plan. Excessive-calorie meals may cause your cavy to placed on extra weight and should result in weight problems. Weight problems, in flip, heightens the chance of illnesses like diabetes and coronary heart situations. Excessive-calorie meals shouldn’t be part of your guinea pig’s weight loss plan.
In addition to having inappropriate components, pet food is created for canine, which have bigger and stronger jaws than guinea pigs. The dry kibble is probably going too arduous for a Guinea Pig to crunch on, which suggests it poses a threat of choking. Even canned meals will be troublesome to eat as a result of the items of meat and different components are bigger than a cavy can deal with.
What To Do If Your Guinea Pig Eats Canine Meals
Ideally, it is best to preserve pet food properly out of the best way of your guinea pig, however accidents do occur. In case your cavy eats a small quantity of pet food, monitor them carefully particularly for digestive upset. For those who’re anxious, take a photograph of the components checklist and make contact with your vet to ask for recommendation. They could need you to go to or they could provide recommendation over the cellphone.
So, guinea pigs shouldn’t be given pet food, however they do should be given meals that’s acceptable for his or her species. A guinea pig weight loss plan is a quite simple weight loss plan, consisting of only a few components.
1. Hay
Hay types the primary a part of a piggie’s weight loss plan. The grinding of the hay controls tooth size, whereas good-quality feeding hay is excessive in fiber, which is essential to guinea pigs. Alfalfa hay is just appropriate for younger guinea pigs below the age of 6 months, however different choices embody Timothy hay, grass hay, and orchard grass. Guarantee your guinea pig has a continuing provide of hay.
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2. Greens
Round 10% to fifteen% of a cavy’s weight loss plan will encompass leafy greens. Leafy greens present vitamin C in addition to different important nutritional vitamins and minerals. Keep away from iceberg lettuce as a result of it’s primarily water and doesn’t comprise many vitamins. Decide as an alternative for greens like spring greens and rocket. You too can feed some flowers like dandelion.
3. Greens
Different greens will be given as a deal with, which suggests it is best to solely feed them round as soon as per week. Appropriate greens embody broccoli and cauliflower. Wash the greens first and lower them into manageable chunks.
Equally, fruit can be fed as a treat however solely very not often and moderately. Fruit could be very excessive in pure sugars, which might result in weight problems and weight-related issues. Apples are a standard deal with however you want to take away the seeds earlier than feeding and wash them completely, even when you purchase natural.
5. Pellets
Guinea pig pellets are hay-based pellets, however they’re fortified with nutritional vitamins and minerals, so they assist guarantee your pet is getting all of the nutritional vitamins and minerals it requires.
Herbs are one other nice supply of vitamin C and different vitamins, and you’ll add a small quantity to our cavy’s bowl. Select herbs like cilantro, basil, and dill, all of which comprise helpful vitamins and are low in energy and sugar.
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cat Meals?
Cats are carnivores, which implies that their meals tends to be even increased in meat content material than pet food. It is usually excessive in energy and doesn’t comprise sufficient fiber to be thought of a very good meals for guinea pigs. It may possibly make them fairly ailing, so it is best to keep away from feeding any cat meals and attempt to preserve the cat bowl away out of your guinea pig.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Rabbit Meals?
Rabbit meals doesn’t comprise meat and is usually increased in fiber than each pet food and cat meals, however it’s formulated for rabbits. It doesn’t have a excessive sufficient focus of vitamin C or different important nutritional vitamins and minerals, so it shouldn’t be fed to guinea pigs.
Conclusion
Guinea pigs are sociable, chatty little animals that preserve their homeowners entertained. Amongst their care necessities is a necessity for a high-fiber weight loss plan that accommodates loads of vitamin C. This weight loss plan is made up primarily of hay with some leafy greens and the occasional vegetable and fruit deal with. However, as a result of guinea pigs are herbivores, their meals shouldn’t embody any meat.
Subsequently, it isn’t protected to feed pet food to guinea pigs. It may possibly trigger severe gastrointestinal issues initially and should result in malnourishment and weight problems in the long run. Equally, cat meals isn’t an acceptable meals both.
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