can guinea pigs eat bird food

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What Do Guinea Pigs Eat?

Hay is the most important part of your cavy’s diet. High-grade grass hays should be available to guinea pigs at all times, without restriction. Although timothy and orchard grass hays are commonly used, meadow, oat, or brome hays are also beneficial for guinea pigs. Hay is a good source of prevention for common dental and gastrointestinal disorders.

Grasses are abrasive and aid in wearing down a guinea pig’s constantly growing teeth. In the absence of this stimulation, teeth can easily overgrow, become abscessed, or impair the cavie’s ability to eat normally. Only young or pregnant cavies should be fed alfalfa or clover hay because of its high calorie and calcium content, which can cause obesity, abnormal calcification, and bladder stones. The safety and nutritional value of Oxbow hay products are highly recommended by most veterinarians.

Vegetables are the next important part of a cavy’s diet. When introducing new foods, proceed with caution as they may result in gas or diarrhea. After your guinea pig has gotten used to a variety of veggies, you can give it ½ to 1 cup of a blend each day. Try to eat two or three different kinds of veggies every day.

Pellets are available in small amounts, usually 1-2 tablespoons per cavy. Make sure to use guinea pig–specific pellets. Although they should never be used in place of hay, premium grass pellets are a vital component of a cavie’s diet. Always make sure to give small amounts of pellets along with an endless supply of grass hay. Veterinarians typically recommend Oxbow as a high-quality and safe brand. Never feed pellets with seeds, nuts, or dried fruits.

Fruits and sweets should not be provided on a daily basis, but rather only once or twice a week. For the cavy, these are frequently empty calories with no nutritional value. Sweets are also high in sugar, which causes GI problems and obesity. As a treat, many guinea pigs like apples, carrot tops, and alfalfa cubes.

Vitamin C is a required supplement for all cavies. Guinea pigs, in contrast to many other animals, are unable to synthesize vitamin C on their own and must get it through food. Low vitamin C causes various illnesses and conditions like scurvy. Extra vitamin C may be needed if your guinea pig is unwell, but you should always ask your veterinarian how much is best for your pet. Oxbow is a trusted brand of supplemental vitamin C.

Doctors advise against adding vitamin C to water because it can quickly break down and taste strange, which will make the guinea pig drink less and could even cause dehydration. Although a lot of guinea pig pellets are fortified with vitamin C, their levels may not be nearly as high due to the vitamin’s degradation in light, heat, or moisture. Together with vitamin C-rich vegetables, tablets are the most reliable source of additional vitamin C.

Water should be provided at all times. The majority of guinea pigs thrive when a sipper bottle is fastened to the cage’s side. But keep an eye on it regularly because a lot of guinea pigs enjoy chewing and playing with the bottles.

What Vegetables Can Guinea Pigs Eat?

Guinea pigs can be introduced to a variety of vegetables. It is best to gradually introduce each new food item to avoid any stomach distress or diarrhea. After a vegetable has become established, the guinea pig should be fed several varieties each day. Regularly rotating through all the vegetables will give pets a good balance of vitamins and minerals in addition to enrichment and preventing boredom. Some common vegetables for guinea pigs are:

  • Parsley
  • Romaine lettuce
  • Cilantro
  • Leaf lettuce
  • Carrots
  • Tomatoes
  • Clover
  • Dandelion greens

What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat?

Fruit should only be consumed in moderation because it can produce uncomfortable gas and is heavy in sugar and empty calories. Fruits should be consumed as treats and should make up 200–5% of a daily diet. Reasonable fruits that guinea pigs enjoy occasionally include:

  • Apples
  • Pineapple
  • Kiwifruit
  • Berries
  • Cantaloupe

FAQ

Do guinea pigs eat bird seed?

Foods for Guinea Pigs While there are commercially available pellet products for guinea pigs, some including seeds and nuts, feeding your guinea pig a diet of only pellets will lead to many health issues. Guinea pigs should never receive seeds or nuts, and pellets should only be a minimal part of their diet.

Can guinea pigs eat sunflower seeds?

They can have shelled unsalted sunflower seeds as the occasional treat they are high in calories and fat.

Can guinea pigs eat seeds and nuts?

Make sure you do not feed your guinea pigs the following foods (this is not an exhaustive list): cereals; grains; nuts; seeds; dried beans, corn, and peas; buttercups; garden shrubs (such as hemlock or privet); lilies of any kind; sweet peas; nightshade; oak; avocado; onion grass; onions; potato tops; mushrooms; …

What real food can guinea pigs eat?

Leafy greens like romaine lettuce, red and green leaf lettuces, mustard or turnip greens, cabbage, kale, cilantro and parsley should comprise the bulk of your pig’s fresh produce. It’s best to provide variety by feeding different greens each day.