Guinea pigs need hay as it provides the fibre that keeps their delicate gut systems moving. It also plays a vital role in dental health by wearing down their ever-growing teeth.
Generally, the best hay for your guinea pig is the one that they eat the most of. Guinea pigs, like humans, have their own preferences. However, adult guinea pigs shouldn’t be fed too much alfalfa hays or other hays high in calcium. This is why we provide sample packs, so your piggies can choose their own favourite!
Timothy hay is popular as it is high in fibre and low in calcium, but in truth, any dry grass hay that they enjoy will be suitable.
Guinea pigs eat the same hay as rabbits and horses do. You wouldn’t want to feed them haylage as this is higher in protein from the fermentation process. But any common hays that are high in dry matter and fibre are more than suitable.
Guinea pigs need constant access to unlimited hay as it promotes good digestive health. They don’t necessarily need pellets if they’re also allowed small amounts of fruit and leafy vegetables.
Guinea pigs should have unlimited access to fresh hay, but their diet should also be supplemented with fresh fruit and vegetables. Pellets are also a good addition but are not strictly vital to their diet.
Guinea pigs should have unlimited access to fresh hay, but their diet should also be supplemented with fresh fruit and vegetables. Pellets are also a good addition but are not strictly vital to their diet.
Guinea pigs should have unlimited access to fresh hay as this is impossible to overfeed and is great for digestive health. Fresh leafy vegetables such as lettuce should be offered once a day around the size of a cup for each guinea pig.
Guinea pigs need the fibre that hay provides to keep their guts moving. Whilst they may be fine for 24 hours in extreme circumstances it is vital that they eat hay or fresh grass at least to keep their digestive system going or they can die.
Leafy vegetables such as romaine lettuce and kale are great. Other good options include broccoli, bell peppers and spinach. This will aid in keeping their guts healthy.
It is likely that they simply don’t like the type of hay you are offering. Hay may look bland to us but there is a large variety of hay types out there. The best option is to look around and let them choose for themselves. Here at Happy Hay, we provide sample packs containing a small bag of each of our six hays. Giving your pets the ability to choose for themselves.
They can live without hay but need a high fibre low protein food to replace it. Fresh grass would be the second-best option. Guinea pigs need the fibre that these provide to keep their guts moving. Whilst they may be fine for 24 hours in extreme circumstances it is vital that they eat hay or fresh grass at least to keep their digestive system going or they can die.
Yes! Fresh grass can be fed and they will happily graze for themselves if left outside. However, lawnmower clippings should be avoided as it begins to ferment which is not suitable for their digestive systems.
Treats can be offered but you should wait until they have finished all of their normal foods. Otherwise, they can get distracted and it will put them off the most important parts of their diet. You can buy special small animal treats for guinea pigs that are not only tasty but also help wear down their teeth.
Foraging based enrichment is great for guinea pigs as it satisfies their natural instinct to forage for food. Our Enrichment toys offer great mental stimulation.
Finding hay that your piggy likes is essential. At Happy Hay, we offer sample packs so that they can choose their favourite for themselves. If they are very reluctant then decreasing the number of pellets and vegetables can help as they tend to prefer these tastier foods over hay.
