Guinea Pig Food
Guinea Pig Food Isn't Hard To Find
Appropriate Guinea pig food is really all around us and not hard to find at all. If you are thinking of getting one of these exotic little creatures, Cavia porcellus, also called a Cavy, a commercial Guinea pig food is always the best first choice. Commercial foods, usually in pellet form, offer the key ingredients that the little animal requires to keep healthy. There are plenty of other food items however, found in supermarkets, fruit and vegetable stands, and perhaps even just out of the front door, that are perfectly fine for your pet.
The Guinea pig is not a particularly picky eater, although each animal may have is favorites and shun other types of food. You can therefore feed them quite a variety, but be aware that they do have a sensitive digestive system, Rather than radically changing their diet from time to time or day to day, make gradual transitions, and introduce new food items slowly. At times a Guinea pig may reject a food item only to nibble at it a day or two later and then come to accept it.
While one can prepare tasty Guinea pig meals consisting of fruits and vegetables, food we would be more than happy to share with them, it's important that the Guinea pig's diet be based on something that takes care of their essential needs. Commercial pellets have already been mentioned, or one can base their diet on grasses and hay. Guinea pig food also needs to include vitamin C since, as is the case with humans, the animals can't make their own. Besides grasses, hay, and something rich in vitamin C, the Guinea pig needs something it can chew on to keep its teeth healthy, and to keep the front teeth from growing too long.
A Variety Of Things To Consider - The Guinea pig can benefit from most vegetables, and a few flowers and weeds as well. Be aware that most plants which grow from bulbs will be toxic to the animal, as are potatoes and the green leaves of tomatoes. Lettuce and spinach would seem to be ideal choices. Lettuce however is poor in nutritional value, at least from a Guinea pig's standpoint, and too much spinach has been known to create kidney problems. Both lettuce and spinach in excess can act as a laxative, a potentially unhealthy condition. Plants belonging to the cabbage family are OK, but should be given in small doses so as not to give the little guys gas. There are many plants not found in the vegetable garden which are good for the Guinea pig. Just make certain they haven't been treated with pesticides, insecticides or chemical fertilizers. Nutritious Guinea pig snacks or meals, can consist of dandelions, yarrow, chickweed, or clover. Fresh grass is OK as well, though it’s best to let the Guinea pig trim the grass itself, and not feed it grass clippings which do not stay fresh for long. The Guinea pig is not a meat eater, so don't give them any. They likely would not eat it anyway, but their digestive systems are not geared for eating meat.
Moderation Is Best - In feeding these animals vegetables or fruit, moderation is the key, especially when trying something new. Most Guinea pigs loved sliced cucumber, and will eat large quantities of it. While not harmful or even unhealthy, cucumbers are low on nutrition so should best be considered as an occasional snack, or a good source of water. As far as fruit is concerned, apple is very good, but just give your pet a small amount at a time as the apple, as is the case with many fruits, is a little too rich in sugars and acids, and too much of either is not advisable.
Summary - This is one little animal that is fairly easy to satisfy. Just remember what not to feed it, give it plenty or pellets, grasses, or hay, something rich in vitamin C, and something it can use its teeth on. Then supplement that with a variety of fruits and vegetables in moderate amounts, and your selection of Guinea pig food should be quite acceptable from all perspectives.