How long can guinea pigs go without pellets? This depends on the alternative foods you’re providing for your guinea pig. If you’ve owned guinea pigs before, you’ve likely heard that they should have pellets in their diet. After all, there are so many recommendations on what your cavy should and shouldn’t eat. But how much of that is true? Do you really need to give them pellets, or can you just feed them hay and vegetables? The fact is that there are some very valid reasons why your vet and other guinea pig owners advise having pellets available as a regular part of your piggies’ diet.
You might be concerned about the quantity of nutrients in greens and other foods. You just need to know the right amount and frequency of feeding them without adding any supplements. Read until the end to find out how long guinea pigs can go without pellets and what they should be ‘troughing‘ if not pellets.
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Why Is a Guinea Pig Diet With Pellets Important?
Pellets provide a steady stream of nutrients to your cavy. This can be important for furnishing your guinea pig with the vitamins and minerals he needs. If you feed your guinea pigs only fresh food, they may not get these necessary nutrients. This is especially true for young piggies, who need special nutrients to stay healthy and grow. Pellets are made from concentrated versions of fresh foods.
Nowadays they are packed with vitamins and fiber to promote more chewing activity and some contain yucca schidigera extract. Because they’re so concentrated, pellets are also very easy to digest. This makes them ideal for small animals like guinea pigs.
Pellets make it easier to provide your guinea pig with often a recommended daily dose of antioxidants, amino acids, probiotics and essentials fatty acids. You can get a good quality pellets online. Other healthy ingredients pellets consist of often a combination of alfalfa, timothy hay, corn, soybean meal, and oats.
How Often Should You Feed Your Guinea Pigs Pellets?
You should feed your guinea pigs pellets once every day. Provide your guinea pig with approximately 1/6 cup of pellets each day along with fresh vegetables. If your pigs are younger than 3 months old, you should feed them twice a day.
Younger pigs need more calories, and the extra nutrients in the pellets will help them grow. Pregnant or nursing pigs need to eat more pellets. One or two feedings a day is usually enough for them. If your pigs don’t like the taste of pellets, you can try mixing other foods with the pellets to make them more appealing. Before you give your pigs pellets, let them get used to the taste. You can do this by mixing the pellets with a little water or some peanut butter. This will make them tastier for your pigs.
Why Do People Feed Guinea Pigs Pellets?
One of the major reasons why pellets are used as guinea pig food is that they come formulated for the specific nutritional needs of these little rodents. Guinea pigs are herbivores and are biologically designed to get the majority of their nutrients from vegetation. At the same time, the maintenance of a healthy diet for your cavy can be challenging for two reasons.
Often, owners find growing the necessary vegetables in their gardens or on their patios is easier said than done. Other owners may not have the space necessary for their pets all the vegetables it needs. Additionally, many people find that their busy schedules make it difficult to produce fresh vegetables on a daily basis.
What Can I Give a Guinea Pig if I Run Out of Pellets?
Among the most popular food choices for guinea pigs are Timothy hay, grass hay, and alfalfa hay. These three types of hay are inexpensive, naturally-grown grasses that provide your pet with the proteins and nutrients it needs to be healthy.
Another high-quality food option are fresh vegetables, especially ones like carrots, cabbages, and broccoli. Some owners even feed their cavy a small amount of apples or banana for added nutrients.
If you want to really get your pet’s nutrition from whole foods, you can even feed it peanut butter. However, keep in mind that too much peanut butter can cause your guinea pig to gain weight, and you should never feed it chocolate.
- You can also give your guinea pig supplements in the form of vitamins and minerals to make sure it’s getting all the nutrients it needs.
10 vegetables to Supplement a Guinea Pig’s Diet
Hay
Although guinea pigs can be fed a variety of greens and vegetables, their diet cannot be complete without hay. This is a crucial part of the diet because it is the only source of fiber that they can consume. You can get regular hay from your local pet store.
Leafy Greens
- Leafy greens are another great choice for feeding your guinea pig. They are an excellent source of vitamin A and C. They are also rich in fiber.
- Arugula: Arugula is a great source of vitamins A and C.
- Beet Greens: These are good for lactating guinea pigs as they are a great source of calcium.
- Collard Greens: These are very good for guinea pigs that suffer from constipation.
- Dandelion: This is a great source of vitamins A and C.
- Kale: kale is a rich source of vitamins A, C and K. It is also great for the hair and nails.
- Swiss Chard: is a great source of vitamin A and C.
Stems and Stalks
Stems and stalks are another excellent option for feeding guinea pigs. They are rich in fiber and are easy to find in markets. They are easy to feed to your pet. You can chop them up and feed them to your pet.
- Broccoli Stems: Broccoli stems are very rich in calcium. They are also good for digestion.
- Cabbage Stems: Cabbage stems are rich in Vitamin C and K. They are also great for eye health.
- Carrot Stems: Carrot stems are great for the digestive system and eyes.
- Celery Stems: Celery stems are a rich source of minerals and vitamins.
- Cucumber Stems: Cucumber stems are a great source of minerals and vitamins.
- Spinach Stems: Spinach stems are a great source of calcium and magnesium.
- Swiss Chard Stems: Swiss chard stems are rich in vitamins and minerals.
Root Veggies
- Root vegetables are great feed for your guinea pig. They are a good source of vitamin C.
- Carrots: Carrots are a great choice for guinea pigs. They are rich in beta carotene, which is a precursor to vitamin A.
- Beets: Beets are a great source of vitamins A and C.
- Parsnips: Parsnips are a great choice for guinea pigs. They are a rich source of beta carotene.
- Potatoes: Potatoes are a great choice for guinea pigs. They are rich in vitamins and minerals. You can either give cooked or raw potatoes to your pet.
In Conclusion – How Long Can Guinea Pigs Go Without Pellets?
How long can guinea pigs go without Pellets? This important question depends on the alternative diet they’re given. They should have pellets once a day and at least 5% fresh greens or vegetables like carrots. At their core, guinea pig pellets are manufactured supplements designed to provide your pet with the nutrients it needs to thrive. If they have to go without pellets as you’ve run out or you want to make your own food, they should have a balanced diet recommended by a vet. This would include vegetables like broccoli, cabbage and carrots for vitamins and fiber and Timothy hay, grass hay, and alfalfa hay.
Pellets are formulated to provide your guinea pig with all the nutrition it needs, which can be a big time-saver if you’re a busy person who can’t always find the time to make fresh food for their guinea pig every day. Plus, manufactured foods have been tested to ensure that they’re safe for your guinea pig to eat.
- Read: 10 Best Gift Ideas for Guinea Pig Owners
- You may like: 10 Surprising Foods You Can Feed a Guinea Pig
- Try: How Do We Know When Guinea Pigs Are Unhappy?
- Read about pens: Best Open Bottom Exercise Pens for Guinea Pigs
- A behavior article: How Guinea Pigs Communicate With Each Other
