Oxbow Animal Health Logo Oxbow Animal Health

By Product

By Animal

Product Line

Guinea Pig Care

Small Pet Care / Guinea Pigs / Nutrition

From the blog

Curbside Veterinary Care for Small Mammals Get To Know Our Hay Experts - Jaren Rief, Forage Research & Sourcing Manager The Inside Scoop on Guinea Pig and Chinchilla Poops Toxic Plants and Small Mammals Antioxidants and Their Role in Pet Health Wellness Exam Checklist Pet of the Month May 2020 Creating Foraging Opportunities for Your Small Pet Small Pet Coloring Pages COVID-19 and Pets: Updated Information and Recommendations Spending Time Outdoors with Your Small Mammal Oxbow Launches “Full Bowls, Full Hearts” Campaign to Support Pets and Pet Parents Impacted by COVID Foster 101: How to Help Your Fosters Find the Perfect Forever Home It All Started With A Farmer COVID-19 and RHD - What Pet Parents Need to Know Oxbow Animal Health: Covid-19 Update Pet of the Month March 2020 Five Steps for a Successful Small Animal Foster Coronavirus and Small Pets: What You Need to Know Quick Tips on Correctly Offering Fortified Food Ask The Small Pet Vet: How Much Hay Should My Rabbit or Guinea Pig Eat Every Day? How to Tell If Your Rabbit or Guinea Pig is Overweight or Underweight Why Won’t My Guinea Pig Eat Their Pellets Ask The Small Pet Vet: How Do I Keep My Rabbit or Guinea Pig’s Teeth Healthy? Dental Disease in Small Mammals February Pet of the Month Cane Molasses: Why Is It in My Pet’s Food Should I Foster a Pet? How to Transition Your Pet’s Food Critical Care Tips and Tricks Can I Compost My Guinea Pig’s Poop? The Expert Guide To Selecting Fresh Hay Your Pets Will Love New Year’s Pet Resolutions for 2020 Oxbow Animal Health Announces Critical Care® Line & Formula Enhancements Prebiotics and Probiotics: It’s All About the Bugs Top 15 Holiday Pet Parent Presents Guinea Pig Life Stages Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Fiber Fun Tips For Supporting Your Pet’s Health and Happiness How To Support Your Rabbit or Guinea Pig’s Instinctual Playing Behaviors Video DIY Halloween Jack-O-Lantern for Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, and Other Small Pets Five Ways to Provide Daily Enrichment for Small Animals How Can I Help Prevent Excessive Weight Gain in My Pet? Greens for Good - Oxbow’s Fresh Greens Garden for Rescue Pets How to Support Your Pet’s Instinctual Hiding Behaviors Video All About Hiding Help Us Give Back To Rescues! - “Nurture Their Nature” Donation Campaign How to Support Your Pet’s Exploring Instincts All About Exploring How to Keep Your Pet From Being Bored Tips for Traveling with Pets Ways to Keep Your Pet Calm During Fireworks Ideal Temperatures for Small Pets How to Clean a Guinea Pig Cage How to Support Your Pet’s Instinctual Chewing Behaviors All About Chewing Handout The Importance of Natural Chew Variety All About Playing Handout DIY May Day Basket Five Reasons Oxbow Garden Select Will Make Your Pets Hop For Joy
Go to Blog

Feeding Your Guinea Pig

Your guinea pig is a herbivore, which means he eats only plant material. Grass hay should be the high-fiber cornerstone of every guinea pig’s diet. The fiber in hay helps meet the important digestive health needs of herbivores such as guinea pigs. A daily recommended amount of a uniform, fortified food provides essential vitamins and minerals not found in hay. Fresh greens are also an important component of a guinea pig’s diet, and healthy treats can be beneficial when given in moderation.

Hay

Your guinea pig should have unlimited access to a variety of quality grass hays. Among many benefits, hay helps prevent obesity, dental disease, diarrhea, and boredom. Since replacing the hay in your guinea pig’s habitat can encourage picky eating, we recommend changing it only when soiled.

Young (less than six months), pregnant, nursing or ill animals can benefit from eating alfalfa hay in addition to grass hay because of the higher nutritional elements. Otherwise, alfalfa should only be given occasionally as a treat.

Hay Selection

Grass hay should make up the majority of your pet’s daily diet. Offer a variety of hay to your guinea pig to promote optimum health. Since hay is a natural product, each bag will look and feel different. Use our Taste & Texture Guide located on every hay package to determine your pet’s taste and texture preferences.

Oxbow Farm-Fresh Hays and Compressed Hays:

Western Timothy Hay

Western Timothy Hay
Orchard Grass Hay

Orchard Grass Hay
Oat Hay

Oat Hay
Botanical Hay

Botanical Hay
Organic Meadow Hay

Organic Meadow Hay
Harvest Stacks - Western Timothy

Harvest Stacks - Western Timothy
Harvest Stacks - Western Timothy with Chamomile

Harvest Stacks - Western Timothy with Chamomile
Harvest Stacks – Western Timothy with Carrots

Harvest Stacks – Western Timothy with Carrots

Fortified Food

Providing a daily recommended amount of a high-fiber, age-appropriate fortified food with stabilized vitamin C will help ensure that your guinea pig receives essential vitamins and minerals not found in hay.

Pellet Selection

Always choose an age-appropriate pellet formulated specifically for guinea pigs. Oxbow’s Essentials Young Guinea Pig Food is ideal for guinea pigs under six months. For adult guinea pigs, choose from one of Oxbow’s three premium adult guinea pig formulas.

Avoid:

Mixes with nuts, corn, seeds, and fruit because guinea pigs have a tendency to select those tempting morsels over the healthy pellets.

Greens

Fresh greens are an important part of your pet’s daily diet. Greens contribute to hydration and provide important vitamins and minerals, as well as enrichment. Check with your qualified exotics veterinarian for a full list of appropriate guinea pig greens. A good starter list of varieties to offer and avoid includes: 

Offer:

Romaine, bib, and red leaf lettuce

Avoid:

Leeks, chives, and onions

Treats

Treats (including fruits and veggies) are great for encouraging interaction between you and your pet, but they should only be given after basic daily foods have been eaten. Offering too many treats can cause your guinea pig to refuse his healthy, essential foods.  It’s important to remember that not all treats are created equal! All Oxbow treat varieties are designed to be as wholesome as they are delicious.   

View Oxbow Treats