[ad_1]
Guinea pigs are surprisingly adorable pets: gentle, outgoing and with complex behaviors. But they also need a lot of work. Their diet is one of the hardest aspects of their care because they can be a little fussy and choosy about what they eat. Guinea pigs are natural herbivores. Although this species does not exist in the wild, owners should strive to replicate the “natural” diet as much as possible. This handy guide will provide all the information you need to feed it. A well-fed guinea pig is also a happy and healthy guinea pig. With good nutrition and luck, these animals can live up to eight years.
How to feed your guinea pig
A well-balanced guinea pig diet should include commercial feed, fresh hay, fruits and vegetables. Commercial pellets will become an important part of his diet. Because guinea pigs, like humans, cannot produce vitamin C on their own, they are best suited for vitamin C-fortified pellets with at least 16% fiber and no additional seeds or dried fruit.
However, pellets will probably not be enough. Since vitamin C can degrade quickly, it is recommended to combine it with leafy green vegetables and herbs. Romaine lettuce, red and green lettuce, cabbage and cilantro should make up the bulk of its vegetable consumption. Carrots, zucchini, dandelion greens, broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes can also be added about once or twice a week. Fresh chopped fruit without seeds, including oranges, apples, blueberries, mangoes, pineapples, kiwis, and banana slices, should be given no more than once a day or every few days. Sugar consumption, even in its natural form, must be limited.
Guinea pigs will also need a steady supply of hay (timothy, oatmeal, barley, or grass hay will work). This will help improve digestion and keep the teeth filed while chewing. Hay should be stored in a rack or basket above the floor of the cage so that it does not mix with waste.
Homemade treats like applesauce mixed with hay are good options; it gives your pet something unique and fun to chew on. Overall, however, your guinea pig should be content with a normal diet of pellets, hay, fruits and vegetables. A well-fed guinea pig usually doesn’t need commercial treats. Many of them contain artificial sweeteners and lack a lot of nutrients.
In addition to food, your pet will need fresh, clean water at any time of the day. Both a water bottle and a small bowl of water should be built into the cage. If the water container starts to get dirty, you should replace it immediately, even if some water may remain in it.
What NOT to feed your guinea pig
Due to their special herbivorous diet, guinea pigs unfortunately have a long list of foods to avoid. Even some vegetables that may appear normal at first glance can give your pet digestive problems. As a result, they should never eat nuts, seeds, dried beans, corn, peas, avocados, onions, mushrooms, dairy products, meat, and of course, any human food such as pasta, crackers, or low nutritional value sweets. … … Some people feed them grains and cereals, but these are not ideal foods and should be avoided as they can cause some digestive problems.
Since most guinea pigs are vulnerable to bladder stones, you can avoid or cut back on foods with significant amounts of oxalates, including strawberries, spinach, and parsley. Any plants from your garden that have been sprayed with your pesticides should never be fed to your pet. You should always be well aware of where the food comes from and whether it is healthy enough to feed your pet. You should find a reliable brand or food source and stick to it.
Some pet stores sell salt wheels and multivitamin supplements specifically for guinea pigs, but this is actually a source of controversy. Some veterinarians may approve of their use, while others may advise you to avoid them. In general, however, if your pet is getting enough nutrients in their diet, these foods are unnecessary. In fact, some of the adhesives and chemicals used in these products can even supposedly be harmful to guinea pigs. Too many vitamins and minerals (especially salt) are not necessarily beneficial either. While it is certainly possible to use supplements responsibly, they are best avoided just as a precautionary measure if they are not part of a proper treatment regimen.
How much to feed a guinea pig
The average guinea pig needs about 1/8 cup of pellets every day. This should be supplemented with about a cup of vegetables and a few slices of fruit per day. An unlimited amount of hay should be left in the cage and replaced immediately as soon as it starts to empty. As long as you stick to this routine and don’t indulge your pet with tasty treats, you don’t have to worry about your guinea pig overeating. They usually understand very well how much food they need each day.
However, if your pig seems to be gaining some weight, you can cut back on the extra treats a bit. Treats, including fruit, should never exceed 10% of your daily food intake. A healthy guinea pig will weigh between 1.5 and 2.6 pounds.
However, it is very important to remember that food and hygiene are closely related. Owners should keep a close eye on how long the food has been left ready and then remove any uneaten pieces after a few hours to keep your guinea pig from getting sick. If your guinea pig consistently refuses uneaten food and looks otherwise healthy, this may be a sign that you should cut back on the amount of food you are giving it. Another problem is that guinea pigs sometimes accidentally throw litter or litter into their bowl. It should also be cleaned almost daily.
When to feed your guinea pig
The timing of his meal does not really matter as long as he is on a constant schedule. Morning and evening are usually good times of the day to offer treats and refill food bowls. As mentioned earlier, it is necessary to provide an unlimited amount of hay throughout the day at all times.
Signs of a dietary deficiency
Like humans, poorly fed guinea pigs are also prone to nutritional deficiencies. For the reasons mentioned earlier, vitamin C is the most common deficiency in guinea pigs. A persistent vitamin C deficiency puts your pet at risk for scurvy. Signs and symptoms include weight loss, crunchy eyes, lack of energy, coarse coat or hair loss, red gait or limp, and diarrhea. At least 10 milligrams of vitamin C per day for a healthy adult (and at least 30 milligrams for a pregnant woman) should be enough to prevent this from happening. This is fine, but you should never exceed 50 milligrams per day, unless recommended by your veterinarian.
Some animals can develop vitamin C deficiency, even if there is sufficient vitamin C in the diet. This could be a sign of another health problem. Talk to your veterinarian for a complete health assessment. Under the supervision of a veterinarian, the solution is usually to give your pet an adequate dose of vitamin C, orally or by injection, at least once or twice a week.
Other considerations
Apart from these basic guidelines, there are a few more important tips to keep in mind for owners.
First, owners should buy a ceramic food bowl, preferably one with a wide and shallow surface, rather than a plastic one. Ceramics are much more chew-resistant and difficult to turn over. They should be placed in a corner where they are unlikely to defecate. The bowl can be easily washed with soapy water and then dried thoroughly on a regular basis for a week.
The second thing to remember is that if you need to change your pet’s diet for any reason, do it gradually, over several weeks. Guinea pigs usually develop certain eating habits early and do not tolerate changes very easily. Introducing new fruits and vegetables to the diet can also cause diarrhea. If this happens, you should reduce the number of products by a few days and return less.
Third, homemade products harvested in your garden or near your home are usually suitable as long as they meet the criteria for acceptable products and have not been treated with any pesticides or chemicals.
Finally, you must remember that guinea pigs can consume their own feces. This is not a sign of any flaw. It’s just part of their natural behavior.
Next: 10 Most Incredible Dancing Animals
[ad_2]
Source link