| The diet of a guinea pig should be made up primarily | | | | Kale Kiwi Lettuce (NOT iceberg) |
| of Timothy hay, food pellets, fresh fruits and | | | | Mustard Greens |
| vegetables. When choosing pellets look for a blend | | | | Oranges |
| that is 20% protein, 16% fiber, and contains a good | | | | Parsley |
| portion of vitamin C as guinea pigs cannot produce | | | | Spinach |
| this vitamin naturally. If you wish to find a food | | | | Sweet Bell Peppers - red, green, and yellow |
| source for Vitamin C , consider carrots, red bell | | | | Tomatoes Vitamin C |
| peppers, tomatoes, or untreated grass. Otherwise | | | | Food that MUST be avoided |
| small doses of vitamin C are acceptable if you wish. | | | | Any product containing sugar Celery stalks - the long |
| Its important to remember that guinea pigs, like | | | | stands in celery stalks are not fully digestible and can |
| other pets, thrive under schedules and routines. Your | | | | cause severe sickness. Commercial pet treats - |
| furry friend requires fresh food twice per day. Try to | | | | usually high in empty calories. Feed real food instead! |
| feed meals at the same hour(s) everyday. Deviating | | | | Corn Dairy Products Dried fruit (added sugar and |
| the time a little is okay but try to keep feeding times | | | | poor for digestion) Iceberg lettuce Meat Mineral |
| within the same hour. Also, if you want to introduce | | | | Wheels - Have been known to cause bladder stones. |
| new foods, do so slowly and see how your pet | | | | Multivitamins - Excess vitamins A and D can cause |
| reacts. Do not allow your guinea pig to eat too many | | | | serious health problems. Nuts and seeds Potatoes and |
| fruits and vegetables as overconsumption can lead to | | | | Potato Peels (there is some controversy that in small |
| diarrhea. Instead, monitor their intake and start with | | | | amounts peels are safe but when in doubt avoid.) |
| small portions. | | | | Raw beans Rhubarb Tomato leaves And finally |
| Remember to remove any leftover pellets or fresh | | | | commercial snack sticks containing nuts, seeds, and |
| food after an hour or two. Guinea pigs like other pets | | | | honey. Unhulled sunflower seeds are a choking hazard |
| will nibble on their food all day and this can lead to | | | | and otherwise can cause stomach upset. |
| unnecessary weight gain. In addition, food left out | | | | Water |
| can become spoiled and this can lead to digestion | | | | Make sure you switch your guinea pig's water out |
| problems such as diarrhea. | | | | daily and refill at least once per day. Stagnant water |
| While your guinea pig is an herbivore (plant eater) a | | | | can breed bacteria which can cause illness. If you |
| good number of foods are going to be poisonous, | | | | notice that your pet is not drinking water throughout |
| indigestible, or not nutritious. Please look over the | | | | the day consider adding a water dish. Even though |
| two lists below to get an idea of what is safe and | | | | guinea pigs tend to knock over objects in their |
| what is not. | | | | cages, it is worth the extra mess if your pet needs |
| Safe Foods | | | | extra encouragement to drink. If nothing seems to |
| Apples Bread - slightly state, no mold! | | | | work you will need to sit with your guinea pig and |
| Broccoli - flower clusters Carrots and baby carrots | | | | feed him or her with a water dropper or needleless |
| Celery - small cubes only | | | | syringe. |
| Dandelion Greens | | | | |