Hello dear friends of small rodents, today we want to deal in detail with a very important topic: the nutrition of our guinea pigs. We want to take the time to share everything you need to know and help keep your little friends happy and healthy. We'll focus on finding the right balance of pellets, hay and fresh vegetables, as well as the benefits of vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables in your furry friend's daily diet.

Like humans, guinea pigs cannot produce their own vitamin C. Therefore, it is imperative to provide them with vitamin C-rich foods on a daily basis. An important point here is the choice of commercial food: choose pellets that are fortified with vitamin C and do not contain seeds or dried fruits. Since vitamin C is broken down very quickly, it is important to offer your guinea pig fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C every day. Typically, an amount of about 1/8 cup of pellets per day is sufficient - supplemented with hay and fresh vegetables as detailed below.

Another important ingredient in the diet of our little friends is timothy hay * . Make sure your guinea pigs have an unlimited supply of fresh timothy hay available each day. This is essential to aid in their digestion and limit the growth of their teeth.

And what about fruits and vegetables? Fresh vegetables can be offered once a day and should equate to about one cup per guinea pig per day. Leafy green vegetables like romaine lettuce, red and green leaf lettuce, kale, cilantro, and parsley should make up the majority of your pig's fresh diet. Try to add variety by offering different green types every day. Vegetables like red or green peppers and broccoli are high in vitamin C, making them great everyday options. You can add carrots, zucchini, tomatoes or sweet potatoes once or twice a week.

Fruits are a great treat that can be offered once a day or several times a week. Since fruit is high in sugar, the portion should be small; a small piece of orange or apple, some blueberries or a thin slice of banana will do just fine. Kiwis, strawberries and citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C.

It is important that you introduce new fruits and vegetables slowly to avoid diarrhea. If your guinea pig develops loose stools, reduce the amount of fresh vegetables for a few days and then reintroduce them in smaller portions.

A quick note: guinea pigs tend to develop painful bladder stones, and some of these stones are made of calcium oxalate. Therefore, it may be beneficial for guinea pigs that develop calcium oxalate stones to reduce or eliminate foods high in oxalate -- such as spinach, parsley, and strawberries. A veterinarian who specializes in guinea pigs should always be consulted for specific nutritional questions.

Now let's move on to the treats: There are a variety of commercial treats marketed for guinea pigs and other small animals. Often they're loaded with artificial sweeteners like high-fructose corn syrup, fructose, or sucrose. They offer little nutritional value and lots of empty calories. These treats are redundant and a waste of money. Your piggy will be perfectly happy with quality pellets, hay, and fruit and veg treats. For a special snack, you can mix some rolled oats * into your guinea pig's pellets or fill a small cardboard tube with fresh hay.

The well-being and health of your fluffy friends is very important to us. Therefore, we hope that this detailed information will help you to feed your guinea pigs in the best possible way.

Finally, we would like to point out that we have a wonderful selection of guinea pig merchandise in our shop. Please stop by and show your love for these adorable little creatures. Whether you're looking for the perfect gift for a guinea pig lover or looking to add to your own collection, we're sure to have something for you! Thank you for reading and see you next time!

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