Can Guinea Pigs Eat Pine Nuts? Trust The Answer

Guinea pigs are natural herbivores and would spend their time foraging and grazing in small herds in the wild. They need to be fed the types of food to which they have adapted. Their teeth are constantly growing, which is one of the reasons they need a lot of roughage to chew; This wears down their teeth and helps prevent serious dental problems. Getting enough fiber in your diet is also very important for your gastrointestinal system and overall health.

To keep your guinea pigs happy and healthy, you should:

Make sure your guinea pigs have a constant supply of grass and/or grass hay (such as timothy, oat, barley, or grass hay). Guinea pigs should not be fed alfalfa or clover hay as they are too high in protein and calcium. The hay you feed should be readily available and of good quality; dry, sweet smelling and free of mold, mildew or fungus. This is paramount for a complete diet and encourages the guinea pigs to chew for a long time. This chewing contributes to wear down the continuously growing teeth and is very important for maintaining dental and gastrointestinal health. The hay should ideally be kept in a hay rack or basket to prevent it from lying on the floor of the pen and being contaminated by your guinea pigs’ droppings and becoming damp, dirty and moldy; this is unsanitary and could make your guinea pigs sick.

(such as timothy, oats, barley or grass hay). Guinea pigs should not be fed alfalfa or clover hay as they are too high in protein and calcium. The hay you feed should be readily available and of good quality; dry, sweet smelling and free of mold, mildew or fungus. This is paramount for a complete diet and encourages the guinea pigs to chew for a long time. This chewing contributes to wear down the continuously growing teeth and is very important for maintaining dental and gastrointestinal health. The hay should ideally be kept in a hay rack or basket to prevent it from lying on the floor of the pen and being contaminated by your guinea pigs’ droppings and becoming damp, dirty and moldy; this is unsanitary and could make your guinea pigs sick. Offer a selection of fresh green leafy vegetables and herbs daily. Some examples include dark-leaf lettuce like arugula, dandelion, snow peas, and herbs like marjoram, borage, marigold, nasturtium, rosemary, parsley, cilantro, basil, and dill. Other foods that are good to feed guinea pigs several times a week include broccoli, cabbage, endive, carrot tops, Brussels sprouts, kale, silver beets, mint, and fruits like apples (but without the seeds), mango, and papaya.

Daily. Some examples include dark-leaf lettuce like arugula, dandelion, snow peas, and herbs like marjoram, borage, marigold, nasturtium, rosemary, parsley, cilantro, basil, and dill. Other foods that are good to feed guinea pigs several times a week include broccoli, cabbage, endive, carrot tops, Brussels sprouts, kale, silver beets, mint, and fruits like apples (but without the seeds), mango, and papaya. Provide your guinea pigs with a dietary source of vitamin C, as guinea pigs (like humans) cannot synthesize vitamin C from other food substances. Vitamin C-rich foods such as green leafy vegetables and bell peppers (green, orange, and red) should be fed to your guinea pigs daily. Foods like carrots, kiwis, berries, and pineapple are also great sources of vitamin C and are treats for your guinea pigs, but only feed them a few times a week, not every day, as these foods are quite high in sugar.

because guinea pigs (like humans) cannot synthesize vitamin C from other food substances. Vitamin C-rich foods such as green leafy vegetables and bell peppers (green, orange, and red) should be fed to your guinea pigs daily. Foods like carrots, kiwis, berries, and pineapple are also great sources of vitamin C and are treats for your guinea pigs, but only feed them a few times a week, not every day, as these foods are quite high in sugar. Make sure you source grass, herbs, fruits and vegetables that have not been sprayed with chemicals as these could harm your guinea pigs. Lawnmower clippings should never be fed to your guinea pigs as it can cause gastrointestinal obstruction and make your guinea pigs very ill.

Commercially high quality “guinea pig” pellets (minimum 16% fiber) can be offered in small quantities but should not form the main part of the diet. Although many fresh contain sufficient vitamin C, this is only the case if the food is very fresh and within a few months these foods will no longer contain vitamin C.

Leftover food should be removed from your guinea pig’s enclosure after a few hours so that it does not rot or become moldy and harm your guinea pig.

Please remember that any new food should be introduced gradually to allow your guinea pig’s digestive system to adjust and prevent them from becoming ill. Mix new foods into the existing diet in small amounts and slowly increase the amount over two weeks.

Knowing what not to feed guinea pigs is also important, as there are many things that may seem harmless but can actually cause significant health problems. Make sure you don’t feed your guinea pigs the following foods (this is not an exhaustive list): grains; grains; Nuts; seeds; dried beans, corn and peas; buttercups; garden shrubs (such as hemlock or privet); lilies of any kind; sweet peas; nightshade; Oak; Avocado; onion grass; onions; potato tops; Mushrooms; daffodils; Thimble; rhubarb leaves; and human foods such as breads, cookies, candies, sugar, breakfast cereals, dairy products, chocolate, pasta, crackers or pickles.

If you need to change your guinea pig’s diet, please ensure you introduce the changes gradually over a few weeks.

Provide clean, fresh water at all times. Several water dispensers should be available and the pens should be equipped with a water bottle and a small water bowl should also be available.

Giving your guinea pig a chance to graze on grass is also important for their well-being. If they don’t have areas where they can safely graze (e.g. free-roaming in a secure pen), offering clipped grass is another alternative (however, they should not feed grass clippings as this can cause indigestion). If you’re harvesting grass to feed your guinea pigs, you need to make sure it’s safe. Make sure the grass has NOT been sprayed with herbicides or pesticides, do not harvest grass by the side of the road as it may be contaminated with exhaust toxins, or from areas where it may be invaded by other animals (e.g. livestock or dogs). has been contaminated. The grass should be fresh and green with no mold, mildew or fungi. As with hay, alfalfa should not be given fresh and clover should be avoided and not given in large quantities).

It is important that guinea pigs are introduced to a variety of different and healthy foods from a young age as they may not try or accept new foods later in life.

Please note that it is normal for guinea pigs to eat their soft, nitrogen-rich droppings that come from their cecum after passing it (coprophagia). This does not indicate a nutritional deficiency or abnormality, and guinea pigs should be allowed this.

FIGHT OF THE GUINEA PIG BEDDING STYLES!

If you’re wondering which is the best type of bedding for your piggy, we’ve pitted them against each other to find a clear winner.

By Emily Lewis and Louise Smith

With so many types of guinea pig bedding to choose from at pet stores and online, it can be difficult to know which direction to turn. If you’ve asked yourself, “What is the best bedding for a C&C cage?” then you’re certainly not alone.

Well, fear not, because here at Kavee, we’ve found a helpful answer to this important question – by organizing a bed fight!

We’ve pitted different types of bedding against each other and ranked them based on their overall cost, environmental impact and the impact they can have on your guinea pig’s health and welfare.

HEALTH WARNING

The important things first; It’s important for all pig parents to know that whichever type of bedding you choose, you MUST make sure it’s safe for guinea pigs, and you also need to keep it clean. If you let your piggy live in damp, dirty conditions, it can develop serious health conditions, including respiratory infections and sore feet that can lead to bumblebees.

You should also provide your piggy with plenty of hay as this makes up the majority of its diet. Make sure your guinea pig’s cage has at least one area — some people call it a hay kitchen — where your guinea pig can dig and forage in a nice layer of hay on top of its main bedding.

NOTE SOME BED OPTIONS SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR GUINEA PIGS.

It’s also important that you know from the start what types of bedding or cage layout are NOT right for your guinea pig.

These include:

wire or mesh ground. Unfortunately, you can see many cages with wire or wire bottoms on the internet and in pet stores, but these types of cages are not suitable for guinea pigs at all. That’s because guinea pigs on wire floors cause inflammation of their soft foot pads, which can lead to dangerous infections like bumblebees. The good news is that if you choose a C&C cage then this will not be a problem as the floors of these types of cages are made of Coroplast floor panels and are completely safe and comfortable for guinea pigs.

Newspaper or puppy training records. While these can form the basis of a guinea pig’s substrate, they should always be covered with another type of bedding as they get wet easily and in turn cause foot inflammation.

silica gel and clumping cat litter. Guinea pigs are curious animals and will often try to eat new objects they find in their environment at least once. Kitty litter really isn’t safe for your piggy – it’s often designed to expand as it soaks up moisture, and if ingested by your guinea pig it can cause painful and dangerous intestinal obstructions.

Wood chips that are not dusted. While wood shavings are a very popular type of bedding for guinea pigs, never use home-made or undusted wood shavings. Particulate matter can cause irritation and infection in the lungs of guinea pigs.

sawdust. Because sawdust is made up of much smaller particles than wood chips, it is not suitable for guinea pigs. Sawdust is often marketed for smaller rodents like mice and hamsters, but as we mentioned earlier, dust can cause irritation and infection in a guinea pig’s lungs.

Straw. Since straw is stiff and brittle, it is not suitable for guinea pigs. Pigs may love to munch and dig in soft hay, but they definitely don’t eat straw, and the sharp ends can lead to dangerous eye injuries and infections.

CHOOSE SAFE LITTER: The safest type of litter is always litter that is marketed specifically for guinea pigs, either from reputable guinea pig supply companies or pet stores.

SO WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF GUINEA PIG BEDDING?

Let’s find out a little bit more about the contenders in our bedding battle.

COMPETITOR 1: FLEECE PADS FOR GUINEA PIGS

Kavee fleece pads are a safe, soft, cozy and environmentally friendly bedding system. Multi-layered and extremely absorbent, these clever C&C cage liners are designed to keep your guinea pigs dry and cozy on the top layer by wicking moisture into the fleece fabric lower layers. Conveniently, fleece liners are also machine washable and easy to sweep to remove stains between washes. They come in a variety of colors and patterns. And as you can see from the picture below, guinea pigs love to cuddle in it!

Fleece liners for guinea pigs are not generally available at pet stores. But Kavee pads — which use super-soft, absorbent fleece layers on top of a thick layer of Sherpa fleece — are widely available via worldwide shipping. You can shop at Kavee’s online fleece boutique. Just grab a cup and get ready to start clicking…

COMPETITION 2: WOOD CHIPS FOR GUINEA PIGS

You probably already know that wood chips are used for guinea pigs. They have been widely available for decades and are available at most pet stores. But despite their popularity, it’s important to realize that some wood chips are just not safe to use. As mentioned, fine dust can cause dangerous respiratory infections in piggies, so you must always use dust-free and kiln-dried shavings. It’s also important to know that pine and cedar shavings can contain nasty chemicals that aren’t good for guinea pigs. Aspen shavings are considered the safest.

CONTEST 3: PAPER BEDDING FOR GUINEA PIGS

Paper litter is becoming more common and is available online and at pet stores. However, because paper bedding comes in many forms – including thick paper shreds, thin paper shreds, and paper pulp – it is processed in a variety of ways, and as such it can be difficult to ensure you are purchasing the best or safest quality for your bed piggy. Some companies use recycled and recycled paper, which is better for the environment than making paper solely to make bedding. However, some waste paper may contain inks, dyes, and chemicals that may harm guinea pigs. If you choose paper bedding for your guinea pigs, make sure it’s free of harmful toxins and chemicals.

COMPETITION 4: ROOTING PELLETS FOR GUINEA PIGS

Litter pellets consist of pellets based on laminated paper or cellulose. Pellets are very absorbent and will absorb moisture, but when dry they can be very hard on your pig’s sensitive foot pads and sometimes cause inflammation. Pellets that are suitable for guinea pigs can be difficult to find, and it’s also important to realize that this type of bedding can be more expensive than other types of bedding.

LET THE GUINEA PIG BEDDING FIGHT BEGIN….

FIRST ROUND: THE PRICE OF GUINEA PIGS LITTER

Based on a 4×2 grid C&C cage for two guinea pigs, we calculated the amount of bedding needed for a year and evaluated a number of brands to determine price ranges for each type of bedding. It’s important to note that these calculations are based on the assumption that if you were using wood chips, paper bedding, or pellets, you would completely change your guinea pig litter weekly, allowing you to top up during the week.

However, at Kavee, we recommend that you clean your fleece liners at least twice a week, which means that you generally need to use two fleece liners in your cage each week. A multiple purchase of two Kavee 4×2 fleece pads for guinea pigs costs £70.

As we mentioned earlier, fleece linings are machine washable. The average wash costs 0.23p including detergent. If you washed your fleece liners twice a week it would cost you an average of £24.44 a year. Even if you decide to buy three or four liners to rotate, it would still be a much cheaper option than the other types of litter.

ANNUAL COSTS OF DIFFERENT GUINEA PIGS BEDDING

Fleece Liners £95 Wood Shavings £160 Paper Litter £395 Litter Pellets £845

JUDGING ROUND 1: Wood chips and fleece padding are the two most cost-effective types of bedding, with bedding pellets being much more expensive. Overall, fleece pads are proving to be the most cost-effective bedding option by far. For more information on the cost of guinea pigs, see our article The True And Shocking Cost Of Owning A Guinea Pig.

ROUND TWO: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF GUINEA PIG LITTER

If you are environmentally conscious then this is the section for you. All types of bedding in our comparison are intended for single use only and must be disposed of after use – with the exception of one variant. Yes, you have it… fleece. It doesn’t matter if you choose wood chips, pellets or paper bedding; You would still generate 52 bags of guinea pig poo in a year if you emptied your guinea pig cage once a week. Since most guinea pig farmers don’t have the facilities to compost this amount of waste, it’s fair to say that it will generally end up in landfill. In comparison, reusable, washable nonwoven liners can last for several years and significantly reduce the landfill waste produced by your household.

Another environmental aspect to consider is that all wood and paper based bedding is highly processed to ensure it is safe to use. Even if the material is recycled, the process is likely to use a lot of water and also dry at high temperatures, consuming fuel. Then there is a chance that wood chips come from an unsustainable source. Think of the natural resources required to grow trees and the delicate forest ecosystems that are sadly destroyed when timber is harvested.

You should also consider the environmental impact of shipping and transportation. If you’re buying bags of bedding on a monthly basis, it’s worth considering the fossil fuels required to get it to stores or your home. With Kavee guinea pig inserts, only one delivery is required.

The truth, of course, is that fleece, like most things we buy, also has an impact on the environment. But that can be minimized. Yes, fleece is made of synthetic fibers. However, it is not a single-use material, making it less polluting than a single-use plastic bag containing guinea pig litter such as wood chips or pellets. Then there’s the single-use plastic bag used to dispose of the linens each week…it all adds up. With fleece liners, you don’t have to throw out your guinea pig litter every week – you simply wash your liners and they’re ready to use again.

Some guinea pig parents may be concerned about microfibers shedding from the fleece during washing. This can be minimized by washing your fleece liners in a large cotton pillowcase or Kavee guinea pig laundry bag. Using a laundry bag also prevents hair and hay from clogging up your washing machine. Of course, washing fleece liners uses a fair amount of water, but they can be washed at 30 degrees Celsius on Eco or Short to use as little water and energy as possible. Overall, the water used to grow and process one bag of sawdust each week is more water intensive than keeping your fleece liners clean.

When it comes to environmental impact, wood shavings come off the worst. That’s because it’s difficult to find sustainably sourced, yet high-quality, guinea pig-safe wood chips. While paper litter and cellulose litter are often made from recycled material, this is rarely the case with wood chips.

ROUND 2 JUDGMENT: The truth is that no single bedding style – not even fleece – gets full marks in this round, but reusable, washable fleece liners generate the lowest volume of waste overall compared to other bedding styles.

ROUND THREE: HEALTH IMPACT ON YOUR GUINEA PIG

As a piggy parent, nothing is more important than the health of your furry friend? Luckily, fleece is dust-free, which reduces the risk of lung irritation in your piggy. They are also suitable for people who are allergic to house dust. Be sure to prevent health problems by choosing a fleece padding made specifically for guinea pigs, like this one from Kavee. Inappropriate fleece liners that aren’t as absorbent or don’t wick away moisture as effectively can get soggy and irritate your sensitive pig’s feet. However, as long as you change Kavee pads twice a week and add extra absorbent layers in high-wear areas, e.g. B. Urine pads for guinea pigs, moisture should not be a problem. It’s also important to use gentle, non-allergenic detergents to wash your liners, as harsh detergents can irritate guinea pigs’ delicate skin and feet. Opt for natural cleaning products like white vinegar and hypoallergenic detergents. For more instructions, watch our YouTube video below on washing your guinea pig fleece liners.

While wood chips are widely used as bedding for guinea pigs, be careful that pine and cedar wood chips can contain chemical pests that can be poisonous to guinea pigs. Untreated pine and cedar can cause health problems in guinea pigs, including respiratory and liver disease. The process of kiln drying removes these toxins, so only kiln-dried chips should be purchased for guinea pig bedding. Always buy dust-free wood shavings to avoid the risk of fine dust, which can irritate your piggy’s lungs.

Poor quality wood chips may also contain larger pieces of wood that may have sharp edges – make sure to remove any large or sharp pieces of wood to reduce the risk of injury to your guinea pig. There is also a risk that some wood chips contain fungal spores, especially when stored in humid environments such as outbuildings. It’s something to consider as guinea pigs are very susceptible to fungal diseases, including tinea, which can also be transmitted from guinea pigs to humans.

When it comes to paper litter, big name brands dust their litter and there is less risk of this type of litter containing sharp edges that can injure your piggy. However, it is important to ensure that paper bedding does not contain any chemicals or dyes that could harm your guinea pig. Unfortunately, verifying that chemicals in bedding are safe can be difficult, especially with colored or recycled bedding

When it comes to paper pellets in this round, it’s a thumbs down from us. This is because bedding pellets are hard and more likely to irritate your guinea pig’s feet. It can also be difficult to find pellets that are marketed as safe for guinea pigs. Many litter pellets are made specifically for cats and are therefore made from unsuitable types of wood such as cedar and pine, which can contain chemicals that are toxic to guinea pigs. Kitty litter is also often designed to reduce odors, and these chemicals can also be harmful to pigs.

ROUND 3 VERDICT: Your top health considerations when it comes to guinea pigs should be avoiding respiratory infections and foot problems including bumble bees. For this reason, paper sheets and fleece inserts score points, as they are dust-free and offer a soft layer underfoot.

ROUND FOUR: STORE AND ORGANIZE YOUR GUINEA PIG ACCESSORIES

Once you’ve chosen your guinea pig litter, don’t forget that you need to store it before using it. If you are short on space in your house and hate clutter, storing your guinea pig bedding can be a headache

Because it makes more financial sense to buy large bags of wood chips, paper, or pellets, you should carefully consider where you store bulky, unsightly bags.

They can also be messy and need regular sweeping or vacuuming; great if you have endless cleaning time, but not so ideal if you prefer to spend your free time playing with your piggies.

Fleece liners are easy to store – they can be quickly rolled or folded for easy storage between uses.

Here at Kavee we believe our fleece liners are stylish enough to be left out between uses or rolled up next to the cage. Let’s be honest; They are infinitely more aesthetic than bags of wood shavings!

But if you’d rather not see them, just put them in a basket or pretty C&C cage storage boxes. If you’re into the matchy look, you can purchase Kavee storage boxes to match your Kavee fleece liners.

Another handy bonus, once you have a fleece liner, you don’t have to think about buying regular bedding either. You can cross one thing off your shopping list!

JUDGMENT ROUND 4: Fleece guinea pig liners are compact and pack easily between uses, making them ideal when you’re short on storage. They are also stylistically nicer to look at than bulky bags of paper sheets or wood shavings.

VERDICT: THE BEST GUINEA PIGS LINEN IS…

AND THE OVERALL WINNER IS….

After four rounds we found that the best bedding type for guinea pig cages is…FLEECE! Soft, eco-friendly, inexpensive and safe for your piggy, fleece liners have really caught on.

Here at Kavee we firmly believe that our C&C guinea pig cages, whether with black C&C grilles or white C&C grilles combined with our absorbent, cozy fleece liners, make the ideal home for your furry friends.

Check out our other useful posts:

Reduce your guinea pigs’ carbon footprint

What are C&C guinea pig cages?

The ultimate guide to using fleece pads for guinea pigs

6 ways C and C cages got better

Which C&C cage is right for my guinea pigs?

What does C&C Cage stand for?

Hinged doors, lids and gates on C&C cages: how do they work?

4 reasons to add a stand to your C&C cage

10 ideas to decorate your C&C cage with everyday objects

Do guinea pigs need a home in their cage?

The sap in conifers has a powerful antibacterial/antifungal chemical complex which, if consumed in any amount, can temporarily rob the poor pig of his gut flora (he will replenish it if he eats other pigs’ poop). spread the problem. I would also pay attention to the toxic effect of such a juice. It can slowly burn his tongue/lips even if he doesn’t swallow.

I would put up a barrier around the tree! haha.. sorry to be a curmudgeon! roll their eyes

Have you noticed that your guinea pig has started chewing on its hutch? As a responsible guinea pig owner, you’re probably wondering why this is happening and whether it’s normal behavior or a sign of an underlying problem. You can also worry about your piggy’s health if you chew wood that has potentially harmful toxins in it.

Well you are not alone. We’ve received many emails from other readers asking the exact same thing. So we thought it would be a good idea to answer all your questions about piggies and their penchant for chewing wooden coops.

But before we get to that, we need to understand why a guinea pig chews so much. The reason is simple. Unlike humans, guinea pigs have elodont teeth, which is a fancy way of saying they don’t stop growing.

The most effective way for a guinea pig to keep its teeth trimmed is by chewing pellets and hay. If they cannot do this, they can develop a serious dental problem known as malocclusion and painful mouth and tongue ulcers.

Makes sense right? But why do guinea pigs pay attention to their coop? Especially when there are plenty of fiber-rich pellets and hay right in front of it?

6 reasons why your guinea pig chews on its hutch and what you can do about it

While guinea pigs chew on their coop quite frequently, this can also be a sign of an underlying problem. We’ve identified 6 possible reasons why your piggy might be chewing on its cage.

1. Your guinea pig needs more attention

One of the main reasons your piggy will chew on its coop is that it needs more of your attention. If you notice him chewing, there’s a good chance you’ll go to the stall and talk to your pet. You can even pick it up to cuddle and soothe. Without you realizing it, your guinea pig has figured you out. And in the future, to get your attention, your guinea pig will chew on its cage.

Spend more time with your guinea pig

If your guinea pig is doing this to get your attention, you need to up the ante and spend more time with your pet. Remember that pigs need a lot of time on the ground so they can forage, explore, and most importantly, chew. A run provides a safe play area for your guinea pig to exercise and be stimulated. An hour a day is enough, but the more time you spend with your snuggly guinea pigs, the better!

2. Your guinea pig may be feeling stressed

Chewing on its cage could be a sign that your guinea pig is stressed or nervous. Just like we bite our nails, this is your piggy’s coping mechanism. But figuring out what might be stressing your pet will take some time and effort on your part. Excessive noise, the family dog ​​or a dominant stable mate are just a few examples of potential stressors. Observing your guinea pig’s behavior, such as B. his daily routine, his interaction with other guinea pigs and his environment are just some of the things you need to keep an eye on.

Keep your guinea pig stress-free and happy

Simple things could stress your guinea pig. Observation in his cage and in the exercise area should give you some insight into what these stressors might be. For example, if the coop is near a busy road or noisy neighbors, consider moving it to a quieter location. Provide plenty of hiding spots and tunnels inside the cage so your piggy has a place to retreat to if they feel threatened. This makes it feel safer and reduces unnecessary stress.

Unfortunately, when guinea pigs are kept in too small a space, they will inevitably chew on the cage. When buying a coop, always choose the largest you can afford. The more space your pets have to run and explore, the happier and less stressed they will be. If space is an issue, opt for a stall and run combo.

3. Your guinea pig is bored

Boredom can lead to various behavioral problems in guinea pigs, including chewing on the hutch. Have you checked (and re-checked) if your guinea pig is getting a lot to do? When was the last time you got something new for your piggy to explore and discover?

Get your guinea pig new toy

From chubes that double as tunnels and chew toys to corn rattles, adding new toys to get your piggies excited is a surefire way to keep them excited and stimulated. A combination of new toys, time with your guinea pigs, and a large cage will keep boredom at bay and keep them from chewing through their coop.

Switch out the toys every now and then to keep your piggy interested. Don’t put all the new treats in the coop at once. Too much choice can often be as bad as no choice at all, and your bored guinea pig will end up chewing on the hutch again.

5. Your guinea pig is lonely

A guinea pig alone will not only demand your attention, but they are also more prone to boredom and stress. In their natural habitat, a guinea pig lives in a herd or a “mess” so we recommend never having just one.

Get your guinea pig a stable mate

Instead, keep two or more guinea pigs together so they can keep each other company. This will stop unwanted behaviors like cage chewing.

6. Your guinea pig cuts his teeth

Remember we mentioned that a guinea pig’s teeth continue to grow throughout its life, which is why it needs to chew and gnaw? Well, if your piggy is sinking its teeth into its coop, it can simply be because there isn’t enough chewing material available.

Make sure your guinea pig has plenty to chew on

Chewing is your guinea pig’s way of keeping its teeth groomed. Without adequate hay and pellets, your guinea pig will turn to the next best thing… his coop. Make sure your guinea pig has access to quality hay products, high-fiber pellets, and vegetables and fruits. You can also give your pet tasty hanging wooden rolls, wicker sticks, and puffed rice and hay treats.

frequently asked Questions

This section answers the most frequently asked questions we receive from our readers about guinea pigs and chewwood. It’s a great way to get the answers you need at a glance.

How do you stop your guinea pig from chewing on its cage?

Once you understand why your guinea pig is chewing on its hutch, you can figure out how to stop it. Boredom, nervousness, inattention and loneliness are just some of the reasons. Make sure your guinea pig gets plenty of exercise, toys and activities to keep them stimulated, and that you spend at least an hour a day playing with them.

If all else fails, there are some preventive measures you can take to stop this behavior. Anti-chew sprays are available, or you can train your guinea pig to break the bad habit.

Can guinea pigs chew on wood?

It is perfectly fine for your guinea pigs to chew on wood. After all, that’s exactly how they wear down their teeth in the wild. But what you need to keep in mind is that not all woodlands are suitable for guinea pigs. Cedar, sequoia, pine, and eucalyptus are just a few aromatic wood species that are not safe for guinea pigs.

When choosing a hutch, always opt for one that is not made of processed or treated wood. Dyes and glues, for example, contain ingredients that are toxic to guinea pigs.

What kind of wood do guinea pigs like to chew?

Honestly, guinea pigs like to chew on all kinds of wood, but especially fruit tree branches. Just make sure any twigs or twigs you give to your piggies haven’t been sprayed with any type of chemical. Insecticides and pesticides contain ingredients that are toxic to pets.

Can my guinea pig chew toilet paper?

Yes, guinea pigs are allowed to chew on toilet paper rolls and boxes. However, make sure you don’t give them too much as they might end up swallowing it which could cause problems with their digestion. Avoid giving your pets cardboard that has been treated with glue or chemicals.

Should I be concerned about my guinea pig chewing on its hutch?

As long as the hutch is made of high-quality wood that’s safe for guinea pigs, you don’t have to worry about it being chewed up. Of course, if their constant gnawing causes structural damage to the coop, you need to fix it as soon as possible. This will prevent your pets from getting out and more importantly, prevent predators from getting in.

When it comes to chewing things, not only do guinea pigs enjoy chewing, they have to to keep their teeth groomed. Sometimes, however, there is more to it than that. By observing your guinea pigs and noting how and when they chew on their cage, you will get a good idea of ​​why they are doing it.

It could be because they are bored, anxious, or just desperate for your attention. If you can pinpoint the reasons, it will be easier for you to solve the problem. Always make sure your piggies have enough stimulation and a large cage with space to exercise, play, eat and sleep. Chews are a great way to break the habit of chewing around the coop, as is spending time with your precious pets.

Have you experienced this with your guinea pigs? How did you deal with it? Let us know in the comments below. Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletters to receive helpful articles, discounts and rewards for members only.

Guinea pigs love toys just like any pet, and guinea pig chews actually serve an important purpose.

Read on to find out more!

Did you know that guinea pig teeth never stop growing? As strange as it may sound, it’s true!

Just like Jack’s beanstalk, its pearly white grows and grows with no end in sight!

In order to keep their teeth in check, guinea pigs have to chew and gnaw almost around the clock to bring their teeth down to a tolerable level.

Here we’ll be reviewing the best guinea pig chew toys, but if you want more information on the fascinating guinea pig, aka cavy, we’ve got a wealth of information to hand!

Click here to search our library of informative guinea pig articles.

All of these products have been carefully and independently selected by The Squeaks and Nibbles team. If you decide to make a purchase through one of the links marked with an asterisk, we may receive a small commission on that sale. This is at no additional cost to you.

Why are chew toys necessary for guinea pigs?

Before we dive into some of the different things guinea pigs can chew on, it must be reiterated that guinea pigs absolutely need a supply of both healthy foods and good guinea pig chew toys in order to thrive.

Their dental health is of paramount importance as they risk disease and starvation if their teeth grow too long and make eating impossible.

Luckily, that’s where guinea pig chews come in!

Today we are going to review the very best guinea pig chew toys on the market.

But before we do that, let’s answer a few questions that many owners have regarding the best guinea pig chew toys.

What Can Guinea Pigs Chew?

If you’re considering owning or already have an adorable guinea pig or ten, you’ve no doubt been wondering: Can guinea pigs chew on cardboard?

And can guinea pigs chew on wood? Can guinea pigs chew toilet paper rolls?

After all, these are inexpensive DIY alternatives that would round out a collection of store-bought toys nicely.

Luckily, the answer to all three questions is yes, guinea pigs can chew on the above items, but with some limitations.

Untreated wooden sticks or blocks are fine for your guinea pig, with the exception of pine and cedar, which have strong odors that cause discomfort and possible lung damage.

Paper towel or toilet paper rolls are also fine, but be sure to remove as much of any remaining adhesive before using.

The same goes for cardboard.

If you want to learn more about how to make fun guinea pig toys for your own little animal, be sure to check out this awesome DIY article.

Also check out this informative and entertaining article on guinea pig chews.

Wooden Guinea Pig Chews and Guinea Pig Chew Sticks

Now it’s time to check out the plethora of fantastic guinea pig chew toys including wooden guinea pig chews and guinea pig chew sticks.

Wood provides a hard enough surface to keep teeth groomed and clean, while chewing sticks are the perfect diameter to fit little pigs’ mouths.

Chews made from guinea pig wood

Wooden toys can’t get any cuter than this 3-pack of assorted Kaytee “veggies”.* As an added bonus, the “sticks” are made of sisal. These rub against the teeth and scrape off dirt.

Each vegetable is made from a different material, including wood, sisal, and soft loofah, giving your guinea plenty of variety to choose from.

This cute little wooden Kaytee toy* keeps the ‘product’ theme but has the added benefit of a handy hook perfect for attaching to your guinea pig’s cage.

Guinea pigs will love the colorful orange slices, wooden balls, logs and blocks. The chew toy measures 6.5 x 2.1 x 1.2 inches.

Guinea pigs need and enjoy mental stimulation just like any other pet, and this Ware Bird puzzle toy* is sure to keep your guinea pig engaged and challenged.

The wooden toy is shaped like an hourglass and has a ball inside that can move freely.

It’s hard to imagine a curious guinea pig not being intrigued by this cleverly designed chew toy!

Chew sticks for guinea pigs

These edible Bwogue Bamboo Sticks* have a sweet flavor that guinea pigs are sure to take on.

Each pack contains approximately 10-14 sticks.

Each bamboo stick is 100% natural, approximately 4 inches long and varies in thickness.

Rice is a healthy flavor treat for guinea pigs, and these crispy sticks* from Ware Manufacturing are the perfect size and texture to keep your guinea pig healthy and entertained.

Made from healthy rice and corn, the sticks keep teeth clean while providing hours of fun.

Each stick measures 3/4″ x 5″ H.

These 100% organic Sharllen Applewood Sticks* are approximately 6 inches long, a great value for you and your guinea pig!

These sweet tasting treats contain no pesticides and are available in packs of 100g, 300g and 500g.

Fun and unique guinea pig chew toy

This Ecotrition chew toy* may look like a real log, but it’s actually made from a delicious blend of fresh alfalfa and golden honey.

But the hollow tree trunk is doubly suitable as a hiding place!

At over 7 inches tall, this log is one your guinea pig will love to crawl into and maybe take a kibble or two inside out.

If it weren’t for the wood core, these triple baked Vitakraft sticks* would look good enough for human consumption!

Each package also includes a clip holder for attaching the sticks to the side of your guinea pig’s cage.

Each stick is coated with grains, honey and seeds, plus some fruit for variety. The ingredients are fortified with both vitamins and minerals to ensure a healthy snacking experience.)

Included in a fun pack are 5 Kaytee chew toys* to keep your little one entertained and teeth healthy.

Clever and colorful shapes include apple and orange slices and a loofah slice.

Plus, guinea pig moms and dads will surely appreciate that this chew toy comes in ‘frustration free packaging’!

Do guinea pigs need chew toys? Yes!

We hope you enjoyed our look at guinea pig chew toys. If you had any doubts about the question “do guinea pigs chew?”, now you know that the answer is an unequivocal yes!

Guinea pigs don’t just chew for fun, it’s an absolute necessity to keep their ever-growing teeth in check.

Do you still have doubts? Be sure to check out our Squeaks and Nibbles YouTube channel!

Here are some of the most adorable guinea pigs (plus rabbits and rats) doing what they do best!

Affiliate Link Disclosure: Links in this article marked with a * are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you purchase these products. However, we independently selected them for inclusion and all views expressed in this article are our own.

Resources and Further Reading

Most things about guinea pigs are adorable. Be it their size, the way they scurry around on their bikes and the way they stuff their mouths with food.

Speaking of food, parents of guinea pigs – especially guinea pigs – have recently become interested in whether their pets can eat leaves.

Can guinea pigs dangle leaves? Yes, guinea pigs can eat leaves and even twigs, but you need to be careful to feed your pet the right species. For example, guinea pigs do well on apple, banana, pear, and grape tree leaves, but you should not feed them iris, tulip, or bluebell petals, among other things.

I’ve put together an absolute treasure trove of information on feeding these little guinea pigs leafy. All you have to do is get yourself a comfortable seat and read on to catch the 411 on guinea pigs and tree leaves!

Can guinea pigs eat leaves?

Guinea pigs are the original vegetarians. They are herbivores – which means they do not consume meat. In the wild, these little critters prefer to eat grass, hay, bark, twigs, leaves, etc.

Domesticated guinea pigs appear to have more refined palates and will generally eat timothy grass or alfalfa hay pellets along with some necessary minerals and vitamins.

So if you want your guinea pig to get in touch with their wild side, you can feed them leaves. However, it’s best not to wander around your yard and pick the first tree you see for its leaves. And by all means avoid any tree you can’t identify.

You should also be extra careful with plant leaves. A number of plants are poisonous to your cuddle bug, most notably evergreens and plants that grow from a bulb.

Here is a list of plants that are poisonous to guinea pigs. Make sure you give this one a wide berth if you plan to feed your guinea pigs plant foliage:

chives

Onion

Leek

spring onion

garlic

Lili of the valley

anemone

snowdrop

hyacinth

iris

bluebell

boxwood

ivy

laurel

winch

Rhododendrons

Guinea pig and tree leaves

There are many tree leaves out there. While we can’t really give a complete list, here are many common leaves you can find and whether they’re safe for your guinea to eat:

leaf type safe to eat? Maple leaves No Apple tree leaves Yes Lemon leaves Best to avoid Bamboo leaves Yes Mulberry leaves In moderation Grape leaves Yes

We will explain it in more detail below so that you can take care of the needs of your guinea in the best possible way!

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Maple Leaves?

If you have a maple tree somewhere near you, you might be tempted to feed its leaves to your guinea pig. But avoid this temptation at all costs, because maple leaves are poisonous to guinea pigs.

It doesn’t matter if they’re fresh or dead; Maple leaves contain gallic acid, which can be fatal to guinea pigs if ingested.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Apple Tree Leaves?

Apple tree leaves can be a healthy and nutritious snack for your guinea pig.

Humans might not like chewing on the green stuff, but rest assured that apple leaves contain essential nutrients that are great for your pet’s health. Plus, you don’t have to worry about your pet gaining an extra pound because you don’t have to worry about excess sugar.

Can guinea pigs eat apple twigs?

Guinea pigs can definitely chew apple branches since there are no harmful chemicals involved. But before you clean and prepare the branch before presenting it to your guinea pig.

Remove things like moss, bugs, etc. and cut the stalk into small pieces while removing any sharp edges. It’s also a good idea to soak the apple branch in warm water for a few minutes and rinse it thoroughly to remove any traces of pesticides.

Can guinea pigs eat lemon leaves?

You can feed your cavy lemons in minimal amounts as they contain vitamin C; Feeding your pet too much citrus can cause an upset stomach due to the acidity.

For this reason, it’s best to avoid giving your guinea pig lemon leaves to avoid potential health problems like diarrhea and bloating.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Bamboo Leaves?

Bamboo leaves are perfectly safe to feed guinea pigs. In fact, bamboo stalks and leaves contain fiber and vitamin C — which is super healthy for your pet’s digestive system and can ward off problems like scurvy.

Bamboo leaves are a good winter treat as the plant stays green in cold weather.

Can guinea pigs eat mulberry leaves?

Mulberries are a great source of vitamin C and can be fed to guinea pigs in moderation. Similarly, mulberry rind and leaves can also be a delicious and nutritious treat for your guinea pig.

Be sure to wash the leaves thoroughly to remove contaminants such as bugs, insecticides, and pesticides.

Can guinea pigs eat grape leaves?

Grape leaves aren’t just safe for guinea pigs; they are really super healthy for your guinea pigs.

Grape leaves contain nutrients like selenium, magnesium, copper, zinc, potassium, etc., all of which are beneficial to your guinea pig’s overall health. Feeding your pet grape leaves will also help build your guinea pig’s immune system and support their body’s metabolic processes.

Nutritional profile of the leaves

The dietary benefits of feeding your guinea pig leaves will depend on the type of leaves you choose. Nonetheless, some nutritional benefits exist across the board, and here they are:

1. Balanced Electrolytes

Somehow, despite being an essential mineral, potassium never gets the respect it deserves. Potassium is an electrolyte and also quite important for plant growth. The mineral can help your guinea pig’s body improve fluid balance, muscle contractions, and nerve signals.

A lack of potassium can lead to electrolyte imbalances and cause worrying problems like fatigue, balance problems, low blood pressure, etc.

2. Improved immune system

Almost all trees and plants contain antioxidants, molecules that help eliminate free radicals. While the name “free radicals” sounds like the next big band in the world of rock ‘n’ roll, in science they are the villains linked to multiple diseases – like diabetes, cancer and heart disease.

Believe it or not, guinea pigs are prone to diabetes. And that’s exactly why it’s a good idea to feed them antioxidant-packed leaves.

Not to mention that antioxidants also go a long way in supporting immunity. This means your pet can develop an excellent immune system that fights off infections and other nasty problems.

3. Improved appetite, mood and sleep cycle

Tryptophan is an amino acid found in most plants that plays a crucial role in regulating the sleep-wake cycle, increasing appetite and acting as a mood stabilizer. This amino acid is also necessary for rearing guinea pigs and can help prevent diseases such as cataracts.

Risks of feeding guinea pig leaves

What could go wrong if you feed your cany a bunch of harmless leaves? The answer is pretty much – if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Aside from that mile-long list of leaves that are poisonous to guinea pigs, here are some of the downsides of feeding your pet leaves:

1. Bladder stones and urinary problems

Putting guinea pigs and bladder stones in one sentence sounds ridiculous. I mean, are guinea pig bladders even big enough to develop stones? You can bet on it! Therefore, you should avoid giving your guinea pig leaves too often, as they may contain calcium.

Pregnant and growing guinea pigs need a lot of calcium, but adult guinea pigs don’t do very well with the stuff.

Too much calcium in your small pet’s body can lead to oxalate, which inevitably leads to bladder stones. If bladder stones are not caught in time, they can lead to kidney failure or be fatal to your pet.

Additionally, high traces of calcium can also lead to a buildup of the mineral in your guinea pig’s urinary tract (ouch). This can cause urinary tract infections and lead to painful urination.

2. Diarrhea and gas

Whenever you get your pet trying something new, there’s always a chance your guinea pig won’t like it.

Guinea pigs can have identical physiologies, but that doesn’t mean your pet’s individual system doesn’t have its own personal quirks. This means that anything that works for other guinea pigs may not work for your own.

For this reason, some guinea pig parents have reported incidents of diarrhea and/or gas after feeding their pet leaves. Diarrhea in guinea pigs needs immediate treatment as it leads to dehydration and in some cases can be fatal.

Bloating is not life-threatening, but it is undoubtedly uncomfortable for your little guinea pig. So play it safe and only feed your guinea pig something new in small amounts at first.

related questions

Still have some concerns about the foliage? That’s okay. Try going through our related questions section to find the answers you are looking for.

Is ivy poisonous to guinea pigs?

Most evergreens are poisonous to guinea pigs, and that includes ivy. The ivy plant, its berries, and its leaves contain the chemical glycoside hederin, which can cause toxicosis if ingested. For this reason, it is best to keep your guinea pig away from all types of ivy leaves.

What Garden Leaves Can Guinea Pigs Eat?

If you want to feed your guinea pig from your own backyard, the good news is that you can.

Here is a list of garden leaves that you can safely feed your guinea pig:

blackberry leaves

strawberry leaves

raspberry leaves

rose petals

Chickweed

goose grass

plantain

What branches can guinea pigs eat?

Guinea pigs can easily chew pear, willow and apple twigs and branches.

However, when feeding your guinea pig, avoid branches of stone fruit trees such as plums or peaches.

Next: Can hedgehogs eat bananas?

Guinea Pig Care: What Can Guinea Pigs Eat?

Feed your guinea pig on a set schedule – twice a day, morning and evening. Since guinea pigs will overeat on occasion, be careful not to overfeed pellets as they are predominantly carbohydrate and can lead to diarrhea and reduced appetite. Hay contains healthy fiber and should be available at all times. A small amount of fresh vegetables – and occasionally high-fiber fruit, such as apples or pears – should be offered daily to help keep guinea pigs hydrated. Discard fresh fruit or vegetables that haven’t been eaten after 10-12 hours to keep them from spoiling. Fresh water must be readily available, especially in warmer weather, as guinea pigs are prone to heat stroke. Some guinea pigs like to drink from a bottle, others prefer a bowl. If using a bottle, rinse your guinea pig’s water bottle daily and clean it weekly with hot water and a bottle brush.

Guinea pigs are herbivores, which means they only eat plants and plant-based foods. Your guinea pig’s diet should be based on high-quality hay, commercial pellet feed made specifically for guinea pigs, and limited amounts of fresh vegetables and fruit. An unbalanced diet can lead to chronic diarrhea, obesity and even dental disease. When introducing new foods into your guinea pig’s diet, do so gradually – abrupt or significant dietary changes can cause your guinea pig to stop eating and develop potentially life-threatening gastrointestinal problems.

What guinea pigs can eat

Nature has provided guinea pigs with an unusual method to meet their unique nutritional needs. Cecotropes are fecal pellets that are softer and lighter in color than typical fecal pellets and contain nutrients absorbed by plants during digestion. They pass through the anus from the large intestine and are consumed by guinea pigs almost immediately. While this process sounds bizarre or even repulsive, taking cecotropes is crucial to helping guinea pigs get the nutrients they need.

Treats – including fruit – should not exceed 10% of your guinea pig’s total daily calorie intake. Some commercially made treats contain artificial sweeteners and excess sugar or salt, which are not healthy for guinea pigs. Read labels carefully when choosing healthy treats for your pet. Because guinea pigs’ teeth are constantly growing, offer them a variety of fun chews — including commercial applewood sticks, wooden toys, balls, and blocks made specifically for small animals — to wear down their teeth as they grow. These items not only make chewing fun for your guinea pig, but also help to quell boredom.

Since fruit contains a lot of sugar and can upset their gastrointestinal tract, guinea pigs should not be offered fruit as often as vegetables. Small, bite-sized portions of fruit a few times a week will delight your guinea pig and can provide important vitamin C. Fruits that guinea pigs can eat in small amounts include:

These vegetables provide vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to your guinea pig’s overall health. Wash all products thoroughly to remove traces of harmful pesticides and offer your pet appropriately sized pieces to eat.

Guinea pigs can also have fresh vegetables every day. The amount of vegetables you offer your guinea pig daily will depend on what your pet likes and can tolerate. Some guinea pigs get diarrhea when offered large amounts of fresh produce, while others eat them with no problem. Similarly, some guinea pigs prefer fresh vegetables over anything else and will ignore their hay if offered unlimited amounts of vegetables. As long as your guinea pig eats hay every day and an adequate amount of pellets to ensure it is getting adequate fiber and vitamin C, it can be offered daily vegetables. New vegetables should be introduced one at a time to see if your pet likes and tolerates them. Fresh, organically grown vegetables are the best option. Vegetables your guinea pig can eat include:

Commercial guinea pig food is specially formulated to provide a complete and balanced diet along with essential nutrients including vitamin C. Unlike many other mammals, guinea pigs cannot produce vitamin C in their bodies and it must be supplemented. Choose pellet food that is specifically formulated for guinea pigs and follow the feeding instructions on the packaging as a guide to how much to offer your pet each day.

Hay is an essential part of your guinea pig’s diet and should be available at all times. Hay provides the fiber guinea pigs need for proper digestion and gastrointestinal health. Chewing on hay will also help your guinea pig wear down its ever-growing teeth. Make sure you are offering fresh, high-quality, clean hay that is dry, sweet-smelling, and free of mold. A good quality meadow hay such as timothy grass hay is a good choice.

Foods guinea pigs cannot eat

There are several foods that should not be offered to guinea pigs for various reasons. Some foods can be toxic or upset the gastrointestinal tract, while others contain too much fat or sugar, pose a choking hazard, or have no nutritional value. Ask your vet what foods are unsafe for guinea pigs.

A short list of foods to avoid feeding your guinea pig includes:

Chocolate (or something else that contains caffeine)

onions

garlic

Mushrooms

iceberg lettuce

avocados

nuts

potatoes

seed

corn kernels

peanut butter

rhubarb

Dairy products

bread

meat

Never offer your guinea pig any plants, flowers, or grass from your yard or garden as they may contain pesticides, mold, or other infectious agents. Many indoor plants are also poisonous. Ask your veterinarian what plants are potentially poisonous to guinea pigs before bringing any plants home, and always supervise your small pet when they are outside of their habitat.

Scurvy in guinea pigs and the need for vitamin C

Because guinea pigs cannot synthesize vitamin C in their bodies, they are at risk of developing vitamin C deficiency, also known as scurvy. To fight scurvy, your guinea pig needs to consume 30-50 mg of vitamin C daily. Pellets and treats fortified with vitamin C can provide some of this essential nutrient, but guinea pigs need more vitamin C. You can give your guinea pig extra vitamin C in liquid or tablet form directly in its mouth – rather than in its food or water – to ensure it is getting enough gets what it takes. Vitamin C in water breaks down and can change the taste of the water, discouraging pets from drinking it, so this form of vitamin C is not recommended. If you ever notice anything unusual about your guinea pig, take him to his veterinarian immediately. Signs of possible illness include sneezing, caked eyes, weight loss, decreased appetite, decreased stool production, lethargy, hair loss, and diarrhea. With proper care, guinea pigs can live up to eight or nine years. Just like any other pet, your guinea pig should be checked annually so your veterinarian can spot problems and start any necessary treatment sooner. Check with your veterinarian to ensure your guinea pig is getting the proper nutrition they need.

Can guinea pigs eat marshmallows?

The short answer is no! It is not recommended that you attempt to feed your guinea pig marshmallows at all as they contain far too much sugar which could make a guinea pig ill. There’s just too much sugar in marshmallows and no nutritional value, so it’s best to avoid this food entirely.

Marshmallows are made primarily from corn syrup, sugar, and gelatin. It is not recommended to feed all of the ingredients in marshmallows to guinea pigs.

Now that I’ve given you the gist of the article, read on as I explain in more detail why guinea pigs shouldn’t be fed marshmallows:

Guinea pigs will have trouble digesting the amount of sugar contained in a marshmallow.

One risk associated with feeding a guinea pig marshmallows is obesity.

Obesity in guinea pigs is also possible when fed large amounts of starchy foods.

Guinea pigs that are fed large amounts of high-carb, low-fiber food are much more prone to obesity.

Healthy alternative treats

If you want to give your guinea pig marshmallows as a treat, here are healthier alternatives.

Here are some alternative treats you can give your guinea pig once or twice a week:

apples

pears

strawberries

blueberries

kiwi

bananas

papayas

peaches

Cantaloupe melon

Oranges (in small amounts as they are quite acidic)

What if your guinea pig ate a marshmallow?

If you think your guinea pig has eaten marshmallow, monitor their behavior for a few days for any changes. Just make sure your hamster continues to get his normal healthy diet.

If you notice changes in their behavior, you should take them to a veterinarian.

Conclusion

A guinea pig that eats a small amount of marshmallow shouldn’t be a problem as long as it’s a one-off and it continues to eat its daily healthy diet without changing its behavior.

If you notice a change in your guinea pig’s behavior, it’s best to have it checked out by a veterinarian.

Guinea pigs do best on a diet of timothy grass hay, guinea pig pellets, and a combination of fruits, vegetables, and herbs. You should avoid giving them sweet treats, and while air fried popcorn might seem like a potentially healthy snack for your pig, it’s a human treat not to be shared with your guinea pig friend.

While plain popcorn doesn’t contain too many harmful ingredients, it is high in starch, which is undesirable and there is a risk that your guinea pig could choke on the popcorn as well. Stick to treats that will help meet your pig’s nutritional needs.

What is popcorn?

Popcorn is a kernel of corn with a hard outer shell and contains about 15% moisture. When heated, it quickly expands and bursts. This snack can be eaten plain, but is usually paired with sweet or savory ingredients to enhance and enhance its flavor. Salted popcorn is popular, as is sweetened popcorn with a sticky toffee coating.

too much strength

While not poisonous or toxic to your guinea pig, starch is not considered safe or healthy. It converts to sugar, which can negatively affect blood sugar levels and eventually cause your guinea pig to become overweight or obese. The starch in popcorn is also bad for digestion and can cause nausea and diarrhea in your guinea pig. Both are serious problems for a small animal.

Stodgy

Also, popcorn can be difficult to digest. Plain popcorn is fairly dry, and because of its shape, it could get stuck or stuck in a guinea pig’s throat. This causes them to choke and could prove fatal if you can’t remove the popcorn quickly.

If your guinea pig stole a stick of popcorn and it went down safely, you should be fine, but you should monitor them to make sure they don’t have any side effects afterwards.

Can guinea pigs have popcorn?

Some owners and nutritionists say it’s okay for a guinea pig to eat a popcorn or two occasionally, while others say they shouldn’t eat it at all. Since there’s no real benefit in feeding them this food, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

guinea pig diet

Guinea pigs thrive best on a diet that consists primarily of hay. The best hay for a guinea pig is timothy grass hay. Some variants are too sweet and contain too much sugar, while others are too starchy. Hay provides dietary fiber or dietary fiber. You should also feed your guinea pig pellets, as well as a mix of greens, greens, and herbs. These provide the vitamins and minerals a pig needs.

Healthy alternatives to popcorn

Even if you feed them healthy treats, you still need to limit the amount you give your guinea pig. If you’re not careful, you could become overweight; Guinea pigs will eat pretty much anything put in front of them.

Healthy treats include: Broccoli

broccoli

Other foods to avoid are:

Can guinea pigs eat popcorn?

It may be safe to feed a guinea pig a piece or two of plain air fried popcorn. However, according to some experts, even a single piece can be dangerous, especially since its shape and texture pose a choking hazard. Stick to healthy treats like broccoli, but remember that you should also give these treats in moderation while making sure your pig gets the right balance of hay, pellets, veggies, and greens in his diet.

Selected image: PDPics, Pixabay

Guinea pigs do best on a diet of timothy grass hay, guinea pig pellets, and a combination of fruits, vegetables, and herbs. You should avoid giving them sweet treats, and while air fried popcorn might seem like a potentially healthy snack for your pig, it’s a human treat not to be shared with your guinea pig friend.

While plain popcorn doesn’t contain too many harmful ingredients, it is high in starch, which is undesirable and there is a risk that your guinea pig could choke on the popcorn as well. Stick to treats that will help meet your pig’s nutritional needs.

What is popcorn?

Popcorn is a kernel of corn with a hard outer shell and contains about 15% moisture. When heated, it quickly expands and bursts. This snack can be eaten plain, but is usually paired with sweet or savory ingredients to enhance and enhance its flavor. Salted popcorn is popular, as is sweetened popcorn with a sticky toffee coating.

too much strength

While not poisonous or toxic to your guinea pig, starch is not considered safe or healthy. It converts to sugar, which can negatively affect blood sugar levels and eventually cause your guinea pig to become overweight or obese. The starch in popcorn is also bad for digestion and can cause nausea and diarrhea in your guinea pig. Both are serious problems for a small animal.

Stodgy

Also, popcorn can be difficult to digest. Plain popcorn is fairly dry, and because of its shape, it could get stuck or stuck in a guinea pig’s throat. This causes them to choke and could prove fatal if you can’t remove the popcorn quickly.

If your guinea pig stole a stick of popcorn and it went down safely, you should be fine, but you should monitor them to make sure they don’t have any side effects afterwards.

Can guinea pigs have popcorn?

Some owners and nutritionists say it’s okay for a guinea pig to eat a popcorn or two occasionally, while others say they shouldn’t eat it at all. Since there’s no real benefit in feeding them this food, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

guinea pig diet

Guinea pigs thrive best on a diet that consists primarily of hay. The best hay for a guinea pig is timothy grass hay. Some variants are too sweet and contain too much sugar, while others are too starchy. Hay provides dietary fiber or dietary fiber. You should also feed your guinea pig pellets, as well as a mix of greens, greens, and herbs. These provide the vitamins and minerals a pig needs.

Healthy alternatives to popcorn

Even if you feed them healthy treats, you still need to limit the amount you give your guinea pig. If you’re not careful, you could become overweight; Guinea pigs will eat pretty much anything put in front of them.

Healthy treats include: Broccoli

broccoli

Other foods to avoid are:

Can guinea pigs eat popcorn?

It may be safe to feed a guinea pig a piece or two of plain air fried popcorn. However, according to some experts, even a single piece can be dangerous, especially since its shape and texture pose a choking hazard. Stick to healthy treats like broccoli, but remember that you should also give these treats in moderation while making sure your pig gets the right balance of hay, pellets, veggies, and greens in his diet.

Selected image: PDPics, Pixabay

Pigs, or pigs as we call them in my neck of the woods, are omnivores. The traditional way of farming and keeping pets is biologically incredibly similar to humans and can eat almost anything recommended for a healthy human diet.

Pig eats from a bowl

Pigs are largely “opportunistic” eaters. The majority of a pig’s diet is based on what is available in its natural environment at any given time of the year.

Pigs look for food and most often look for roots, acorns, various tubers, fruits, mushrooms, grass and onions.

Pigs are perhaps the most economical way of feeding livestock because they are savvy, independent foragers and can also stay healthy while eating a variety of common kitchen and garden waste.

pig diet

As agricultural science pioneer and Pulitzer Prize winner Louis Bromfield once said, “If you raise the hogs and raise the corn, you’re going to make money.”

What the farm expert avoided was both the economical way to raise pigs for profit by keeping a breeding pair and growing corn to feed them.

But if you have to buy both the pigs and the massive amount of corn to feed them as a staple, you’ll likely end up with empty pockets.

There are three proven ways to feed pigs:

Corn-Based Diet Grain-Based Diet A combination of both

If you can grow enough corn and small-grain hay — alfalfa, barley, or wheat — to feed the hogs, the hogs raised on your land will cost little to nothing to feed, fatten, and keep healthy keep.

You can also grow corn and supplement it with purchased hay if you don’t have the space or equipment to grow hay.

Even though pigs have plenty of acres to forage, allowing pigs to walk around horses or goats is not a typical or traditional way to feed pigs.

The more the animals roam around in search of food, the more calories they use up – causing them to lose weight and produce less meat when slaughtered.

Buying commercially produced pig grain feed can also provide all or most of the nutrients the pigs need, but going this route exclusively will be costly.

In fact, if you need to buy most of the feed the pigs need, it’s probably cheaper to just buy pork at the local grocery store.

If you feed a mix of high quality grain feed plus corn on the cob, barley, wheat and/or alfalfa hay in the feeders, the pigs can choose what they want and their bodies will ask for a small selection of healthy options.

A pig typically consumes between 2.5 and 3.5 kg of feed per day, regardless of the species being fed.

From the time of purchase or piglet birth to reaching a mature final weight, each pig typically consumes between 700 and 1,000 pounds of feed.

150 things pigs can eat

There are many healthy snacks made from waste that pigs can safely eat. However, never put such food in the other feed, otherwise putrefaction and the development of bacteria will occur.

Instead, place safe pig treats and supplements in a separate tub. A plastic barrel cut in half mounted on a few pieces of firewood or screwed onto a wooden fence works just fine.

Any scraps of food more than three days old should be placed on the compost heap rather than in the feed trough to prevent the animals from ingesting the bacteria, mold and rot that develops on the old kitchen scraps.

Corn Cucumber Apples Broccoli – cooked or raw Salad Potatoes – cooked only Pumpkin Oatmeal – raw or cooked Zucchini Kale Cauliflower Apricots – seeded Pumpkins Peaches – seeded Snow Peas Grapes Carrots Beets Beets Yams Grapefruit Watermelon Cantaloupe Tomatoes Kale Kale Strawberries Blackberries Raspberries Black Raspberries Unsalted Peanuts Cabbage Oranges Grapefruit Cherries Artichokes Jerusalem Artichokes Radishes Brussels Sprouts Eggplant Spinach Pasta – cooked or uncooked Mushrooms Parsley Peppers Onions – although they are safe, they are not usually popular Arugula Sprouts Parsnips Belgian Endive Unsalted Popcorn Pears Oregano Beets Burdock Salsify Amaranth Dried Fruit Chickweed Thyme Arrowroot Bamboo Shoots Dandelion Peppers Banana Pak Choi Rosemary Fennel Oatmeal – cooked or uncooked Black Peas Kohlrabi Cranberries Coconut – fresh or oil Soybeans Galangal Root Ginger Root Fennel Li mabeans Plantain Manoa Red Clover Shallot Rutabaga Jackfruit Swiss C Hard Blueberries Sweet Potatoes Figs Boysenberries Cranberries Dates Honeydew Melons Crab Apples Blueberries Limes Pineapple Lemons Persimmons Mulberries – pitted Passion Fruit Nectarines – pitted Papayas Pomegranates Star Fruit Brown Rice – Cooked Sharon Fruit Calendula Plants Millet Foxglove Berries Echinacea Plants Quinoa Tangerines Rye Sapodillas Sorghum Buckwheat Chia Seeds Hazelnuts Almonds Pistachio Cashews Macadamia Nuts Walnuts Pine Nuts Pecans Lentils – Cooked Pinto Beans – Cooked Kidney Beans – Cooked Broad Beans – Cooked Lima Beans – Cooked Split Peas – Cooked Field Peas – Cooked Kidney Beans – Cooked White Rice – Cooked Chickpeas – Cooked Boston Beans – Cooked Cottage Cheese Granola Sugar Free Fruit Juice – Limited Quantity Special Snack Canned 100% Pumpkin Yogurt – Plain or Greek recommended, also a special snack in limited quantity Yarrow Queen Anne’s Lace – wild carrot milk sour cream cheese bread – in limited quantities to avoid grain overload Cooked meat Cooked fish

Although pigs can eat dairy products, they should not be overfed. Some pig farmers find that including dairy as a regular weekly snack can help their meat both taste better and be more tender.

Acorns are safe for pigs, but have been known to cause miscarriage in pregnant sows.

43 things pigs can’t eat

Contrary to popular belief, pigs don’t (and shouldn’t) eat everything. Some pigs can be really picky about what they eat.

While most of the food we eat can be shared with the pigs we raise, some types of food and plants regularly grown in the United States can be unhealthy or even fatally toxic to pigs.

Hemlock Angel’s Trumpet Nightshade Branched Ivy Hydrangea Devil’s Ivy Foxglove Camellia Dumb Cane Lantana Milkweed Redwood Trees Tulips Dragon Tree Daphne Easter Lilies Larkspur Daffodil Eucalyptus Elephant Ears Aloe Vera Hyacinth English Ivy Birch Trees – all species Holly Lobelia Sweet William Geraniums Yew – all species Daffodils Calla Lilies Begonias Ranunculus Philodendron Tiger Lily Weeping Fig Primula Oleander Gypsophila Raw Meat Raw Eggs Amanita Mushrooms

Pig Feeding Tips

A pig’s diet should be high in protein but low in sugar and salt. Keep this in mind when supplementing the grain and corn regularly fed to the pigs with kitchen and garden waste.

Don’t feed your pigs pet food and treats; The nutritional composition of such feeds is not necessarily recommended for consumption by pigs.

Pig stalls are not generally large areas, even if they are large enough to provide the most humane living environment possible.

But if you allow the pigs to live in a space large enough to forage, allow them to roam freely for part of the day – or take supervised walks, they will instinctively search for insects, Seek roots and other natural foods, and they will find items—both above and below ground—to round out a healthy diet.

Fattening a pig on healthy food is a good thing, but allowing a pig to become obese from eating sweets and unhealthy treats — it is not. An obese pig is not a healthy pig, nor is it one that will produce quality meat or piglets.

If you’re wondering if your guinea pig can eat raisins, you’ve come to the right place! The short answer is yes, they can, but no, they shouldn’t. Chances are your guinea will love raisins, and with good reason. They’re soft, chewy, and sweet, all perfect attributes of an ideal snack!

But as with all foods, just because raisins are delicious doesn’t mean that guinea pigs should eat them, and this is especially true if you’re your pet’s only source of food. Raisins have an extremely high sugar content, which is not only difficult for guinea pigs to digest, but is also not good for their teeth. That’s not to say that the occasional raisin will unduly affect your guinea’s health, but many other treats can provide the small benefits that raisins have without the negative consequences.

Below, we’re going to delve a little deeper into this popular sweet treat and find out exactly why your guineas shouldn’t be eating them.

The natural diet of the Guineas

Guinea guineas in the wild subsist primarily on grass, leaves, and flowers, with only occasional eating of fruit and vegetables. Timothy hay is the most common forage for both wild and captive guineas, and this fibrous grass should make up a large percentage of their normal diet. It contains important dietary fiber and fiber that they need for healthy digestion. Guinea’s teeth never stop growing and they must have the requisite roughage to keep them groomed.

Health risks of feeding raisins to Guineas

While the odd raisin every now and then may not be fatal to your guinea, there are several good reasons to avoid them altogether.

Sugar – While guineas are occasionally safe to eat fresh grapes, raisins have a much higher sugar content. The drying process combines the sugars in the grapes so that they contain between 67 and 72% sugar by weight. These sugars can cause your Guinea Pig to gain weight quickly, which can lead to many other health problems including diabetes.

Digestion – Guineas have a very delicate digestive tract anyway, and they don’t easily digest the sugar in raisins. These excess sugars can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, loose stools, and painful cramps.

Calcium – While small amounts of calcium are essential for the health of your guinea pig’s teeth and bones, excess calcium can cause problems like urinary tract infections and bladder and kidney stones. The extra calcium they get from raisins can lead to some of these disorders.

Dental Issues – Raisins are sweet, gooey, and chewy – a perfect recipe for dental issues. They can easily get stuck in your guinea’s teeth and quickly cause tooth decay and gum disease. This, combined with the high sugar content in raisins and the fact that your guinea most likely won’t have a toothbrush handy, has a cascading effect on dental disease.

Do Raisins Have Health Benefits for Guineas?

The occasional raisin indulgence – think a little raisin or two a week – won’t do much harm to your guinea and may have small benefits.

Vitamin C – Guineas cannot produce their own vitamin C and must obtain it from outside sources. Without them, they can get scurvy, which is fairly common in captive guineas. Raisins have this essential vitamin, so raisins can be a potential benefit.

Fiber – Guinea pigs need a high-fiber diet, and raisins contain fiber.

Iron raisins contain iron, which helps keep your guinea’s blood healthy and prevents the risk of anemia.

While raisins do have a few small benefits, they can get all of these and more from other safer, healthier alternatives.

What if your Guinea eats raisins?

Guineas love raisins, leading many owners to feed them freely to their guineas. Over the long term, this can have a cascading effect on their health. However, the occasional raisin probably won’t do much harm to your guinea. Although we recommend not giving them any raisins or other dried fruit at all, a raisin or two a week should be fine as a treat.

Conclusion

Raisins may not be fatal to your guinea in small amounts, but if eaten regularly, they can quickly cause serious health problems for your beloved pet. Weight gain and tooth decay are just a few problems that can arise if you get too much of this sweet treat.

While guineas can eat raisins, they probably shouldn’t.

Featured Image Credit: gregroose, pixabay

We all know vitamin C is very important for guinea pigs, but is it overkill? Many guinea pig owners wonder what fruits guinea pigs can eat and are guinea pigs allowed to eat fruits at all? Guinea pigs are herbivores that get all of their diet from plants. The majority of a guinea pig’s diet should consist of fresh hay or grass. Fresh fruit and vegetables are also important.

Fruit contains vitamins (including vitamin C) and fiber, both of which are essential to guinea pig health. However, it also contains a lot of sugar, which in large quantities is bad for our guinea pigs. Guinea pigs should therefore only be given fruit in moderation.

What do guinea pigs eat?

Guinea pigs are herbivorous animals and their diet in captivity should be very similar to their eating habits in the wild. Your guinea pig’s diet should consist primarily of timothy hay or oat hay along with natural pellet food. So, can guinea pigs eat fruit? To supplement nutritional needs and add variety, you should also feed your guinea pig green, leafy vegetables and the occasional fruit.

A recent study in the Journal of Animal Health and Behavioral Science confirms the conflicting opinions about whether or not guinea pigs should be fed fruit at all. Since the sugar content in fruit is so high, feeding your guinea pig too much could put your pet at risk for diabetes. But when fed in moderation, fruit can be beneficial for your guinea pig. Trying out different fruit treats and learning about their taste is a fun way to bond with your guinea pig. What fruits can guinea pigs eat?

What fruits can guinea pigs eat?

The attractiveness of fruit to guinea pigs mainly depends on the sugar content. Fresh fruit can be a treat for your pet, but only in the right amount. The following fruits for guinea pigs are safe to eat in small amounts with a balanced diet of fresh hay and leafy greens.

apples

plums

apricots

bananas

melon (all kinds!)

blueberries

cranberries

Strawberries (including the green leaves)

raspberries

cucumber

oranges

pears

cherries

Red tomatoes

kiwi

mango

papaya

What fruits are unsafe for guinea pigs?

We’ve taken a general look at what fruits guinea pigs can eat. Some fruits are actually toxic to guinea pigs, but there are a few to avoid.

Stems and leaves of tomatoes

rhubarb

The seeds and pips of fruits

avocados

raisins

Dried fruit

Dried fruits are very high in calories and sugar. In fact, they are much denser in both than fresh fruit. And sugar is the main problem with fruits for guinea pigs. Tiny small amounts of dried fruit will not harm your guinea pigs, but they are still best avoided. But most importantly, remember that fresh fruit is already an epic treat for guinea pigs compared to their diet in the wild. There really is no need to offer dried fruit as well!

Feeding guinea pigs fresh fruit

Can guinea pigs eat fruit? Yes, but you have to make sure you cook them in a safe way.

Finding fruit that guinea pigs can eat is a fun way to add variety to your guinea pig’s diet. However, pay particular attention to the sugar content and play it safe when feeding fruit. A few bites are more than enough! Also, be sure to wash all fruit thoroughly before feeding it to your guinea pig.

And remove any harmful parts of the fruit that guinea pigs can eat, like apple seeds, cherry pits, or tomato leaves. As with any other dietary change, be sure to monitor your pet closely for side effects. If you notice your guinea pig developing any strange symptoms or behavior, contact a veterinarian immediately.

How often should I give my guinea pig fruit?

Can guinea pigs eat fruit every day? Some fruits are very good for guineas as long as they are given sparingly. The exact amount of fruit and the frequency they can have varies by fruit. This in turn depends on the sugar content of the fruit.

However, it is not recommended that guinea pigs eat fruit every day. It’s best to leave guinea pigs fruit as a special treat, maybe once or twice a week.

You can offer guinea pigs fruit from a young age. Baby guinea pigs can have small amounts of Cavia-safe fruit, but since young guinea pigs are even smaller than adults, they should have even smaller amounts.

Vitamin C and scurvy in guinea pigs

Like humans, guinea pigs lack the ability to produce vitamin C and must obtain it from their diet. If they don’t get enough vitamin C, they can develop health problems like scurvy.

You can ensure your guinea pig is getting vitamin C daily by choosing a pelleted food fortified with the vitamin and feeding selected fruits sparingly.

But despite this benefit, fruit for guinea pigs is often still high in sugar. So here are some alternatives that are lower in sugar but still provide your guinea pig with essential vitamin C.

Kale

broccoli

celery

fresh grass

What fruits can guinea pigs eat?

So, can guinea pigs eat fruit? Yes! The best fruit for your guinea pig is one that they love and only eat in small amounts. By feeding your guinea pig fruit in moderation, you ensure a healthy diet full of fresh variety.

Keep in mind that your guinea pig may like these fruit snacks and may try to convince you to feed them more! No matter how cute and persuasive your guinea pig may be, it’s important to limit their fruit portions to keep them healthy.

Have you given your guinea pig fruit? You can let us know about your experience with fruit for guinea pigs in the comments below.

Find out more!

Check out how to feed your guinea pigs a variety of fruits and vegetables here:

References and Resources