Home » Small Mammals » guinea pigs » diet

Guinea Pig diet

Guinea pigs are 100% herbivores (they don't eat meat). The core of a guinea pigs diet should consist of the following:

18-20% protein
16% fiber and
About 1 gram of Vitamin C per Kilogram of ration.

What Guinea Pigs Should Eat

Guinea Pig Pellets

Guinea pig pellets should make up 70 - 80% of a guinea pigs diet. These diets are available at most pet stores and should be as fresh as possible (if the food is stored for long periods of time (over 3 months) the Vitamin C starts to break down).

Greens and Fruits

Fresh greens and fruit should be available daily for guinea pigs. This portion should make up 10 – 15% of their diet. Examples of fresh green and hay are: Grass, apples with skin, baby carrots, bananas, broccoli, celery (cut first), cucumber, bread, dandelion greens, green bell peppers, romaine lettuce, oranges, and kale and carrot greens.

Treats

There are several types of guinea pig treats available. They are available as squares and sticks. These treats can cause to guinea pigs to have loose stools if given in excess. If used it is best to limit these treats to a small amount once a week.

Supplements and Vitamins

Like humans and primates, Guinea pigs are not able to make their own Vitamin C and they must have it in their diet. If guinea pigs do not have Vitamin C in their diet, they can develop scurvy (click to go to medical disease section).

Sources of Vitamin C include

Peleted foods are supplemented with Vitamin C. After these foods are made the vitamin C starts to break down after 3 months. Guinea pigs satisfy most of their vitamin C through this source.

Fruits and Greens (amount to meet daily Vitamin C requirement)

Oranges (1/7 of the fruit)
Carrots (1 cup)
Apples ( 1-1/4)
Kale (1/8 cup)
Dandelion Greens (1/2 cup)
Cucumbers (2 cups)
Romaine Lettuce (4 leaves)
Celery (3-1/2 stalks)
Vitamin C added to the water as drops or in the form of Tang®.

Water

Guinea pigs like all mammals need water to survive. Although they get some of their water from their diet they also need access to fresh water all of the time. Your guinea pig should have a fresh, clean water bottle each day. "Sipper" water bottles can be suspended inside the cage for easy reach. You should clean the water often to keep bacteria from growing inside.