Content
- Newborn guinea pig feeding
- Feed orphan puppies
- Balanced feeding of the guinea pig
- How many times a day should I feed the guinea pig?
- Foods the guinea pig cannot eat
- Pregnant guinea pig feeding
As with all other animals, the guinea pig's diet varies according to its age and condition. A newborn guinea pig does not eat the same as an adult or a pregnant guinea pig.
It is very common for the guardians of these animals, who are less common than dogs and cats, to question themselves about their nutritional needs and how to feed the guinea pig.
In this Peritoanimal article we will explain to you how it should be a guinea pig feed balanced in all aspects of life. Keep reading!
Newborn guinea pig feeding
Did you know that guinea pigs have only two tits? It is true! For this reason, it is advised that litters of more than 3 puppies stay longer with the mother before being weaned.
If the litter has only two puppies, they should remain with the mother for up to about 21 days. If you have 3 or more puppies, they must remain with the mother for at least 30 days. It is very important that you pay attention to the behavior of males, because as soon as they begin to show attempts to mount the mother, they must be separated from her. Males reach the sexual maturity of them around 3-5 weeks, so staying with the mother can lead to an unwanted pregnancy. On the other hand, females reach sexual maturity later, between 4 and 6 weeks.
It may seem surprising but, despite being suckled, on the second day the piggies start trying to feed on solids., that is, feed, vegetables and hay. You should encourage puppies to eat solids from an early age. Have it available in the cage for them to supplement their mother's milk. a portion of fresh vegetables daily it is the most important for both the puppies and the mother! You should always leave the feed available for the puppies to get used to and eat. When they reach adulthood, then yes, it will be necessary to restrict the feed to prevent them from eating only feed and neglecting the hay.
Feed orphan puppies
You should never hand-feed puppies that are still nursing with their mother. However, if due to a birth complication the mother dies, or for some reason she is not nursing them, it is necessary to feed the puppies.
The ideal would be to find a adoptive mother, that is, a guinea pig with puppies who is willing to breastfeed these babies. Breast milk is an essential part of feeding orphaned puppies.
If it is impossible to find a adoptive mother for them, you can use a puppy food mix of guinea pig. Mix 40 mg of feed to 10 ml of water (you can use other measures, as long as they are proportionate). Cut the tip of a 1 ml syringe and use it to deliver this mixture to the puppies. offer 1 to 2 ml of food every hour or at most every 3 hours. The most important thing is that the piglet does not aspirate this mixture into the lungs. For this, you can never feed the puppies belly up. You must feed them in their natural position.
Ideally, you should consult a veterinarian who specializes in exotic animals to ensure that everything runs smoothly and should something happen, have his number always at hand.
Have guinea pig puppies been recently born in your house? See our article for name ideas for them.
Balanced feeding of the guinea pig
At the time of weaning, or even before, the pigs already eat everything, including hay. Let's start by talking about hay because this is the most important food and it should be the basis of the guinea pig's diet throughout its life.
The hay must be green, wide and long! A quality hay guarantees a supply of sufficient fiber, allows the intestinal tract to function correctly, in addition to being essential to the prevention of the guinea pig's dental problems, which are one of the most common diseases in these animals. Therefore, you must allow your guinea pig to have hay available 24 hours a day and always fresh. Ideally, change the hay 2-3 times a day.
In addition, the guinea pig should eat feed (prefer the uniform feed, to avoid the pig choosing only a few cereals) and a portion of fruits and vegetables! Avoid rations that indicate they are for several species (pigs, rats and rabbits). Each animal species has different needs, so the rations must also have different compositions. choose one chow specifically formulated for guinea pigs and for their age.
Pig rations are usually supplemented with Vitamin C. This vitamin is essential in the guinea pig's diet, as like humans, they do not produce their own Vitamin C and need to ingest it. You should avoid buying supplements of this vitamin. A food for guinea pigs combined with fresh fruits and vegetables rich in this vitamin is enough!
To find out which fruits are most suitable for guinea pigs, read our complete list of good fruits and vegetables for guinea pigs.
In summary, the essential for the guinea pig's feeding to be balanced is:
- unlimited hay
- Specific ration (limited)
- Fresh vegetables and fruits (limited)
- Fresh water always available
How many times a day should I feed the guinea pig?
The amount of feed has to be limited to avoid the risk of obesity and the pig eating more feed than hay, because as we said, this promotes the onset of dental disease. The teeth of these animals are constantly growing and the hay allows them to wear out. Thus, the ration should only constitute about 20% of the guinea pig's feed.
The ideal is to feed only feed twice a day to your little pigs and in small quantities. Since different rations have different constitutions, the caloric intake can vary. Therefore, the ideal is to follow the packaging indication in terms of grams.
Foods the guinea pig cannot eat
There are different prohibited foods for guinea pigs. Among them are:
- Animal products: guinea pigs are herbivores and this type of food can be very harmful to their health;
- corn and derivatives: are very caloric and some pigs may be allergic;
- seeds and nuts: They are not natural in the pig's diet and are usually in rations that are not specific for them;
- Sweeteners: sucrose, corn syrup, sodium nitrate, etc. All types of sweeteners, colorings and preservatives should be avoided in the guinea pig's diet.
Pregnant guinea pig feeding
The gestation of guinea pigs lasts between 60 and 75 days. It usually lasts about 65 days. This is a very sensitive step for the female and requires extra care. During the entire pregnancy of the guinea pig, you can never neglect the fruits and vegetables! The intake of calcium and vitamin C are essential for the pregnancy to run smoothly. During this phase the female will consume more water than normal, so take this into account to ensure there is always fresh water at her disposal.
Therefore, the diet of the pregnant guinea pig must include foods rich in vitamin C, such as these vegetables:
- Pumpkin
- Cress
- Celery
- Broccoli
- Carrot
- coriander
- Cabbage
- spinach
- green and red peppers
- Cucumber
These fruits are also rich in vitamin C:
- Pineapple
- blackberries
- Banana
- Cherry
- Kiwi
- Orange
- Mango
- Papaya
The important thing is vary the food of the guinea pig, regardless of the stage of life in which he finds himself. As with everything in life, it is important to have moderation. Always offer small amounts, especially if it's the first time your pig has been tasting a particular fruit or vegetable.
Observe his feces after consumption of this food, if there are no changes, you can continue giving. Every little pig is a different world. Some piggies are sensitive to certain foods while others are not. Also, not all piggies like the same things. Try to get to know your pig's intestinal reactions and his tastes to choose the best fruits and vegetables for him.
Also read our article on how to properly handle a guinea pig to avoid accidents and injuries.
