Hay for your pig?

When you have your new guinea pig safely at home, you're probably noticing that strange, expectant look in his little eyes. He wants to be fed, of course! Don't fret - satisfying a guinea pig's taste buds and dietary requirements is no sweat!

Not all foods are good for this piggy!

First things first, your new piggy member will need a steady supply of water. The vegetarian diet of a guinea pig, after all, can generate quite a thirst. Don't settle for placing a bowl of water in his home; he'll quickly knock it over or kick bedding or waste into it. Instead, find a water bottle that can attach to the side of his cage.

"Hay" there, little piggy!
Now that his thirst has been quenched, how about filling his tummy too? The main diet of a guinea pig can be satisfied with hay and food pellets. Most piggy parents say timothy and grass hay makes the best dinner. Alfalfa hay, however, is strictly off limits because it has been known to cause bladder stones in guinea pigs. Make sure the hay you feed your piggy stays off the cage floor to keep it from becoming wet and moldy (which can make your guinea pig quite sick). A good supply of hay—keep as much in the cage as he can eat—will help your piggy's digestive system and keep his teeth in check as well.

Vitamin C please
Food pellets are another staple in your new family member's diet. A few tablespoons of pellets usually does the trick. The most important ingredient to look for in the pellets you choose is Vitamin C, because this is one nutrient a guinea pig can't make on his own. Without daily supplements of this important vitamin, your little pig will develop bald patches of skin and become more susceptible to illness and disease.

Salad days
Instead of simply providing your piggy with supplements, there are more tasty sources of Vitamin C for your piggy. Foods such as green and red peppers, broccoli, romaine lettuce, carrots, and other dark green vegetables are recommended. Fruits such as apples and oranges will work too, if your guinea pig will eat them.

There are many other human foods a guinea pig will be happy to see added to his dish. Feed only a small amount of each, as too much will upset their tummies (and make cleaning out their cage a rather unpleasant chore). If there are still veggie bits in the cage hours later, then you're feeding too much. Remove the excess food to prevent it from staling.

Here are is a list of foods, that can be a welcome, nutritious treat when added to your pet's diet: parsley (this is a favorite of piggies), celery, strawberries, kiwi, oranges, grapefruit, lemons, green beans, cucumbers, melons, kale, cabbage, tomatoes, banana, grapes, and peaches. Be careful to limit the acidic members of that list or lip and nose sores can develop.

Strictly off the menu
Not all vegetables and fruits are healthy for your furry family member. Some, like spinach, are enjoyed by guinea pigs but have been linked to health problems down the road. Alfalfa in particular has been known to cause bladder stones, which leads to expensive surgery.

Among the list of foods you should keep away from your piggy are iceberg lettuce (too much sodium), potatoes, raw beans, rhubarb, nuts, seeds, and any dairy product.

One "food" you won't have to actually serve your guinea pig but he'll eat anyway is his own droppings. Guinea pigs are known to consume fresh droppings for the nutritional content. This may look disgusting, but it's perfectly safe and doesn't mean they're still hungry.

When providing your guinea pig with his daily serving of veggies and fruits, please take the time to make sure the foods are thoroughly washed to rid any dirt and pesticides from them. Your little vegetarian will be very thankful for your effort at providing him a clean and tasty helping of crunchy vittles.

The Complete Guinea Pig Guide.

GuineaPig Secrets Revealed. - All About Guinea Pigs.