Difference between revisions of "Feed a Guinea Pig"
(importing article from wikihow) |
m (Update ref tag) |
||
| Line 12: | Line 12: | ||
#*Look for hay that is green and soft, as yellow and hard hay means it's actually straw. | #*Look for hay that is green and soft, as yellow and hard hay means it's actually straw. | ||
#*Hay can be purchased from pet stores, but often it has sat too long, which isn't very healthy for guinea pigs. You can often order hay directly from a local farm, or through your exotics veterinarian, which is often cheaper and better hay. | #*Hay can be purchased from pet stores, but often it has sat too long, which isn't very healthy for guinea pigs. You can often order hay directly from a local farm, or through your exotics veterinarian, which is often cheaper and better hay. | ||
| − | #Feed your guinea pig about a cup of fresh vegetables daily.<ref>http://www.guinealynx.info/diet.html</ref> The key is to provide it with a lot of variety, so that it gets a balanced diet. Veggies that are good for guinea pigs include celery, carrots, off-the-vine tomatoes, cucumber, corn, kale, a bit of raw broccoli, small amounts of spinach and pod-peas<ref>http://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rodents/guineapigs/diet</ref>. | + | #Feed your guinea pig about a cup of fresh vegetables daily.<ref name="rf1">http://www.guinealynx.info/diet.html</ref> The key is to provide it with a lot of variety, so that it gets a balanced diet. Veggies that are good for guinea pigs include celery, carrots, off-the-vine tomatoes, cucumber, corn, kale, a bit of raw broccoli, small amounts of spinach and pod-peas<ref name="rf2">http://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rodents/guineapigs/diet</ref>. |
| − | #*Other vegetables such as beetroot, parsley or small quantities of pepper and forages such as clover or dandelion leaves (wash them first), should be given on occasion.<ref | + | #*Other vegetables such as beetroot, parsley or small quantities of pepper and forages such as clover or dandelion leaves (wash them first), should be given on occasion.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#*Do not give your guinea pigs spoiled or wilted vegetables. Remember, don't feed them any vegetables in poor enough shape that you wouldn't eat them. | #*Do not give your guinea pigs spoiled or wilted vegetables. Remember, don't feed them any vegetables in poor enough shape that you wouldn't eat them. | ||
#Feed your guinea pig pellets. Be aware pellets are high energy, and eating too many can lead to obesity and dental problems. Feed only an 1/8 to 1/4 cup per day to supplement the other parts of its diet. | #Feed your guinea pig pellets. Be aware pellets are high energy, and eating too many can lead to obesity and dental problems. Feed only an 1/8 to 1/4 cup per day to supplement the other parts of its diet. | ||
| Line 20: | Line 20: | ||
#*Only use pellets designed for guinea pigs. Pellets for rabbits or other rodents aren't suitable for guinea pigs as they contain different quantities of essential vitamins and nutrients. | #*Only use pellets designed for guinea pigs. Pellets for rabbits or other rodents aren't suitable for guinea pigs as they contain different quantities of essential vitamins and nutrients. | ||
===Feeding Your Guinea Pig=== | ===Feeding Your Guinea Pig=== | ||
| − | #Make sure your guinea pig is getting enough vitamin-C. Guinea pigs are one of the very few mammals (along with humans) who can't make their own vitamin C, so they need to get it from their food. They need 10 - 30 MG of Vitamin C daily.<ref | + | #Make sure your guinea pig is getting enough vitamin-C. Guinea pigs are one of the very few mammals (along with humans) who can't make their own vitamin C, so they need to get it from their food. They need 10 - 30 MG of Vitamin C daily.<ref name="rf1" /> Vegetables that are high in vitamin-C, and that are good for your guinea pig, include dark, leafy greens, bell peppers, broccoli, and cauliflower. |
#*Guinea Pigs are highly prone to getting scurvy, which is a disease caused by low levels of Vitamin C. | #*Guinea Pigs are highly prone to getting scurvy, which is a disease caused by low levels of Vitamin C. | ||
#*You can supplement your guinea pig's vitamin-c intake | #*You can supplement your guinea pig's vitamin-c intake | ||
#*Putting vitamin-c into your guinea pig's water is not recommended. Adding vitamin C to the water can cause a guinea pig to stop drinking water if they don't like the taste. In addition, it's hard to control how much vitamin C your guinea pig is getting, as they may drink a little or a lot of water. | #*Putting vitamin-c into your guinea pig's water is not recommended. Adding vitamin C to the water can cause a guinea pig to stop drinking water if they don't like the taste. In addition, it's hard to control how much vitamin C your guinea pig is getting, as they may drink a little or a lot of water. | ||
| − | #Avoid giving guinea pigs foods that are bad for them. This includes large amounts of fruits with high sugar contents (they should only be given in moderation) and any starchy vegetables, such as potatoes.<ref>http://www.guinealynx.info/fave.html</ref> | + | #Avoid giving guinea pigs foods that are bad for them. This includes large amounts of fruits with high sugar contents (they should only be given in moderation) and any starchy vegetables, such as potatoes.<ref name="rf3">http://www.guinealynx.info/fave.html</ref> |
#*Vegetables to avoid feeding your guinea pigs include iceberg lettuce, rocket salads, red leaves, cauliflower, beet greens, potatoes, and radishes. | #*Vegetables to avoid feeding your guinea pigs include iceberg lettuce, rocket salads, red leaves, cauliflower, beet greens, potatoes, and radishes. | ||
| − | #*Feed fruit in small quantities. Not only does fruit have a high sugar content, but it may also have a low calcium to phosphorus ratio, which could lead to bladder problems and possible diarrhea.<ref>http://www.guinealynx.info/diet_ratio.html</ref> This is true in fruits such as raisins. | + | #*Feed fruit in small quantities. Not only does fruit have a high sugar content, but it may also have a low calcium to phosphorus ratio, which could lead to bladder problems and possible diarrhea.<ref name="rf4">http://www.guinealynx.info/diet_ratio.html</ref> This is true in fruits such as raisins. |
| − | #*Avoid giving your guinea pig citrus fruits altogether.<ref | + | #*Avoid giving your guinea pig citrus fruits altogether.<ref name="rf2" /> |
| − | #*Guinea pigs are herbivores. This means that they should not be fed any meat or dairy products.<ref>http://www.guinealynx.info/nutrition.html</ref> | + | #*Guinea pigs are herbivores. This means that they should not be fed any meat or dairy products.<ref name="rf5">http://www.guinealynx.info/nutrition.html</ref> |
| − | #Avoid commercial guinea pig treats. These are a waste of money and are not good for your pet. Your guinea pig would like a treat of a piece of apple or rolled oats much more than a commercial treat filled with sugar and the natural treat is much better for them.<ref | + | #Avoid commercial guinea pig treats. These are a waste of money and are not good for your pet. Your guinea pig would like a treat of a piece of apple or rolled oats much more than a commercial treat filled with sugar and the natural treat is much better for them.<ref name="rf5" /> |
#Feed a balanced diet, instead of supplementing with multivitamins or salt wheels. These kind of additions to your pet's diet are not necessary if you take the time to feed your guinea pig well. If you do need to feed your guinea pig supplements, consider giving it vet-approved supplements that are high in fiber. | #Feed a balanced diet, instead of supplementing with multivitamins or salt wheels. These kind of additions to your pet's diet are not necessary if you take the time to feed your guinea pig well. If you do need to feed your guinea pig supplements, consider giving it vet-approved supplements that are high in fiber. | ||
#Control the amount of food you give your guinea pig. Guinea pigs chew instinctively and will eat as much as you feed them throughout the day. Watch how much you give them and stick to a balanced diet. Explain this gently to small kids who own guinea pigs so that they do not overfeed their pets. | #Control the amount of food you give your guinea pig. Guinea pigs chew instinctively and will eat as much as you feed them throughout the day. Watch how much you give them and stick to a balanced diet. Explain this gently to small kids who own guinea pigs so that they do not overfeed their pets. | ||
| − | #Serve food in ceramic dishes. Guinea pigs will chew on anything they can get their teeth on, including their food dishes. Opt for a heavy ceramic dish that can't be easily be overturned and won't be easily destroyed.<ref>http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/guinea_pigs/tips/guinea_pig_feeding.html</ref> | + | #Serve food in ceramic dishes. Guinea pigs will chew on anything they can get their teeth on, including their food dishes. Opt for a heavy ceramic dish that can't be easily be overturned and won't be easily destroyed.<ref name="rf6">http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/guinea_pigs/tips/guinea_pig_feeding.html</ref> |
#Keep food fresh. Uneaten food should be removed promptly, within one day. Guinea pigs can be picky eaters, so keeping food in their cage longer will probably not make it any more appealing to them. If they have avoided it for a whole day, they are probably never going to eat it and it will just simply become a mess in their cage. | #Keep food fresh. Uneaten food should be removed promptly, within one day. Guinea pigs can be picky eaters, so keeping food in their cage longer will probably not make it any more appealing to them. If they have avoided it for a whole day, they are probably never going to eat it and it will just simply become a mess in their cage. | ||
| − | #Adjust food quantities if the guinea pig becomes underweight or overweight.<ref | + | #Adjust food quantities if the guinea pig becomes underweight or overweight.<ref name="rf2" /> The amount of food a guinea pig will need depends on its age, its lifestyle, and its general health. This means that the amount of food you feed your guinea pig may need to change over time to keep them in good health. |
| − | #Provide fresh water at all times.<ref | + | #Provide fresh water at all times.<ref name="rf2" /> Place a water bottle in your guinea pig's cage, so that it can access clean water at any time. Don't allow the water bottle to become empty. If a guinea pig doesn't have access to water it can become very ill. |
#*The best water bottles are designed for guinea pigs or rabbits and have a metal ball in the spout. | #*The best water bottles are designed for guinea pigs or rabbits and have a metal ball in the spout. | ||
#*If your guinea pigs lives in a pen outside, make sure that the water doesn't freeze during the winter. | #*If your guinea pigs lives in a pen outside, make sure that the water doesn't freeze during the winter. | ||
