Hay, hay and more hay!
Hay is essential for every guinea pig. It must be clean, dry, always available to eat and to burrow in. Straw should not be used. There are a number of different types of hay available, the best is hay that smells sweet and has long strands. If hay is musty or mouldy avoid it like the plague! Mouldy, musty hay can make your guinea pig very ill. Hay is available at your local pet shop, sometimes you can get much better quality hay from a local farmer (and so much cheaper too).
Storing hay
If you have just the pair of guinea pigs then it is ok to store the hay in the open bag. To keep hay from going everywhere a small food bin can be used, although ventilation can be a problem, this can be solved by drilling small holes in it. Another alternative for small amounts is an old pillowcase or for large amounts old duvets. If you have a lot of guinea pigs or rabbits to feed you can also store it in bales, raised on pallets in an open dry shed.
Grass
If you are lucky enough to have access to grass, guinea pigs love it! Grass must be clean and not treated with any sort of chemicals or fertilizer. Avoid grass that has been soiled by cats or dogs or is too trampled. Do not pick grass from the roadside or places where you are not sure what's been put on it.
Other grass type feeds
Plospan hay is lovely fresh hay, although more finely chopped available from many pet shops. Always check the quality of the hay before you buy it.
Timothy hay is a guinea pigs idea of heaven, it can be difficult to come by and expensive but lovely as a treat for them and also a good one to feed if your guinea pig is unwell or recovering to encourage them to eat. The only place in Ireland I know of to buy it is Bairbre O'Malleys vets in Bray anyone knows of any other stockists in Ireland please contact us and we can add it to our list. It is also available online from Oxbow Hay Online Store. Thank you to A. Fogharty who has found a stockist of Timothy hay in Limerick in new pet shop that has opened in the retail park at Dunnes Jetland in Caherdavin.
Alfalfa hay is also an excellent hay for animals who are recovering to encourage them to eat, although for healthy animals it is best just to feed this as a treat. Also available at above link amongst other tasty treats.
Burgess Forage -Another tasty treat, it's dried grass available at many pet shops in Ireland, very handy to have a few bags to spare in winter time or if you haven't access to fresh grass. Some pet shops can order products for you if they haven't got them in the shop. Also try Pet Bliss.
Dry food/mix
Guinea pigs require dry food/mix daily. Avoid the re bagged food in shops as you can never be sure of the shelf life. Ask your local pet shop to order in Burgess Supa guinea pig mix or Burgess Supa Guinea Excel, it is a high quality feed and comes in small or large bags. More information on this feed can be found on the Burgess Supafeeds website
Fresh fruit and veg
Lettuce alert!
Please do not feed your guinea pig iceberg lettuce, it has very little nutritional value and I frankly just avoid it. Romaine lettuce is fine in small amounts.
Absolutely essential for guinea pigs, guinea pigs cannot make Vitamin C just like us. Lack of Vitamin C can lead to all sorts of serious health problems. The best option is to grown your own or buy organic. Wash all fruit and veg and herbs and plants well and ensure they have not been sprayed with pesticides or chemicals. They must be fresh also, not wilted or over ripe. Many supermarkets give you 'bunny bags' for free, i.e. the ends and stalks and leaves of cabbages, cauliflower and broccoli. Fresh fruit or veg must be given daily.
Safe fruit and veg: Broccoli, cauliflower, carrot, cabbage, cucumber, tomatoes and cherry tomatoes (not the leaves), apple (too much can cause mouth sores), grapes, water melon (excellent in summer as is cucumber), bell peppers, finely chopped celery, kiwis, Kale, raspberries and small amounts of spinach.
Safe herbs as treats: Oregano, Thyme, Rosemary and Parsley.
Safe plants: Dandelions, Clover and Nasturtiums.
Toxic: Rhubarb, chocolate or sweets.
If even remotely unsure about any food or plant do not feed to your pet. Fresh water must always be available through a drip feed water bottle with metal spout, they will drink out of a dish or bowl but tend to soil these quickly.
Dietary Supplements
Salt and Mineral licks - these are best avoided, if your guinea pig has the correct diet and is healthy salt and mineral licks will make matters worse. Good quality dry mix, fresh hay and veg has all a guinea pigs needs. The same goes for adding vitamins and minerals to their diet, unless advised by a vet this is best avoided.
Vets might recommend you give an ill or recovering guinea pig extra vitamin C, Rubex can be used but Vitamin C is best given in syrup form directly into the mouth, that way you know how much extra that particular pig has had. Talk to your vet if you are unsure
