Guinea pigs are small, cute and like their food. We love our little pets and as their owners, we want to make sure they get the nutritional food that they need to stay healthy and happy. Unlike some pets, guinea pigs need different types of food to complete their full diet, so it’s good to know exactly what they will need every day.
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Whether you’re a new guinea pig owner or looking to switch up what you’re getting your little guy or girl, we have tips and tricks to get them eating plus great picks for the best guinea pig food.
What should I feed my guinea pig?
Firstly, it’s good to note that guinea pigs are natural herbivores, so their diet is completely plant-based. If they were in the wild, they’d forage for things like small herbs and grass to eat. Because of their dental needs, as their teeth never stop growing, roughage is essential to their diet and is what they love eating. Chewing on some roughage is good for their dental health, but also provides them with a natural source of fibre.
Make sure they always have quality grass and/or hay every day to keep them satisfied. Fresh water and grass to graze is the best foundation for a quality guinea pig diet.
They also need fresh fruit and veg to keep a healthy diet. Leafy greens like lettuce and cabbage are great options, plus herbs such as basil, rosemary and dill will go down a treat. Seedless chopped apple and mango are yummy additions to keep your guinea pig eating away. They’ll even munch on kale (which will probably make you feel a little guilty about your diet choices).
Guinea pig pellets or kibble are also great to include in their diet but in small portions. They shouldn’t be the main part of their diet but can top them up with all the nutrients they need. Make sure to follow the packaging guidelines. If you’re not sure what your guinea pig specifically needs, ask your vet for advice.
In a rush? Here's a shortlist of the best guinea pig food:
Best guinea pig foods:
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1 of 8Burgess Excel Guinea Pig Nuggets with Mint (4Kg)
This food is naturally high in fibre and antioxidants, plus it includes some vital vitamins and minerals. It's formulated to promote healthy skin, eyes, coat and digestive system. It also helps to prevent selective eating which will be a lifesaver. Review: "I help out with fostering guinea pigs and have four of my own. I have been using Burgess Excel nuggets for years now. I feel confident about the quality due to how happy and healthy my guinea pigs are."
£23.90
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2 of 8Harringtons Optimum Guinea Pig Food (10Kg)
These all-in-one nuggets are a great choice for complimentary guinea pig feed. It's made from high quality, natural ingredients that include vitamin C and will even support their immune system. Review: "Perfect. Nice huge sack of guinea pig food that should keep my boy going for quite a while."
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3 of 8Norfolk Pastures Dust Extracted Hay, Bulk Bale (5Kg)
If you're looking for a bulk bag of hay bedding that's also a suitable source of food for your guinea pig, then this is a fantastic pick. Norfolk Pastures has a special extraction process that gets rid of any nasties in its hay but, doesn't leave it lacking the good stuff your pet wants. This mix includes rye and various meadow grass, so it's full of nutrients. We recommend this bag if you have more than one small animal.Review: "Well what can I say, I am so pleased with this purchase. This is my second purchase of this hay. My guinea pigs love it (in fact they eat it too quickly). Really good quality and I can't believe how quick the delivery is (so fast). Thank you so much will certainly continue to buy this hay. First class service."
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4 of 8Pets at Home Meadow Feeding Hay with Timothy (3Kg)
This value bag of hay is highly nutritional and rich in natural fibre. It's free from artificial colours and flavours and is a great source of vitamin C. Timothy hay helps to replicate a more natural, varied diet. It's soft and biodegradable so you and your guinea pig should be happy with this. Review: "My five guinea pigs won't eat any other hay, and by far best value for money!"
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5 of 8Science Selective Naturals Grain Free Guinea Pig Food (1.5kg)
Vets highly recommend this food and we can see why. It's made specifically to be super tasty for guinea pigs, while still being packed with all the goodness they need. It's suitable for all guinea pig breeds and is grain-free. It includes essential forage and garden vegetables, plus it's kind to their teeth and tummy. It also keeps your pet's coat shiny, so they'll be healthy inside and out.Review: "Best nuggets you can get for guinea pigs. No rubbish in them and it contains everything they need. My trio wolf them down so my only downside is that they don't do bigger bags."
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6 of 8Wagg Twitch Guinea Pig Food (10Kg)
Another great value bag for your furry friend. Guinea pigs love a tasty nugget and the inclusion of pea and apple pomace will make this an instant hit. It also includes linseed for a healthy coat, plus fibre and quality yeast for their digestion. Review: "Happy to buy this again. Piggies are happy and merrily munch through their serving, with no waste. It was a good price so overall I'm a happy Crazy Guinea Pig Lady and a contented shopper. Happy to recommend the product."
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7 of 8Little One Food for Guinea Pigs (900g)
This balanced food is for everyday feeding and uses a diverse range of ingredients that are full of nutrients. It's enriched with vitamin C and includes yummy grass, flakes, vegetables and fruits. Review: "Has lots of different kinds of guinea pig nibbles which is perfect for our fussy guinea pig."
8 of 8Hay Box Subscription Boxes
Hay Box provides amazing quality fresh hay that will provide a healthy food supply to your guinea pig. They harvest during peak season and get whatever blend you want straight to your door with no fuss. It's great value for money and if you subscribe to monthly boxes, you'll save 5%. You'll never have to worry about forgetting to get their hay supply again. Review: "I ordered this following the online reviews. It arrived promptly and smells so fresh. I love the fact it was delivered to my door. My piggies are loving the hay - so much better than the shop bought, plastic wrapped, yellow hay that you can buy!"
How much should I feed my guinea pig?
80% of their diet should be the grass or hay that you have for them. Include a teacup of fresh greens and fruit to up their vitamin C consumption (which is essential to their health). As previously mentioned, when adding pellets to the mix, follow the portion recommendations on the packaging. All guinea pigs are different, so ask your vet what they think is best for your pet.
What should I do if my guinea pig leaves their food?
If your pet isn’t finishing their food, then you could be giving them too much or they might just not like it. It’s worth trying a bit less food or a different type of food to see how they get on. If they leave food, make sure to remove it after a couple of hours so they don’t consume rotten or off food. If they’re leaving a lot of food and the changes don’t work, then make sure to call your vet, as there could be something more serious going on.
How do I introduce new food into my guinea pig’s diet?
New food can help keep your guinea pig interested in their food and their diet varied. Make sure to introduce the new food slowly over a few days to a week so they don’t get an upset stomach. Sudden changes can mess with their digestive system so be careful. Try introducing new foods here and there from a young age, so they don’t become picky eaters later in life.
What foods are bad for guinea pigs?
Make sure to avoid feeding your guinea pig corn, grains, seeds, nuts, peas, avocado, mushrooms, garden shrubs, buttercups, rhubarb leaves or onions. Also avoid them getting their little paws on human foods like bread, chocolate, pasta, pickled foods, cereal, sugar, biscuits, or dairy products like cheese.
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How can I make feeding my guinea pig fun?
Fun feeding is a great way of keeping your pet keen to eat and interested in their food. Try hiding bits of food around their enclosure space because it replicates the natural foraging experience. You can also try gnawing toys or paper bags and boxes filled with hay. There are hay tunnels for you to try, too, which offer an exciting experience for your guinea pig.
We've found some great pet products to make food time as fun as possible for your guinea pigs.
Enrichment toys for guinea Pig food:
1 of 3Rosewood Naturals I Love Hay Forage Cube Treat (2 Pack)
2 of 3Woodlands Small Pet Hay Tunnel
3 of 3Natural Large Grass Ball
Need more pet advice? Read on:
Eve Miller is a Storytelling Executive for WhatsTheBest with a love for writing, film, her dog and beauty. She also writes for Yours.co.uk.