FAQ

Can guinea pigs eat horse hay

Jaime BeamerMay 14, 2022

0 243 8 minutes read

Your guinea pig should have unlimited access to high quality grass hay. Your guinea pig should eat a pile of hay as big as his body every day. Avoid alfalfa hay unless directed by your veterinarian. Instead choose timothy, orchard grass or oat hay.

Can guinea pigs have the same hay as horses?

Adult Guinea Pig I feed my pigs the same hay we feed our horses, both animals are anatomically very similar and equally prone to gut and breathing issues (yes, really!) so the way I see it, if it’s good enough for the neddies, it’s good enough for the guineas.

Can guinea pigs eat barn hay?

The ideal hay for guinea pigs is a grass hay such as timothy or orchard grass hay. Guinea pigs cannot have clover hay or alfalfa hay as their main diet.

What cut of hay is best for guinea pigs?

First, second, third cut. First-cut timothy hay is high in fiber with a coarse texture. Second and third cuts are softer and more palatable. First-cut hay has more seed heads which guinea pigs love but are less nutritious. Look for second or third-cut timothy hay for your guinea pig.

What is poisonous to guinea pigs?

Make sure you do not feed your guinea pigs the following foods (this is not an exhaustive list): cereals; grains; nuts; seeds; dried beans, corn, and peas; buttercups; garden shrubs (such as hemlock or privet); lilies of any kind; sweet peas; nightshade; oak; avocado; onion grass; onions; potato tops; mushrooms; …

Do guinea pigs need timothy hay?

Timothy hay: Provide an unlimited quantity of fresh timothy hay every day. Guinea pigs need continuous access to hay to aid their digestion and limit the growth of their teeth. Fruit and vegetables: Fresh vegetables can be offered once a day and should be equivalent to about one cup total per guinea pig per day.

Is Farm hay good for guinea pigs?

Timothy hay is a good choice of grass hay, as it’s readily available from most pet stores and can be bought in bulk from country feed stores or farms. Most guinea pigs seem to really like it. With timothy hay — or any other type — buy only clean, fresh, good-quality hay.

Can you use hay bales for guinea pigs?

Adult Guinea Pig Yup we use hay bales here for bedding (and plenty of munching too!) and add “posh” hays to hay racks/balls etc. If you can find a farm shop or livery near you that will probably be the most cost effective place to buy a bale from.

Are hay bales good for guinea pigs?

We recommend going for bags or bales of green hay with a good mix of stems and leaves to give your guinea pig the best variety of fibers and nutrients. Also make sure there’s not a pile of dust gathered at the bottom of the bag, which I think indicated old hay that’s been treated roughly.

What do guinea pigs do with hay?

Hay is very important in a guinea pig’s diet because it provides them with the required fiber for proper digestion and it helps wear down their teeth, which grow continuously.

Can guinea pigs eat pasture hay?

Vital for good digestive health Peters Pasture Hay is a source of long-strand fibre, which is vital to the digestive health of pet guinea pigs and rabbits. Eating it regularly provides essential roughage for healthy gut function.

Can guinea pigs have orchard grass hay?

Orchard Grass, Oat Hay or Botanical Hay can be offered if your guinea pig will not eat timothy hay. Make sure your hay is green and smells fresh before buying.

Can guinea pigs eat grass instead of hay?

On the whole, fresh grass is the best choice to temporarily replace hay. Guinea pigs can forage for this in the backyard, replicating natural behaviors, or grass can grown in trays inside. It is important to be selective about the type of grass you use for your guinea pig’s diet, and to introduce it slowly.

Do guinea pigs like to be cuddled?

A healthy guinea pig is a happy guinea pig, and a happy guinea pig loves cuddles. So regularly grooming your guinea pig is an excellent way to keep an eye on its health, and of course, it helps build that all-important bond.

What is a guinea pig’s favorite food?

Each guinea pig is different, and most will have their own favorites. Most of them love carrots and broccoli, and some love nothing better than fresh grass nibbled from a lawn.

Can I give my guinea pig ice cubes?

Guinea pig owners shouldn’t feed their guinea pigs ice cubes, because it’s bad for their teeth, ice can be bad for their digestion, their tongue and lips can get stuck to the ice. Plus, ice isn’t as nutritious as veggies and there’s plenty of better ways to cool your little friends down in warmer weather.

What is in guinea pig pellets?

Most guinea pig pellets are alfalfa based. Alfalfa pellets are suitable for young, growing and pregnant guinea pigs. After your guinea pig is about a year old and fully developed (see notes), a timothy based pellet, which provides less calcium, may be a good choice.

Are bananas good for guinea pigs?

Overall, bananas can be a great treat every once in a while for healthy guinea pigs. They are great health benefits like potassium and vitamin C, both are vital for your pig’s health. Bananas can also be harmful to your guinea pig if they are not properly portioned due to their high levels of sugar and fiber.

Do guinea pigs recognize their owners?

After an adjustment period, guinea pigs recognize and respond to their owners. This happens if you interact with them daily. Since guinea pigs are nearsighted, they primarily recognize you from your smell and the tone and sound of your voice.

Can guinea pigs eat alfalfa cubes?

Do not feed your guinea pigs alfalfa or clover hays, which are too high in protein and calcium. You should also feed premium guinea pig feed pellets and fresh greens that are safe for cavies.

Do guinea pigs have to have pellets?

Commercial Guinea Pig Pellet Food In reality, guinea pig pellets are not a necessary or required part of their regular diet. In fact, guinea pigs that overeat pellets can develop obesity as well as dental disease, so the amounts should be restricted.

Can guinea pigs eat meadow hay?

I personally feel that both Meadow and Timothy hays are great choices to feed Guinea Pigs. Both provide vital fibre for digestion and lots of chewing opportunities to keep open-rooted teeth in good health.

Is grass or hay better for guinea pigs?

Guinea pigs like to chew on hay all day long, around the clock, so it’s essential that you provide them with a constant supply of clean, fresh hay. Fresh grass is less important, but contains several important vitamins and minerals, and so is an excellent addition to their diet when available.

Can I use timothy hay as bedding for guinea pigs?

Timothy hay: Timothy hay can make a good bedding for guinea pigs. In addition to being a natural food source, guinea pigs enjoy tunneling through it, making nests in it and just playing with it. Fresh timothy has a pleasant smell, and will absorb some urine.

What color should guinea pig hay be?

green

Quality hay for guinea pigs should be fresh (green in color and sweet in smell), be as dustless as possible (fine dust will make them sneeze) and contain no additives.

Why does my guinea pig waste hay?

Well, to them, they’re not wasting the hay. Guinea pigs are just enjoying playing with, burrowing in, and nibbling on the hay that they need to live. Any hay that’s wasted is simply collateral damage – a side effect of their good time.

Can guinea pigs eat first cut hay?

First Cutting Timothy Hay – the grass stems from the first harvest of timothy hay have a course texture and are high in fiber. While this is good for guinea pigs, they favor second or third cutting hay for its softer, more palatable leafy structure.

Can hay be too dry for guinea pigs?

Make sure you buy high-quality hay for your guinea pigs. This means it has a nice color, has a nice fresh hay smell, is dry, but is not very dusty. Dusty hay can cause allergies for both you and your guinea pig. You don’t want all your hay to be brown and dried out because it won’t have much nutritional value left.

How much hay do guinea pigs eat a day?

For a guinea pig: Guinea pigs need a minimum of about 3 oz of hay per day, so each piggy should go through about 6 lbs of hay each month. Again, don’t overdo it with the pellets. The piggies do need some Vitamin C, but make sure they get it in healthy forms, like rosehips and fresh veggies.

How do you make hay for guinea pigs?

Spread the grass clippings in a thin layer on the ground, preferably on the concrete. Turn it and mix it around a few times during the day. It shouldn’t take more than half a day or so until it’s completely dry. Before night time, gather it on a pile and store in a box or another container and leave in the dry place.

How often should I change guinea pig hay?

Since replacing the hay in your guinea pig’s habitat can encourage picky eating, we recommend changing it only when soiled. Young (less than six months old), pregnant, nursing, or ill animals can benefit from eating alfalfa hay in addition to grass hay because of the higher nutritional elements.

Is Timothy hay better than orchard grass for guinea pigs?

Timothy Hay is easier to get and provides the optimal balance of nutrition ranging from fiber, protein, and calcium for guinea pigs. The high fiber content found in timothy hay helps maintain normal digestive health. Orchard Hay is an excellent alternative for guinea parents who have allergy to timothy hay.

What is the difference between timothy and orchard hay?

Orchard Grass is higher in protein (10-12%), higher in calorie content and contains the same balanced levels of calcium and phosphorus as Timothy grass. The higher calorie content of Orchard Grass is a result of higher fiber digestibility compared to Timothy Grass.

Why do guinea pigs need timothy hay?

The Basics of Timothy Hay Our 1st Cutting Timothy hay is for guinea pigs who need to lose a little weight, suffer from GI upset, and/or need to wear down their teeth. It’s rich with stem growth, but low on leaf. While this hay is high in fiber, it’s also low in protein and fat.

Do guinea pigs need hay or straw?

Do guinea pigs need hay or straw? Yes. Hay is vital to keep the guinea pig’s digestive system in good working order and should function as the largest ingredient in her diet. Make sure it is dust-free though!

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