Piggy parents are often excited to welcome their first guinea pig. So, if you are ready with the cute hideouts, cozy cages, fresh veggies, and colorful pellets to make your new furry friend feel comfortable in your home, then you need to know what’s more important for your beloved piggy.
Even though guinea pigs are fond of fresh and colorful veggies/fruits, unlimited hay should fulfill the maximum part of their diet. Feeding unlimited, high-quality hay is the absolute bedrock of your guinea pig’s health and happiness.
To know everything about the amount of hay to be fed to your precious cavy and its benefits, check out this post thoroughly.
Unlimited hay cannot be optional: here’s why
Feeding unlimited hay to guinea pigs is needed for their biological maintenance. It’s not just food for the piggy’s. Here’s why you should provide unlimited hay.
Proper digestion
Hay is rich in fiber that stimulates gut motility as it acts like an internal scrub brush. Hay also helps to keep food moving.
Risks and Challenges
Digestion can slow down excessively without fiber for 24/7. This can cause gas build-up and gastrointestinal stasis. The situation can be fatal if food ferments inside the stomach and the gut stops.
Dental care
As you know, the teeth of guinea pigs grow continuously, i.e., 1.5 to 2 mm/week. Overgrown teeth can cause painful malocclusion, making eating difficult. This can lead to starvation and make your pet weak. Chewing hay constantly can help prevent this situation.
Solutions and Strategies
To wear down the teeth of your piggy to a safe length, offering only the abrasive, tough texture of long-strand grass. Feeding only veggies and pellets cannot stop their teeth from overgrowing.
Hay is not only for survival
Chewing on hay constantly reduces stress/boredom and satisfies natural foraging. Hay/grass should fulfill 80 to 90% of your piggy’s diet, as it provides fiber balance that adult piggy’s need the most. To add vitamins to their diet, offer pellets and veggies.
Which hay is best for your guinea pigs?
Unlimited hay should only be fed when the hay is of the best quality and the right kind. Here are the best hay for different age groups.
Timothy hay
It is an ideal and best hay for adults over 6 months old.
- Promotes excellent dental wear as it has a coarse texture.
- Provides a complete balance of fiber, calcium, and protein.
- Easily available in different cuts like ( 1st cut = stemmier/higher fiber, 2nd cut = softer/leafier, 3rd cut = leafy/very soft).
Orchard grass
A perfect alternative to Timothy hay.
- It can be best for picky and sensitive eaters as it has a sweeter smell and softer texture.
- It can be the best choice for piggies who don’t like timothy, or it is unavailable.
- The nutritional profile is the same as timothy hay.
Meadow hay
A variable option for piggies.
- It is a blend of herbs/dried flowers and a blend of various grasses.
- Good-quality grass-based meadow hay can be suitable for your piggy.
- Make sure it is not too high in calcium-rich plants like clover.
- Not as consistent as orchard grass or pure Timothy.
Alfalfa hay
It should be used with extreme caution.
- It is a legume hay that is very rich in protein and calcium.
- Should only be fed to extremely underweight piggy’s, pregnant or nursing sows, and growing pups under 6 months as they need extra nutrients.
- High calcium content can lead to sludge or bladder stones in adults. So, avoid feeding alfalfa hay to piggies over 6 months old.
- Healthy adult guinea pigs should never eat alfalfa hay. Offer them timothy, orchard, or meadow hay.
The quality of hay matters the most
Cheap or low-quality hay cannot benefit the tiny rodents, even if fed in large amounts. So, always choose hay that is of the best quality and fresh. While choosing nutritious hay, consider the following factors.
🐹🐹 Smell
Fresh and good-quality hay has a grassy, fresh, and sweet aroma. On the other hand, hay of low quality smells moldy, musty, dusty, or like chemicals that should be avoided.
🌾🌾Appearance
As mold is toxic, discard the entire pile of hay if there are black, fuzzy, white, or grey spots on it. Always choose hay with minimal dust and long strands.
💐💐Color
Always avoid excessive yellow or brown hay. The color of the hay should mostly be green, and some variation is normal.
🥞🥞 Texture
Hay that feels overly dusty or damp should always be avoided. Good quality hay should feel dry but not brittle.
How to provide unlimited hay smoothly?
Here are some practical tips for the hay-providing pro.
Choosing the right feeder is important
Tiny racks with an unsafe design cannot hold large amounts of hay. So, always choose large capacity bags, racks, or managers that are easy to refill and can hold plenty of hay.
Some best options are large hanging racks, simple hay boxes, or corner grids.
Hay should be scattered regularly
Scattering a handful of fresh hay onto their clean bedding can complement your cavy. This can also ensure easy access for all piggies and encourage natural foraging.
Storing hay
Make sure the bulk of the hay to be stored is pest-free and fresh. It should always be stored in a dark, cool, and dry place, such as under the bed or in a closet.
Always avoid placing the hay in hot attics or damp basements. You can keep the hay in its original breathable bag or transfer it to a heavy-duty fabric bag/ large lidded plastic tubs. Good airflow is necessary to keep the hay fresh and mold-free.
Remove waste carefully
During daily spot cleaning (i.e., 1 to 2 times a day), remove only the wet and soiled hay promptly. Clean/tampered hay should not be cleaned as it is still edible food/bedding. Always consider a constant clean supply without eliminating nesting waste.
Check for freshness
While refilling twice a day, check the hay’s freshness regularly. The hay should smell grassy, fresh, sweet, and not moldy or musty.
Make sure the hay is free of visible mold that is brown or yellow. It should mostly be green. Discard damp or excessively dusty hay. Good hay should always feel dry.
Common mistakes that should be avoided
Avoid the common beginner hay mistakes shared below.
- Limiting Hay: Some piggy parents may start limiting hay to prevent mess and save money. However, this can severely affect the overall health of the piggy. Not providing enough hay can cause dental issues, GI stasis, and thus lead to immense suffering.
- Feeding the Wrong Hay: Always double-check what type of hay you are feeding to your guinea pigs. Feeding alfalfa hay to healthy adults is strictly “No” as it causes bladder stones.
- Not Discarding Spoiled Hay: Always clean moldy or wet hay. Leaving them in the cage can be dangerous.
- Prioritizing Pellets: Pellets should be given at about 1/8 cup per adult pig daily. However, prioritizing pellets over hay is not a good idea. Their diet should contain 80 to 90 % of hay.
- Never Give Up: Some picky eaters may refuse to eat hay. But you should not give up. Try Timothy or orchard grass from different brands. If your piggy is still not eating, then consult a vet immediately.
Hay is a necessity: other healthy guinea pig foods
Even though hay is the foundation, here are some other healthy foods that you can feed your beloved pet.
Hay is the showstopper
A guinea pig’s diet should consist of 80 to 90 % of orchard grass, timothy hay, and others. Providing hay 24/7 to your piggy is important for their mental well-being, digestion, and dental health.
Alfalfa hay should only be given to nursing, pregnant piggies, and young pups under 6 months.
Supporting foods
Besides hay, you can feed fresh veggies to the tiny rodents. Vegetables like cucumber, celery, bell pepper, leafy greens, and zucchini provide maximum vitamin C and hydration. Feeding 1 cup of veggies per piggy per day can be beneficial for their overall health.
You can also feed good-quality timothy hay-based pellets that are rich in vitamin C. Pellets should be given 1/8 cup per adult piggy, per day. However, pellets should not be free-fed like hay and, measured properly before serving.
Always provide your furry friends with unfiltered, fresh water, as it is essential for their complete hydration. Change the water daily and pour fresh water into a clean bowl or bottle. Avoid feeding nuts and seed mixes.
Final touchup
Guinea pigs need the best-quality, fresh hay 24/7. It keeps them mentally stimulated, grinds down their ever-growing teeth, and keeps their digestive system humming.
For healthy adult piggies, Timothy hay and orchard grass are the best options. Without enough hay, your piggy may suffer from GI stasis and dental malocclusion.
So, remember, unlimited hay is the fundamental requirement for the survival of these cavies. It is not just food for them, and prevents the two biggest health threats, like dental catastrophe and digestive collapse.
To keep your favorite piggy’s healthy and thriving, provide unlimited hay without hesitation.
