Q&A for How to Feed a Guinea Pig

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  • Question
    Can guinea pigs eat bread or toast?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    Some guinea pigs love eating bread crusts, but this doesn't mean that it's good for them. While it's okay to offer a small cube of wholemeal bread as an occasional treat, it's not nutritious for guinea pigs. It's much better to offer a healthy alternative such as fresh fruit or vegetables.
  • Question
    Can I leave some healthy food in the cage while I'm at school?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    Absolutely. The trick is to make sure it is fresh when you put it in and check when you come home that it still looks good enough to eat. If the fresh food has attracted flies, become contaminated with poop, or dried out, now is the time to remove it.
  • Question
    I have timothy hay as my bedding for my guinea pigs, and I use gourmet variety diet. However, they only eat the hay, not the gourmet variety diet food. Is this a problem?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    Congratulations! By eating good quality hay your guinea pigs are eating a diet very close to what nature intended. Offer a small portion of gourmet diet alongside fresh fruit and veg, but it's absolutely fine for hay to make up the majority of their diet. If you are worried about their eating their bedding, then put a small hay rack in their enclosure to keep some of the hay off the ground.
  • Question
    My guinea pig roams around the house but doesn't have access to grass. Is this okay?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    Grass is the ideal food for guinea pigs because it is high fiber and in grows in the sunshine. Chewing fiber wears down his teeth and regulates the digestive system, so, for an indoor guinea pig, make sure he has plenty of good quality hay. Sunshine is important for vitamin D synthesis (for healthy bones and teeth), so if necessary put the guinea pig on a safe sunny spot (with some shade) on a balcony, or carry him in a harness for short trips into the open air.
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