Guinea Pig Food

Our vets recommend one tablespoon of pellets per adult guinea pig each day. Make sure the pellets you choose are made specifically for guinea pigs and are a consistent shape and colour, so they don’t only pick out the bits they like best. Grass-based pellets are ideal. Pellets should always be fed alongside hay, grass and fresh food, and should never be the main part of your guinea pigs diet.

We do not recommend you feed your guinea pigs a muesli style mix (brightly coloured pellets, with a mixture of seeds and flakes) – this type of food is high in sugar, low in fibre, and can cause dental problems, weight gain, and tummy issues.

Guinea pigs rely on the fibre in hay and grass to keep their teeth short and their digestive system moving. Hay and grass should make up 85 – 90% of your guinea pigs’ diet, and unlike pellets, you can’t overfeed it. Make sure your guinea pigs have constant access to good quality, fresh feeding hay – timothy hay is a great option, and if possible, fresh grass from the garden*. Large piles of fresh feeding hay will encourage your guinea pigs’ to eat the fibre they need, while also providing a great place for them to burrow and forage!

*If your guinea pig is new to fresh grass, introduce it slowly to avoid an upset tummy, and never feed mown grass, as this can make them poorly.