| CAVY FOODS Cavies need lots of different foods. Pellets are a must. There is some controversy as to how much pellets to give a guinea pig. In my own opinion, a guinea pig will not over eat. I fill pellet dishes completely every morning. Some times it is empty by the next morning, sometimes it is not. It really depends on the pig. Pellets should have an expiration date on the bag. That way you know you are getting the freshest food for your precious piggy or piggies. The bag needs to be kept away from light and away from moisture. Rubbermaid makes lots of suitable containers. Pellets contain Vitamin C and if it is not kept away from the light and moisture, then the Vitamin C in it will deplete very quickly. **Pellets should be put in a ceramic (or other heavy type)bowl to avoid being tipped over! You shouldn't put pellets, veggies and fruits on the bottom of the cage as they will get contaminated with pee and or poops.** Vitamin C is a must also in a pig's diet. If you are giving the proper fruits and veggies, then a pig does not need a Vitamin C supplement. I only give extra Vitamin C to pregnant and sick pigs. If you are going to give a C supplement, make sure it is pure C. The chemicals in tap water kill Vitmain C almost immediatley. Use bottled water if you are going to supplement with C in the water. Pigs need about 1 cup of fresh fruits and veggies daily. Some good foods to give are Romain, Parsley, Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Green Beans, Apple....and the list goes on. DO NOT GIVE YOUR PIG ICEBERG LETTUCE! It has absolutely no nutritional value for humans and pigs alike. It can lead to lots of stomach upsets and can give the pig diarrhea. Click here for a list of veggies and fruits and their vitamin C content. Carrot is also a controversial veggie. It contains a lot of Vitamin K, a vitamin that pigs do not really need. As a result, I only give carrot cut into 1 inch pieces every other day. Cabbage, and members of the cabbage family, are gassy foods which should only be given in small quantities to avoid any stomach upsets. Pigs need a constant, unlimited supply of hay. Yes, the hay you would give a horse. Timothy hay is the preferred type of hay. Hay aids in digestion and is also a good aid in keeping their teeth trimmed. Pigs need FRESH water DAILY! Do not "refill as needed". Putting the water in a water bottle will prevent it from becoming a "pee' bowl. I usually do a bleach rinse, (1 tablespoon of bleach then fill with water), to prevent mold and bacteria build-up about once a week. Make sure ALL of the bleach is rinsed out before refilling and giving it back to your piggy. *** A note on the foods. If your pig is new to you, you need to introduce fresh food slowly! Throwing lots of fruits and veggies to a pig who has never had them before can cause lots of stomach upsets and might even lead to loose stools. Start off with one type and then gradually keep adding to it until your pig is eating a feast of fruits and veggies! |
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