Providing hay 24/7 is crucial for your guinea pigs mental and physical health, as is finding the right combination of staple hay, treat hay and hay that you just feel like mixing in. Alfalfa hay contains a high concentrate of Fiber, Protein, and Fat, which should not be a part of the daily diet of your guinea pigs. Grass Hay should be available to your cavy 24/7. Hay tends to lose its nutritional value over time. I am an Animal Nutritionist by education but a pet blogger by profession. So, if you are getting a large bale of hay for your guinea pig to save some money then be aware it might not be much beneficial to them. Things to look while choosing: Timothy hay is available in various seasonal cut, right from 1st cut to 3rd cut. Types of Hay. Guinea pigs are popular across the US and UK. Fleece Bedding is the best guinea pig … Like any pet, you’ll notice that guinea pigs have adorable quirks and can be very energetic, though a little less than mice or hamsters. How long can you leave your guinea pigs alone? 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. If you have a lot of guinea pigs and can store some extra hay, then finding a local source of good Timothy or grass hay by the bale is definitely the cheapest way to go. Hours Of Fun And Relaxation For Adults As Well As Kids. By eating different types of hay, guinea pigs benefit from the varied textures and fiber content. Leafy greens like romaine lettuce, kale, cilantro or parsley should comprise the bulk of your pig’s fresh produce. Timothy hay and Orchard hay is one of the best types of hay available for our guinea pigs. The second cut is when the hay has been harvested once and then allowed to regrow from the same roots. Sized At 8.5x11, A Perfect Size To Color And Frame! So, there’re a lot of different types of hay to choose for your guinea pigs. Hay contains a lot of fiber and other nutrients that grass cannot provide. Learn more detail about scurvy from this source. Guinea pigs need to eat good quality, fresh hay, daily, and it should account for 80-90% of a healthy pig's diet. This hay is basically dust-free, green and fresh, making it a great option to mix in with my preferred timothy hay! The feeder features a tray-like bin at the bottom to hold your pet’s pellets, while a metal wire rack is situated above the bin and holds your pet’s hay securely in place. Knowing what to look for in the hay you provide will help you in ensuring your pigs are getting everything they need, and not overdoing it on the hays that are too high in proteins and calcium. Three basic foods that guinea pigs must have 24/7 include:1. Please note that alfalfa hay should never be used as a staple simply due to the high calcium content. Guinea pig hay rack is one of the most important accessories that you should buy for your rodent. While there is a wide variety of feed available in the market to choose from, we should be very cautious while choosing one for our guinea pigs. Can I use timothy hay for guinea pig bedding? Is this unsuitable and if so, what type of hay am i looking for and where is the best place to buy it. Price – $13.97. Being readily available at an economical price, people often wonder if they can use straw as bedding... Is It Worth Getting Pet Insurance For Guinea Pigs? Storing hay for your guinea pig is an important aspect you cannot neglect. How Much Time Should You Spend With Your Guinea Pig? Things to avoid: Avoid thick straw-like hay as they are tough to digest. This is a poor choice for adult guinea pigs but fantastic for young, pregnant and nursing pigs. Timothy hay is the top go-to grass hay for most pig owners and with good reason! If you have any comments or questions, please leave them below! Orchard grass or timothy hay are the most common types of hay fed to guinea pigs, so you’ll probably want to go with one of them. Guinea pigs get essential fiber and nutrients from the hay, which is crucial for the proper functioning of their body. Timothy Hay Flavor Variety Multi Pack. Check out some of the best Hay and Bedding Supplies for your guinea pigs: No, Guinea pigs cannot survive without hay for long. Making it a great treat hay for your guinea pigs. This hay is readily available, has a pleasant aroma and tastes really well, which makes it the absolute favorite of all guinea pigs. Orchard hay is an excellent choice for guinea pig owners suffering from allergies. Up to 6 months of age or pregnant they can have alfalfa as it is higher in protein and calcium and is helpful for the … Also, alfalfa hay can be fed to nursing and young guinea pigs as they need more nutrients in that phase. The reason for this is calcium has the high potential to cause bladder stones in average adult pigs, which is never fun to have or treat as it can be quite painful and cause bloody urine. Hello, I am Saurav the founder of this blog that's all about guinea pigs. I have found this method to work wonders for my picky eaters, but it may not work for all pigs! If you don’t provide enough hay in their diet, then their teeth might grow a lot which can cause further health issues. (Normal & Abnormal Poop). Feeding your guinea pigs with alfalfa hay regularly can lead to weight gain and obesity, which is not suitable for their health. It also helps guinea pigs digest their food and keeps their digestive system healthy. Here we go into which bedding has benefits and which are more ideal for guinea pigs. Guinea pigs mostly eat hay, supplemented by pellets, vegetables and fruit. We offer several different types of hay, varying in its use, fiber content, protein content, and fat content. This allows the guinea pigs to focus on the stems, which are higher in fiber and nutrients than the seed heads. It is also a great choice for people who have allergies with Timothy hay. % Magnes. They also provide enough calories which are required by the guinea pigs daily. The final hay for review on my list is a pocket pet favorite Alfalfa hay. Although 80% of their diet must be hay, it still lacks one major nutrient i.e., vitamin c in it. Meadow hay is a grass hay and is very popular with guinea pigs. It is one of the types of grass hays that piggies can eat along with orchard hay, timothy hay and alfalfa hay. So you may now be asking yourself this next big question. However, once guinea pigs get older, they require less calcium, less protein, but much higher fiber, so make sure you choose the right type of hay for your guinea pig. It also makes a great bedding choice due to its smooth texture. There are a number of different types of hay available and certain things you should look out for before feeding. Humidity can make your hay go moldy in no time. link to Is It Worth Getting Pet Insurance For Guinea Pigs? I would caution doing too many ‘treat hays’ in a single day as your pigs may then begin to expect the different hays. These are the benefits that hay offers your guinea pig: Guinea pigs are herbivores; in the wild they will have a wide variety of plant material … Good quality hay provides your guinea pigs with essential nutrients. Guinea pigs have a differentdigestivesystem opposed to hamsters. You can start with mixing a higher percentage of Orchard hay with Timothy and slowly transition over to a majority of Timothy hay over a few days time. Additional Ingredients – None. That means it helps with the important dental and nutritional needs of guinea pigs while also making it easier for owners that have allergies to other hay to be around their guinea pigs. We always recommend using good quality hay for your guinea pig as it consists of 80% of their diet. Fresh Hay3. Perseverance is the key, that is what I can tell you from my experience. Dental Care. Guinea pigs should not be fed Lucerne (alfalfa) or Clover hay, as these are too high in protein and calcium. Home » Animal A-Z » 3 Types of Hay Holder to Assist your Guinea Pig. Guinea pig 101 is an ultimate resource for all guinea pig parents who are passionate about learning everything about their guinea pigs and provide them with a life they deserve. There are many different types of bedding out there, but who's going to go out and buy all of them to try it? Guinea pigs, sometimes called cavies, are herbivores and need grass hay for essential roughage and fiber and to help wear down their teeth, which grow continuously. Most pet guinea pigs were either found undesirable by breeders, [clarification needed] or else were bred to be pleasant pets regardless of how well they met the "standard of perfection" for the breed. Hearing about my love for guinea pigs isn’t why you’re here though! Do guinea pigs need hay? I know I’ve always hated inconsistencies in quality, and so have my pigs! While some guinea pigs love to munch on whatever they get others like to eat only a particular type of food. Guinea pigs have always been a favorite from the realm of pocket pets, each of them has their own big personalities and it’s a joy to have them in my life!eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'officiallypets_com-box-3','ezslot_13',104,'0','0'])); Guinea pigs make fantastic pets for both children and adults alike and are relatively low maintenance. Orchard hay has a broader leaf as compared to Timothy hay, but the texture is really soft, which makes it really easy for guinea pigs to chew. Timothy hay and Orchard hay are some of the best choices of hay for your guinea pigs. At Small Pet Select, we know exactly which hay your small animal needs to stay happy and healthy. Timothy hay is the best type of feed available for your guinea pig. While there are still more hay types than I’ve listed here, I’ve chosen to cover the most common, easily available and popular hay options. No, guinea pigs cannot eat grass instead of hay. It is easy to find both online and in local pet shops, is high in fiber and low in protein and calcium. Grandpa’s Best Orchard Grass Bale. Guinea Pig Coloring Book: Let Your Anxiety Go Away! Figure Out What Type of Hay Your Guinea Pig Needs We know the different types of hay can be confusing, from 2nd cutting Timothy to alfalfa and everywhere in between. These are the benefits that hay offers your guinea pig: It is a Guinea pig with hair that grows all over its body, sometimes to… 80% of your guinea pig’s diet should be good quality Timothy Hay or Meadow Hay or a mixture of both. Now, you know I love to get as detailed as possible when it comes to helping my fellow guinea pig owners. Unlike the previous two grass hays, Oat hay is actually a grain-based hay, meaning it’s higher in natural fats and sweetness. The first thing that every guinea pig parent should know is that guinea pigs need lots and lots of hay. Most of the articles you read or people you will talk to will suggest feeding guinea pig hay to them but do guinea pigs need hay? As stated above, it is, however, a great treat to occasionally serve! You’re here to learn more about what the best hay is for your pigs to eat! Other grass hays include orchard hay or meadow hay. While some guinea pigs love the added flowers and stem in their food, the other’s hate it, it depends upon their personal choice. Although it is a popular choice as feed for the horses; however they are not suitable for guinea pigs. Also, Guinea Pigs are prone to respiratory issues. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made by our readers with no extra cost added to you all! However, it does contain some flowers and seeds of other edible plants along with hay which your guinea pig may not always like. Remember to provide fresh hay and water every day so that they remain healthy and happy. The biggest thing to keep in mind with Timothy hay is the fact that the seed heads are not only a typical favorite among guinea pigs, but are also the portion of the hay that is the lowest in both nutritional value and fiber.eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'officiallypets_com-box-4','ezslot_14',108,'0','0'])); I’ve had fantastic luck with Timothy hay for most all of my pocket pets. However, that task will require you to spend a lot of time and efforts. Meadow hay is a grass hay and is very popular with guinea pigs. Guinea pig pelletsPellets are NO substitute for a hay. These nutrients are crucial for proper growth in guinea pigs. Knowing your pigs health needs will go a long way in ensuring they remain healthy and happy pigs! Which hay is best for them and how much to feed them? Guinea pigs adore oat hays due to the difference in fragrance, texture and flavors from the more common grass hays. Unlike Timothy grass hay, Orchard grass hay has a softer texture and less crunch with more leafs for our pigs to munch on.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'officiallypets_com-leader-3','ezslot_22',113,'0','0'])); Because of these differences, there is no denying that my pigs have always adored their share of Orchard grass hay! This hay has the perfect balance of Fiber, Fats, and Protein required by our guinea pigs. Guineapig101.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. Hay is a crucial part of a guinea pigs diet. After that, we should only feed Timothy hay to our guinea pigs. Short Haired Guinea Pig pets4homes.co.uk. This hay is high in fiber and low in protein which makes them one of the best choices for guinea pigs. Though there are many breeds of guinea pig, only a few found on the show table are common as pets. This Western Forage hay is high in fiber and low in protein and calcium. Both my personal experience and fellow reviews boast of the freshness of this hay and the fact that stubborn pocket pets who typically turn up their nose at other hay options, approve! Also if your guinea pig doesn’t like 1st cut Timothy hay, then you might go for Oats hay, but it is not ideal for other guinea pigs. The healthy fats within this grain hay helps promote a healthy shine to your pigs coat, while the high fiber promotes a healthy digestive tract. Although there are other elements like Fruits, Vegetables, and Pellets in their diet, those mostly act as a supplement. Orchard grass hay is similar to Timothy hay in terms of nutrition and fiber content. Oats hay is yet another unconventional choice among guinea pig owners. The Basics of Timothy Hay Timothy hay is a popular type of grass hay, often considered the “gold standard” because of its nutritional profile. Guinea pig hay is the most important part of your cavy’s diet; it provides the fiber they need to keep their digestive systems moving. Although there is a wide variety of hay available right from alfalfa, meadow to oats and Bermuda, still timothy hay is the first choice among most guinea pig owners. 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