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Some guinea pigs can eat alfalfa hay, however solely eat in the event that they’re 6 months previous or much less, pregnant, or nursing. Alfalfa hay is especially excessive in calcium, which may trigger bladder and kidney stones. It’s also calorically dense as it’s a legume hay quite than a grass hay. Timothy hay (a grass hay) is way more appropriate and balanced for grownup guinea pigs, and is protected in infinite quantities.
Hay is crucial to a guinea pig’s weight loss program, however alfalfa hay is simply acceptable for adults in particular circumstances. Beneath, we’ll talk about the guinea pig’s weight loss program and what you need to feed them to maintain them joyful and wholesome!
Is Calcium Good for Guinea Pigs?
Calcium is a vital a part of a guinea pig’s weight loss program because it aids within the formation and upkeep of wholesome bones and enamel. As their enamel are consistently rising, they should be stored sturdy and wholesome. The muscle tissues, coronary heart, and nerves all require calcium to operate.
Some guinea pigs require extra calcium than others; for instance, a rising guinea pig will want greater than a totally grown grownup, as will a lactating or pregnant guinea pig. The common guinea pig wants about 8 grams of calcium per kilogram of meals, though this will fluctuate barely relying on the quantity of phosphorus and magnesium within the weight loss program.1 It’s considered greatest to distribute calcium all through the day so that they aren’t ingesting an excessive amount of without delay.
What Occurs if Your Guinea Pig Is Calcium Poor?
Your guinea pig will typically present indicators in the event that they’re affected by calcium deficiency, corresponding to lack of urge for food, depressed habits, or dehydration. Extra severely, you may additionally discover convulsions and muscle spasms; in some circumstances, a guinea pig may even die instantly with out displaying any indicators.
Persistent calcium deficiency will end in enamel hypoplasia, brittle bones and could have a unfavourable impact on a guinea pig’s general well being, corresponding to diminished bodily exercise or the lack to eat comfortably.
What Occurs if Your Guinea Pig Has Too A lot Calcium?
An excessive amount of calcium in your guinea pig’s weight loss program can lead to hypercalcemia which may rapidly turn out to be harmful. Cavies which have consumed an excessive amount of calcium could have thick, white urine with exhausting, granular calcium deposits inside it. These deposits seem like sand grains and may be painful to go.
The larger these deposits are, the extra worrying, so you should contact your veterinarian as quickly as you discover something uncommon about their urine. Moreover, you need to take your guinea pig to the vet should you see blood of their urine.
Bigger stones may get caught and clog up your guinea pig’s bladder or urethra, making it unattainable to urinate. That is extremely harmful and may find yourself being deadly.
The 4 Issues Guinea Pigs Ought to Eat
Getting your guinea pig’s weight loss program proper is essential, as it’s with any pet. Guinea pigs are herbivores, and so they eat crops and plant-based meals. In addition they are recognized to develop preferences early on and don’t adapt effectively to alter, whether or not it’s a change to the kind of meals they’re being served, its presentation, or look.
If you should change their weight loss program, it needs to be executed regularly. They require a high-fiber weight loss program to maintain their guts shifting and their enamel brief. Vitamin C can also be a crucial requirement as, identical to primates, guinea pigs can’t produce their very own vitamin C and require it of their weight loss program. If vitamin C shouldn’t be supplemented, guinea pigs can and infrequently do develop scurvy.
The very best weight loss program on your guinea pig is one which mimics their pure weight loss program as intently as doable.
1. Hay and Grass
Round 85–90% of your guinea pig’s weight loss program needs to be made up of grass hay, corresponding to Western Timothy Hay, which offers the mandatory fiber to maintain your guinea pig’s gastro-intestinal tract shifting in a wholesome manner, whereas not being too calorie dense. Not like pellets, you possibly can’t overfeed your guinea pig hay. Guarantee your guinea pig has fixed entry to recent, grass hay.
2. Recent Greens
A ½ cup of recent greens within the morning and night is enough for one guinea pig. It’s greatest to rotate 5 or 6 completely different greens into their weight loss program; these notably excessive in vitamin C will likely be particularly precious.
A number of the healthiest veggies for guinea pigs embody bell peppers, spinach, kale, broccoli, parsley, and purple tomatoes, minus the leaves and vine, as they’re toxic.
3. Pellets
We advocate serving 1/eighth of a cup of guinea pig pellets each day per grownup guinea pig. Pellets needs to be fed alongside their hay and recent meals however shouldn’t be the principle a part of the weight loss program.
Keep away from muesli-style mixes, that are typically low in fiber and excessive in sugar, which causes weight achieve, dental issues, and abdomen points.
4. Further Necessities
Guinea pigs ought to have entry to recent, clear water always. Recent fruit is a wonderful choice as a deal with, however it ought to solely be served in small quantities, sometimes, as they’re excessive in sugar and may trigger your guinea pig to placed on weight.
These fruits are protected to function a snack:
Apples (minus the core, because the seeds are toxic)
Bananas
Blueberries
Carrots
Cherries
Kiwis
Melons
Pears
Plums
Strawberries
Ultimate Ideas
Guinea pigs can eat alfalfa hay, however since it’s excessive in calcium, it’s extra appropriate for younger or pregnant guinea pigs. It’s protected in the event that they’re pregnant, nursing, or underneath 6 months previous, and it is strongly recommended that it’s blended in with Timothy hay for these animals. Nonetheless, in case your guinea pigs will not be younger, pregnant or lactating, Timothy hay is a greater choice.
An excessive amount of calcium in your piggy’s weight loss program can lead to kidney or bladder stones, that are painful and may be deadly. In case you are uncertain what you need to feed your guinea pig, your vet can provide the greatest recommendation to make sure they proceed to be joyful and wholesome and dwell so long as doable.
Featured Picture Credit score: Vladimir Konstantinov, Shutterstock
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