I have two female piggies, one is just under 2 years old and one is about 2 months old. I've been feeding the older piggy a cup of mixed veggies in the morning and two tablespoons of pellets in the afternoon along with unlimited fresh water and timothy hay. Should I be feeding the younger piggies the same amount, or am I feeding too many pellets or veg? And is there anything extra I should be feeding either of them? There's so much info out there so it's hard to know what's the best amount of everything and could do with a little guidance.
Seven7
Forum Donator 2024/25
Your piggy is super cute.
I also have an older piggy 5 years old Finn and a new baby 4 months old Bear. My boys get romaine lettuce twice a day and pellets for lunch. They get snacks like herbs and fruits occasionally. They get endless oxbow hay and clean water daily.
I feed them similar amount of veggies despite their age difference, and I find that Bear the baby can eat just as much as 5 year old Finn.
I give them vitamin C daily to give them extra protection.
I also have an older piggy 5 years old Finn and a new baby 4 months old Bear. My boys get romaine lettuce twice a day and pellets for lunch. They get snacks like herbs and fruits occasionally. They get endless oxbow hay and clean water daily.
I feed them similar amount of veggies despite their age difference, and I find that Bear the baby can eat just as much as 5 year old Finn.
I give them vitamin C daily to give them extra protection.
This is our diet guide, it provides all the information and balance your piggies need - Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets
The diet for any piggy of any age is - unlimited hay, one cup of veg per pig per day (a basic variety of lettuce, coriander, cucumber, bell pepper and a green bean is balanced and covers all nutritional elements) and just one tablespoon of pellets per pig per day, filtered drinking water.
Fruit can be given as a very occasional treat but it’s actually not needed (or recommended) to be given at all.
If you are giving two tablespoons of pellets to each piggy then you are giving far too much and it needs to be cut down to just one tablespoon each per day (so two tablespoons per day between them both).
Too many pellets (and unfiltered drinking water) contribute to too much calcium in the diet (which can lead to health problems) and can cause obesity and reduction in hay intake (which can lead to gut and dental problems).
Any piggy with this balanced diet will not need additional vitamin c - the diet is balanced enough to provide everything they need) - and we do not see scurvy cases on the forum. If we do see any it’s usually because of overdoing vitamin c with supplements (they can then get abnormally and unnecessarily high amounts so if this level then drops from what a supplemented piggy is used to, scurvy symptoms occur)
The diet for any piggy of any age is - unlimited hay, one cup of veg per pig per day (a basic variety of lettuce, coriander, cucumber, bell pepper and a green bean is balanced and covers all nutritional elements) and just one tablespoon of pellets per pig per day, filtered drinking water.
Fruit can be given as a very occasional treat but it’s actually not needed (or recommended) to be given at all.
If you are giving two tablespoons of pellets to each piggy then you are giving far too much and it needs to be cut down to just one tablespoon each per day (so two tablespoons per day between them both).
Too many pellets (and unfiltered drinking water) contribute to too much calcium in the diet (which can lead to health problems) and can cause obesity and reduction in hay intake (which can lead to gut and dental problems).
Any piggy with this balanced diet will not need additional vitamin c - the diet is balanced enough to provide everything they need) - and we do not see scurvy cases on the forum. If we do see any it’s usually because of overdoing vitamin c with supplements (they can then get abnormally and unnecessarily high amounts so if this level then drops from what a supplemented piggy is used to, scurvy symptoms occur)
Oh no whoops, should I gradually cut down the pellets or should I just start giving them one tablespoon each from now on? And for the filtered water would a Brita jug work for this? Veggies wise I've been trying to introduce a good variety but will have a look through the guides suggestions as well, thank you.
Just cut the pellets down to one tbsp each - less pellets equals better long term health!
Yes a Brita type (or alternative make) is exactly what you need
Okay I will cut down on the pellets tomorrow, and will order a filter for them. Thank you for your help
