I feed them romaine for breakfast every morning and for dinner, with something like apples or carrots inbetween, just an occasional treat. They get about a quarter of a head of romaine every day. Recently, my pig, Oreo hasn’t been eating the romaine. She ate some red pepper and strawberry earlier. She’s 1.4 lbs if that means anything. Any help? Thanks.
Hi and welcome!
Please be aware that lettuce is not exactly rich in nutrients and that your are feeding far too much of it in quantity - it can lead to diarrhea and fermentation in the gut. Too much fruit acid can lead to potentially fatal lip infection and carrot is the equivalent of feeding a burger; it fattening junk food for guinea pigs - fine as an occasional special treat but not on a daily or near daily basis.
Please have a look at our diet guide; it discusses all aspects of a guinea pig diet.
Over 80% of the daily food intake should be unlimited hay. the more they eat, the better for long term health and a longer life - it REALLY makes a difference! Only about 10% of what they eat in a day should be a balanced veg mix. We have got a picture of a sample diet of what should go in it and how much you feed. Pellets should not make more than 5% maximum. In adult guinea pigs that is 1 tablespoon per piggy per day; youngsters up to 4 months can have double.
Click on this link here:
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets
Guinea pigs that haven't had much in the way of fresh veg at the commercial supply breeder or in the shop and definitely not a wide variety can struggle to accept new veg because they learn what is safe and what not by sniffing and snatching food from their elders' mouths. Without that guidance it is much harder. Be patient and persist! Accept if piggies have their individual personal likes and dislikes; you will come to adapt the diet for that.
Our diet guide is part of our new owners guide collection, in which we address all the areas we get the most questions and concerns about. The collection covers everything from settling in, making friends (including a spot of piggy whispering) and handling guinea pigs; understanding their behaviour; diet, housing (including safe and unsafe toys and cage accessories) and care to learning what is normal and what not; how to spot early signs of illness and when to see a vet.
Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides
Please make sure that you save up for vet fees on a weekly/monthly basis as part of their regular living cost so you can afford to see a vet in an emergency or with an illness. These NEVER happen at a good time, but they can cause major distress and family rows. Guinea pigs are small animals, they cannot wait for days on end until you have got hold of some money.
I hope that this will help you to a smooth start and a long an happy piggy ownership! it is well worth reading up now and then doing things right from the start (includinghaving an easier start!)
