Young Guinea Pig diet

[Oreo&Levi]

Hi guys, I am going to be a new parent of 2 Guinea Pigs (both 2 months old) soon in March when I am going to move to a new place and I would want to know if anyone could give me some suggestions on the veggies and fruits they should be taking. I also want to know what type of veggies to introduce to them first and how to do it? For example, is it by one veggie per day? I have watched a lot of videos and read threads but there is very less for Young Guinea Pigs less than 6 months. I know they need more calcium so does it mean I can feed them spinach, parsley and kale 3-4 times a week? Please do advice or show me a simple plan so that I could follow. I am also planning to buy alfalfa pellets and Timothy Hay for them by the way. For the pellets, Young Guinea Pig should have more pellets first and when they reach adult age I reduce it is it?

I also have a lot of doubts such as the number of times you should feed the veggies and fruit. For example, spinach (1-2 times per week), parsley(1-2 times per week)...does it mean Monday Wed I can feel spinach and then parsley on Friday Saturday? Sorry if I sound dumb because this is my first time having a pet and I really really dont want anything wrong with my piggies.

All comments are really appreciated!

 

[Piggies&buns]

You dont need to feed them any differently to an adult piggy.

Primarily their diet needs to be hay, one cup of veg per day (limiting high calcium veg to once per week only), and pellets just one tablespoon per pig per day.
You do not need to feed them young piggy (alfalfa containing) pellets. They can be fed normal adult pellets, grass/hay based pellets. The only piggies who need alfalfa are pregnant sows and babies prior to weaning (3 weeks old or younger). After that, they get all they need from a normal adult diet. If you do feed them young piggy pellets then you give them one tablespoon per day until four months of age and then they can go onto adult pellets at one tablespoon per day. If you do give young piggy pellets, then do not overfeed calcium in veg - the pellets are nutritionally balanced so if you give extra high calcium veg on top, then you will most likely be overdoing things.
If you feed them adult pellets, then they can have two tablespoons per day until four months old and then dropping down to one tablespoon per day from then on. Again, keeping high calcium veg limited to on small amount once per week. As a side note, they dont reach adulthood until 14 months of age so you wouldn't want to give them young piggy pellets for that long.

You introduce any new foods slowly, and just watch for any digestive upset (soft poops - if that occurs, then stop giving veg altogether for a few days until things settle and then you can start again slowly).
Fruit is a treat only - no more than once per week and only in small amounts. Personally, mine only get fruit (a thin slice of apple or a blueberry) a couple of times a year if they are lucky.

Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets
Edible And Forbidden Veg And Fruit List With Vitamin C Grading

On a daily basis my piggies have coriander, lettuce, cucumber and peppers. I add in other things If ive got them in my fridge, but otherwise they are primarily getting those four items.

 

[Siikibam]

You’ve been given fab advice above. I know it’s not what you asked about but I wanted to mention it. I would suggest you try and get your piggies from a rescue. They are health checked, not pregnant and well bonded. By the sounds of things (age etc) they will be from a breeder. If you do decide to go down that route please make sure that you double check the sex. Have an experienced vet lined up and book them in for a vet check a week after you’ve had them.

If boars you need at least 150x60cm cage (or 2x5 c&c). A pair of sows needs minimum 120x60cm (or 2x4 c&c). I’d you can go bigger then even better for them.

We look forward to meeting them once they’re home

 

[Oreo&Levi]

You dont need to feed them any differently to an adult piggy.

Primarily their diet needs to be hay, one cup of veg per day (limiting high calcium veg to once per week only), and pellets just one tablespoon per pig per day.
You do not need to feed them young piggy (alfalfa containing) pellets. They can be fed normal adult pellets, grass/hay based pellets. The only piggies who need alfalfa are pregnant sows and babies prior to weaning (3 weeks old or younger). After that, they get all they need from a normal adult diet. If you do feed them young piggy pellets then you give them one tablespoon per day until four months of age and then they can go onto adult pellets at one tablespoon per day. If you do give young piggy pellets, then do not overfeed calcium in veg - the pellets are nutritionally balanced so if you give extra high calcium veg on top, then you will most likely be overdoing things.
If you feed them adult pellets, then they can have two tablespoons per day until four months old and then dropping down to one tablespoon per day from then on. Again, keeping high calcium veg limited to on small amount once per week. As a side note, they dont reach adulthood until 14 months of age so you wouldn't want to give them young piggy pellets for that long.

You introduce any new foods slowly, and just watch for any digestive upset (soft poops - if that occurs, then stop giving veg altogether for a few days until things settle and then you can start again slowly).
Fruit is a treat only - no more than once per week and only in small amounts. Personally, mine only get fruit (a thin slice of apple or a blueberry) a couple of times a year if they are lucky.

Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets
Edible And Forbidden Veg And Fruit List With Vitamin C Grading

On a daily basis my piggies have coriander, lettuce, cucumber and peppers. I add in other things If ive got them in my fridge, but otherwise they are primarily getting those four items.

Thank you so much! Will keep a note on this

 

[Oreo&Levi]

You’ve been given fab advice above. I know it’s not what you asked about but I wanted to mention it. I would suggest you try and get your piggies from a rescue. They are health checked, not pregnant and well bonded. By the sounds of things (age etc) they will be from a breeder. If you do decide to go down that route please make sure that you double check the sex. Have an experienced vet lined up and book them in for a vet check a week after you’ve had them.

If boars you need at least 150x60cm cage (or 2x5 c&c). A pair of sows needs minimum 120x60cm (or 2x4 c&c). I’d you can go bigger then even better for them.

We look forward to meeting them once they’re home

Yes I have two boars. I also made sure my cage is big enough with enough hideys and separate bowls and comfy bedding ready for them

 

[Guinea pig love123]

Introduce veggies slowly and one cup a day EACH and 1/8 cup of pellets each a day, I hope I've helped