The 9 Best Guinea Pig Foods In The Uk

Reviews

Harringtons Optimum Guinea Pig Food

Harringtons Optimum Guinea Pig Food is a pellet-based food containing 17% protein and 17% fiber, all of which are approximately adequate for a guinea pig’s daily diet. The pellet-based diet prevents selective feeding, in which a guinea pig consumes only its favored elements and rejects the rest.

This meal has been enriched with vitamin C, an essential element in guinea pig chow, at a very reasonable price. In addition, it contains vitamins A, D, and E. Vitamin D is particularly critical for indoor guinea pigs, as they will not receive any of these essential vitamins from the sun.

This is a large bag of food, so you won’t have to purchase it as frequently. However, the weight of the food causes many pellets to be crushed, so there may be some dust at the bottom of the bag when it comes.

Despite this, the low price, high protein, and fiber content, and overall quality of the meal make it our top pick for the finest guinea pig chow available in the UK.

Pros

• Reasonable cost
• 17% fibre/17% protein
• Contains vitamins A, C, D, and E.

Cons

• Can be dusty at the bag’s bottom.

 

Small Pet Select Guinea Pig Food with Timothy

Small Pet Select Timothy Based Guinea Pig Food is a costly food, however, the primary ingredient is Timothy hay.

In addition to being a premium component, Timothy hay is strong in fiber, which is why this food contains 25% fiber. This is over the acceptable range of 18% to 20% and might cause constipation or diarrhea in your guinea pig. Introduce the meal gradually, especially if transitioning from a diet low in fiber.

The high fibre content also implies that the protein level of 14% is much lower than the recommended threshold of 18%. This combination of high fiber and low protein makes the Small Pet Select Timothy-Based Guinea Pig Food more suitable for overweight guinea pigs and those prone to overeating.

However, the diet is pellet-based and contains 400mg of vitamin C per pound, the required amount for cavies.

Pros

• Suitable for large eaters
• Provides sufficient vitamin C for cavies
• Contains Timothy hay as its principal component.

Cons

• Expensive
• The high fibre content and low protein

 

Science Selective Supreme Guinea Pig Food

Science Selective Supreme Guinea Pig Food is a costly food, but it is of high quality, well-liked by guinea pigs, and satisfies your cavie’s nutritional needs.

It contains 16% protein, which is somewhat below average, but 15% fiber, which exceeds the required level. Not only is fibre beneficial for intestinal health and the maintenance of a healthy digestive system, but it also helps your guinea pig feel fuller for longer, making it excellent for those that are voracious eaters.

The food has been fortified with vitamin C and has sufficient quantities. As with humans, guinea pigs cannot produce vitamin C, therefore they must acquire it from their diet. This is one of the nutritional reasons why we offer them vegetables and leafy greens.

Although Science Selective Supreme is on the pricier end of the spectrum, it is a high-quality meal that will help you achieve your guinea pig’s daily nutritional requirements.

Pros

• Good vitamin C levels
• 15% fibre
• Food pellets inhibit selective eating

Cons

• 16% protein may be increased
• Extremely costly food

 

Wagg Twitch Food for Guinea Pigs

Wagg Twitch Guinea Pig Food is a pelleted guinea pig food that is highly reviewed and affordably priced. The food’s primary constituents are oat fibre and wheat fibre, and it has been supplemented with a variety of vitamins and minerals.

It has 16% protein, which is slightly less than optimum, as well as 19% fiber, making this a high-fiber food that complements a regular supply of hay and a wide range of leafy greens throughout the week.

Wagg has just 250 mg/kg of vitamin C, which is almost half of what is recommended, so you may need to supply a supplement or feed plants that are rich in this crucial nutrient.

The meal comes in a decently big bag, however, the gritty pellets are not liked by all guinea pigs, so you may want to purchase a lesser quantity and observe whether your cavie like the texture and grain size.

Pros

• Reasonable in cost
• 19% fibre

Cons

• 16% protein may be increased
• 250 mg/kg of vitamin C must be increased.
• Coarse pellets are disliked by everybody

 

Burgess Excel Guinea Pig Nuggets With Mint

This 10kg bag of Burgess Excel Guinea Pig Nuggets contains added mint, which not only offers the meal a more enticing aroma and taste for your guinea pigs but also aids in digestion and promotes a healthy digestive system.

It consists of 17% protein and the same level of fiber, both of which are considered appropriate for a healthy adult guinea pig, and it has been fortified with additional vitamin C so that it contains 1,050mg/kg, which, when combined with high-quality hay and supplemented with leafy greens, ensures that your cavie receives the proper amount of the essential vitamin. Additionally, the diet includes prebiotics that promotes digestion.

The diet is a touch pricey compared to other similar feeds, and the brittle pellets may not appeal to all cavies. They also create a significant amount of broken pellets and dust in the bottom of the bag.

Pros

• 17% protein and fiber
• 1,050mg/kg of vitamin C
• The addition of mint enhances its attractiveness.

Cons

• Pricey
• Dusty
• Brittle pellets

 

Oxbow Essentials Guinea Pig Food for Adults

Oxbow Essentials Adult Guinea Pig Food is a premium guinea pig pellet whose primary ingredient is Timothy grass meal. The high cost of Timothy hay is reflected in the high cost of this food, which is heavy in fiber and relatively low in protein.

As a result, Oxbow Essentials has 14% protein, which is inadequate, and 27% fibre, which is significantly greater than the quantities suggested for a healthy adult. If you have been recommended to feed your cavie a high-fibre diet, the meal may be excellent.

Oxbow Essentials contains 250 mg/kg of vitamin C, which necessitates the addition of an additive or the provision of an abundance of leafy greens that are equally rich in the necessary element. This meal also contains added sugar, so it may be preferable to feed it to your guinea pig just as an occasional treat and not as a regular component of its diet.

Pros

• The principal component is Timothy’s grass meal
• Suitable for a diet high in fiber

Cons

• Expensive
• 14% protein must be increased.
• 27% fiber is extremely high
• 250mg/kg vitamin C is low

 

Selective Naturals Grain Free Guinea Pig Food

Although many commercial guinea pig meals contain grains, processed grains are difficult for guinea pigs to digest, causing gastrointestinal distress and perhaps preventing your cavie from obtaining the necessary nutrients from its diet.

Selective Organics Grain-Free Guinea Pig Food is one of the few foods labeled grain-free and may aid in the treatment of your child’s upset stomach or grain intolerance.

It contains 16% protein, which is somewhat below average, and 20% fiber, making it suited for a diet heavy in fiber. It contains 1,000 mg/kg of vitamin C, which should be sufficient to fulfill the daily vitamin C requirements of a cavie.

However, the meal is pricey and actually only required for guinea pigs with unique nutritional needs. Additionally, the list of components indicates that it may include GMOs, which may repel many customers.

Pros

• 1,000mg/kg of vitamin C is excellent
• Grain-free dish

Cons

• Expensive
• May contain genetically modified organisms
• 20% fiber content is high

Buyer's Guide

Other pets have different nutritional needs than guinea pigs. Unlike dogs, they require a range of foods to ensure that they receive all the nutrients they require.

You will need to provide a continual supply of high-quality hay, in addition to pellets or muesli, while complementing them with fresh vegetables and fruit throughout the week. Learn what to feed your cavie and how to select the finest food by reading on.

Guinea Pig Diet

Guinea pigs are natural grazers. In the wild, they would consume grass and other plants. In addition to having access to clean water at all times, a cavie’s diet should consist of at least 80% hay and around 8% vegetables, with the other 12% being made up of consistent foods.

Muesli versus Pellet

This homogeneous meal can take the shape of either a muesli-style mix or pellets, depending on your and your guinea pig’s tastes.

Mix, sometimes known as muesli, consists of grains, fruits, vegetables, and hay. The bag should contain everything necessary to satisfy daily nutritional demands, but because the ingredients are separated, your guinea pig may pick and choose what it consumes.

Most will avoid high-fibre foods in favor of those that are sweeter and more enticing. Therefore, finicky eaters may consume a diet lacking fiber and other necessary vitamins and minerals.

Pellets may not have the same natural look as muesli mix, but prior to pellet pressing, all of the components were well blended. Therefore, each pellet should contain approximately the same amount of vital vitamins and minerals.

Your cavie will benefit from the available fiber and vitamin C, and this will avoid selective feeding. However, pellets can shatter during packaging, and if they are too brittle, they can become dusty and unattractive as they are jostled around in the bag.

Nutritional Requirements

In general, experts recommend a diet containing 18%-20% protein and 10%-16% fiber. A little more or lower than this should be safe for an adult in excellent health, and if your veterinarian has recommended a high- or low-fiber diet, you should adhere to these guidelines to maintain good health.

The Benefits of Vitamin C

As with people, guinea pigs are unable to produce vitamin C, thus it is crucial that their food provides enough amounts of this critical vitamin. Consider meals containing around 400 milligrams of vitamin C per kilogram.

Vitamin C is water-soluble, which means that tiny amounts of excess vitamin C are excreted by the kidneys in urine. It is quite difficult to give a cavie too much vitamin C while feeding a combination of hay, pellets, and vegetables; nevertheless, it is feasible if a liquid or powder supplement is provided. By ensuring that the diet has enough quantities of vitamin C, you can prevent administering too much.

Hay

Hay consists of dried grass. Unless you have a big garden and can offer your guinea pig daily cuttings, you will likely need to feed dry hay. Although a variety of hays are available, including meadow hay and alfalfa hay, Timothy is regarded as the finest for your pet. It is nutritionally sound and has an appetizing texture.

Not only does it offer your cavie the necessary amount of fiber, but its consistency and texture also encourage regular chewing, which helps to keep healthy teeth.

Each day, an infinite amount of natural hay may be fed without causing disease or overfeeding. If your guinea pig is gaining weight, it is most likely because of the pellets, veggies, and treats you are providing.

Vegetables

Approximately one cup of fresh veggies should be consumed daily. Giving your cavie a variety of vegetables throughout the week can keep it interesting and prevent it from becoming bored with the same meal, while also allowing you to fulfill all of its vitamin and mineral needs.

The majority of the veggies should consist of romaine lettuce, kale, cilantro, and parsley, which may be paired with bell peppers and broccoli. Carrot tops are another common ingredient.

Fruit may be provided, but only as an occasional dessert. It should not constitute the majority of the diet. Other alternatives include apples, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries, which, because of their high sugar content, should be offered sparingly.

 

FAQs

What Foods Should Guinea Pigs Avoid?

Although there is a lengthy list of leafy greens and other meals that guinea pigs can consume, there are also a number of items that they should avoid. Always avoid giving your guinea pig processed foods, since the additives and other ingredients are not suitable for ingestion by guinea pigs. Avoid these meals as well:

• Guinea pigs are vegetarians. They do not consume meat and should not. They must also avoid dairy items, such as milk, cheese, and yoghurt. They cannot digest meat and dairy since they are herbivores, and these substances can make them rather unwell.
• Although some types of lettuce are considered healthy for rabbits, avoid feeding them those with brighter colors. This implies you should not feed your caviar iceberg lettuce since it will create diarrhea.
• Similarly, vegetables such as cauliflower and cabbage, as well as beans, which can produce excessive stomach gas production, can also cause GI issues.
• Avocados are very heavy in fat and might lead your cavie to grow overweight.
• Onions, leeks, and other alliums can induce blood problems, but garlic is hazardous.
• Avoid veggies sprayed with pesticides, purchase organic if feasible, and wash all vegetables and fresh food completely before feeding. Your sensitive guinea pig may develop liver and kidney failure if exposed to pesticides containing toxic chemicals.

What Do Hamsters Drink?

Sugar, salt, and fat, which are commonly present in soda, juice, and other beverages, should not be given to guinea pigs. Only fresh, clean water should be supplied to guinea pigs, and it should always be accessible for them to drink anytime they choose.

Can A Guinea Pig Eat Bananas?

Bananas are not only regarded as safe for guinea pigs, but they are also considered a rather nutritious treat to give because they are high in fiber, vitamins A and B, and include some vitamin C. However, because of their high sugar content, they should be given infrequently and as a treat rather than as a regular component of their diet.

Can they consume cucumbers?

Cucumbers are safe to feed to guinea pigs since they are non-toxic. Additionally, they are low in sugar, so they should not cause your cavie to gain weight. However, they also contain a great deal of water and are deficient in vitamin C.

This indicates that while they can consume cucumber, the majority of guinea pigs would benefit more from higher-quality and more nutritious diets. Feed no more than one or two slices, twice or thrice each week.

Conclusion

It is quite simple to develop an attachment to guinea pigs since they are such nice, adorable pets. In addition to giving fresh water, a continual supply of high-quality hay, and daily green vegetables, you must also provide a muesli or pellet-style meal to meet the vitamin and mineral needs of this little rodent.

There are many commercially accessible foods, which are fantastic for variety but can often leave you confused. Our ratings and recommendations should have assisted you in locating the best-suited cage for your cavie.

We believe that Harringtons Optimum Guinea Pig food is reasonably priced, appeals to most guinea pigs, and prevents picky eating due to its pellet form. BestForPets (bestforpets.org) hopes that our reviews of the best guinea pig foods in the UK have assisted you in narrowing down your selections and identifying the ideal product for your needs.