The guinea pig snacks (side food/accompaniment) sold at pet stores usually contain a lot of sugar, fat, and other ingredients that are unhealthy and unsafe for guinea pigs. Some snacks are even made from ingredients that guinea pigs can't actually digest, such as yogurt. The tastes and needs of guinea pigs are not the same as those of humans. These animals are very fond of foods that come from vegetables and/or fruits, as well as simple homemade snacks.
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Method 1 of 4: Adding Variety to Your Guinea Pig's Food
Step 1. Give your guinea pig a snack of vegetables
Even though your guinea pig should eat vegetables every day, these animals will probably just treat it as a snack. Guinea pigs prefer to dig for fresh vegetables.
Step 2. Make green vegetables the guinea pig's main diet
Spinach and romaine lettuce are excellent staples for guinea pigs. Your guinea pig should eat one cup of vegetables and fruit each day, and leafy greens should make up the largest portion. Throughout the day, guinea pigs can live only on green vegetables.
Step 3. Add other vegetables
You can add sliced zucchini, parsley, and carrots as a topping. However, don't make it a staple in your guinea pig's diet, and vary the food you feed your guinea pig from day to day. Try to only give other vegetables a few times a week. Any vegetables if given in excess (every day) can cause problems. For example, carrots are rich in oxalate, if given every day can make guinea pigs suffer from oxalate bladder stones. As a general rule, never give the same food 2 days in a row to prevent mineral build-up.
- You can also provide asparagus, basil, carrots (with or without leaves), celery, chicory, cilantro, eggplant, cucumber, fennel, parsnips, parsley, radishes, arugula, bell peppers, turnips, tomatoes, and watercress. If possible, remove the seeds.
- Never give potatoes, rhubarb, and tomato leaves because they contain substances called alkaloids which are toxic to guinea pigs.
- Give vegetables from the cabbage family in limited quantities, such as cabbage, brussels sprouts, broccoli, pakcoy, and cauliflower, as these can cause guinea pigs to bloat. Only give it in small amounts every once in a while.
Step 4. Limit giving fruit to only a few times a week
Although guinea pigs also eat fruit, these animals should only eat them in small amounts because they contain a lot of sugar. You can give a variety of fruit, but remove the seeds if possible.
- You can give pears and apples sliced into small pieces (with the skin on), berries like blueberries and blackberries, citrus fruits like sweet oranges and grapefruit, melons like cantaloupe and watermelon, mangoes, kiwis, peaches, nectarines, and plums. You can also give bananas, but in small quantities.
- You can also give dried fruits, such as apricots and dates, but only give them in small pieces because they contain a lot of sugar.
Step 5. Meet your guinea pig's vitamin C needs
Guinea pigs cannot produce vitamin C on their own so it must be provided in the diet. You can give a quarter of an orange, or add asparagus or bell pepper, although leafy greens also contain vitamin C.
Step 6. Wash all food thoroughly
Scrub vegetables and fruit under running water to get rid of pesticides, bacteria, and other harmful substances adhering to the surface. To be on the safe side, wash your homegrown vegetables as well, as vehicle exhaust and other particles can build up on the plants.
- Do not dry food. Keep the food liquid so your guinea pig can get fresh water.
- You don't need to chop the greens. Just leave the leaves intact, but with the stalks removed. If you're giving broth, you'll need to handle it like any other vegetable when it's cooked, chopping it up.
Step 7. Remove the seeds
It's a good idea to remove the seeds found in fruits and vegetables as they are not good for your guinea pig. This also applies to tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and apples.
Step 8. Slice fruits and vegetables into bite-sized pieces
Cut the food into pieces to make it easier for your guinea pig to eat. This is especially important for fibrous vegetables (such as celery) because the fiber can choke your guinea pig if they are too large. Therefore, always slice fibrous vegetables into small pieces. With other types of vegetables, it's fine if you cut them to the size of a human bite, including cucumbers.
To make it even more fun, you can serve it in a bowl in the form of a salad
Step 9. Take all uneaten food
Uneaten food can rot quickly. Be sure to remove the food from the cage after an hour has passed to prevent your guinea pig from getting sick.
Step 10. Make the straw more attractive
Guinea pigs need hay for digestion. However, to make it even more fun, you can put hay in a cardboard roll that used to be a toilet paper container. Your guinea pig will have a lot of fun pulling the hay out of the reels.
Step 11. Add the oats to the guinea pig pellets
You can also add a small spoonful of rolled oats (whole oats without skin) into the pellets that guinea pigs usually eat. Oats make food tastier, and your guinea pig will find it a treat.
Method 2 of 4: Making Freezeable Snacks
Step 1. Gather the necessary materials
You will need 2 carrots, 3 cucumbers, 1 slice of apple (seeded out), and 1 cup of water. You can leave the cucumber seeds intact.
Step 2. Wash and chop the fruits and vegetables
Wash all ingredients thoroughly to remove pesticides. Cut into several large slices.
Step 3. Puree the fruit and vegetables
Put all the pieces in the blender. Blend the mixture until smooth.
Step 4. Freeze the mixture
Pour the mixture into the ice tray. Wrap the ice tray in plastic wrap before placing it in the freezer. Once frozen, you can remove the food from the ice tray and transfer it to a plastic bag to freeze again.
Step 5. Let this mixture melt in the bowl
The main purpose of freezing these foods is to preserve them. However, guinea pigs should not eat these foods cold as they can damage their teeth and possibly make their stomachs hurt. Place the food in a bowl and let it thaw at room temperature so it doesn't get too cold.
Method 3 of 4: Making Baked Snacks
Step 1. Gather the necessary materials
You will need 1 cup oat flour, 1 cup guinea pig food pellets, 2/3 cup water or vegetable stock, 6 tbsp. vegetable oil or olive oil, and 2 tbsp. honey. Since they contain oil and honey, only give these foods occasionally.
You can add other ingredients to this recipe, such as grated fresh vegetables. Good options are carrots, parsley, or spinach
Step 2. Preheat the oven
Preheat the oven to 180 °C. The oven should be ready when you finish mixing the ingredients.
Step 3. Mix all ingredients
Mix all ingredients until it forms a dough. This mixture should be dense enough to roll.
Step 4. Roll out the dough
Once formed, roll the dough into a flat sheet. You can use a knife to cut the dough into small squares, or use a cookie cutter to shape the dough into various small shapes. Remember, this snack must have a small size.
Step 5. Place the treats on the baking sheet
Use parchment paper to line the pan. Spread the food out on the baking sheet, leaving some space for each piece.
Step 6. Bake the food
Place the baking sheet with the guinea pig treats in the oven, and let them sit for about 20 minutes until they solidify. Turn off the oven, and allow the food to remain in the oven to cool.
Step 7. Put the baked treats in the freezer
The best way to store these foods is to put them in the freezer. However, let the food come to room temperature first before you give it to your guinea pig.
Method 4 of 4: Knowing Foods to Avoid
Step 1. Avoid certain vegetables
As already explained, guinea pigs should not be given rhubarb, potatoes, or tomato leaves. Also avoid chilies, mushrooms, onions, pakcoy, garlic, and pickled vegetables. Pickled vegetables contain a lot of salt. In addition, do not give iceberg lettuce because it can make the guinea pig stomachache.
Step 2. Avoid avocado and coconut
Both types of food contain too much fat so it is not good for guinea pigs. What's more, avocados can be toxic to many pets, leading to health problems and even death.
Step 3. Don't give meat
Guinea pigs are not meat eaters, but herbivores (plant eaters). Therefore, avoid giving meat as the guinea pig's body will not be able to process it.
Similarly, do not give dairy products as they also come from animals
Step 4. Avoid giving seeds and nuts
While your guinea pig will continue to eat and enjoy it, these small sharp objects can tear the guinea pig's throat and cause choking. It's fine to give very finely ground grains, but when in doubt, don't take the risk. Always avoid seeds with attached skins, such as sunflower seeds.
Step 5. Consult a veterinarian if you have any doubts
If you are in doubt about the safety of a food for your guinea pig, consult your veterinarian. The doctor will help decide whether the food in question is safe or not for your guinea pig.
Tips
- Your guinea pig may like a variety of vegetables.
- Guinea pigs also love hay. You should always have it available at all times.
- Be sure to buy pellets that have been supplemented with vitamin C.
