Pet Habitat South Africa

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11 Dec 2014

Feeding Your Guinea Pigs

Posted By : Guest

Filed Under : Guinea Pigs | Guinea Pig Food | Timothy Hay | Pet Care

Guinea pigs (which are also called cavies) are remarkable pets to have. They are quite funny and charming most of the time, even when they are hiding (perhaps, especially when they are hiding). With adorable faces and long, round bodies, it is little wonder that guinea pigs have captured our attention and found a way into our hearts.

But, although they are small, guinea pigs are still pets, and that means that they need some loving attention from their owners. The biggest hurdle is, of course, ensuring that your guinea pigs have a comfortable home that is both snuggly, but not in the sun – and airy, but not in any draughts. And, once you have this right, you are well on your way to providing your pets with the best home possible. After that it is mostly a matter of feeding your guinea pigs the best possible diet and then… enjoying them as they play.

Guinea Pigs Are Fibrevores

As you learned in school, some animals are herbivores; some are (usually obligate) carnivores, and there are others that are omnivores. Humans, although some choose otherwise, fit into the last grouping. Guinea pigs technically fit into the first. But, cavies belong to a special group of herbivores that have a specialised digestive system centred around their need for fibre. These animals are called fibrevores.

As a group of animals, fibrevores are quite exclusive. Fibrevores include rabbits and chinchillas along with guinea pigs. And, that is about it as far as domesticated pets are concerned. These animals need a phenomenal amount of fibre in their diet and very little else. As such, Timothy Hay, which is the dried form of Timothy Grass, is the best commercially available food for your guinea pig. It has the right balance of fibre for your pets and has nothing that your guinea pigs do not need. And that all relates to the digestive processes of your fibrevores.

The Digestive Processes of Guinea Pigs

Guinea pigs need fibre, and they need a lot of it. And, as you also learned in school the food that goes into your body must be tied to the way your body digests and processes that food. Guinea pigs have a digestive system which is developed, almost exclusively on their need for fibre. And that does mean both types of fibre.

There are two different types of fibre. The first is indigestible fibre. This is the stuff that you might refer to as roughage. It passes through the body, relatively undisturbed. From the stomach (where it is not broken down), indigestible passes into the intestines and essentially stimulates the development of digestive flora while it cleans and clears these organs. Indigestible fibre has virtually no nutritional value, but as a catalyst for keeping digestive processes working, it is unbeatable.

Digestible fibre, on the other hand, has nearly everything a guinea pig needs for optimum health. Unfortunately, even though it is digestible, it is still not the easiest substance for the body to deal with. It takes a lot to break down digestible fibre to extract the goodness it carries. In the case of guinea pigs, this means that digestible fibre passes from the stomach into an appendix-like organ called the caecum. Here, fibre ferments with the aid of bodily fluids and functions until the nutritional contents of the fibre can be extracted fully. Unfortunately, as it has already passed the stomach, it must now be passed out the system and re-ingested. To do this, the caecum forms little balls of fermented fibre known as caecotrophs. These are excreted from the body for guinea pigs to eat. And this time, they are able to get all the nutrition they need from the fibre.

It may sound a little awful for you, but keep in mind that guinea pigs need to eat their caecotrophs in order to remain in peak health. And, no, they do not eat the excrement that their body has already deemed to be waste material. So, you never need to worry that your guinea pig is ever doing anything dirty or disgusting.

Feeding Your Guinea Pig on a Diet of Timothy Hay

Timothy Hay is the cornerstone of your guinea pigs’ diet. It offers the right balance of digestible and indigestible fibre to keep them happy and healthy. And, do not worry, even though it is not appealing to you, your guinea pig absolutely loves it.

Each of your guinea pigs needs to eat a pile of Timothy Hay about as large as they are every day. And, if you have a particularly hungry guinea pig, you can feel free to give them more of this wonder food. Your guinea pig will never eat too much of it, nor will they ever gain weight if they do. It is just that good for them.

Your pets will also appreciate a fruit, veggie or leafy green snacks, but remember that these are dietary supplements; they should never replace the amount of hay that your guinea pig needs every day. In addition to this, make sure that your pet has access to fresh water at all times. And, your best bet really is to get a bottle affixed to the side of the cage. This will ensure that the water remains clean no matter how active your guinea pigs are.

And, do not forget that these little pets still need veterinary care. If you notice any change in their eating or digestive processes, you should bring it up with your vet. Guinea pigs can get sick too, but it is always best to check that it is nothing serious. That way, you will have a happy guinea pig to watch at play for a long time.