I have compiled a list of the regular vegies that I purchase every couple of days for my shelter guinea pigs, pet guinea pigs and boarding guinea pigs.
Photos have also been added so you can easily identify the 'greens' that are not only safe, but give your guinea pigs are very broad variety in their diet. All of these ingredients have been purchased from Woolworths and are readily available in fruit shops, Coles and Aldi - prices may vary due to the season. Always feed smaller amounts in a variety - rather than a whole bunch of the same thing. If you are ever unsure - feel free to drop me an email :)
The Most Important Part of their Diet is HAY - for roughage, fibre, good digestion, gut flora and to wear their constant growing back teeth. The bulk of your guinea pig's diet should be hay, fed in an unlimited supply, preferably in a hay rack off the ground, and topped up when required. Guinea Pigs will continuously eat hay - they are not just being 'pigs' they do actually require constant fibre passing through their digestive system.
Unlimited Hay - currently Grassy Hay
(hay is seasonal and there are many varieties that may be suitable.)
Every day they receive a HEAPED bowl of my Palm View Shelter Guinea Pig Mix. It is made up fresh to order and fresh each day. A good quality mix should be chaff based with oats and grains to add condition to their bodies, fibre content and vitamins, minerals and proteins. Lauke Micro Pellets are also added to the guinea pig mix, which by itself is a complete balanced diet.
The Guinea Pigs love my mix and can't wait to get stuck into it each day.
Vegetables are given to guinea pigs to ensure they are receiving adequate vitamins, minerals and importantly - Vitamin C in their diet each day. As guinea pigs cannot make or store vitamin C in their body, they are high risk to developing vitamin C deficiencies and Scurvy.
Giving Vegetables each day is easy, they do not require an abundance, just a chopped up selection of what ever you already have in your fridge. Along with a balanced diet of quality grain mixes and hay etc - they will most definately be receiving the correct balance each day.
Grass is a fantastic source of vitamins, minerals and High in Vitamin C. If your guinea pigs have access to fresh grass each day - they wont require as many vegies or their vegies for that particular day can be replaced by fresh grass access.
My photos contain the continuous shopping list of veggies that my shelter pigs recieve. I purchase quality, human consumption vegetables, salads and fruits and feed a variety at least twice per day.
I have listed my usual vegie list below - some of these ingredients can also be seen in the pics.
Chinese Broccoli
Gai Choy
Broccolini
Silverbeet
Beetroot and leaves
Baby Carrots and leaves
Pak Choy
Cos Lettuce
Cucumber (lebanese/continental)
tomatoes - any variety
choko
apples
broccoli
Butter Lettuce
Any hydro lettuce variety
Baby Endives
Corn on occasion (husks/silks)
Gold Sweet Potato
Red and Green Capsicum
Honey Dew
Witlof
Celery and leaves
Radicchio
Strawberries
Celeriac
Pears
Water Melon
Green Beans
Zucchini
Herbs - parsley, mint, corriander, basil
there are more vegies, fruits and herbs that are suitable but not on the list.
