Knowing what you should feed your pet guinea pig can be tricky…
And time-consuming…
And stressful too…
But it really doesn’t have to be!
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With a little bit of help from an experienced someone, you can easily decipher your mysterious little guinea pig’s needs and feed them a healthy, hearty diet!
And, luckily, that someone wrote this blog post JUST for you!
Getting all the answers you’ll ever need will only cost you 10 minutes of your time.
Table of Contents
In a rush? Here are our Top 7 Guinea Pig Foods, at a glance.
- Oxbow Animal Health Western Timothy Hay
- Oxbow Essentials Guinea Pig Food
- KMS Hayloft Timothy Choice Pellets Guinea Pig and Rabbit Food
- Selective Naturals Grain Free Food - Guinea Pig
- Standlee Premium Western Forage Timothy Grass
- Kaytee Timothy Biscuits Baked Treat Apple
- Kaytee Timothy Complete Guinea Pig Food
Note: Clicking the above links will take you to further information, current prices and customer reviews on Amazon.
Have a bit more time? Then read on, and we’ll spoon-feed you our complete guide to guinea pig food!
First, you’ll discover in-depth reviews of the seven best foods you can feed your guinea pig in 2023…
Then, you’ll find a short buyer’s guide that answers seven commonly asked questions about what guinea pigs eat— think of it as our little ‘thank you for reading’ present.
Now enough introduction; it’s time to get reviewing and find delicious foods for your piggies!
2023’s Seven Best Guinea Pig Foods
Oxbow Animal Health Western Timothy Hay
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70-75% of your guinea pig’s diet should be grass hay, making it the most important food in your piggie pantry by a long shot…
And the obvious choice for number 1 on our list of guinea pig foods!
And when it comes to hay, nobody can beat Oxbow!
Their Western Timothy Hay is the hay of choice for small pet owners all across the world.
Why?
Because this sweet-smelling grass is packed with fiber (32%), low in calcium and protein, and it’s also all-natural, farm-fresh, hand-sorted, and hand-packed!
Manufacturers Specs and Features
- PROUDLY GROWN IN THE USA: Harvested fresh from Oxbow?s family of farms by our expert hay growers˜
- PREMIUM QUALITY: Hand-sorted and hand-packed with care. All Oxbow hay growers are trained in the production of premium hay
- 100% ALL-NATURAL HAY: All-natural ? no additives or binders
- MEETS SPECIFIC NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Grown specifically for small pets. High in fiber for a healthy digestive system and dental health. Fiber is essential to the health of your rabbit, guinea pig, chinchilla, or other small pet.
- VETERINARIAN RECOMMENDED: Used and recommended by leading veterinarians worldwide
Pros
- No additives, no binders, just 100% natural Timothy hay
- Specifically grown for small pets
- Great for dental and digestive health
- Made in the USA
- Recommended by vets worldwide
- Over 5,500 5-star reviews on Amazon
- Comes in three sizes: 15 oz. (0.4 kg), 40 oz. (1.1 kg) and 90 oz. (2.6 kg)
Cons
- Expensive
- Overly tight packaging makes the hay hard to remove
Extra Hay From Oxbow for Young and Pregnant Piggies
Oxbow Western Timothy is ideal for adult guinea pigs BUT:
It’s not nutrient-rich enough for young guinea pigs or pregnant/nursing sows!
If your guinea pig fits this description, then also order them a bag of No products found... you should feed them both types (Timothy and alfalfa) to give them the extra protein, calcium, and fat!
Oxbow Essentials Guinea Pig Food
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To supplement your pet piggie’s hay-rich diet, you’ll need a quality fortified food…
And who better to get it from than Oxbow, the producer of our favorite Timothy grass hay?
Nobody — they’re currently the undisputed guinea pig food champions!
Oxbow Essentials Adult Guinea Pig Food is our favorite product from the company and one we whole-heartedly recommend to anyone with a guinea pig over 6 months old!
It’s really only in second place because pellets should form just 10-20% of a healthy cavy’s diet, making them far less significant than hay!
What makes them the best?
Everything — these uniform, Timothy hay-based pellets offer perfectly balanced nutrition, and, best of all, most guinea pigs love their taste!
Manufacturers Specs and Features
- ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS FOR A HEALTHY, ACTIVE LIFESTYLE: Made with high fiber Oxbow Timothy Hay to support healthy digestion
- SUPPORTS IMMUNE SYSTEM HEALTH: Made with stabilized Vitamin C and antioxidants to support the immune system health of your guinea pig
- PERFECT FOR PICKY EATERS: Uniform pellets prevent selective feeding
- FORTIFIED FOOD: Fortified with vitamins and minerals for optimum health
- VETERINARIAN RECOMMENDED: Formulated with the guidance of top veterinarians and nutritionists
Pros
- Made from high-fiber Oxbow Timothy hay
- Supports a healthy immune system thanks to added antioxidants and stable vitamin C
- Enriched with all the minerals, vitamins, and prebiotics guinea pigs need
- Great choice for picky piggies that like to eat selectively
- Optimal calcium to phosphorus ratio
- Low sugar content
- Produced in the USA
- Comes in three consumer-friendly sizes: 15 oz. (0.4 kg), 40 oz. (1.1 kg) and 90 oz. (2.6 kg)
Cons
- Nothing!
Two Other Excellent Pellets From Oxbow
Do you prefer buying organic foods whenever you can?
Then don’t miss the 100% certified organic Oxbow Animal Health Adult Guinea Pig Food !
And what if you have young or pregnant guinea pigs?
Then definitely get them the alfalfa-based Oxbow Essentials Young Guinea Pig Food — it’s been specifically made for their little bodies!
Small Pet Select Guinea Pig Food Pellets
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These guinea pig pellets are a truly incredible product…
They’re an ultra-premium option that’s made from the finest ingredients (think hand-selected Timothy grass), and that contains all the nutrients your adult guinea pigs need!
There are really only two reasons Small Pet Select didn’t make it higher up on our list:
- It’s expensive.
- Oxbow Essentials.
But if you don’t mind spending a little extra (or your piggies don’t enjoy the Oxbow pellets), this cavy food is an excellent choice you won’t regret!
Manufacturers Specs and Features
- Highest Quality Guinea Pig Food
- Timothy Hay Based Guinea Pig Food Pellets Made With Only The Finest Ingredients
- Fortified With All Essential Vitamins And Minerals Your Guinea Pig Needs To Thrive
- Milled In Small Batches To Ensure Freshness; Made With Love In The USA
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee - We Are A Small Family-Owned Business That Prides Ourselves In Delivering A Better And Fresher Food For Guinea Pigs
Pros
- Super high-quality
- Timothy hay-based
- Milled in small batches for extra freshness
- Contains all the essentials vitamins and minerals (including the fundamental vitamin C)
- 100% made in the USA — the packaging too!
- Healthy calcium levels
- Comes with a 100% money-back guarantee
Cons
- Pricey
- May contain GMOs — a GMO-free version is also available if you’d like to avoid these ingredients
KMS Hayloft Timothy Choice Pellets Guinea Pig and Rabbit Food
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Just, but only just missing out on a podium finish is another top-notch guinea pig food!
These KMS Hayloft pellets are the complete package.
They’re timothy-based, milled super frequently in small batches, and produced using only the highest quality ingredients known to man and guinea pig!
They’re also super low in calcium and unnecessary minerals, which wins them the crown of the best guinea pig food for piggies that suffer from bladder stones!
So what’s the catch?
These pellets are the most expensive of the bunch… so be prepared to pay top dollar for this fiber-rich food!
Manufacturers Specs and Features
- NATURAL NUTRIENTS, LESS FILLERS - Provided by the perfect balance of ingredients so your guinea pig or rabbit get more natural nutrients
- RECOMMENDED BY VETERINARIANS - Regularly recommended to help solve stone problems in guinea pigs
- WHOLESOME INGREDIENTS - Made from sustainable wholesome ingredients
- SMALL BATCH MILLING - We mill more often and in small batches to provide the freshest possible pellets
- SATISFACTION GUARANTEED - Order today 100% Risk Free. 60 Day Return. We stand behind our pellets!
Pros
- Freshest guinea pig pellet on the market — milled in small batches every 10-15 days!
- Extra-long shelf life of over 200 days
- Free from artificial preservatives, coloring, and ingredients
- Fortified with vitamin C
- High in fiber
- Comes with a 60-day satisfaction guarantee
Cons
- Most expensive pellets on our list
Standlee Premium Western Forage Timothy Grass
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Looking for a more affordable source of timothy hay for your pet guinea pig?
We totally get it… they go through A LOT of hay!
Give this Standlee Premium Timothy Grass a chance — it’ll pleasantly surprise you!
What’s our favorite thing about it?
So what’s the catch?
That it’s grown in the super fertile volcanic soils of Idaho and then sun-cured to perfection!
Manufacturers Specs and Features
- FEEDING DIRECTIONS: Standlee recommends selecting a commercial fiber-based, vitamin and mineral fortified food, like PremiYum fortified food, and pair it with high-quality, hand-selected long-stem forage. Timothy Grass is NOT intended to be the only component of the diet. Place forages in a hopper or bin to prevent spoilage. Remove any uneaten forage if it becomes wet, damp, or soiled.
- STORAGE AND SHELF LIFE: Proper storage includes keeping the product dry and unexposed to the elements. Simply reclosing our specially designed box helps keep our forages dry and free from contamination. Instructions on how to reclose the box are printed on the top flap.
- HEALTHY DIGESTIVE SYSTEM: Feeding a small amount of fresh forage stimulates chewing, which aids in proper teeth wear and promotes a healthy digestive system.
Pros
- Great price
- Good source of fiber — necessary for a healthy gut!
- Aromatic
- All-natural
- 100% additive-free
- Low in protein and calcium
Cons
- More dust and dry stems than Oxbow
Kaytee Timothy Biscuits Baked Treat Apple
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Who doesn’t love a tasty treat?
We’re all guilty of indulging from time to time!
Guinea pigs are no different…
So add our favorite treat to your cart when you’re shopping for them!
This food is made by Kaytee, one of the leading brands in the small pet world, so you can rest assured that it’s as healthy and nutritious as a snack can be…
But still, don’t feed your piggie more than a biscuit or two per week!
Manufacturers Specs and Features
- Supports dental health through natural chewing activity
- Made with sun cured timothy hay and apples
- Great enrichment and foraging for small animals
- Ideal for playtime and bonding with your pet rabbit, hamster, chinchilla, and other small pets that crave the taste of real sun cured timothy hay, apples, and molasses
- The high fiber content of natural timothy grass hay also supports your pet's overall health
Pros
- Delicious (at least most guinea pigs we’ve asked think so!)
- Main ingredients are wheat, sun-cured timothy hay, dried fruit, flax seeds, and cane molasses
- Added vitamin C
- High in fiber
- Encourage chewing — good for dental health
Cons
- Some guinea pigs don’t like the taste
- Also alfalfa-based, so only feed it as a treat!
Looking for Even More Vitamin C in Your Treats?
Then give the Oxbow Natural Science Vitamin C Supplements a shot!
Kaytee Timothy Complete Guinea Pig Food
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Guess what?
Kaytee is back again with their second product to make the cut!
And these pellets are pure value for money…
Nowhere else will you get so much nutritional bang for the buck!
Your pet guinea pigs will love the taste, and you’ll love knowing that this food contains all the nourishment your pets need to thrive!
Manufacturers Specs and Features
- Supports dental health through natural chewing activity
- Kaytee is a veterinarian recommended brand
- Prebiotics and probiotics to support digestive health
- Made with Timothy Hay
- No loose seeds or sugary fruits
Pros
- Affordably priced
- Main ingredient is Timothy hay
- Developed by leading nutrition experts
- Produced without the use of harmful fillers (like corn, seeds, or artificial ingredients)
- Fortified with probiotics and prebiotics for optimal digestive health
- Loaded with fiber
- Long-lasting vitamin C
Cons
- Fragile pellets have the potential to turn to powder or leave a powdery residue
- Also contains alfalfa meal that’s high in calcium— not suitable for guinea pigs with bladder stone problems!
Extra Foods You NEED — Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
No matter what hay and pellets you pick, there’s one thing you have to get your guinea pig:
Vegetables!
Guinea pigs love:
- Romaine lettuce
- Sweet potatoes
- Kale
- Carrots
- Zucchini
- Tomatoes
- Cucumbers
Don’t bother pre-ordering these veggies online; get them super fresh from your local supermarket or greengrocer!
You can also occasionally buy a piece of fruit (like an orange or an apple) to give them as a tasty snack — but don’t overdo it as fruits are too high in sugar to be a regular part of their diets.
Where to next in your journey of discovering the best food for guinea pigs?
If you recall, we promised you a ‘thank you for reading’ present back in the introduction…
And don’t think we’ve forgotten…
So here it is — happy reading!
Buyer’s Guide to the Best Guinea Pig Food
Still a bit confused about the proper diet for guinea pigs?
Want more info before making a purchase?
Simply interested in learning more?
If you answered ‘YES!’ to any of these questions, this buyer’s guide is for you.
Here, we’ll answer seven FAQs we hear all the time from guinea pig owners and fast-track your knowledge about what guinea need to eat to live long and happy lives!
Let’s dive in.
What Should You Check for in Guinea Pig Foods?
Make sure the foods you pick are:
- Made from high-quality, natural ingredients
- High in vitamin C as guinea pigs cannot naturally produce their own
- Rich in grass hay that’s high in fiber to support their digestive systems and dental health
- Fortified with probiotics and omega-3 fatty acids
- Fresh and nutritionally balanced — too much protein and calcium can cause health issues!
- Guinea pig specific
And definitely avoid:
- Added sugar
- Artificial additives or preservatives
- Animal products (like meat and dairy)
What Are the Best Guinea Pig Food Brands?
At the moment, our picks for the top three brands are:
- Oxbow (first by a mile)
- Kaytee
- Small Pet Select
What Types of Guinea Pig Food do You Need?
Make sure to feed your guinea pigs these types of food:
- Tons and tons of fresh hay — it’s the best way to keep their teeth healthy and provide a source of natural, high-fiber food.
- Pellets — they’re an excellent supplement because they’re rich in vitamins and minerals.
- Veggies — another fantastic, nutrient-rich supplement that also tastes great.
- Treats (pre-packaged or fruit)— they’re the secret to giving your guinea pig a moment of pure bliss.
But how often should I feed my guinea pig, and how much?
Good question — read on and find out!
How Much Food Should I Give My Guinea Pigs? And How Often?
Let’s break it down by time period.
On a daily basis:
- An unlimited amount of hay—Your goal is to get your guinea pigs to eat a high-fiber diet made up of 70-75% hay. Timothy is ideal for an adult guinea pig, while an alfalfa/timothy mix is best for a young guinea pig or a pregnant/nursing sow.
- Around 20-40 grams of pellets— remember that these are supplements, not their main food!
- A similar amount of fresh vegetables (30-50 grams)— 3 different types of veg per day are best.
- Unlimited water —get your guinea pigs a water bottle and keep it full always!
On a bi-weekly basis:
- Yummy treats like a piece of fruit or a tab/biscuit.
Warning:
Don’t overfeed your guinea pigs, or else you could cause them unwanted health issues!
Can Guinea Pigs Only Eat Pellets?
No, definitely not!
Pellets are an integral part of a guinea pig’s diet, but they need a wider diversity of foods to ensure they get all the nutrients their little bodies need.
So keep pellets at around 10-20% of their daily food intake!
What Should I Do if My Guinea Pig Won’t Eat Their Pellets?
Don’t worry — sometimes it happens that a picky cavy doesn’t want to eat their pellet food.
Try one of these two strategies.
One:
Mix some of the pellets they won’t eat with the ones you’re trying to phase out. Aim for a total of about 10-15% new food. This should be enough to convince your fussy munchkin to chow down!
Then, every day, increase the ratio by about 10% until you’re only feeding your guinea pig the new pellets!
This strategy also prevents digestive issues when switching pelleted foods.
Two:
Give up and turn to a different brand of pellets.
Your pet guinea pig might have gotten bored of the taste or simply never liked them much.
Can I Feed My Guinea Pigs Cat Food, Rabbit Food, or Dog Food?
No, pet foods aren’t generic! Only feed your guinea pigs specially formulated foods to guarantee they contain the right nutritional value.
Conclusion: The Best Guinea Pig Food
Woohoo — you’ve made it to the end of this guinea pig food guide; thanks for sticking around!
Now go ahead and order your little guinea pigs some good food right now!
But don’t just pick one product from this list…
A healthy guinea pig needs to eat a variety of foods, so you should get them one bag of quality grass hay, some tasty guinea pig pellets, and, why not, a delicious treat!
We highly recommend the following selection, but feel free to make your own as every product mentioned here is a great choice.
For adult guinea pigs:
For young guinea pigs and pregnant/lactating sows:
And of course, regardless of your pet guinea pig’s age, don’t forget to get them veggies!
Bon appetite!
