As a guinea pig owner, nothing is more frustrating than not knowing what you should feed your pet!
One short trip to the pet store or a quick look online can be overwhelming. How are you supposed to tell which of the thousand and one options of guinea pig food are actually healthy, let alone choose the best guinea pig pellet? 😕
Don’t panic; you’re not alone!
None of us are natural-born guinea pig food connoisseurs… all of us have learned from an expert at one point or another what we should feed our pets. This is exactly what drove us to write this article! You can say that our goal is to make sure that all guinea pigs receive the best possible diet and live a long, happy life. 🐹😋
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Read on, and we will:
- Reveal and review the seven best guinea pig pellets that you can buy online in 2023.
- Help you grow your nutritional knowledge with an FAQ-style buyer’s guide. Don’t miss it, especially if you’re new to guinea pigs!
In a rush? Our 7 Best Guinea Pig Pellets, at a glance
- Oxbow Essentials Adult Guinea Pig Food
- Small Pet Select Guinea Pig Food Pellets
- KMS Hayloft Timothy Choice Guinea Pig Food Pellets
- Selective Naturals Grain Free Food - Guinea Pig
- Kaytee Timothy Complete Pet Guinea Pigs' Food
- Mazuri Timothy Guinea Pig Diet
- Zupreem Nature's Promise Guinea Pig Pelleted Food
Note: Clicking the above links will take you to further information, current prices and customer reviews on Amazon.
Now let’s get started with the reviews!
Our Seven Picks For The Best Guinea Pig Pellets of 2023
Oxbow Essentials Adult Guinea Pig Food
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One word is enough to describe these pellets:
WOW!
What you’re looking at is the gold standard for guinea pig food. This is without a doubt in our minds the best product on the market. Congrats to Oxbow for a job truly well done!
These pellets have it all:
- Made from Timothy grass meal
- Fortified with all the essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients small pets need
- Completely free of unhealthy and harmful ingredients or additives
- Proudly made in the USA
- Recommended by veterinarians and nutritionists
And one more thing: the vast majority of guinea pigs fed it to loved the taste as well!
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
- Ideal for adult guinea pigs
- Timothy-based (high fiber & low calories, calcium, and fat)
- Balanced calcium-to-phosphorus ratio
- 100% uniform pellets to avoid selective feeding
- Rich in antioxidants and prebiotics
- Contains a unique form of stabilized Vitamin C that lasts for up to 12 months without deteriorating
- No chemicals, preservatives, artificial colorings, added sugars, or other unwanted ingredients
- No powder or powdery residue at the bottom of the box
- Sold in three different sizes (5lb, 10lb, and 25lb)
Cons
- None, that’s just how good they are!
Small Pet Select Guinea Pig Food Pellets
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There’s absolutely no shame in second place when you’re up against a product like Oxbow Essentials!
We have to tip our hat to Small Pet Select as they’ve done phenomenally well with these ultra-premium Timothy pellets. They were one of only two brands to put up a fair fight against our favorite cavy food.
We love the fact that these pellets are frequently made in small batches. This makes sure that they’re always incredibly fresh when they reach your door – trust us, your guinea pigs will notice!
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
- Made from high-quality Timothy grass, soy, and wheat
- Well-packaged in a light-resistant bag
- Features a freshness ziplock so you can reclose the bag easily
- Fortified with all the essential minerals and vitamins guinea pigs need (including the all-important Vitamin C)
- Made in the USA in the Timothy hay capital of the world (Ellensburg, WA) by a small, family-owned business
- Sold in three different sizes (5lb, 10lb, and 25lb)
Cons
- Not quite Oxbow-level quality
- Pricier than the Oxbow pellets
KMS Hayloft Timothy Choice Guinea Pig Food Pellets
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Our bronze medalist is another excellent pelleted food!
This product is incredibly similar to the one by Small Pet Select. It’s also timothy-based and milled in small batches with added Vitamin C, no harmful additives, and top-quality ingredients. We needed to look at the photo finish to determine who made it into second place!
Although it lost silver by a hair, we still highly recommend this product, particularly if your guinea pigs suffer from bladder stones or are picky eaters.
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
- High-quality timothy-based food
- Made in small batches every 10 to 15 days to guarantee freshness and quality
- Long shelf life of over 200 days – no need to worry about them going bad
- Vitamin C added to the pellets
- Doesn’t contain harmful preservatives, ingredients, or artificial colorings (like BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin, and corn)
- Sold in two sizes (10lb and 25lb) and two packaging types (bag and bucket)
- 60-day return policy if you’re not satisfied
Cons
- Not quite Oxbow-level quality
- Most expensive option out of the top three pellets
Selective Naturals Grain Free Food – Guinea Pig
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Selective Naturals has missed out on the podium for just one reason: it’s a bit too expensive compared to the competition.
But if budget isn’t a concern, go ahead and order a bag for your pet guinea pig; they will thank you for it!
This is truly an outstanding food made only from the finest and most suited ingredients. Our favorite thing is that the manufacturers have included linseeds (flaxseeds) as a special ingredient because of its ability to contribute to healthier skin and a shinier coat.
Manufacturers Specs and Features
- Grain Free, Respects A Natural Diet
- High In Fiber, Made With Timothy Hay
- No Corn, No Wheat, Rich In Natural Ingredients
- No Added Sugars Or Artificial Colors
- With Linseed For Healthy Skin And Shiny Coat
Pros
- Made from Timothy hay only (no alfalfa)
- Includes forage and garden vegetables to imitate a guinea pig’s natural diet in the wild
- Grain-free and high in fiber
- A high amount of Vitamin C in the food
- No added sugars or sweeteners
- One of the UK’s preferred brands for guinea pigs
Cons
- Priciest food to make the top 7 – definitely not for all pet owners
- Comes in small 3.3lb (1.5kg) bags
Kaytee Timothy Complete Pet Guinea Pigs’ Food
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Next up on our list is a product from small animal specialist Kaytee!
Leading nutrition experts developed this pelleted, timothy-based food, and you can tell! This food provides your guinea pigs with precisely the right nourishment they need to live a long and healthy life.
But let us be really honest about why we like them:
They’re the best value product on this entire list. Great food for a great price!
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
- The main ingredient is hand-selected Timothy grass
- Well-priced
- No harmful fillers (corn, seeds, and artificial colors)
- Enriched with essentials vitamins and minerals
- Contains added probiotics and prebiotics, ideal for digestive health.
- High in fiber
Cons
- Low Vitamin C content
- Produced with alfalfa hay, which means it has high calcium levels and isn’t a suitable food alternative for guinea pigs with bladder stone issues
- Fragile pellets can turn into powder or a powdery residue at the bottom of the bag if they’re not handled and stored correctly
Mazuri Timothy Guinea Pig Diet’ Food
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In sixth place, we find Mazuri’s Timothy-Based Guinea Pig Diet.
You can tell it’s a quality product just by looking at the satisfied faces of the two adorable guinea pigs that decorate the product’s package! 😊
Jokes aside, this is actually a fantastic pet food that delivers proper cavy nutrition. You won’t need to worry about using supplements if you pick it.
Manufacturers Specs and Features
- Timothy hay based pellet lower protein and better mineral balance than alfalfa.
- Higher fiber to help support chewing activity and a healthy digestive system.
- Contains stabilized vitamin C Remains active longer than traditional vitamin C.
- No artificial colors or flavors.
Pros
- Timothy-based (high in fiber & low in calories, calcium, and fat)
- Excellent mineral balance
- Includes stabilized vitamin C that remains active for a long time
- No unhealthy treats included in the mix
- Used and trusted by a large number of zoos
- Contains naturally-occurring Vitamin E
Cons
- Calcium levels are slightly high, so we don’t suggest it for guinea pigs with bladder stone issues
Zupreem Nature’s Promise Guinea Pig Pelleted Food
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Last on our list, but definitely not least in the world of guinea pig food, is Nature’s Promise from ZuPreem.
These pellets contain all the essential ingredients, minerals, and vitamins that your guinea pigs require – making it a safe and healthy option!
Our only word of warning is that these pellets are a bit smellier than the others on this list. Don’t buy them if your guinea pigs are known for being fussy eaters!
Manufacturers Specs and Features
- HIGH-FIBER DAILY NUTRITION for adult guinea pigs made with sun-cured timothy hay for healthy digestion.
- MADE IN USA
- High Fiber Formula supports digestive health
- Added Vitamins and Minerals. Contains a stable source of Vitamin C your guinea pig needs every day.
- Wholesome and Delicious
Pros
- Timothy is the main ingredient, which means it’s high in fiber and low in calcium
- Good for your guinea pig’s digestive health
- Vitamin C added to the pelleted food
- Pesticide-free and weed-free
- Also contains linseeds (flaxseeds) that are super important for clear skin and a shiny coat
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Expensive
- Has a more intense aroma than other pellets, which might put off some guinea pigs from eating it
Buyer’s Guide to Pet Guinea Pig Pellets
Are you a new owner? Or do you want to learn a little bit more about guinea pig foods?
Then this guide is the best place on the internet – in less than five minutes from now, you’ll know everything that you need to about proper cavy nutrition! 🐹📖
How will we get you up to speed so quickly? By answering the seven most commonly asked questions that we hear from guinea pig owners! So pull out a pen and paper… and don’t feel tempted to skip this section, even if you’ve already picked the right pellets for your piggie! This is essential information!
What’s the Ideal Nutritional Makeup of Pellets for Guinea Pigs?
You need to look for pelleted foods that are roughly 17-25% crude fiber, 12-16% crude protein, and 2-5% crude fat. This is the ideal ratio for a healthy guinea pig diet. It’s also a huge extra if the pellets contain added Vitamin C because it’s an essential nutrient that their bodies cannot produce by themselves (similarly to humans).
If you pick a type of pellet that doesn’t have Vitamin C, make sure to feed them fresh foods rich in this particular vitamin. Or consider adding a high-quality Oxbow Vitamin C supplement to their diet.
What Should the Key Ingredient of Guinea Pig Pellets Be?
The main ingredient in cavy pellets should always be hay!
Timothy hay-based pellets are the best choice for an adult guinea pig. In contrast, calcium-rich alfalfa-based pellets are better for guinea pigs that are less than six months old, pregnant, or nursing.
And What Ingredients Should Be Avoided?
Stay away from the following:
- Dried food (i.e., fruits, nuts, or seeds)
- Muesli mixes
- Chemical preservatives
- Artificial colorings, preservatives, and additives
- Animal fat
- Corn
- Rice bran
- Added sugars
Savvy marketers know that some of these ingredients make the food look much more appealing to us humans, and that’s why they add it! But always remember that feeding your piggie these foods is the equivalent of giving them McDonald’s every single day!
How Many Pellets Should Guinea Pigs Eat Daily?
You should feed them approximately 30 to 50 grams (1 to 1.75 oz) of pellets per day, depending on their size. An easy way to calculate the exact amount is to use this formula: 6 grams of pellets for every 100 grams of healthy guinea pig bodyweight.
Be careful not to overfeed them as you could cause them unwanted health issues!
What Else Should I Feed My Guinea Pigs?
Pet guinea pigs shouldn’t just eat pellets! It’s imperative that this type of food only be around 15-20% of their daily food intake; otherwise, they could suffer from serious health problems.
The majority of their food (about 70%) should actually be made up of high-quality Timothy hay. We recommend getting either of these products: Timothy Hay from Small Pet Select or Kaytee Timothy Hay.
Finally, the remaining 10-15% of their daily diet should be fresh vegetables (i.e., zucchini and bell peppers) and green leaves (i.e., kale and cabbage).
Oh, and don’t forget to make sure that they always have plenty of fresh water available!
Are There Any Age-Related Considerations to Keep in Mind When Buying Food for Guinea Pigs?
Yes! As mentioned above, adult guinea pigs need to eat Timothy-based pellets, whilst youngsters (up to 6 months of age) should be feed with alfalfa-based food. This type of hay is much richer in calories, fat, and calcium – two nutrients that growing cavies require but are harmful to adults. Due to this health risk, all foods on our list are primarily Timothy.
If you’re deliberately looking for food for young guinea pigs, we suggest you go with the cream of the crop product: the calcium-rich Oxbow Essentials Young Guinea Pig Food.
How Do I Get My Guinea Pigs to Transition to a New Brand of Pellets?
You should mix in a small amount of the new pellets with their old brand and serve them like this to your guinea pigs for a little while (at least a couple of days).
Then, as long as your piggies keep eating, slowly and steadily increase the proportion of the new pellets over the course of a few weeks. Before you know it, they’ll fully replace the old ones. Don’t rush it and you’ll be fine!
Summing It All Up
We’ve reviewed a lot of exceptional guinea pig foods and discussed tons of nutrition facts… your mind might still be spinning from all the new things you’ve just learned.
But let’s not forget that you opened up this article because your guinea pigs were hungry… they sure haven’t forgotten! 🐹🐹🐹
So, since you need to order them some pellets, get it done now! You are more than prepared to make the right decision, but if you’re still filled with doubts, let us make your life easier:
Start by ordering a box of Oxbow Essentials food ! Guinea pigs adore it, so there’s only the very slightest chance that your cavy won’t enjoy it as well!
In the unlikely scenario that it’s not to your piggie’s liking, simply come back to this article and try the next best option. We guarantee that your fussy eater will be happily chewing away in no time!
Ready to buy? Here is a recap of our top 3!
