A large serving in the beginning can cause stomach problems to your guinea pig. . Meadow hay also has a low protein and calorie content, which can help prevent obesity and other health problems linked with being overweight. Hog Bay Park (Bermuda) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go - Tripadvisor I'm unable to go to the store some times when I need hay. Find out more about the NEW, drastically improved site and forum! Oxbow Animal Health. However, not all types of hay can be fed to guinea pigs. You can put it in a guinea pig hay feeder like a hay rack, a cardboard box, or any other method you can think of! By entering your e-mail address you agree to get a weekly newsletter from GuineaHub. You have to make sure that you pick it from an organic yard. Orchard grass hay is an ideal substitute for timothy hay. Mixed bales can be perfectly fine for guinea pigs, but its important that you find out what types of hays are mixed in. Check out this article to find out more: Can Your Guinea Pig Be Allergic to Hay? Its an important part of their diet and can prevent health problems in the future. A good rule of thumb is to offer them about 1-2 cups of hay per day. Well, 80% of a guinea pigs food must consist of good quality hay and must have an unlimited supply for them to munch on. That was only the start. If you learn about wild guinea pigs then you will probably realize that they graze upon grass from the fields whenever possible. If youre feeding your guinea pig too many pellets, hes likely to fill up on them and not have as much space in his stomach for hay. That was only the start. Not only does fresh hay taste better, but its also more nutritious for your guinea pig. If its collected dust, it can cause respiratory problems, that eventually may need to be treated by a vet. Popcorn in! Frankly, theres no such thing as too much hay for guinea pigs. It might surprise you if you don't provide hay to your guinea pig; he/she will become sick. Grass has moderate amount of nutrients but very low fiber in it. As my Guinea family grows I find it more and more expensive to feed them. When doing this, its important to make sure your guinea pig is still getting the appropriate nutrients he needs to stay healthy. Its fragrant smell and taste makes it a guinea pig favorite as well! )Continue, People love variety in their diet, and spring vegetables provide a great combination of simplicity and nutrition. A good alternative would be to purchase100% timothy hay cubesmade for guinea pigs or try outOxbows compressed hay stacks. You can read some of the raving reviews of hay! share. You must make sure that the yard is not sprayed with any chemicals. https://peteducate.com/how-long-can-guinea-pigs-go-without-hay/, Ask The Small Pet Vet: How Much Hay Should My Rabbit or Guinea Pig Eat Every Day? If you want to learn more about guinea pigs, GuineaHub is the best place to be! Its important to find out what types of hay are in the bale so you can be sure that the mixture is suitable to feed your guinea pigs on a regular basis. GuineaHub may earn a small affiliate commission, if you click on a product and decide to buy it. The former is rich in fiber and low in calories, calcium, and protein, which makes it the best type of hay for guinea pigs. It is a fantastic fiber source. Peanut, Tofu, and Dumpling enjoying fresh timothy hay for guinea pigs from GuineaDad Nourish Series Timothy Hay. https://guineadad.com/blogs/news/5-types-of-hay-guinea-pigs-can-eat/, The Big Two Forage Grasses: Timothy and Orchard. During the process of looking for the perfect crop, we go out to see for ourselves and send samples to get tested to ensure the nutritional content meets a guinea pig's needs. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. There are many benefits to feeding your guinea pig Bermuda hay. Hay needs to be stored properly, but it shouldnt be kept for more than 6 months. So, In this article, we will be discussing if guinea pigs can eat Bermuda hay or not. Texture-wise the orchard hay is softer and finer than timothy hay, and some guinea pigs prefer this over the stalky bits in timothy hay. The former is rich in fiber and low in calories, calcium, and protein, which makes it the best type of hay for guinea pigs. https://guineahub.com/guinea-pig-hay-racks/, 5 Types of Guinea Pig Hay. If youre housing a baby guinea pig with adults, your best option is to feed the baby some calcium-rich vegetables separately from the older guinea pigs. In this guide youll also get some pointers on how to assess the quality of your hay, and to understand how and when hay goes bad. If you see that your guinea pig is having trouble breathing, you should immediately stop giving them hay and seek medical attention. Serve a limited quality pellet to your guinea pig as it is packed with Vitamins. Legume hay (also known as alfalfa hay) should not be provided as a cavys primary food source. Which, if consumed in an excessive quantity, can cause significant damage to our guinea pigs like obesity. Third-cut hay has a very fine and soft texture, almost like grass. During the process of looking for the perfect crop, we go out to see for ourselves and send samples to get tested to ensure the nutritional content meets a guinea pig's needs. Ill touch on all these topics throughout the article. The cheapest and safest guinea pig bedding options include:, Read More 4 Cheap, Safe Guinea Pig Bedding Options (Piggie Approved! Theyre not always the cute, friendly guinea pigs that everyone thinks of. (Poison Concerns, Benefits, Risks), 10 more foods you can feed your guinea pig daily, Pellets that are made for young guinea pigs, 17 Highest Vitamin C Foods for guinea pigs. Condition is New. If your piggie is not familiar to it, then start serving with very low quantity as serving in high amount, in the beginning, can cause stomach problems to your piggie. Yes, guinea pigs need fresh hay every day. Bermuda hay is nutritious for guinea pigs, with a high fiber content. Guinea pigs are herbivores, and that's why it means that yes, they need hay. Why is hay important food to your pet's diet? (How Much is Safe? All Rights Reserved. Its important to achieve healthy weight to improve overall health. What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat? (Find Out Now)Continue. Bermuda hay is a very good source of fiber. Guinea pigs eat less hay for several reasons. (26 December 2021). Sources: Mineral Balance in Guinea Pigs,Dietary Vitamin C, and Vitamin E on Guinea Pig Immune Responses to Mitogens,Vitamin C requirements of the guinea-pig,Is Your Guinea Pigs Diet Providing the Right Nutrients? While hay, fresh vegetables, and fruits are essential components of a guinea pigs diet, some foods may not suit their digestive system. If you buy your hay by the bale from a farmer, you may see hay labeled as horse quality hay. Most guinea pigs love the taste and texture of it. I dont know anything about Bermuda hay, I have some horse friends in Texas who feed it to their horses. (How Much is Safe? However, it is slightly higher in calcium than timothy and orchard grass hay. But with the right diet and diet supplements, their teeth will stay trimmed and ground down. ), Can Guinea Pigs Eat Spring Mix? Called up my local feed store just to see what they had, and was amazed at Press J to jump to the feed. Third-cut hay is less common than the first two, as there isnt always a third cutting to harvest from the field. Pregnant or nursing guinea pigs need an average of 30-40mg of Vitamin, Read More 17 Foods For Guinea Pigs That Are High in Vitamin CContinue, Tomatoes are a popular fruit found abundantly on dinner plates and veggie trays worldwide. What Do You Do If You Run Out Of Hay For Your Guinea Pigs? and cause your guinea pig to get fat. Its important to make sure you dont feed too much calcium to your guinea pig. As a responsible guinea pig owner, its crucial to provide your furry friend with various fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs to meet their nutritional needs. Subscribe to our FREE guinea pig newsletter. It . Since oat hay isnt talked about as much, you may be wondering, is oat hay good for guinea pigs? However, bluegrass, bermuda, brome, and sweet meadow hay are all great choices for everyday feeding as well. Guinea pigs are one . Still, your guinea pig can face some unwanted situations if you show any carelessness while preparing grass for your cavies. Fiber is essential for keeping the digestive system healthy and functioning properly. First or second cut timothy hay is generally the best hay for guinea pigs. Can guinea pigs survive on hay only? The table below explains the differences between them. Best Type Of Hay For Guinea Pigs (First Cut, Second Cut, Timothy (What You Need to Know). (Serving size, Hazards & more), Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cauliflower? If adult guinea pigs have too much calcium in their diet, they can develop bladder stones, which often require surgery to remove. There are many types of hay available for guinea pigs, and each has its own unique flavor and smell. When buying hay, always go for the greenest and most fragrant options. Urinary infections can become pretty uncomfortable for your guinea pig, and in some cases fatal. However, I wanted to make a change to see if there was any correlation between the type of hay. Avoid alfalfa. Tomatoes also pack a punch in the nutritional department, rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Orchard hay is often a better option for people with allergies too. In fact, many guinea pig owners find that their guinea pigs prefer Bermuda hay over other types of hay. Whichever type you choose, make sure you provide unlimited access to hay so your guinea pig maintains a balanced diet and avoids health problems down the line. If your piggie is not familiar to it, then start serving with very low quantity. (How Much is Safe? Its color is lighter with more yellow and brown parts. Horse-quality hay bales often consist of mixed types of hays. Offer Bermuda hay in addition to other hays, such as timothy hay, and provide fresh vegetables and fruits for a balanced diet. Here is an article on dry cereal for your guinea pigs which you should definitely check out! Can Guinea Pigs Eat Bermuda Hay? | Pet Diet Guide If the crop is able to pass these qualifications, they are then picked to be run through our state of the art filtration system to ensure minimal dust, which irritation and harm, gets to your guinea pigs. The first thing youll need to do is acquire some fresh bermuda hay. There are some necessary steps you must follow to prepare the grass for your guinea pig. Timothy and orchard hay are the two most common . Let us discuss some hazards of feeding grass to your guinea pigs: So, if you see your guinea pig coughing or sneezing, immediately stop serving grass and consult your vet for proper guidance. Can Guinea Pigs Eat Bermuda Hay | Find Out Here | All Animals Faq The nutritional value of orchard hay is on par with timothy, only being slightly lower in protein, but has an exceptional fiber content. So you can serve clover but in moderation, as it is high in calcium. Can Guinea Pigs Eat Grass? (Hazards, How Much & More) Which hay is for guinea pigs? | The Wheekly Reader )Continue, Bell peppers (also known as capsicums) are a colorful and sweet fruit from the nightshade plant family. Many of them prefer the taste of Bermuda hay over other types of hay. They might not like the taste or smell of the hay, it might be old or dusty, or they might have a painful dental issue thats preventing them from eating hay. As a general rule, guinea pigs can eat tomatoes a few times a week in small, Read More Can Guinea Pigs Eat Tomatoes? 7 Healthy Facts: Can Rabbits Eat Red Cabbage, What Can Guinea Pigs Eat? All recommendations are based on products I personally love and use with my own piggies. At GuineaDad we solely focus on the health of guinea pigs. Guinea pigs are herbivores and thrive on a mix of different greens, Read More Can Guinea Pigs Eat Spring Mix? One of the main signs that your guinea pig is not getting enough hay is if they are constantly chewing on their cage bars. This oil is very harmful to our guinea pigs because especially if there is prolonged contact. Pet Educate. Most guinea pigs will devour this hay, but it may not wear the teeth down as well over time. https://www.oxbowanimalhealth.com/blog/five-ways-to-make-feeding-hay-more-fun/, 1st cut, 2nd cut, 3rd cut hay Whats the difference? The first cut is the first cutting of hay of the season, the second is the second cutting, etc. However, some guinea pigs dont like it as much and may waste more of it. i'm also asking for personal experiences using it, & any . Hay is usually stored and sold in plastic bags for hygienic reasons, but most bags do actually have small holes punched in the sides to keep the hay slightly ventilated. Alfalfa Hay (For Youngsters) (Buy on Amazon). It can be better than a lot of comparable feeds, like poor quality alfalfa hay. Thread starter lilchris_28 Start date Aug 31, 2005; lilchris_28 Well-known Member . Timothy hayis a good choice to free feed your guinea pig on a daily basis. Psst! Let us learn more about it. A blend of many kinds of grasses, herbs, and dried flowers, Botanical Hay gives cavies several different flavors of hay at once. While mint is, Read More Can Guinea Pigs Eat Mint Leaves? If your furry friend isnt interested in the type of hay youre giving him, try a different one. Unfortunately, many guinea pigs dont seem to like hay as much as they should, and will instead choose to eat other foods in their cage while ignoring the hay. This is best avoided for guinea pigs. Happy feeding! 1/2 lbs of Bermuda Grass Hay for Hamsters, Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, etc. It is a tall red grass, also known as Cortaderia selloana, which belongs from a family of Poaceae, native to southern South America, is famous in many landscapes. You can ask the farmer how long ago the hay was cut and how it was stored. GuineaDad. There are many different types of hay available, so you may need to experiment until you find one that your guinea pig likes. Alfalfa hay is often recommended for young guinea pigs, pregnant females, and guinea pigs recovering from negligence. The main difference between these types is the coarseness and nutrient content. https://a-z-animals.com/blog/guinea-pig-teeth-everything-you-need-to-know/, Bloat Vs. Gas In A Guinea Pig. Also, it contains moderate amounts of protein and a little more calcium than timothy hay. Is it safe for them? Dont forget that guinea pigs need hay at all times, and the quantity you give them will depend on how big they are and how much they eat. But are they safe for guinea pigs to eat? Meadow hay is another suitable choice to feed your guinea pigs. 7 Simple Ways To Get Guinea Pigs To Eat More Hay Second-cut hay is softer and piggies usually love it. Here are some review of GuineaDad's Orchard Hay: Our Nourish Series -Timothy HayandOrchard Haydiffer from the start. Even vet says that hay is one of the vital parts of guinea pigs diet. But it was already costing a lot for me since it was being imported. Pets on Mom. This is because they may try to eat too much and choke on it. They can sense emotions and would typically stay in tune with their, Read More Can Guinea Pigs Sense Emotions? Bermuda Grass Hay for Hamsters, Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, etc.. Its important to make sure you dont feed too much calcium to your guinea pig. Guinea Pig Hay (What Type, How Much): A Complete Guide For Owners The Humane Society Of The United States. While it is, overall, not the best kind to give your goats, in a pinch it is obviously better than nothing. (Find Out Now), 10 Tips To Help A Skittish Guinea Pig Settle In, How Many Guinea Pigs Can Live Together? As a rule of thumb, anywhere from 2 to 8 guinea pigs can live together as long as, Read More How Many Guinea Pigs Can Live Together? Guinea pigs can eat wheatgrass. The average guinea pig requires 10-30mg of Vitamin C per day. Hay Small Animal - Sierra Farms This is another guinea pig favorite, and with good reason. (20 August 2020). Finally, Bermuda hay is also very inexpensive. Your guinea pig should eat a pile of hay as big as his body every day. Lemongrass, also known as Cymbopogon, is a subfamily of Asian, Australian, and African. Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click some of the links and make purchases. Only some will, and you can't influence a guinea pig's behavior when it comes to eating. This means that you can easily afford to feed your guinea pig good-quality hay without breaking the bank. You can either feed the hay to your guinea pig fresh or dried. It contains a moderate amount of protein and has a little more calcium than Timothy hay. Wheatgrass is sold in many forms in the market like juices, tablets, and powder. Bermuda Hay For Goats (Is It Safe?) - Goat Owner Bermuda hay can be good to mix in with other hays for more variety. (How Much is Safe?)Continue. Timothy hay and Orchard hay are two of the best guinea pig hay types given to adult guinea pigs for they boast high fiber content and are truly suitable for guinea pigs. However, some of these are best fed occasionally or mixed with other hays. Bluegrass is a good type of hay to feed your guinea pigs daily. Should you get first cut, second cut, or third cut hay? Come, let us learn some benefits of serving clippings to your guinea pigs. Another uncommon type of hay is Bermuda hay, a high quality hay. It also provides them with essential nutrients and vitamins that they need in order to stay healthy. And once youve found a good source of hay, stick with it. 4 comments. Guinea pigs can eat some dry cereals instead but only as a treat. Guinea pigs love to munch on fresh grass and it has many benefits for them as well. But can guinea pigs enjoy this juicy red food too? Brome hay is a popular type of horse hay. Your guinea pig should have unlimited access to high quality grass hay. Is all hay safe for guinea pigs? The first cut will consist of harder, thicker strands of hay. Moreover, you might have seen somewhere guinea pig chewing on hay as they love to chew on hay through a . Orchard hay for guinea pigs is an excellent choice for guinea pig parents that are. Here are a few tips on how to store your hay and keep it fresh for longer: What happens if hay isnt stored properly? Bermuda grass is also low in sugar and calories, which can be beneficial for horses that are obese or easy keepers. Other better alternatives to hay racks include: You might find these posts helpful: Are Hay Racks Safe for Guinea Pigs? Register . Still, some guinea pigs dont like the taste of Bermuda hay as much as they do timothy or orchard hay. (4 January 2021). Meadow hay may be more suitable for forage usage due to the mixture of flowers and other plants. Many other pets must have used it, and while using, they may have urinated on the lawn. . If your guinea pig isnt showing interest in Bermuda hay, there are a few things you can try to entice them to eat it. With our patent pending packaging design, it ensures guinea pigs receive more of freshest and highest quality hay while leaving guinea parents with even less to worry and clean. ), Can Guinea Pigs Sense Emotions? You can serve wheat grass or cat grass, Bermuda grass, and grass-clover to your guinea pig. 0 290 8 minutes read. We respect your privacy and you can unsubscribe at any time. That said, do try and get them back on their regular hay as soon as you can. No preservatives! (Find Out Now), 4. Guinea pigs are grazing herbivores, and they spend a great deal of time eating whatever they can sniff up from their surroundings. Its hard to say whether the hay had any influence, as both pigs were 6 years old. My friend gets Bermuda hay for her horse and I saw it and the quality is amazing. Can Guinea Pigs Eat Bermuda Hay? - Rock Your Pets It contains a higher protein and fat content and lower fiber content than the first cut. Meadow hayconsists of long strands of grass hay, along with various other plants, flowers, leaves, seed heads, and stems that grow alongside the hay in the meadow. Canton, NC, guinea pig show draws cavy enthusiasts from across US
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