Guinea pig food: hay, pellets and vitamin C

Guinea pigs need a different diet from rabbits and hamsters. Grass hay, food made specifically for guinea pigs and suitable fresh vegetables are the usual foundation. They also need dietary vitamin C: a bag labelled only “for rodents” is not enough information. If you already use a product, Mia-Pets can look for it and confirm its pack size, price and availability before an order. Send us a photograph of the bag and tell us your pet's approximate age.

Keep hay available every day

Grass hay provides fibre and supports normal wear of teeth that continue to grow. Make it constantly available, clean and dry, where the guinea pig can reach it. Check the bag before serving: avoid damp, mouldy or odd-smelling hay. Replace soiled hay. An animal that selects some strands and leaves others may prefer a different cut; observe how much it actually eats before assuming that it dislikes a particular brand.

A seed mix is not hay. Do not choose alfalfa as an everyday hay for a healthy adult simply because it looks appetising: its composition differs, and individual advice varies with age and health. Ask a veterinarian experienced with small mammals about young animals, pregnant females or a guinea pig with a medical condition. Our guide to types of rabbit hay helps identify grasses and pack formats, but it does not replace advice specifically for guinea pigs.

Why does vitamin C matter?

Guinea pigs cannot make enough vitamin C themselves and must obtain it from food. A guinea pig pellet may include vitamin C, but the nutrient loses stability during storage. Check the date and manufacturer instructions; store the bag as directed and avoid buying more than you can use while it is fresh. Add suitable, well-washed fresh vegetables. Selection and quantities should be tailored to the individual animal.

Do not add supplements to drinking water without veterinary advice. They may affect its taste, making it harder to know how much the animal drinks, and vitamin C can degrade. If you suspect an inadequate diet or notice reduced eating, consult a veterinarian who treats small mammals. A supplement dose and delivery method need individual guidance. This page helps you read a label and prepare a question; it cannot diagnose a deficiency.

Compare two products properly

Write down the full product name, not just the brand. Check that the bag specifies guinea pigs, any stated life stage, its date and storage directions. Compare the pack size and ingredients with what your animal already eats. Abrupt food changes can cause problems: ask the veterinarian about a suitable transition, especially if your pet has digestive symptoms or a prescribed diet.

A front-of-pack photo and an ingredients photo are more useful than “rodent food”. On the guinea pig category page, you can explore lines available for enquiry. Photos from our shelf show lines we have identified, but we confirm the exact variety and availability before a purchase. We do not publish a guessed price or claim that a particular pack is currently in stock.

Fresh food, water and observation

Offer fresh, clean water every day and check that the drinker works. Introduce suitable vegetables carefully, wash them and remove leftovers before they spoil. Do not build the diet around treats or human food; an appealing ingredients list alone does not prove that a product is balanced. Seek specific advice if you are unsure about a plant, ingredient or suitable amount.

Watch appetite, hay consumption and droppings daily. If several guinea pigs share a home, check that each can access food and water: an empty feeder does not mean that every animal ate enough. Reduced appetite, fewer droppings or a clear behaviour change warrant prompt veterinary advice. Trying another flavour is not a solution to a possible health problem.

Ask about the exact reference

Send us a photo of the current bag on WhatsApp, the approximate age and whether you need hay, pellets or both. We will confirm the reference and pack we can source, with its price and availability. Tell us about any veterinary prescription before considering an alternative. Our food dictionary explains fibre; in My Pet you can save the species for future enquiries.

Sources: VCA, feeding guinea pigs ↗ and VCA, owning guinea pigs ↗.