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What are the best guinea pig pellets?
For those looking for a concise list of the best Guinea pig pellets, the following is a good starting point:
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I hope you’ve been able to find a suitable home for your guinea pig by now. However, I would ask that you please continue reading until the end.
Here is a quick overview of how important pellets are in your guinea pig diet, factors to consider when choosing the pellets, what size pellet bag to use, and other topics. You can find more information on my website. So keep an eye out for updates!
What kind of pellets should I feed my guinea pig?
The type of pellets you choose for your guinea pig is entirely dependent on the age of the animal. It is recommended that you feed your guinea pig pellets that contain alfalfa when it is a young one (less than twelve months old).
On the other hand, mature guinea pigs over the age of twelve months should only consume Timothy-enriched pellets.
You should also feed pellets based on alfalfa to any nursing or pregnant guinea pigs because it contains the calcium that their bodies require.
Factors to Consider While Buying Pellets for your Guinea Pigs:
The majority of people choose pellets for their guinea pigs by looking for a well-known brand or by considering the freshness of the pellets themselves (manufacturing date).
However, when selecting a pellet for your guinea pigs, there are a variety of other considerations to consider. Let us take a look at some of the most important considerations:
Ingredients to look for?
The ingredients used by different guinea pig manufacturing companies vary, so we must be careful when choosing the pellets for your guinea pig to ensure that they are of high quality.
Pellets made from high-quality ingredients provide more nutrition to your guinea pigs, which is essential for their well-being.
The pellets we are purchasing for our guinea pigs must contain at least 20 percent fiber and 12-15 percent protein, according to the label on the package. Another advantage is the inclusion of vitamin C, which is also necessary for guinea pigs.
Anything that contains seeds, nuts, oil, rice bran, ground corn, or other ingredients of a similar nature should be avoided.
Avoid artificial chemicals
In addition, we must avoid all of the artificial chemicals, food colors, and other added additives that are present in the pellets.
The following are some of the most important ingredients to look for: sucrose and corn syrup. Chemical additives such as sodium nitrite, nitrate, and metabisulfite, among others, pose a significant threat to your guinea pigs’ health.
As a result, when selecting pellets for your guinea pigs, it is best to avoid all of the additives listed above.
Timothy Vs Alfalfa
Choosing the ingredients for the pellets, which will be derived from Timothy and alfalfa, is yet another critical decision.
Because of the presence of alfalfa, alfalfa-based pellets will be high in calcium and fat, whereas Timothy-based pellets will be high in a variety of nutrients due to the presence of Timothy.
When looking for pellets for young or nursing guinea pigs, alfalfa-based pellets are the best option, while Timothy-based pellets are the best option for mature guinea pigs.
Furthermore, feeding an alfalfa-based pellet to an adult guinea pig can result in the formation of bladder stones. This is something to keep in mind.
Because their bodies do not require the extra calcium, it binds in their bladder, resulting in the formation of stones that are extremely painful for them.
However, even though the stones can be removed through surgery, it is not a pleasant experience for your guinea pigs during the procedure.
How many pellets should I feed my guinea pig?
According to the manufacturer’s recommendations, we should feed 6 grams of dry food for every 100 grams of body weight. It simply means that starting with anywhere between 1/8th cup and 1/4 cup of pellets would be a good place to start from.
Is it possible to overfeed pellets to our guinea pigs, though? Even if you provide guinea pigs with an unlimited amount of hay and pellets, they will not overeat and become ill as a result of this practice.
Giving them a variety of vegetables and fruits is also important for ensuring that they have a balanced diet.
Then why is there a limit on the number of items available? It is preferable to provide our guinea pigs with fresh pellets on a daily basis. Pellets in a bowl may become encrusted with dirt and other undesirable substances as they rot.
Furthermore, guinea pigs have a tendency to toss their food around, and they may even pee and poop in their food bowls at times, so you don’t want to leave it in that condition. Do you agree?
Top-Rated Guinea Pig Supplies: Our Top Picks! Recommended Guinea Pig Supplies: Our Top Picks!
Before you read on, here are some supplies for your guinea pigs that have been hand-picked by our experts and that you should add to your wishlist right away:
How long do guinea pig pellets last?
In the case of feeding pellets to your guinea pigs on a regular basis, a 5-pound bag of pellets will typically last for about a month for two piglets.
In general, I prefer to buy a large quantity of pellets because they do not spoil over time, and a large quantity is significantly less expensive in the long run.
For alfalfa pellets, the large bag may not be the best option for you, but for Timothy pellets, the large bag is the most cost-effective way to get the product you want.
How do I get my guinea pig to eat pellets?
Introducing pellets to your guinea pigs is a straightforward process. To do this, take a good quality food bowl and fill it with approximately 1/8 cup of pellets before placing it in your guinea pig’s cage.
Keep an eye on them from a distance to see if they are sniffing it out or if they are trying some bits and pieces of it or not. If you discover that they have only smelled the food and not eaten it, you can try mixing it with some treats and attempting again so that they will eat it and enjoy the taste.
Slowly but steadily, you will undoubtedly succeed in incorporating it into their daily diet.
The best way to introduce a new brand of pellets into your guinea pig diet is to first try mixing a small quantity of the new pellets into the old pellets and then serving them to your guinea pigs as you would do with the old pellets.
As long as your guinea pig enjoys the taste, you can gradually increase the amount until it is completely replaced in a reasonable amount of time.
Check out our article on some fantastic food bowls to serve pellets to your guinea pigs.
Best Pellets for Guinea Pigs: My Top 5 Picks!
Over the course of eight years, I’ve tried a dozen different brands of pellets, but only a few have made it onto my list of top picks.
The following are my top 5 guinea-pig pellets, as well as why I believe they are the best for guinea-pigs in my own experience.
Small Pet Select Guinea Pig Food Pellets
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Small pet Select is one of the best brands I have ever tried, and it is still one of the best brands I have ever tried. In the United States, it is a small family-run business that manufactures food for small animals.
The fact that the pellets are of high quality and freshness is the reason for my preference for them. They make the pellets in small badges so that the sound quality can be maintained during manufacturing.
I’ve also noticed that, in contrast to other brands of pellets, this one is consistently preferred by the majority of my guinea pigs.
Pros:
- For example, in contrast to other companies, their pellets are made from the highest-quality Timothy hay, as well as soy and wheat, making them the best in their field when it comes to pellets.
- The pellets are packaged in a light-resistant bag, which helps to extend the shelf life of the product. It also contributes to the preservation of vitamins and other nutritional components.
- It contains the recommended amounts of fiber and protein, which are in accordance with industry standards.
- In contrast to other well-known brands, it is prepared in small badges while maintaining high quality standards.
- It also contains fortified vitamin C, which is extremely important for guinea pigs’ nutritional needs.
- The majority of the guinea pigs enjoy munching on them all. Cat food is usually not popular among Guinea Pig owners, but Pet Select Cat Food is a great choice for these furry companions.
Cons
- Although the price of the pellets is slightly higher than that of other brands available on the market, it is the most cost-effective option for the quality it provides.
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KMS Hayloft Timothy Choice Pellets for Guinea Pig
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When it comes to guinea pig pellets, KMS hayloft pellets are yet another excellent option to consider.
This pellet is made from high-quality timothy hay and is milled into small badges to ensure that our guinea pigs receive all of the essential nutrients they require while eating.
Pros:
- Freshly prepared with high-quality ingredients to ensure that our guinea pigs receive the best possible nutrition. The majority of the time, the packs that are shipped are freshly made. They had only been milled for 10-15 days when I received them, so they were in excellent condition.
- They have a long shelf life of approximately seven months, so you don’t have to be concerned about them going bad during that time.
- It should be noted that these pellets do not contain any filler or other ingredients such as BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin, or corn. As a result, experts recommend it.
- In contrast to other well-known brands, it is prepared in small badges while maintaining high quality standards.
- It also contains fortified vitamin C, which is extremely important for guinea pigs’ nutritional needs.
- My guinea pigs are giggling and jumping around, so I’m sure it must be delicious to eat.
Cons
- When it comes to pricing, the pellets are on the higher end of the spectrum. Although this dish is prepared in small batches with high-quality ingredients, it is impossible to find a better dish than this.
- Large sizes are only available in buckets, which increases the cost; it would have been preferable if they could have been purchased in bags as well.
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Oxbow Essentials Adult Guinea Pig Pellets
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Oxbow is a well-known brand in the food industry, demonstrating that brands can prepare high-quality food without the use of chemicals.
In these pellets, we have included all of the essential nutrients that our guinea pigs require for their daily diet.
Pros:
- These oxbow pellets are completely free of any harmful chemicals that could be harmful to your guinea pigs.
- Given the fact that Oxbow is a well-known brand, the product’s price is extremely reasonable for the majority of people.
- These pellets have been supplemented with vitamin C, which our guinea pigs require in their daily lives.
- When compared to other low-cost brands, it contains no added sugar or sweetener, making it suitable for even diabetic guinea pigs to consume.
- In contrast to other brands, these oxbow pellets do not leave a powdery residue at the end of the process.
Cons
- It contains some fillers, such as soy and wheat, which are not harmful to your guinea pigs but are also not beneficial to their health.
- Occasionally, guinea pigs can be picky and refuse to eat certain foods, which can be frustrating for people who only have a small number of guinea pigs to feed.
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Kaytee Supreme Diet For Guinea Pig
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Kaytee is yet another well-known brand on the market. Typically, this brand performs exceptionally well for people on a tight budget.
When compared to other brands on the market, the pellets are relatively inexpensive.
Because alfalfa hay is the primary ingredient in these pellets, they are appropriate for young and nursing guinea pigs but not for mature guinea pigs.
It is possible that the increased amount of calcium and fat in alfalfa will cause health problems in matured Guinea pigs. So, if you have guinea pigs that are nursing or young, this is the one to choose.
Pros:
- When compared to other popular brands of pellets on the market, Kaytee supreme pellets are extremely affordable.
- These pellets do contain additional vitamin C supplements, which are beneficial to guinea pigs in their development.
- Choose from a variety of different sizes for your guinea pig bag; a larger bag is recommended for households with multiple young guinea pigs. When compared to smaller bags, the larger bags are significantly more cost-effective.
Cons
- This product contains some fillers, such as soy and corn, which may not be the best choice for your guinea pigs.
- Because the package does not clearly state whether it is alfalfa-based or timothy-based, many buyers may become perplexed and end up purchasing the incorrect product.
- There is a small amount of powdered residue left at the end of the bag.
Check out these Kaytee alfalfa pellets at Amazon.
Kaytee Timothy Complete Guinea Pig Food
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This particular brand of Timothy complete pellets from Kaytee is one that you should consider if you are looking for a cost-effective pellet for your guinea pigs.
The pellets are reasonably priced and contain the majority of the nutrients that your guinea pigs require in their daily diet.
Pros:
- Guinea pigs require additional Vitamin C supplements in their daily diet, which is why Kaytee Timothy complete pellets contain additional Vitamin C supplements.
- These pellets do not contain any potentially harmful fillers such as corn, seeds, or artificial coloring.
- It also contains probiotics and prebiotics, which are beneficial to digestive health.
Cons
- It contains a small amount of alfalfa meal, which provides a small amount of additional calcium. Because of this, guinea pigs with bladder stone problems are not recommended.
- If these pellets are not handled and stored properly, they can crumble and turn to powder (which is a complete waste). As a result, there will be a significant amount of residue left over at the end.
- However, it does contain some fillers, such as soy and wheat, which are not toxic to our guinea pigs.
Check out these inexpensive pellets for your guinea pigs at Amazon.
FAQ’S
Does my guinea pig need pellets?
Yes, some guinea pigs require the addition of pellets to their daily diet. In order to provide Vitamin C in their daily diet, and if your guinea pigs are picky about vegetables, you should strongly consider including pellets in their diet on a regular basis.
Are pellets bad for guinea pigs?
Although pellets are not necessarily harmful to your guinea pigs, pellets should not be the sole source of nutrition for your guinea pigs.
While the pellets provide your guinea pigs with an additional nutrient supplement, it is equally important to provide them with unlimited hay and some vegetables as part of their daily dietary regimen.
Can guinea pigs just eat pellets?
No, your guinea pig’s diet should not consist solely of pellets. Your guinea pigs will require a large amount of hay and vegetables in their daily diet in order to meet their nutritional requirements on a daily basis.
We have an article on the Guinea pig diet plan where you can find out more about their eating habits.
Can guinea pigs live without pellets?
Yes, guinea pigs are capable of subsisting on their own without pellets. However, it is recommended that they include a small amount of it in their diet in order to obtain the additional vitamins that their bodies require.
Even if you are feeding your guinea pigs pellets on a daily basis and you happen to run out of pellets, you can substitute additional vegetables for the pellets you were using.
Can baby guinea pigs eat pellets?
Yes, baby guinea pigs can consume pellets without difficulty. In fact, feeding them alfalfa pellets in small quantities twice a day can significantly increase the rate at which they grow.
