Feeding Guide for Rabbit and Guinea Pig Food

Rabbits and guinea pigs make amazing small pets, but it’s important to make sure you are giving them everything they need to live happy and healthy lives. They are both strict herbivores, meaning that their diets are plant-based consisting of hay, vegetables, and fruits. Pellets are genuinely considered a dietary supplement and used as a treat rather than as a main source of your rabbit or guinea pig’s diet. Here are some details to keep in mind when looking for the best food choices for your furry family member!

Hay should make up the majority of your small pet’s diet as it is a critical source of fiber and roughage. Fiber is essential for good digestion and gut health and the coarse fibers will help to wear down teeth and also helps to keep them clean. Hay is also a good source of vitamins A and D, low protein and calcium so your rabbit and guinea pig have a long and healthy life. Grass hay is important for your small pet and you can grab a sample pack to help determine which hay your rabbit or guinea pig would love!

Grass hay should make up at least 80% of a rabbit’s diet and guinea pig’s diet. One way to visualize this amount is that your small pet should be consuming almost the size of their body’s worth of fresh hay every single day. Their hay needs to be clean and kept dry to prevent any mold or mildew growth. Make sure you also store it correctly in dark space so that it doesn’t go stale and lose any nutrients.

Vegetables are good additions

Many common and easy to find vegetables are favorites among both rabbits and guinea pigs. Veggies like carrots and bell peppers (with seeds removed) can be good choices. Leafy greens are also popular though it is always good to try several options to see which ones your furry friend prefers. Romaine lettuce, parsley, mint, cilantro are some common choices that many small pets love.

Make sure that you’re not feeding your small pet no more than 2 cups of vegetables per six pounds of body weight a day. Grass hay is the only food choice that can be feed free-choice (as much as they want to eat!).

Pellets need to be checked for ingredients

Many pellets and mixes on the market can be very high in protein, fat, and sugar. This can add weight gain along with contributing to other health issues. Make sure you choose pellets for your small pet that contain mostly hay and are not filled with other ingredients. Pellets should never be a main source of their diet, but they can be good treats for your small pet! It’s always good to remember that grass hay is the most important food in your rabbit’s or guinea pig’s diet.

You shouldn’t feed more than 1-2 tablespoons of pellets a day to your small pet. You can give pellets in the morning before their hay as a great way to gauge how their health is doing. If they won’t eat the tasty and delicious pellet treats, then something could be wrong.

Guinea pigs…not Rabbits

This one is just for the little guinea pigs of the world! One of the only differences between a rabbit’s and guinea pig’s diet is that guinea pigs need an extra source of Vitamin-C in their daily diet! If they don’t receive their Vitamin-C they can become vulnerable to developing scurvy. It’s true that certain pellets, veggies, and fruits contain Vitamin-C but it’s not usually enough and over-feeding those types of food could be bad for them as you’d overdo their sugar intake. Many owners give Vitamin-C supplements to their guinea pigs to ensure they get the right amount to keep them happy and healthy!

Note: contact your vet to determine the right amount of Vitamin-C for your guinea pig.

Water is the basis for life

Both rabbits and guinea pigs should have access to fresh, cool, clean water at all times. The water needs to be changed at least once a day. Water can be kept in a sipper bottle or a bowl depending on what they prefer or how you have their cage/hutch set up. If you use a sipper bottle, be sure your small pet knows how to use it and is actually drinking from it. If you use a bowl, make sure it’s heavy and sturdy so that it can’t be easily turned over. No matter which water container you use, your small pet should always have access to clean and fresh water daily. If you let them outside, make sure you have water available for them to easily access there as well.

NEVER feed your Rabbit or Guinea Pig these

While there are many foods and extra treats to choose from for your small pet besides hay, there are always foods to avoid! Below is just a some of the many foods you should avoid as they can make your rabbit or guinea pig very sick, and in some cases be extremely fatal.

• Iceberg lettuce
• Onion, garlic, leek
• Potatoes, sweet potatoes
• Rhubarb
• Tomatoes
• Corn
• Bird treats
• Cheese
• Chocolate
• Eggs
• Caffeine
• Cookies/bread
• Dairy
• Processed sugars
• Processed or fried food
• Spices
• Meat of any kind

Rabbits and guinea pigs make wonderful small pets and are perfect matches for many families, but it’s important to take proper care of them. That starts with ensuring they have a healthy diet! Use these tips and guidelines as a wonderful starting point to making sure your small pet has a happy and healthy life.

Important Reminder: Grass hay (not Alfalfa Hay) should make up at least 80% of your small pet’s diet!