You have probably seen a guinea pig at least once.Many people even held this creature in their hands. Guinea pigs are very cute and funny rodents that make funny sounds. You can purchase them both at the zoo market and at the pet store. In addition, there are special nurseries where such rodents are bred. There are not many of them now. If we talk about those that are in Russia, then a vivid example is the Fili guinea pigs.
Guinea pig feeding at home
If you were fascinated by this pretty animal anddecided to start it at home, then first you should carefully consider what you will feed him. We will talk about this in our article. The guinea pig is a herbivorous rodent. Everyone knows that vegetable food is coarse and nutritious. For this reason, in order to provide themselves with the necessary substances, animals have to eat a lot. If such rodents live in nature, they eat a huge amount of vegetation (fresh). These animals eat almost always, not knowing that there are such things as dinner, breakfast and lunch. Food in the intestines of the animal in small portions should flow almost continuously. This is the only way to ensure the best processing of coarse food by your pet.
Итак, чем питается морская свинка?We found out that greens. It has a lot of ascorbic acid. Due to a lack of vitamin C, an animal may have health problems. This is because ascorbic acid maintains the normal state of the walls of blood vessels. Vitamin C is also required for complete immune protection.
Хорошим источником аскорбиновой кислоты являются sprouted oats and green grass. A rodent needs about twenty milligrams of vitamin C per day. During the gestation period, the pig will need a little more ascorbic acid - about 30 milligrams per day.
Данный микроэлемент содержится также в салате, rosehip berries, sweet pepper and, of course, in fresh greens. In the drinker of rodents, you can add vitamin C 5 mg (you can buy it at the pet shop or a veterinary pharmacy). In addition, ascorbic acid is sold in ampoules (you can even buy it at a regular pharmacy). You can also use special fortified feed and feed for rodents.
But back to our main topic. What eats guinea pig? Her diet is quite diverse. All food can be divided into several subspecies: coarse, concentrates and juicy.
Roughage
This concept means hay and twigs.They contain a very small amount of moisture, but a lot of fiber. This type of feed is indispensable. It is necessary for the rodent to grind off teeth, as well as to improve peristalsis and maintain a viable state of the cellulose-processing microflora in the intestine. As you know, fiber has an absorption effect. Like a magnet, it “attracts” toxic substances to itself and carries them away, thus clearing the intestines.
In this regard, in the cage of your little pet should always be hay. Another advantage of this product is that it deteriorates very slowly.
What is the best way to feed guinea pigs? Succulent feed, that is, greens and vegetables. This type of food in the pet's diet should be plenty. Let's talk about it in more detail.
Green feed
Итак, данную пищу обязательно должна употреблять cavy. Food it should be varied if possible. Therefore, guinea pig can be given red clover, meadow grass, plantain, yarrow. Please note that the greens should be chosen carefully, because some plants can be harmful to the rodent.
Vegetables
Чем питается морская свинка помимо грубых кормов and fresh greens? Of course, vegetables (parsley, broccoli, Chinese cabbage, etc.). Let's talk in more detail on this topic. As we have already found out, guinea pigs eat salad, and all its varieties. This feed should be fresh, as the leaves spoil in a matter of hours.
Another guinea pig happy to use inparsley food. It contains a lot of magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and vitamins. It is appreciated for having antiseptic properties. Offer your pet and dill. It contains iron, potassium and carotene. Dill reduces the formation of gases in the intestines. True, this green should not be given in large quantities, as it contains a lot of essential oils.
Cucumbers are the subject of adoration of the guinea pig.Cucumber juice has a weak anti-inflammatory effect. Another advantage of this vegetable is low calorie. It is useful to give those rodents who need to lose weight. But do not feed the young guinea pig only cucumbers, even though they love them very much. After all, a growing body should receive good nutrition.
The record for the content of ascorbic acid is sweet pepper. In addition, it contains a large amount of carotene. Feeding the pepper should be sliced, but, of course, without seeds.
Another useful product for guinea pigs is carrots. It contains many vitamins, carotene, glucose and trace elements.
Помидоры тоже должны входить в меню грызунов.They contain carotene and vitamin C. It is necessary to give the pet only mature fruits. Rodents cannot offer green tomatoes as they contain solanine (poisonous substance). When ripe, it collapses.
Капуста – это полезный овощ, но давать его стоит carefully. It contains a lot of sugar, protein and vitamins, as well as organic sulfur. True, cabbage can cause severe gas formation. Rodents should be given only the top leaves of cabbage (preferably white). Although if you are new to the content of such animals, then it is better not to indulge your pet with such a product at all. Best of all, give him broccoli, she is not so dangerous.
Gourds
What eats guinea pig, besides everythingof the above? Melons (pumpkins, melons, watermelons, etc.), which contain a lot of vitamins, carotene. They should be given to the rodent slices with peel. Zucchini and pumpkin are especially useful to these animals. They serve as diet food. Pumpkin seeds are a preventive measure against worms. In addition, they contain many vitamins, trace elements. In addition, they are an excellent source of zinc. This element is necessary for the prevention of skin diseases, keeping the skin in good condition.
What else will rejoice guinea pig?
Питание грызунов должно быть сбалансированным.Therefore, their diet should include fruits and berries. For example, useful mountain ash. It contains a lot of ascorbic acid, carotene and vitamin P. The last element increases the strength of blood vessels.
Pears and apples contain pectins, carotene and a lot of sugar. In addition, guinea pigs gladly eat various berries, oranges and bananas.
Concentrates
This is a high-calorie feed.They contain a lot of protein and carbohydrates. Grain, legumes and seeds are considered to be this group of feed. Also included in this category and finished feed. Herbal flour products are especially well eaten. Adult animals should be given about twenty grams per day. Lactating and pregnant females, as well as young individuals, need more (approximately forty grams).
Feeding technology and precautions
Как же правильно кормить морских свинок?It is best to give concentrates in the morning and at night. And put succulent fodder in a cage when you are at home, so that the remnants of this food after the meal can be removed. Always in the cage of a rodent should be hay, as well as mineral salt stone.
Note that guinea pigs do not toleratefasting A rodent, which for some reason refuses to eat, can develop dehydration and exhaustion. If you notice that your pet has lost its appetite, do not hesitate and immediately consult a doctor.
Guinea pigs have a habit of constantly something.chew. She can do a disservice to them. After all, abundant consumption of concentrated foods and a sedentary lifestyle can lead to the development of obesity. Such a pathology, unfortunately, very often appears in domestic rodents. Have you noticed that your pet has recovered? Immediately take steps to lose weight. After all, animals suffering from obesity, lose their ability to multiply, as well as their immunity decreases.
Advice to rodent owners
In order to make the right dietGuinea pig feeding, recommendations of veterinarians should be considered first. After all, each rodent is special, and it is possible that your pet will need more green vegetables, or, on the contrary, some products will need to be removed, as the pet has gained excess weight.
A small conclusion
Today we tried to figure out what to eatGuinea pigs. Healthy food for the rodent is plant food, especially various greens. Carefully pick food for this animal, only then it will delight you for a long time. Remember that proper nutrition of the guinea pig - the key to its health.
