Foodstuffs that guinea pigs should always have access to are:
A dry food mix specially made for guinea pigs - they contain vitamin C which guineas need. DON'T feed rabbit mixes to guinea pigs as they contain a medicine (ACS) which is seriously harmful to piggies.
Fresh water, preferablly in a drinking bottle with a metal ball spout. You can give it in a ceramic bowl, but it may get soiled in.
Also
Good quality hay, although I find they get through it quite quickly so I just give a few handfuls every evening. As long as they get a fair amount each day, don't worry about some always being there. DON'T give straw - it may poke your piggies eyes out.
You should give your guineas some fresh food each day as well, as this provides vitamin C which is very important. Guinea pigs can't produce their own vitamin C, so like humans, they need a good source of it. Below are lists of various foodstuffs.
Carrot - Mine get half a carrot each every morning and if they don't get it- do they squeak!
Cucumber
Radish leaves
Celery
Lettuce - give in VERY small amounts
Parsley- high in vitamin C
Sweetcorn silks
Cauliflower leaves
Dandilion*
Plantain*
Clover*
Grass* - let them graze on it during the summer + don't give mowings
Grapes # - good as a treat
Apple#
Oranges#
*always make sure food is free from chemicals and vehicle fumes etc.
#don't give too much fruit as it is acidic and can cause scabbing. You can try other fruits, but I haven't listed them as I myself haven't tried them out.
Guinea pig dislikes (poisonous):
Daisy
Dock
Buttercup
Deadly nightshade
Foxglove
Poppy
Any plant grown from a bulb
Potato
Rhubarb
Snowdrop
There are many other likes and dislikes, with a good list being found in Myra Mahoney's book, so check out other books and web pages for more info.
