In their natural habitat guinea pigs eat a range of grasses, seeds, weeds, bugs, grubs and small amount of fruit. Guinea pigs are often mistaken as herbivores, but they are omnivores and do need some protein in their diet to keep them healthy.

They also have continuously-growing teeth so need the opportunity to eat firm or fiberous material to help wear down their teeth. They MUST have Vitamin C daily as they cant produce their own and will become very ill without it.

What to feed your guinea pig
Guinea pigs need feeding twice a day, every day (in the morning and in the evening). A good quality, heavy, earthenware food bowl is essential to keep the food dry and clean, and prevent the guinea pig from tipping the food on to the floor of the hutch or otherwise soiling it. Their bowls must be cleaned after every use.

Guinea pigs benifit from the addition of fresh vegetables and hay to their daily diet to provide them with additional fiber. A coarse mix, such as Gerty Guinea Pig provides everything your guinea pig needs - vitamins (including vitamin C) and minerals all in one bag.

GERTY GUINEA PIG FOOD
Gerty Guinea Pig is a complete diet specially formulated for guinea pigs. It is based on high temperature dried alfalfa, which is naturally rich in both protein and fiber. Other ingredients include oats, peas, linseed, soy and the all-important Vitamin C. It has the right amounts of protein (for growth), carbohydrates (for energy), fiber (for digestion), oils (for a glossy coat) and vitamins and minerals (for healthy bones, teeth and skin).

TREATS
Treats are so called because thats just what they should be a treat. If fed correctly they are not detrimental to a guinea pig and they will love them. However, treats are designed to be an extremely small element of the animals diet, and overfeeding may lead to health problems such as obesity, dental problems and heart disease.

Gerty Guinea Pig Nibble & Squeak Treats
Each box contains a tempting variety of baked snacks. Different sizes, shapes and colors allow you to give a tasty and nutritious treat each time.

Gerty Guinea Pig Forest Fruit Treats
A tasty mix of crunchy cookies, bursting with fruity natural flavors and real berries to give guinea pigs a mouth-watering treat thats wholesome and fun.

Root n Fruit Treats
Scrumptious bars bursting with natural goodness and energy. Each bar is packed with plump raisins mixed with crispy carrot and tasty apple pieces break a small piece off and treat your guinea pig.

Supreme Petfoods also provides a range of tempting Stickle Treats. Each stickle is a blend of delicious ingredients, baked on to a special holder for easy handling and full of flavor.

Popcorn n Carrot Stickle Treats
Sweetcorn n Honey Stickle Treats
Wild Fruit n Nut Stickle Treats
Banana n Honey Stickle Treats
Apple n Cranberry Stickle Treats

Too much green food will cause diarrhea. If you treat your guinea pig to bits of human food, remember to avoid foods that are high in calories, sugary or contain too much fat - including dairy products. To help keep your guinea pigs teeth healthy, you need to provide lots of hay and perhaps a gnawing block and safe twigs to chew, such as apple, hazel or willow. You can also feed special treats from your garden such as fresh grass, parsley, dandelion, carrot, apple, kiwi, alfalfa sprouts, celery, broccoli, sprouts, cauliflower, kale, spinach, cabbage leaves, peas, tomatoes and raspberries. Just do so sparingly and be sure to remove any uneaten bits to avoid spoilage. Many plants in your garden can upset your guinea pig's tummy so dont forget to check first.

Go on spoil your Guinea Pig (but not TOO much!).

Changing your guinea pigs diet
If you are not feeding Gerty Guinea Pig food but would like to try it, you must introduce it gradually into your guinea pigs diet. Mix about one quarter of the new food with three quarters of the old food on the first day and then gradually increase the new food and decrease the old food over a 10-day period. This should make sure that your guinea pig has no tummy upsets.

Selective feeding
You should try to ensure that your guinea pig eats all his food from a very young age by calculating the correct daily requirement and dividing it into two meals, one fed in the morning and one in the evening. However, if you notice that your guinea pig tends to leave some of the ingredients in coarse mixes, reduce the amount you give him until he is eating all of it. Then slowly increase the amount again to the recommended daily allowance.

Ensure there is fresh drinking water available at all times.

Drinking Bottle
The best way to provide fresh drinking water is to use a gravity-fed water bottle, attached to the front of the hutch. Use one of the large ballpoint bottles to prevent dripping and to be sure a constant supply is available. Water bowls are not suitable as they are easily tipped over and can get contaminated.