Eating in Moderation

[shortytheskatr]

I have a question with hay and food. Most of you give your pigs free choice when it comes to this stuff, like filling their hayracks full and not thinking twice about it. But if I did that, my pig wouldn't eat it in moderation, he would try eating it all at once! He does this with his pellets and veggies too. Is there a way he can learn to eat in moderation or is this just how he is?

[diane]

My piggies always have access to pellets and hay and they know it. So I think this helps them not to "pig" out. They will eat a bite go play take a nap and come back for more later.

[smartorl]

Guinea pigs are foragers, this means that their bodies are created for constant grazing while they are awake. In the wild, it would take a gp all of their awake time to fulfill their nutritional needs. My pigs get free range 24 hours a day of hay, I also feed an abundance of fresh veggies, only very rarely fruits, and a minimal amount of quality pellets. I have the hay in several racks in different places and also scatter the veggies around so that it keeps them busy foraging. Personally, I have no problem with the amount of hay or veggies that my pigs eat. None of mine are overweight, in fact, I have luckily had no real incidences of disease. Previously, when pellets made up a larger chunk of my pigs diets, I did have overweight pigs, I truly feel that the unlimited diet works very well for us.

[fourbwabbys]

Guinea pigs should always have hay available 24/7. They can't overeat hay. It's the single most important part of their diet. Limiting hay can cause teeth and digestive problems.

[standuprookie]

Like everyone said your guinea pig needs unlimited hay, once he gets used to having it all the time he wont pig out. (as much)

[fairysari]

It is fine to limit pellets to 1/8 to 1/4 cup per pig per day. About one cup of fresh vegetables per day should be fed as well - from the list here: http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/...on-charts.html

Besides their pellets and veggies, they should still have as much grass hay as they can eat. I make sure my hayracks are never empty. Green hay that smells good is the best.