GP diet based on their age?

[DEWKING]

Hi,

I just got a Guinea Pig - Kiwi, she is extreme cute, 2 month old baby.

I bought timothy hay and oxbow's pellets.

I have been feeding her with only Hay.

1. When can I start to feed the pellets to her? I heard from the pet store keeper that it is okay to start on her 3rd month
2. When can I start getting vitamin C for her? Is Human Vitamin C good for them?
3. When can I start feeding fruits and vegetables to her? I saw the chart, but I have no idea when to start.

Thank you very much! It is my first pet, honestly.

[bpatters]

Start her on pellets immediately. And as a matter of practice, it's a good idea to ignore most things that pet store employees tell you. Their goal is to sell products, not to ensure the health of your guinea pig.

She doesn't need supplemental vitamin C if she'll eat veggies for you. The pellets have vitamin C, and if you can get her to eat bell peppers, that'll be all the vitamin C she'll need until she's a senior pig, unless she's ill at some point. Then you can supplement her.

And start feeding her veggies now. Red or green leaf lettuce and bell peppers should be staples in her diet. You can pick from some of the other veggies after she learns to eat those. Here are some tips for getting her to eat veggies: http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/...eat-vegetables

If you got her, and her cage, from a pet store, it's undoubtedly too small for her. See the Main tab at the top of this page for recommended cage sizes.

She also needs a guinea pig buddy. They're herd animals, and they're much more lively and animated if they have a guinea pig friend. But if you get her one (please adopt, don't buy), turn them over and compare the pertinent underneath parts to make sure they're both females. Pregnancy is extremely hard on GP sows and pups, and the death rate is high.

Since you're new to guinea pigs, here's some good reading:

http://www.guinealynx.info/healthycavy.html
http://www.guinealynx.info/emergency.html
www.cavyspirit.com
the stickies at the top of the main forums here

We need to see a picture!

[DEWKING]

Thanks for the heads up!