Pellets What is the best type of pellets?

[kananaka]

Hi. I am a new pig co-owner and we are wondering what type of pellets you recommend? We adopted 2 gp a few days ago;l they are being fed rabbit pellets (for the time being) and we know that it is not the same; we want to provide the best pellets we can and plan on going to the pet store tomorrow. What should we look for? Any recommendations are appreciated.

 

[Sl and S]

alfalfa based pellets. oh and remember pellets are not a big part of a guinea pigs diet. timothy hay is the most important with vegetables being the runner up. know that guinea pigs cant make their own calcium they have to be given them.

 

[kananaka]

Thanks Sl and S. I knew about the timothy hay (which we have and keep a feeder with it in their cage). I am still learning what veggies and fruits are ok to feed them and how much (found this great chart on this web site https://www.guineapigcages.com/threads/22156/post-254730) so YAY! I didnt know that they cant make their own calcium, I know that they cant make Vit C, but had no idea about calcium.....
Ty for the info!

 

[Sl and S]

oops nope its vitamin c i just got them confused for a second.

 

[Frapplove]

Hello and welcome! It depends on how old your guinea pigs are. Only feed alfalfa pellets if they are pregnant or under six months old. 1/8 to 1/4 cup per pig per day. Check the ingredients list to make sure they are timothy-based. Oxbow and KMS are popular brands, although I don't use them. They need unlimited grass hay for digestion and to keep their teeth from getting too long and sharp-mine get timothy hay and orchard grass. Alfalfa isn't a grass, it's a legume and high in calcium. And it's vitamin C that guinea pigs can't make- too much calcium can be dangerous. 1 cup of the right veggies per pig a day and they should be okay. Bell pepper is great and has lots of vit. C. Check under this section of the forum for a list of all the right veggies ptimist:

 

[kananaka]

Thanks a bunch Frapplove! I looked at KMS and it looks amazing but expensive! I just cant afford the shipping cost but I will def look for a timothy based seed @ the pet store and also keep my kids teacher informed so we can get the class gp with the right feed and all. You all are so very helpful much <3!

 

[Sl and S]

actually i went back and researched a little more. alfalfa based is for guinea pig 1 year or less, timothy is 1 year or older.

 

[Lord_aperture]

Take them off the rabbit pellets until you get guinea pig ones, pellets are not a huge part of their diet so they should be fine for a day or two until you get the right ones, also you want timothy based pellets not alpha unless they are younger than 6 month or pregnant Oxbow, KMS, or Sweet meadow farms are your best bet, most other brands are subpar in quality and ingredients.

 

[lissie]

High quality plain pellets with no seeds or nuts.
https://www.guinealynx.info/pellets.html

Recommended brands are KMS, Oxbow and Sweet Meadow.
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https://www.oxbowanimalhealth.com/products/type/detail?object=1622
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Sweet Meadow might cost less for you for shipping.

For me, KMS are cheaper per pound when compared to Oxbow.
KMS also have the best quality hay you can get.