Knowing what foods are the best for your Teddy Guinea Pig will help ensure a healthy and happy pet.
Teddy Guinea Pigs are like most Guinea pigs and require special attention to the amount of Vitamin C they receive. Due to the fact they do not produce their own Vitamin C, it needs to be introduced either through food or tablets.
Guinea Pigs need a minimum of 16 milligrams of Vitamin C per kilogram of body weight.
For Example: A Guinea Pig weighing 2 kilograms will need 32 milligrams of Vitamin C per day. If the Guinea Pig is breeding, under stress, or dealing with hot and cold temperature changes, they may need a few extra milligrams. Guinea pigs that are pregnant or newly growing pups, will also require extra milligrams.
One way to get Vitamin C into their diet is to offer a chewable Vitamin C tablet. These can be purchased at your local pet store of pharmacy. One quarter of a 100mg Vitamin C tablet can be offered to your Guinea Pig to help him stay healthy.
The best option is to provide your Guinea Pig with fresh vegetable and limited fruits.
Good Sources of Vitamin C include the following:
(Given 2 Times A Day)
Spinach
Orange with Peel
Mustard Greens
Collard Leaves (sparingly)
Lemon with Peel
Parsley
Strawberries
Broccoli (sparingly)
Turnip Green
Guavas
Clover
Dandelion Greens
Romaine Lettuce
Spinach
Cantaloupe
Green Pepper
Red Pepper
Be sure to introduce these foods slowly. Guinea Pigs digestive tracts are very sensitive and giving them too much too soon can lead to loose stools.
Teddy Bear Guinea Pigs also benefit from fresh grass hay offered daily. The hay limits their teeth from overgrowing, and maintains proper digestion. It should be hung on the side of the cage to prevent soiling. This can be found in loose form at your local feed supply center or pet store.
Teddy Bear Guinea Pigs will also need a pelleted food specially made for Guinea Pigs. It should contain Vitamin C, be stored in an airtight container and located in a dark room. You will want to make sure that their food dish is made of a heavy ceramic, located an inch or two above the floor, to keep out debris and waste materials.
Note: Rabbit food and rat food is not suitable for their dietary needs.
Water should be offered in a container with a metal spout, hung above the floor, and attached to the side of the cage. Plastic spouts are not suitable because the Guinea Pig will chew on it. Do not put the water container on the floor as it can be contaminated quickly. Fresh clean water is important for optimum health, so water much be changed every day. The bottle also must be cleaned daily. A baby bottle scrub brush is a good tool for cleaning the spout and bottle. Do not give the guinea pig distilled water and avoid putting medications in the water.