Great video! I rescued two guinea pigs living in a bird cage outside (in florida in the summer with ZERO cover/protection) and they were being fed hamster food because the people thought they were hamsters. They both had scurvy, very messy poop from the lack of fiber, and severe malnutrition. Diet is extremely important!
Oh my goodness! They thought they were hamsters?!!?! Just goes to show how much work needs to be done to educate people about small pets. Good on you for saving them!
I can see people who do not have Guinea pigs or haven’t seen Guinea pigs before thinking that they are hamsters. BUT THE “OWNERS?” (abusers in this case.) im glad I know better and our pigs are very well taken care of, big thanks to autumn grace and squeak dreams.
I like what you say about feeding your Guinea pigs fresh vegetables.. I say "if I wouldnt eat it, I don't feed it". I wouldn't question if i wanted a salad with dinner grab a handful of veggies off my Guinea Pigs plate before feeding my piggies. With some piggie channels, you can see owners feed their piggies wilted, soggy and old veggies. If you can't afford fresh vegetables thats OK, try growing your own, it's so satisfying growing your own or pick fresh lawn grass to supplement "if you don't have a dog, my piggies love green grass and always preferred grass over hay. "Don't know which is better" If you never feed green grass to your piggies, slowly introduce grass a little at a time.
That's how I am with my tortoise. If it's gross, I'm like "Ew, throw it out!". I'm sure our pets wouldn't appreciate eating gross food, especially if you yourself wouldn't eat it.
I have 7 piggies. One has chronic stones and sludge. She gets xrays every 3-4 months and is on potassium citrate twice a day. We tried a low green diet and it didn’t help. The only thing that keeps her from bleeding is a zero leafy green diet. This was recommended by my vet. I have spent so much money on vet bills!!and stress out every time she bleeds knowing shes in pain!! I have an amazing exotic vet and we have had great success with a no green diet. She still gets veggies daily just no leafy greens. Remember these are very complicated and delicate animals and i know this is a hot topic in the GP community. Please always consult with a vet before making any dietary changes. This is just what has worked for me. Thank you for your video this is great especially for new pig parents. ❤
Thank you for this. I saved it for later bc I’m thinking of getting some guinea pigs next year when I move into a pet friendly apartment in my college town. I love ur videos bc it’s obvious you take the best care of ur piggies, from their cages to the food. I can only hope I do as well when I own piggies one day ❤
I find it super interesting becaus we here in Germany believe in a slightly different diet for guinea pigs. Hay should only serve as a side dish and the main food is fresh food, exclusively leafy fresh food. This has to do with their teeth and digestion, which is designed to process only such things properly. Pellets and dried herbs are not fed at all, as they are not good for the teeth and contain too little liquid. We say here that a well-fed guinea pig does not need to drink. Of course they always have access to water but don't use it as the salads are sufficient. Specialist guinea pig vets came to this realization a few years ago and this form of nutrition is spreading here in the country. I also feed my piggies this way. I would love to hear your opinion on this😊 i just find it very interestung how different it can be in every country🙈
I have heard about this! I think it’s a very interesting diet, although I am confused how pellets and dried herbs can be bad for the teeth. I’m not opposed to this diet, but honestly I believe we lack access to enough variety and quality of greens here in the US for this to be feasible for most. Most of our grass is sprayed with pesticides, and our herbs and greens in the grocery store honestly cost a fortune compared to other countries. (At least from what I’ve heard.) personally I don’t believe pellets or dried herbs in small quantities, with good ingredients, are hurting gpigs.
Also from some studies I’ve heard about, water in veggies is digested different than plain water. Maybe I can find those and share them - if you have any resources to share I’d be happy to take a look!
Thank you for your answer! The problem with pellets is probably that the pigs chew and they should only munch if possible, so they are not ideal for the teeth. Personally, I don't think pellets are that bad. I think there are generally different ways to feed guinea pigs, I just wanted to share the one that is advocated here. You're definitely right, it's really expensive to feed them like this, especially in winter when you can't pick and grow grass and herbs outside. I have sources, but they are all in German🙈😅
@@Nina-20 oh that’s amazing! I don’t think I’ve seen anything like that near me with the stores, and yeah sadly I cannot read German 🙈 I wish they were translated!! And thanks for being so nice! I’ve had some people who feed the German diet be very rude and condescending so it was nice to hear your thoughts :)
I'm very interested in guinea pig diets and foraging for them as well, as long as you keep enough variety you wont accidentally feed too much of one thing (in my opinion). I understand people taking a more careful and mealplanned approach too. I personally will be avoiding pellets because there are none in my area that dont contain soy and I am not willing to risk it with the bladder issues it can cause. Great informational video and it was very comprehensive so I think even people new to piggies would understand ❤
This was quite literally the most helpful video ever because I am about to get a guinea pig and I was going to get the pellets with the gun colorful stuff in them
Thank you so much for the help i have been doing my own research but it is always good to have help (ps I love your videos so much and inspired me to get guinea pigs 💕)
Just threw out a whole bag of (Fancy Guinea pig) food, mixed pumpkin seeds, dried raisins,pecans, dried green peas, dried fruit chunks and mystery pellets😖 Strictly Timothy Hay, peppers green veggies with occasional apples. Prefer less of an issue for him especially being a huge 3 year old which I just bought. Thank you!
Amazing video. It is so rewarding to see a guinea pig jumping in a fresh pile of hay. We use Orchard grass because timothy was giving use allergic reactions. 😊🥰🥰
Mine prefers orchard hay & only like to eat lettuce & apples & carrots & love eating her pellets & give her vitamin c treat because hate eating peppers & I give her half cup of vegetable in the morning & other half cup during supper time
Yes some can be such picky eaters! Id just make sure the apples and carrots are occasional treats. You could also consider trying kale for vitamin C content. And if you’re having to supplement vitamin C daily the child’s life I mentioned is usually the best option!
@autumngrace. hi can you please help my guinea pig won't drink out of her water bottle I've cleaned it and I change the water but nothing is working please tell me what to do? Thank you Amelie 😊
Very informative thank you! I am a new Piggy Mom and I was just wondering... Do you know if CAMU CAMU powder is safe for piggies? I am Holistic and I get my VIT C from this as it is whole foods plant based. Thanks!
Thank you this helped confirm I am doing the right thing with there food and meals. This helped so much but I have one question. What about carrots? Can I feed them or feed them sparingly?
Hey, I’m from the UK and have trouble finding suitable pellets as most are American and won’t be shipped here or are shipped for ridiculous prices I’ve tried finding different websites etc for the Sherwood and oxbow garden selection but can’t. I’m getting two baby Guinea pigs next month so advice for pellets would really help ❤
This is a random question, but does anyone know what size folding table you’d need for a 2x5 C&C cage? Not sure if a 5ft table would be suitable? Please help 😭
Very interesting video! I just wanted to add that there are vitamin C drops and tablets that you can give guinea pigs straight in their mouth. I´m from eastern europe and we don´t really have access to child life vitamin C. Do you consider those kinds of vitamin C supplements (drops and tablets) safe? also wanted to ask about the calcium thing.. My older female seems to be prone to mild bladder stones and sludge and because of that i´ve been trying my best to avoid veggies that are high in calcium.. is it really pointless and could I feed her more herbs and stuff which contain more calcium? Thank you for educating people on proper guinea pig care, you´ve helped me a lot!🥰
I don't think its pointless. As she mentioned its important to give veggies and herbs with good proportion of Ca:P. In veggies that are high in calcium this proportion is probably not even close to the right one and if there is too much calcium in their diet they get rid of it with pee. And if more calcium is in bladder then its more likely that guinea pig will develop bladder stones. I have a guinea pig with that problem and my vet recommended me to avoid high calcium veggies and herbs. But not at all cost, I give him some veggies and herbs that are higher in calcium, u shouldn't eliminate it at all, but its good to check proportion of Ca:P of food that u feed them
Hey autumn! My guinea pigs will be turning five this year, so I recently changed my pellets to the oxbow essentials senior feed without knowing that about the soybean meal. I will be ordering the oxbow garden one today, but i just wanted to know if its okay if i just get the adult one? Im not seeing the senior one anywhere, so I assume it will be fine but just wanted to double check!
Also is it okay that I mix snow water with half of my pellets. My guineas love it and I think of it as a way to make sure they are getting more water and stating a little more hydrated. Does this are away from some of the nutritional value?
Hey there! What is snow water? Mixing plain water is definitely okay, and can help soften them as well for those who make have teeth issues. But I’m unsure what snow water is.
Hey there! Sunburst is one of the worst pellets you can feed :( it’s full of dyes, seeds, and other things you shouldn’t be feeding - as I mentioned in the video! Of course they like it because it’s full of sugars and tastes good but that doesn’t make it healthy for them. 💗
This is so not healthy for your piggies. It’s full of sugar, it’s the equivalent to allowing to child to eat a big bag of haribo for a meal. It also contains seeds which is something they should not be eating at all
Great video! I rescued two guinea pigs living in a bird cage outside (in florida in the summer with ZERO cover/protection) and they were being fed hamster food because the people thought they were hamsters. They both had scurvy, very messy poop from the lack of fiber, and severe malnutrition. Diet is extremely important!
Oh my goodness! They thought they were hamsters?!!?! Just goes to show how much work needs to be done to educate people about small pets. Good on you for saving them!
That is so amazing that you got to rescue those guinea pigs! 😊
I can see people who do not have Guinea pigs or haven’t seen Guinea pigs before thinking that they are hamsters.
BUT THE “OWNERS?” (abusers in this case.) im glad I know better and our pigs are very well taken care of, big thanks to autumn grace and squeak dreams.
I like what you say about feeding your Guinea pigs fresh vegetables.. I say "if I wouldnt eat it, I don't feed it". I wouldn't question if i wanted a salad with dinner grab a handful of veggies off my Guinea Pigs plate before feeding my piggies. With some piggie channels, you can see owners feed their piggies wilted, soggy and old veggies. If you can't afford fresh vegetables thats OK, try growing your own, it's so satisfying growing your own or pick fresh lawn grass to supplement "if you don't have a dog, my piggies love green grass and always preferred grass over hay. "Don't know which is better" If you never feed green grass to your piggies, slowly introduce grass a little at a time.
That's how I am with my tortoise. If it's gross, I'm like "Ew, throw it out!". I'm sure our pets wouldn't appreciate eating gross food, especially if you yourself wouldn't eat it.
I have 7 piggies. One has chronic stones and sludge. She gets xrays every 3-4 months and is on potassium citrate twice a day. We tried a low green diet and it didn’t help. The only thing that keeps her from bleeding is a zero leafy green diet. This was recommended by my vet. I have spent so much money on vet bills!!and stress out every time she bleeds knowing shes in pain!! I have an amazing exotic vet and we have had great success with a no green diet. She still gets veggies daily just no leafy greens. Remember these are very complicated and delicate animals and i know this is a hot topic in the GP community. Please always consult with a vet before making any dietary changes. This is just what has worked for me. Thank you for your video this is great especially for new pig parents. ❤
Oh that’s so interesting! I’m glad both you and your vet have found something that works for her!!
Thank you for this. I saved it for later bc I’m thinking of getting some guinea pigs next year when I move into a pet friendly apartment in my college town. I love ur videos bc it’s obvious you take the best care of ur piggies, from their cages to the food. I can only hope I do as well when I own piggies one day ❤
I feed my Guinea pigs Garden Select. I love that way it smells! So fresh like a salad filled with herbs! 😃
I find it super interesting becaus we here in Germany believe in a slightly different diet for guinea pigs. Hay should only serve as a side dish and the main food is fresh food, exclusively leafy fresh food. This has to do with their teeth and digestion, which is designed to process only such things properly. Pellets and dried herbs are not fed at all, as they are not good for the teeth and contain too little liquid. We say here that a well-fed guinea pig does not need to drink. Of course they always have access to water but don't use it as the salads are sufficient. Specialist guinea pig vets came to this realization a few years ago and this form of nutrition is spreading here in the country. I also feed my piggies this way. I would love to hear your opinion on this😊 i just find it very interestung how different it can be in every country🙈
I have heard about this! I think it’s a very interesting diet, although I am confused how pellets and dried herbs can be bad for the teeth. I’m not opposed to this diet, but honestly I believe we lack access to enough variety and quality of greens here in the US for this to be feasible for most. Most of our grass is sprayed with pesticides, and our herbs and greens in the grocery store honestly cost a fortune compared to other countries. (At least from what I’ve heard.) personally I don’t believe pellets or dried herbs in small quantities, with good ingredients, are hurting gpigs.
Also from some studies I’ve heard about, water in veggies is digested different than plain water. Maybe I can find those and share them - if you have any resources to share I’d be happy to take a look!
Thank you for your answer! The problem with pellets is probably that the pigs chew and they should only munch if possible, so they are not ideal for the teeth. Personally, I don't think pellets are that bad. I think there are generally different ways to feed guinea pigs, I just wanted to share the one that is advocated here. You're definitely right, it's really expensive to feed them like this, especially in winter when you can't pick and grow grass and herbs outside.
I have sources, but they are all in German🙈😅
We have extra online stores here that grow and sell salads for guinea pigs and rabbits, as the selection in the supermarkets is also very poor.
@@Nina-20 oh that’s amazing! I don’t think I’ve seen anything like that near me with the stores, and yeah sadly I cannot read German 🙈 I wish they were translated!! And thanks for being so nice! I’ve had some people who feed the German diet be very rude and condescending so it was nice to hear your thoughts :)
I'm very interested in guinea pig diets and foraging for them as well, as long as you keep enough variety you wont accidentally feed too much of one thing (in my opinion). I understand people taking a more careful and mealplanned approach too. I personally will be avoiding pellets because there are none in my area that dont contain soy and I am not willing to risk it with the bladder issues it can cause. Great informational video and it was very comprehensive so I think even people new to piggies would understand ❤
This was quite literally the most helpful video ever because I am about to get a guinea pig and I was going to get the pellets with the gun colorful stuff in them
Omg so exited to watch!!!!!
Thank you so much for the help i have been doing my own research but it is always good to have help (ps I love your videos so much and inspired me to get guinea pigs 💕)
You are so welcome!
@@autumngrace. 🙂🙂
Just threw out a whole bag of (Fancy Guinea pig) food, mixed pumpkin seeds, dried raisins,pecans, dried green peas, dried fruit chunks and mystery pellets😖
Strictly Timothy Hay, peppers green veggies with occasional apples.
Prefer less of an issue for him especially being a huge 3 year old which I just bought.
Thank you!
Best Video yet! Love it!
Yay! Thank you!
Amazing video. It is so rewarding to see a guinea pig jumping in a fresh pile of hay. We use Orchard grass because timothy was giving use allergic reactions. 😊🥰🥰
Great video autumn! This helped me with so many things, now I can go research on my own!❤
Glad it was helpful!
@@autumngrace. OH. MY. GOSH! THE Autumn Grace replied to MY comment! It’s such an honor! Love you autumn
Never knew about the soy or cane molasses but I give my both my rabbits and my Guinea pigs Garden Select and happy to see it doesn’t include those!
great video!!
Thank you!!
So happy too u back I missed your content!! xxx
Wonderful information! Thank you for making this video.
Glad it was helpful!
Mine prefers orchard hay & only like to eat lettuce & apples & carrots & love eating her pellets & give her vitamin c treat because hate eating peppers & I give her half cup of vegetable in the morning & other half cup during supper time
Yes some can be such picky eaters! Id just make sure the apples and carrots are occasional treats. You could also consider trying kale for vitamin C content. And if you’re having to supplement vitamin C daily the child’s life I mentioned is usually the best option!
I love your Guinea pig and bunny videos there are so cute
Interesting....ill stick to what im doing. Its been working for them. ❤
We need a day routine with all of them and maybe an evening, morning and weekly! I love these but no many people do them🫶
Thanks for sharing 🤩
This video was very helpful for me thank you for making this ❤
Glad it was helpful!
@autumngrace. hi can you please help my guinea pig won't drink out of her water bottle I've cleaned it and I change the water but nothing is working please tell me what to do? Thank you Amelie 😊
Thank you so much for this video!
Awesome video ❤
Thanks 🤗
I feed my guinea pigs one biscuit of the vitamin c by oxbow every morning....what's your opinion on that?
I love your videos ❤😊
great vlog , thanks x
Thank you! 😊
Very informative thank you! I am a new Piggy Mom and I was just wondering... Do you know if CAMU CAMU powder is safe for piggies? I am Holistic and I get my VIT C from this as it is whole foods plant based. Thanks!
Thank you this helped confirm I am doing the right thing with there food and meals. This helped so much but I have one question. What about carrots? Can I feed them or feed them sparingly?
I would feed sparingly! Same as you do fruits :)
Hey, I’m from the UK and have trouble finding suitable pellets as most are American and won’t be shipped here or are shipped for ridiculous prices I’ve tried finding different websites etc for the Sherwood and oxbow garden selection but can’t. I’m getting two baby Guinea pigs next month so advice for pellets would really help ❤
Check out the hay box UK! I think that’s the name
This is a random question, but does anyone know what size folding table you’d need for a 2x5 C&C cage? Not sure if a 5ft table would be suitable? Please help 😭
Hey!! If it’s with 14” grids you’ll want a 30 inch by six foot table. Walmart sells them!!
❤❤❤❤❤ great video like it
Thank you 🤗
Very interesting video! I just wanted to add that there are vitamin C drops and tablets that you can give guinea pigs straight in their mouth. I´m from eastern europe and we don´t really have access to child life vitamin C. Do you consider those kinds of vitamin C supplements (drops and tablets) safe? also wanted to ask about the calcium thing.. My older female seems to be prone to mild bladder stones and sludge and because of that i´ve been trying my best to avoid veggies that are high in calcium.. is it really pointless and could I feed her more herbs and stuff which contain more calcium? Thank you for educating people on proper guinea pig care, you´ve helped me a lot!🥰
I don't think its pointless. As she mentioned its important to give veggies and herbs with good proportion of Ca:P. In veggies that are high in calcium this proportion is probably not even close to the right one and if there is too much calcium in their diet they get rid of it with pee. And if more calcium is in bladder then its more likely that guinea pig will develop bladder stones. I have a guinea pig with that problem and my vet recommended me to avoid high calcium veggies and herbs. But not at all cost, I give him some veggies and herbs that are higher in calcium, u shouldn't eliminate it at all, but its good to check proportion of Ca:P of food that u feed them
Hey autumn! My guinea pigs will be turning five this year, so I recently changed my pellets to the oxbow essentials senior feed without knowing that about the soybean meal. I will be ordering the oxbow garden one today, but i just wanted to know if its okay if i just get the adult one? Im not seeing the senior one anywhere, so I assume it will be fine but just wanted to double check!
Yes, the adult one is fine!
@@autumngrace. Okay thanks💗
We have vitamin c drapes for our guinea pigs but we haven't used it yet
I definitely recommend avoiding them 💗 I got some too in the beginning and ended up tossing them
@@autumngrace. ok thankyou
Also is it okay that I mix snow water with half of my pellets. My guineas love it and I think of it as a way to make sure they are getting more water and stating a little more hydrated. Does this are away from some of the nutritional value?
Hey there! What is snow water? Mixing plain water is definitely okay, and can help soften them as well for those who make have teeth issues. But I’m unsure what snow water is.
Sorry, some water, woops@@autumngrace.
@@AnayaSpearin oh yeah then that’s totally fine! no nutritional value is added but if they like it there’s no harm!!
you so adorable ❤
Omg 3rd love u❤❤
Does anyone in the UK have a soy free nugget brand they use? Struggling to find!
Just double checking you meant 1 tbsp per guinea pig per day, correct?
You can feed between one and two tablespoons
Do you know how often you are meant to feed your piggies fruit
I wouldn’t do more than a small piece 2-3 times a week
👍
My cousin feed them the pallets
I use sunburst pellets for our guinea pigs and that is what they like and what works for us ❤
Hey there! Sunburst is one of the worst pellets you can feed :( it’s full of dyes, seeds, and other things you shouldn’t be feeding - as I mentioned in the video! Of course they like it because it’s full of sugars and tastes good but that doesn’t make it healthy for them. 💗
This is so not healthy for your piggies. It’s full of sugar, it’s the equivalent to allowing to child to eat a big bag of haribo for a meal. It also contains seeds which is something they should not be eating at all
❤