Nutritional Diet: Fruits And Veg For Rabbits And Guinea Pigs

Rabbits and guinea pigs need a constant source of energy in order to survive. Proper nutrition is the key component of healthy growth and development of these pets. This includes vegetables, which should make up 20-30% of their diet. This translates to a loosely packed container per day on average for a rabbit or guinea pig. The other 70-80% should be different types of pellets and hay, such as Timothy (green and brown), Readigras, and Meadow. You should gradually feed any new food for your pet, however it is best to have a consistent diet preferred by your pet’s appetite.

These are the foods that cans be fed in maximum amounts: Fresh grass (chemical free and no wild rabbits have been grazing on it, or cat or dogs on it), celery, carrot tops (the green bit), kale, watercress, Asian greens (bok choy, choy sum), parsley (great source of vitamin C), coriander, dandelion and chicory leaves, milk thistle and mint and other herbs.

Things like broccoli (a great source of vitamin C), cabbage leaves and cauliflower leaves should be taken in a moderate amount. No more than one leaf a day as they can contribute to the large amounts of gas in the intestine resulting in pain and loss of appetite.

The following are foods that should be taken in a small amount: Red peppers (highest vitamin C concentration), green/yellow peppers, apples, pears, bananas, carrots, cucumber, grapes, oranges, strawberries and tomatoes. Maximum of ½ cup a day of total combined. If you are not feeding a pellet enriched with Vitamin C, it is necessary to feed slightly larger amounts of these fruits and veg.

Regardless of the amounts of food being fed to your pet what is more important is a balanced nutritional diet. Take into consideration feeding pellets and mixes. Make sure that these foods are in high quality in terms of nutritional value. Many commercial pellets and mixes are very high in protein, fats and sugar. If this is your pet’s main source of food, they will most likely end up weak, overweight and prone to develop illnesses. A limit of 1-2 tablespoons of good quality is enough to supplement a balanced diet. A diet high in pellets and mixes can cause a high risk of urinary problems, gastrointestinal problems and dental disease.

Note that these are the food that you should never feed to your bunnies and guinea pigs: Bird treats, cheese. chocolates, caffeine-containing products, cookies/bread, corn kernel/popcorn, dairy products, iceberg lettuce, ice cream, meat of fish, onions, garlic, sweet potatoes, rhubarb, tomato plants, any processed foods, anything spicy, anything with cinnamon, sugary foods, alcohol and human or other species medications.

The ideal diet is 80% hay and 20% fresh veggies, with a little fruit as a treat. Keeping a nutritional balance diet for your pet means you love and care for them. Varying it a little each day, will stop them getting bored. Remember, the main diet has to be fiber to keep their digestive system working properly. This is why it is important to ensure that pellets and hay are always available.

Nutritional Diet: Fruits And Veg For Rabbits And Guinea Pigs