Australians are one of the biggest animal lovers in the world. According to the RSPCA, our country is home to no less than 28.7 million pets, which live in 69% of Aussie households. That said, the distribution of these pets is not exactly equal. Dogs and cats are by far the most popular pets in our country, while in numbers three and four, we can find fish and birds. But, quite a long distance away from the podium, we can find other small mammals like mice, rabbits, and, more importantly, guinea pigs.

Do you live in a small apartment, and you can’t handle the responsibility of a larger pet? Do you find yourself in a tight financial situation, and you do not benefit from the budget required to spend thousands per year on a cat, dog, or fish tank? If so, your ideal companion might very well be a small but adorable guinea pig. Fluffy, chubby, and playful, guinea pigs have a docile temperament that makes them ideal apartment-living companions, especially for families with small children. Unlike other rodents, guinea pigs are easy to maintain, almost never bite, and have a shy nature that makes them surpassingly docile.

Will a guinea pig be as sociable as a dog or as affectionate as a cat? No. But, they require significantly less training and maintenance than other pets, their grooming needs are minimal, they don’t eat very much, and they are generally healthy and long-living rodents who can be part of your family for more than five years. But, how long you can enjoy your pal’s companionship will depend on his alimentation and the nutritional sources he gets access to. Do you want only the best for him? If so, you should go for Oxbow Timothy Hay.

Why Go for This Option?

It’s a matter of quality assurance. Guinea pigs live quite a bit longer than other rodents. However, their well-being will, in many cases, be directly intertwined with their digestive health. In nature, fibre-rich grasses are the primary nutritional source for wild guinea pigs, and the same applies to their domesticated counterparts. Timothy hay is rich in fibre, vitamins, and minerals, which are the main elements that support the health of herbivores’ digestive systems. Sure, you can also invest in pellets or occasionally give fruits or legumes to your fluffball. But, overall, timothy hay should represent at least 70% of a guinea pig diet, as it is the only way to prevent dangerous gastroenterological conditions like intestinal stasis.

At the same time, Timothy hay is quite fibrous and tough to chew, which is something positive, as guinea pigs’ teeth never actually stop growing. Tough grass fibres can naturally wear down your pet’s teeth and keep their dental hygiene under control. In contrast, guinea pigs feed exclusively on pellets, face more frequent dental infections, and are more predisposed to malocclusion.  Additionally, unlike other types of grasses, Oxbow Timothy hay contains lower calcium levels, which is preferable since most guinea pigs, after reaching “middle age”, will suffer from uroliths.

Is Oxbow Timothy Hay Better Than Pellets?

In short, yes, and for a variety of reasons. As we mentioned before, grass hay is characterised by increased fibrous toughness, can help grind down on your pet’s teeth and has a positive effect on the maintenance of his dental health. Secondly, hay is pretty much exclusively fibre, which is the number one most crucial ingredient in a guinea pig diet. Plus, Timothy hay is long-lasting, relatively cheaper than pellets, and is lower in calories, which can be essential for maintaining the optimum weight of your guinea pig.

The last point is essential, as guinea pigs are overeaters and can become chunky if you don’t survey their nutritional intake. Will he be absolutely adorable? Sure. Will you call him Mashed Potato? That seems like a given. However, gaining too much weight will be terrible for his overall health. Pellets are more calorie-dense than Oxbow Timothy hay, and they don’t provide the same behavioural benefits as grasses. In their natural habitat, grazing for hay takes up 90% of guinea pig’s day and acts as a source of mental stimulation for them. Plus, their fibre intake is lower and, on average, last a bit less than hay.

Does this mean you should cut down pellets completely from your pet’s diet? No. A balanced daily diet for guinea pigs should consist of around 70% of timothy hay, with the rest comprising greens and occasional treats. Plus, you will have to provide your guinea pig with an unlimited supply of fresh water. Although they are sturdy little animals, guinea pigs are predisposed to kidney stones. So, they should drink at least 80ml of water per day.

What Foods Are Toxic to Guinea Pigs?

Occasional leafy greens will be okay for your fluffball. Actually, they will even have a positive effect on his digestion. However, some foods could prove toxic and even fatal to him if administered in a high enough dosage. What should you keep an eye on? Above all else, you should never feed your guinea pig potatoes, garlic and onions. Additionally, even if they will eat pretty much anything, you shouldn’t give them high-sugar food or too much fruit. Guinea Pig’s digestive system is specialised for dry, fibrous hay and can be affected by foods with too much water in them like, like lettuce, or by aliments with little to no fibre (even if they can technically digest them, such as nuts).

Just like humans and countless other mammals, guinea pigs can’t produce their own Vitamin C, so occasionally, you should provide them with vegetables like kale or small fruits like berries. However, it’s essential to do so in moderation, as a guinea pig’s digestive system can’t properly digest sugars. What will be the result? In most cases, diarrhea. But, in some rare cases, the content of the fruits might also change the calcium balance in your pet’s renal system and lead to urinary issues. Guinea pigs are docile and adorable animals that make for fantastic pets. Nevertheless, their dietary requirements require special attention, as their digestive systems are specialised for the consumption of grasses like Oxbow Timothy hay.