Can Guinea Pigs Eat Rabbit Food

Rabbit and Guinea Pigs are similar in many ways.  My vet friend (Dr. Ely) wanted to make sure that I passed on a question that he wished was asked more with Guinea Pigs, can Guinea Pigs eat rabbit food?  The short answer is no.  It is ok to feed a rabbit Guinea Pig food but you shouldn’t feed a Guinea Pig rabbit food.

Rabbits and Guinea Pigs have guts that are invariably active rodents with ridiculously high metabolisms. But species need to be able to pasture/eat constantly. If you have ever cared for either animal you know that they both produce no small amount of droppings. And both rabbits and Guinea need an abundance of water. This is very important.  Rabbits are found throughout the world and can have a little more “variation” in their diet. The Guinea Pig’s natural home is on the grassy slopes of the Andes.  Guinea Pigs are natural grazers, mowing through plants such as dandelions, weeds, grass, and just about any other vegetation that they can get their paws on. Can Guinea Pigs eat rabbit food – no.  But the answer might not be why you think.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Rabbit Food?

Why Rabbits Can Eat Guinea Pig Food but not the other way around.

Rabbits and Guinea Pigs eat much of the same foods.  Both are vegetarian and do well with grass, weeds, and other greens. Both species could get by just fine on grass/veggies alone. But Guinea Pigs need more vitamin C than rabbits.  That is why it is ok for a rabbit to eat Guinea Pig food but a Guinea Pig shouldn’t eat rabbit food. Although rabbits and Guinea Pigs look similar, each species of animal have their own specific dietary needs. Guinea Pigs have evolved in a grassy environment and because of this require a “greener” diet. Ensuring that your Guinea Pig has the right diet and nutrition will help keep them happy and healthy.

Remember though that Guinea Pigs do need an adequate generator of Vitamin C daily, so feeding them a grass based diet that is made specifically for Guinea pigs will ensure that they are receiving all the nutrients they need. Remember that Vitamin C is destroyed over time and will even decay more rapidly with exposure to air. That is why most Guinea Pig food labels will warn to keep the food in an air tight container .

What Do Guinea Pigs Eat?

The following is what a Guinea Pigs should get on a daily basis:

Vitamin C – Guinea pigs cannot manufacture their own vitamin C and require 10 to 30 mg/kg daily to prevent scurvy.

Fresh Water – Fresh, cold water, changed daily, (usually provided in a drip bottle to prevent contamination) should always be available. Avoid distilled water. Avoid water high in minerals, especially if high in calcium. Do not put vitamins or pharmacy medications in the water.

Unlimited Grass Hay – Unlimited high quality, grass hay (timothy and orchard grass are popular) should always be available to each and every guinea pig, no matter what age. Eating the long hay strands keeps their digestive system moving and helps prevent their teeth from over growing. It is usually placed in a wire rack off the floor for cleanliness.

Fresh Vegetables – Small amounts of fresh vegetables (about a cup a day) are an important additional source of vitamin C and other nutrients.

Quality Pellets – Plain dye free high quality guinea pig pellets (mixes with nuts are considered too rich), formulated with Vitamin C can be provided in a small heavy ceramic bowl to prevent tipping and cleaned daily. Can Guinea Pigs Eat Rabbit Food – Nope.  But Guinea Pigs sure can eat a lot of Guinea Pig food.  Each will eat approximately 1/8 cup of pellets a day when also fed adequate hay and fresh vegetables. Purchase pellets in small quantities and store in a dry cool dark place to preserve the potency of the C.

Not Recommended In Guinea Pigs Diet

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Rabbit Food – No!  Rabbit food is a no-no.

-Avoid mixes or treats with nuts, seeds, dried fruit and dyed pieces.
-Do not feed dairy and meat products (guinea pigs are herbivores)
-Avoid seeds in husks (like sunflower seeds), which can be a choking hazard.
-Do not feed rabbit pellets (they do not contain Vitamin C and some may even include antibiotics toxic to guinea pigs).
-Avoid or use sparingly, cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, collards, bok choy, broccoli), as they may cause gas in your pet.
-Do not use mineral wheels. Never use Tang (which contains dyes, refined sugars, and very little vitamin C) in drinking water.
-Avoid commercial treats marketed for guinea pigs (like yoghurt drops) which can even be detrimental to their health. Consuming these empty calories (many contain fat, sugars and even excess calcium) can result in decreased consumption of the basic foods they really need.
-No multivitamins!

Plain vitamin C is fine, but multivitamins are not. Excessive amounts of fat soluble vitamins like A and D can cause serious problems for your pet

How Long Do Guinea Pigs Live?

A guinea pig can be one of the most endearing and wonderful pets that one can have. They may live as long as 10 years( the average is 5 to 7 ), so the decision to bring one into your home must be made carefully and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Your pet’s happiness and longevity will depend on the food, water, medical care and companionship you give it. Remember the answer to this question: Can Guinea Pigs Eat Rabbit Food? -No!

What if my Guinea Pig Medication is in Pounds/Kilograms and I don’t know how much to give it?

WEIGHT CONVERSION:
KILOGRAMS TO POUNDS AND POUNDS TO KILOGRAMS

1 kilograms = 1000 grams = 35.2 ounces = 2 pounds 3.2 ounces = 2.2 pounds

Since most drug dosages are given in mg/kg, it is important to convert the weight of your guinea pig in kilograms if you have weighed in pounds. The conversion formulas and handy chart make this easy!

Convert grams to kilograms by dividing the number of grams by 1000
(move the decimal point 3 spaces to the left – i.e. 600gm = 0.6kg)
Convert kilograms to pounds by multiplying the number of kilograms by 2.2
Convert pounds to kilograms by dividing the number of pounds by 2.2
Convert ounces to kilograms by dividing the number of ounces by 35.2

WEIGHT CHART