How to choose and buy the best hay — what to look for, which types to pick, and how to spot quality. The best hay for guinea pigs is a fresh, green, sweet-smelling, dust-free grass hay — with timothy hay the gold-standard everyday choice for most adult pigs (widely available, high in fiber, low in…
A varied, foraging-friendly hay guinea pigs love — with one thing to watch (calcium). Meadow hay is a good, safe hay for guinea pigs that many pigs genuinely love. Unlike single-grass hays, meadow hay is a natural mix of different grasses, leaves, flowers, and seed heads harvested from pastures — which makes it varied, interesting,…
A softer, sweeter grass hay that’s just as good as timothy — and often a favorite with fussy eaters. Orchard grass hay is an excellent everyday hay for guinea pigs — and one of the best alternatives to timothy. Like timothy, it’s a grass hay, so it’s safe to feed in unlimited amounts to adult…
The simple answer is “unlimited” — but here’s what that actually looks like day to day. Guinea pigs need unlimited hay, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — it should make up around 80% of their diet, and you genuinely can’t overfeed it. As a practical rule of thumb, give your guinea…
Hay isn’t just food — it’s the single most important thing in a guinea pig’s diet. Here’s why. Hay is the cornerstone of a guinea pig’s diet — making up around 80% of what they eat — and they need it for three essential reasons. First, dental health: a guinea pig’s teeth grow continuously throughout…
Yes — oat hay is a safe, tasty hay guinea pigs love. Here’s how it compares to timothy and how to feed it. Yes, guinea pigs can safely eat oat hay — and many actually prefer it, thanks to its sweeter taste, coarser stems, and the seed heads guinea pigs love to nibble. Oat hay…
1st, 2nd, or 3rd cutting? Here’s what the “cut” means and which one suits most guinea pigs best. Timothy hay is harvested in up to three cuttings per season, and each has a different texture and nutrient balance. For most guinea pigs, 2nd cutting is the best choice — it’s the popular “middle ground,” with…
Alfalfa isn’t an everyday hay — here’s exactly when it helps, when it harms, and why it’s only for certain pigs. Alfalfa hay is safe — and even beneficial — but only for specific guinea pigs: those under about 6 months old, and pregnant or nursing sows. For everyone else, it should be avoided as…
What to look for in a guinea pig water bottle — plus the bottle-vs-bowl question answered. The best guinea pig water bottles are leak-proof, easy to clean, chew-resistant, and the right size for your pigs. Look especially for a no-drip nozzle (the single most-praised feature, since drips soak bedding and empty the bottle), a glass…
Why your guinea pig might be drinking less — or more — than usual, and when it’s a problem. Changes in how much a guinea pig drinks can be normal — or a warning sign. A pig drinking less is often simply getting moisture from water-rich vegetables, or is put off by a faulty water…