How to Feed a Guinea Pig at Different Life Stages

1 Feeding Guinea Pigs by Life Stage

Baby guinea pigs: normally they can eat soft feed a few hours after birth, and by 2–3 days, under the mother’s care, they nurse while nibbling small amounts of greens or mixed feed, which supports rapid growth. Weaning happens around 15–20 days of age.

From weaning to adulthood, a young guinea pig eats about 30–50 g of food and drinks 60–120 ml of water per day.

Adult guinea pigs: the diet should mix hay, guinea-pig-specific pellets, and other supplements. Adults eat 50–75 g of food and drink 80–150 ml of water daily—about 20–30 g of pellets plus a little fruit and vegetables, with plenty of hay, fed twice a day on a regular schedule. Always provide clean drinking water alongside the pellets, or mix some water into the feed; otherwise eating dry pellets makes them thirsty and they may become dehydrated, hurting their appetite.

If feeding wet mash, give it in the morning, offer cabbage or carrot at noon, and feed wet mash with some pasture grass again in the evening.

Senior guinea pigs: they have less energy and activity, so they need less nutrition than adults. For seniors with weaker chewing or poorer nutrient absorption, add more fresh fruit and vegetables along with hay and a little guinea-pig feed—this is the most suitable diet. Also supplement a small amount of vitamin C daily to support their health.

Feeding notes: 1. Guinea pigs are greedy—control portions to avoid overeating and digestive trouble. 2. Unlike most animals, guinea pigs cannot synthesize their own vitamin C; they must get it from food, or they develop a deficiency. 3. Provide plenty of timothy hay daily, refreshed morning and evening; for pigs under 6 months, alfalfa hay is fine.