Alfalfa is idea for pregnant guinea pigs and very young baby guinea pigs up to 7 months, but it has a very high calcium content and so is not good for piggies to eat after that. Some low quality commercial foods often contain alfalfa. [What You Need To Know]. It should never replace Timothy Hay nor should it ever be overfed. As a Guinea Pigs teeth continuously grow throughout their life, if this is left unchecked it can become painful and dangerous for them when they eat. Pet Educate is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Joined Feb 6, 2011 Messages 6,598 Reaction score 241 Points 730 Location West Midlands, UK. This is better suited to a Guinea Pigs needs and will allow them to eat ab libitum (as much as they want and require) without posing any risks to their health. This fat bulks up the young guinea pig. (source). Alfalfa pellets are suitable for young, growing and pregnant guinea pigs. Ultimately, with Guinea Pigs, food is fundamentally important. Additionally, Alfalfa is great at regulating and preventing a Guinea Pigs teeth from growing out too long and large. Timothy is a meadow grass that is both nutritious and flavorful, and it is highly recommended by veterinarians. November 4, 2018 by adminguineapg. Another way you can use Alfalfa is as bedding. Yes; it is safe and healthy to feed a Guinea Pig Alfafa Hay. Small Pet Select Timothy Hay is a premium-quality timothy hay prepared in small batches by fellow animal… The alfalfa hay contains high fiber and calcium, which is suitable for young, growing, and nursing guinea pigs. When looking at which type of hay to feed a … It provides a lot of calcium, vitamins, minerals, protein and fibers that support their digestion and support their dental health. Should Guinea Pigs Eat Clover (Trifolium)? Senior Guinea Pig. After your guinea pig is about a year old and fully developed (see notes), a timothy based pellet, which provides less calcium, may be a good choice. Its packed full of vitamins and minerals, and Hay of course should make up the majority of a Guinea Pigs diet. Vitakraft Timothy Hay Sweet Grass. It is lower in protein and calcium than alfalfa hay, so it makes a better staple for adult rabbits, chinchillas and guinea pigs. Sometimes these might be labeled as “guinea pig and gerbil food”, and alfalfa can be a main ingredient. They struggle to excrete calcium and if it persists for too long and remains unopposed, issues with their digestive system. Instead, the most popular, recommended and safe hay for regular feeding is Timothy Hay (I actually get my supply in bulk for a great price on Amazon). Baby guinea pigs should be fed a mix of Alfalfa hay with Timothy hay in it. Guinea pig hay is one of the most important foods for a guinea pig and comes in many different types including Timothy, Meadow & Alfalfa. Alfalfa hay can be given to guinea pigs under a year old or pregnant, but it is not a substitute for timothy hay. Another aspect to be concerned with is the high calcium content. It’s very easy. It’s also higher in protein than the other more highly recommended hays for guinea pigs like Timothy hay. This is why I shop for my hay from Amazon, a trustworthy suppler where I purchase in bulk at a discount. Another name for alfalfa is lucerne which is a common name for it in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. If your guinea pig is an adult, do not use alfalfa hay as it is higher in calcium and calories. Pellets that contain alfalfa are recommended to be avoided, although they can be useful in small amounts for sick guinea pigs or those who you might be having difficulties with in eating their regular diet. Alfalfa hay may be fine for breeding guinea pigs and for young guinea pigs (< 4 - 6 months of age) that need the extra calories and calcium but for adult pet guinea pigs the extra calories can cause obesity and the high calcium can lead to bladder stones and sludge. It has the proper amount of nutrients and fiber that the need to keep healthy. This product is the most affordable pellet guinea pig food I could find where Timothy hay make up most of its ingredients since it is the first one listed. This is always very concerning to see as we know that guinea pigs should not be eating alfalfa and certainly not as a staple part of the diet. Alfalfa Hay can be a great, wholesome addition to your Guinea Pigs diet. Your Guinea Pigs diet is paramount to their health and preventing illness; how you feed them will ultimately be reflected in their happiness and well-being. That means these pets should eat a portion of hay the same size of their own body every day! For a Guinea Pig this weight can be hard to reduce, and it also adds stress to their small and delicate frame. Joined Jul 27, 2010 … Legumes are higher in calcium and have a calcium/phosphorus ratio with more calcium than is recommended for most guinea pigs. Guinea Lynx' HAY CHART All Hay Sun-cured Values in % or Ratio Dry Matter % Crude Protein % Calcium % Phosph. It's best to have them eat timothy than nothing. Alfalfa is recognized as a premium food source because it provides the most nutrients when compared alongside other hay sources. Can alfalfa hay be fed to pigs? You do not want to your Guinea Pig to have the opportunity to, or too much access to eating it. In unique circumstances, it can prove to be particularly effective and an ideal feed. For those cavies, you could mix half Timothy and Alfalfa. The best way to feed Alfalfa hay is to add small amounts to their feed. Alfalfa hay is supposed to be a supplement and may be provided *alongside* another type of hay, but NOT replace it. It has a better range of minerals and trace elements than single grass hays. Alfalfa in particular is high in energy whilst also being more palatable than grass hays. Your email address will not be published. Timothy is a great everyday hay for adult buns, while alfalfa hay should only be fed as a treat hay because of its high levels of calcium and fat. This is a hay that is made from a legume: alfalfa (you’ve probably seen alfalfa sprouts for sale – same plant). Meadow Hay. Hay is absolutely vital to the digestive health of your guinea pig. For young Guinea pigs under the age of 4 months and pregnant or lactating mothers, Alfalfa hay is also recommended. Alfalfa vs. Timothy Hay-based pellets. This means it can contain a variety of grasses, plants, flower heads and seed heads. There are also some other cases whereby you can increase the amount fed or it is even preferably to regular Timothy Hay. It is a great way to support and improve their nutrition. There’s an exception: young guinea pigs who are still growing and require that extra calcium (this means those 4 months or under – guinea pigs grow up fast), as well as pregnant or nursing sows can have alfalfa hay in moderate quantities, but it should not be overdone. UNLIMITED Timothy Hay is recommended for guinea pigs. Re: Is alfalfa hay or timothy hay better? With these risks in mind, it is important that you limit Alfalfa Hay consumption. (Alfalfa is good for baby guinea pigs). It is actually part of the legume and pea family and is native to warmer temperate climates. I use the alfalfa king timothy hay, i love it smells delicious drool . Therefore we gave our piggies alfalfa pellets, endless timothy hay, and occasionally an alfalfa cube. For these reasons, alfalfa hay is … Alfalfa is particularly high in calcium, which presents a health issue for guinea pigs. This is because overfeeding it will supply too much nutrition and can cause obesity and weight management problems. Sometimes you may see it called “Lucerne” , particularly if you live in the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, or New Zealand. Ill, Baby and Pregnant Guinea Pigs are perhaps the most appropriate. Once they are 6 months we are switching to timothy based pellets as well. My guinea pigs enjoy eating these pellets. If you are suffering from … However, again do not use this type of hay exclusively for bedding. Chewing it gently grinds away at their teeth and ensures they are reduced. Orchard hay. How long should baby guinea pigs eat Alfalfa Hay? If they are given pellets with alfalfa hay it should be safe to give them timothy hay. Traditionally, Alfalfa Hay is used to feed working Horses. Timothy hay is considered the Gold Seal of hay for Guinea Pigs. So I was going to get a 4.5kg bag for them but I'm worried they will get bored of it. Meadow Hay is made from grass that is harvested from pastures. All guinea pigs, regardless of age, should be provided with a constant supply. [Is Is It Possible & Safe], Can Hamsters Eat Chocolate? If your guinea pig is young and under 6 months old then alfalfa is a good choice. Good quality Timothy hay is an absolute must. Most guinea pig pellets are alfalfa based. % Magnes. Yes, however the amount that can be included in the diet depends on the nutritional quality of the alfalfa hay as well as the age and physiological status of the pigs. It is lower in protein and calcium than alfalfa hay, so it makes a better staple for adult rabbits, chinchillas and guinea pigs. Alfalfa is given to young guinea pigs because it has fat in it. A little goes a long way. Timothy hay is a popular type of grass hay, often considered the “gold standard” because of its nutritional profile. It is always preferable to start with very small amounts and see how your Guinea Pig responds. But like many pet foods out there, cost cutting and use of cheap ingredients can result in poor nutrition for our pets – and this can be the case with guinea pig pellets that contain alfalfa. It’s an excellent source of these vital nutrients for young and nursing piggies, but provides too much of a good thing for adults. Unlike Timothy hay and other hays that should make up the bulk of a guinea pig’s diet, alfalfa hay is not a grass hay. This puts Alfalfa in the pea family which is a high protein plant family. Can Guinea Pigs Eat Rhubarb? Meadow Hay vs Timothy Hay. The difference between Alfalfa and Timothy hay is one that often confuses many rabbit and guinea pig owners, especially first-timers! These cheap, inappropriate and harmful products should be avoided entirely. We are pet enthusiasts and love sharing everything that we learn about them! For these reasons, alfalfa hay is not recommended for guinea pigs. A prime example of this is following illness, injury or infection. Alfalfa is very high in calcium and while that is good for humans its not so good for guinea pigs because they get kidney stones from too much. With its high energy and nutritional quality, Alfalfa Hay is predominately used for growing animals, breeding animals, and those that are underweight and struggling to consume enough nutrition. Contains natural vitamin E. As you will likely know already, Guinea Pigs require a lot of hay and experts recommend that they should consume as much as 80% of their diet from this food source. It’s also higher in protein than the other more highly recommended hays for guinea pigs like Timothy hay. Whatever age your guinea pig is, grass hay (such as Timothy hay) should always be available in the cage. Guinea Pig Ringworm: Treating & Preventing Ringworm in Guinea Pigs. It is also provides a lot of the B Vitamins, along with Vitamin C, D, E, and K. It also contains Phosphorous and Zinc. Alfalfa contains higher concentrations of protein and calcium compared to timothy hay (Table 1). In unique circumstances, it can prove to be particularly effective and an ideal feed. Guide: What Are The Best Leafy Greens for Guinea Pigs. Timothy hay is a diet staple. Alfalfa hay can be a good addition to a pig's diet. The Timothy hay contains a balance of fiber, protein, calcium, and other nutrients which is suitable for the daily diet of all guinea pigs. Alfalfa hay should therefore be limited and used within specific contexts. However, a lot of pellets from the store are alfalfa hay based. Orchard hay has a soft but broader leaf than Timothy hay. It should never replace Timothy Hay nor should it ever be overfed. It is particularly high in energy and as such is used for a variety of animals including horses, dairy cows, beef cattle and sheep. Ill, Baby and Pregnant Guinea Pigs … Nutritionally speaking, however, they are very different. Your guinea pig should have unlimited access to high quality grass hay. My pigs live in polydome calf hutches, which are … Vitakraft Timothy Hay is all natural, hight quality, and overall … This can include but is not limited to weight gain, intestinal issues like colon obstruction and bloat. Alfalfa Hay is a specific type of grass. Its naturally very soft and Guinea Pigs are known to enjoy it in this context. Alfalfa hay and timothy hay are different nutritionally Alfalfa hay and timothy hay are both forage sources commonly used in rabbit and guinea pig diets. As this article has stated, Alfalfa Hay is nutrient and energy abundant. Contains stabilized vitamin C - Remains active longer than traditional vitamin C. Contains probiotics - May promote GI tract health. Your guinea pig should eat a pile of hay as big as his body every day. They do get bored of hays quickly. Unfortunately this can lead to people thinking it’s safe and healthy to feed these pellets, after all we like to think that food manufacturers have the best interests of our guinea pigs in mind, and that their research into ingredients is reliable and trustworthy. I'm thinking about buying a bag of oxbow's Timothy hay. As it is generally less palatable, your Guinea Pig will also not overeat. Even then, you should monitor how much and when it is provided, and be sure to reduce consumption when the Guinea Pig returns to a more stable state. This is because of their huge requirement for energy and vitamins/minerals like Calcium which ensure they remain strong and powerful. Alfalfa Hay consists of around 63% water, 30% carbohydrates (as fiber), 4% protein, and around 1% fat. Alfalfa has increasingly become a common ingredient in some commercial guinea pig pellets. Start once per week and then work your way up over time. Buy on Amazon. Alfalfa is particularly high in calcium, which presents a health issue for guinea pigs. For a normal, healthy Guinea Pig, if you over supply Alfalfa Hay they can run into a range of negative side effects and symptoms. As such, you can soon see why it can be problematic when given to your Guinea Pigs in excess. Alfalfa Hay is therefore most suitable and beneficial to a young growing Guinea Pig or during particular phases whereby extra nutrition is required – like to a female during pregnancy. Other great contexts include a young baby Guinea Pig that is growing or for a female during pregnancy (when they require more energy and access to nutrients). Our Timothy hay for guinea pigs is hand-selected for freshness and available in three cuttings. I actually get my supply in bulk for a great price on Amazon, Viking Farmer is the Alfalfa Hay brand (available on Amazon, This is why I shop for my hay from Amazon, a trustworthy suppler where I purchase in bulk at a discount, Can You Give A Ferret A Bath? Your email address will not be published. Now that doesn’t mean that that’s the only hay that they can eat. It is not a grass. Peteducate.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Pet Educate strives to be the definitive online resource to help you learn everything that you need to know. I have never considered pigs wasteful of hay, but then, I’ve never thrown it on the ground for them to eat. We will then take a look at the health benefits and any risks of feeding this as a major component of your Guinea Pigs diet. 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