My mother and I raise Guinea pigs for the local pet and feed stores. Often using barter for other supplies needed.
So often I hear "My
guinea pig has died and I don't know why
." When asked what they were fed, I often get a reply of
rabbit food. The antibiotics in rabbit food are for rabbits. They can truly harm a guinea pig. Also, guinea pigs, like primates, need vitamin C. Some pet and feed stores neglect to mention this to an unsuspecting pet owner. Jut this week, while in a feed store getting feed for my boy's duck, one of the women in the store asked me about alfalfa cubes for the guinea pigs. Apparently earlier in the day, someone came in and told her that those and carrots would kill her pigs. I was flabbergasted
. Alfalfa cubes are perfect food. Guinea pigs eat grass in the wild. My mother and I in addition to commercial food, throw a flake of alfalfa and some form of citrus fruit in each cage each week. The cubes will help by giving the pigs something to grind their teeth down on. In the books that I have read, it is recommended that when traveling to shows, rather than placing a container of water in the cage, use carrots or apples. The only reason that apples are preferred is that they won't stain their fur.
I have learned to never rely on the information of just one person on the street. Doing the research can spare the life of a pet and the heart of a pet lover. So don't even take my word for it. Try this web site,
http://www.guineapigsecrets.com/ it may give you more pointers.
