A guinea pig is a wonderful pet. Since your guinea pig isn’t in the wild, it’s important to make sure that you’ve got the right food and hay for your furry friend to ensure the proper amount of nutrients, and to make sure that they have enough to keep them occupied in their cages.
The list below contains our top 8 guinea pig dry foods. We’ve also got a brief buyer’s guide at the end to help you narrow down what you need in a food. Scroll down to see our top ten list and pick out the best guinea pig food for you!
| Product Name | Primary Component | Added Vitamins/Protein |
|---|---|---|
| Kaytee Timothy Complete Guinea Pig Food | Timothy hay | Vitamin C and probiotics |
| Small Pet Select 2nd Cutting “Perfect Blend” Timothy Hay Pet Food | Timothy hay | No added vitamins |
| Oxbow Animal Health Cavy Performance Essentials | Alfalfa | Vitamin fortified |
| Higgins Sunburst Gourmet Guinea Pig Food Mix | Mix food | Vitamins, fatty acids, and probiotics |
| Small Pet Select Combo Pack | Timothy hay | Vitamin fortified |
| Kaytee Fiesta Guinea Pig Food | Mix food | Vitamin C and antioxidants |
| Small Pet Select Guinea Pig Food Pellets | Timothy hay | Vitamins A and C |
| Gerty Guinea Pig Food | Alfalfa | Vitamin C |
Kaytee Timothy Complete Guinea Pig Food
This complete guinea pig food comes in a variety of different sizes, from five to twenty-five pounds. This food from Kaytee comes only in pellet form, so there are no extra pieces that your guinea pig could choke on. The pellets are also made with timothy hay so they’re good for your pig’s teeth as well since they work to clean them and keep them short as the pigs eat.
The food comes with vitamin C added for your pet’s longevity and health, as well as probiotics to help your piggy’s digestive system stay healthy and functioning for the long term. The food is fairly well reviewed, with customers enjoying the fact that the food doesn’t have any extra bits that can be a danger to a pet that’s eating enthusiastically. There is some alfalfa mixed into the pellets as a filler, so that’s something to keep in mind when comparing this brand to others. The food also claims to be high in fiber, which guinea pigs need.
Recommendations
This Kaytee complete food is recommended for owners who are looking for a good option for dental maintenance as well as probiotics for digestive health.
The food’s main ingredient is Timothy hay, which is good for your piggy’s teeth, though there is some alfalfa mixed in as well.
Pros
- Food is made of Timothy hay for dental and digestive health
- Probiotics and vitamin C for longevity and health
- No extra bits and pieces in the food for your pet to choke on
- High in fiber
Cons
- Some alfalfa is mixed into the food
Small Pet Select 2nd Cutting “Perfect Blend” Timothy Hay – Natural feed that’s good for teeth
This small pet select food is sold in ranges from two to sixty pounds. Small Pet Select is a brand started by small pet owners, so the company focuses on keeping their products fresh and as minimally processed as possible. The food comes in a box that you can reseal to keep the food from drying out.
The feed is just hay, no pellets, so your pet can get the optimal amount of dental hygiene and digestive benefits from eating the feed in its natural state. The feed is the second cutting of hay, which means that the pieces are in a variety of shapes and sizes, so your pets get the best of both worlds for their teeth and their tummies.
The feed is fairly well reviewed, though some expressed concern with the fact that their guinea pigs would pick some of the food out and leave the stalks or bottom pieces. There was also some concern about the box the food came in not holding the feed well, with pieces going bad.
Recommendations
This feed is recommended for someone who doesn’t want to feed their pet pellets but instead wants them to get the actual hay, which is more like a natural guinea pig diet.
Pros
- 2nd cutting means a variety of shapes and sizes
- Minimally processed
Cons
- Some pets will “pick” through the food
- The box it comes in might not be best for storage in warm climates
Oxbow Animal Health Cavy Performance Essentials – Great nutrition for young guinea pigs
This Oxbow Performance Essentials mix is specially formulated for young guinea pigs. The food is an alfalfa base and claims it has the optimal protein level, as well as high fiber and calcium.
While the brand’s claims are good, there isn’t an exact measurement of how much of each element comes in the food. The food does not have any varying sizes or shapes, so won’t be a good support for your guinea pig’s teeth. The mix comes in one twenty-five pound bag and is also good for pregnant or nursing guinea pigs. The feed is very highly reviewed, with customers expressing how much their guinea pigs enjoy it, how well the food is packaged, and the freshness of the mix. The pellets come in a resealable plastic bag for long-term storage.
Recommendations
This Oxbow food is a good recommendation for owners of young guinea pigs that need more nutritional support. However, it doesn’t have the dental benefits that some of the other foods on our list have.
Pros
- High in protein and fiber
- Pellets come in a stay fresh bag
Cons
- No specific values for protein and fiber
- No different shapes or sizes for dental support
Higgins Sunburst Gourmet Guinea Pig Food Mix – Good food for occasional treats
This Sunburst brand mix comes with either a double pack or a single size. There are fatty acids as well as fruit and grains. There are also added nuts and legumes. There are no artificial preservatives, and the bag is resealable for freshness.
The food doesn’t have any information about protein and fat mixes, though it is vitamin fortified. While the extra grains can be an added nutrient, they can also present a choking hazard and might not be the best dietary option.
Still, the food is very highly reviewed, with many owners mentioning that they don’t use it as a primary feed, but instead as a snack or treat to give their pets some variety.
Recommendations
This food is recommended as an occasional snack or treat for pets. It’s a good way to give them a little bit of variety, as long as it’s not overused or a large part of their nutrition.
Pros
- Plenty of different nuts and grains
- Resealable bag
- Contains fatty acids and probiotics
Cons
- No information about protein or fat content
Small Pet Select Combo Pack for Guinea Pigs – Two products for optimal nutritional value
This combo pack from Small Pet Select brand comes with both a hay and a pellet component. The hay is ten pounds of Timothy hay which is guaranteed to be soft and is the second cutting for a variety of shapes and sizes. The pellets are also made of timothy hay, are vitamin fortified, and don’t have any extra ingredients, which some owners prefer for their pets.
The pellets themselves are highly reviewed along with the hay, which gives guinea pigs the chewing materials they need to keep their teeth short and clean. The one complaint that customers have is that the packaging isn’t very good and that the hay and pellets can get mixed in together.
Recommendations
This food is recommended for one-stop shoppers who need to get most of their pets nutritional needs taken care of with two products. The Timothy hay and pellets are both high quality and well reviewed.
Pros
- Two products in one box
- Pellets are vitamin fortified
- Second cutting means a variety of shapes for dental health
Cons
- Pellets and hay aren’t packaged separately, can become mixed
Kaytee Fiesta Guinea Pig Food – Mix of vegetables and seeds is great for foraging
This Kaytee brand fiesta mix is a mixture of fruits and vegetables as well as probiotics. The mix contains vitamin C and antioxidants and has a variety of sizes to choose from. The mix also contains plenty of different sizes and shapes which are good for your guinea pig’s teeth as well as preventing boredom. The food mix in general is well reviewed, with customers saying that the food gets their pigs more interested in rooting or foraging with their food. There are a few concerns about the corn and other grains included in the Fiesta mix, which can get stuck in guinea pigs’ mouths.
Recommendations
Just like the food listed above, this food is a good recommendation for occasional treats and extras to keep your guinea pigs interested and entertained with their food.
Pros
- Plenty of variety of food to keep your guinea pig interested in their food
- Added vitamin C and probiotics
- Food comes in a variety of sizes to keep your pig’s teeth clean
Cons
- Corn can get stuck in a Guinea pig’s teeth
- Fiesta mix might need additional nutritional support
Small Pet Select Guinea Pig Food Pellets – High nutrient pellet food
These food pellets from Small Pet Select come in five, ten, or twenty-five-pound bags. The food is Timothy hay-based. The pellets have a minimum of 14% fat, 2% fiber, and 25% calcium. They also include vitamins A and C. There are no extra ingredients or hay pieces, so the pellets won’t help your guinea pig’s teeth. The food does come in a resealable bag to keep it fresh. All in all, the pellets are very highly reviewed, with customers satisfied with their purchases. All of the brand’s products are minimally handled, and made in the United States.
Recommendations
This food is recommended for anyone who’s looking to supplement their pet’s hay and vegetables, as well as meet their nutritional needs.
Pros
- Comes in a resealable bag
- Minimum fat and fiber contents
- Vitamins A and C included
Cons
- Won’t help wear down teeth
Gerty Guinea Pig Food – Good mix food with a minimum of fillers
This mix from SupremePetfoods boasts no extra sugars. The food mix works to help your pig be interested in their food and encourages foraging. The food also comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, which help with dental hygiene and make sure that your piggy’s teeth stay worn down and healthy.
Grains such as maize, oats, wheat and beans are included. The food has vitamin C added in as well. The food is highly reviewed, especially since it doesn’t have corn in it, which some guinea pig owners believe is bad for their pig’s teeth. There are seeds in it, however, which is something that owners will have to discuss with their vet to see if they’re recommended for their guinea pig’s nutritional needs.
Recommendations
This food is recommended for people who are looking for something with a little more variety, perhaps for picky eaters.
Pros
- Plenty of different textures and sizes for dental health
- No corn or other grains that are just fillers
Cons
- Does contain seeds that might upset your guinea pig’s stomach
Guinea Pig Food Buyer’s Guide
This guide will touch on what you want to look for in a guinea pig food, with a few of the major categories outlined below.
Look for a food with a good base
The most common bases are alfalfa or Timothy hay. You don’t want a food that contains nothing but fillers that have no nutritional value to your pig, like soybean or gluten meal.
Seeds and corn aren’t recommended
Corn can hurt your guinea pig’s teeth, and seeds can wreak havoc on their digestive system. While the mixed foods can be fun and entertaining for your piggy, the mixes with corn in them can be a dangerous choking hazard.
No mix foods as a staple
Related to the item above, mix foods are a good occasional treat, but the real nutritional value your piggy needs is in the pellet types of foods. It’s important to make sure that your pet is getting their basic nutritional needs satisfied before you give them treats like mixed foods.
Vitamins and minimums
Many foods come fortified with extra vitamin C for your pig’s health, as well as extras like fatty acids, vitamin A, and antioxidants. Discuss with your vet which mix is right for you, as well as which extras your piggy needs. There are also minimums of protein and fiber in some ingredient lists, excellent if you have a pet who needs a certain ratio of protein or fiber in their food.
Conclusion
Overall, guinea pig foods come in either a pellet or a mixed form. While it’s fun to supplement with mixes, make sure your piggy has a good pellet-based food along with hay to ensure optimal nutrition. With the ability to fortify pellets as well as optimize certain mixes for your piggy’s specific needs, finding a food to fit your pig is now easier than ever.
