im getting a guinea pig this weekend from the shelter and when i go i was planning to buy the food and hay there insted of at the petstore (the shelter sells oxbow). i saw that they sell cavy cuisine (tymothy based) and not cavy preformance (alfalfa based). also they sell orchard grass and tymothy hay but i didnt see any alfalfa hay. would it be ok to give a three month old tymothy hay or is it really bad for them.
Answers:
Although Alfalfa is better for very young pigs that need extra calcium for their growing skeletal structure, it is not going to hurt or "deprive" your piggie to have the Timothy hay and Cavy Cuisine. That will be a better diet than 99.9% of the guinea pigs out there ever get in their life.
You can buy the Cavy Cuisine pellets %26 Oxbow hay at the shelter. Then pick up a small bag of Alfalfa hay at your local pet supply. Just mix the two hays together. Be sure to store the hay in a dry place so it doesn't mold. I keep mine inside the house just to avoid any possibility of mold contamination.
Congrats on finally getting that piggie!
Younger pigs (and nursing mom pigs) need higher amounts of calcium than older pigs, thus why alfalfa is recommended over timothy hay. Alfalfa based pellets and hay provide necessary nutrition for growing bodies. If at all possible, go with alfalfa products. Giving them timothy hay wouldn't necessary "hurt" them, but you'd want to be sure they're getting the necessary calcium elsewhere in their diet (via veggies and fruits).
I think Timothy hay is fine. I have 2 guinea pigs, myself, and we have been giving them timothy hay all the time. It's actually very good for them. Enjoy your new cavy! I love mine!
timothy hay is a good choise
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