Meadow Hay vs Timothy Hay. Another name for alfalfa is lucerne which is a common name for it in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. As such, you can soon see why it can be problematic when given to your Guinea Pigs in excess. You just need to ensure that you provide it in measured and limited quantities. For a Guinea Pig this weight can be hard to reduce, and it also adds stress to their small and delicate frame. 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. We are pet enthusiasts and love sharing everything that we learn about them! If you are looking to get some, this is the one I recommend. 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. Nutritionally speaking, however, they are very different. 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. Other similar pellets have alfalfa listed as the first ingredient which is not healthy for adult Guinea pigs. Orchard hay. Let us know take a closer look at Alfalfa Hay. For all small herbivores – that’s rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas and degus – hay should make up around 80% of the diet. So I was going to get a 4.5kg bag for them but I'm worried they will get bored of it. Sometimes these might be labeled as “guinea pig and gerbil food”, and alfalfa can be a main ingredient. That means these pets should eat a portion of hay the same size of their own body every day! Sammy and Lucky currently LOVE alfalfa king timothy hay, if I put the other timothy hay we have in their hay rack it gets ignored until I put some alfalfa king in. If your guinea pig is older than 6 months then definitely stick to the Timothy. However, again do not use this type of hay exclusively for bedding. Since Alfalfa hay is too high in calcium, it should only be given to adult cavies as an occasional treat. Alfalfa is given to young guinea pigs because it has fat in it. Chewing it gently grinds away at their teeth and ensures they are reduced. Alfalfa has increasingly become a common ingredient in some commercial guinea pig pellets. Vitakraft Timothy Hay Sweet Grass. You do not want to your Guinea Pig to have the opportunity to, or too much access to eating it. Additionally, Alfalfa is great at regulating and preventing a Guinea Pigs teeth from growing out too long and large. 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. Its packed full of vitamins and minerals, and Hay of course should make up the majority of a Guinea Pigs diet. It has the proper amount of nutrients and fiber that the need to keep healthy. Start once per week and then work your way up over time. The best way to feed Alfalfa hay is to add small amounts to their feed. If your guinea pig is an adult, do not use alfalfa hay as it is higher in calcium and calories. A prime example of this is following illness, injury or infection. 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. It is always preferable to start with very small amounts and see how your Guinea Pig responds. For those cavies, you could mix half Timothy and Alfalfa. Your guinea pig should have unlimited access to high quality grass hay. For a normal, healthy Guinea Pig, if you over supply Alfalfa Hay they can run into a range of negative side effects and symptoms. 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 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. UNLIMITED Timothy Hay is recommended for guinea pigs. The alfalfa hay contains high fiber and calcium, which is suitable for young, growing, and nursing guinea pigs. It's best to have them eat timothy than nothing. Legumes are higher in calcium and have a calcium/phosphorus ratio with more calcium than is recommended for most guinea pigs. Sometimes you may see it called “Lucerne” , particularly if you live in the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, or New Zealand. The Timothy hay contains a balance of fiber, protein, calcium, and other nutrients which is suitable for the daily diet of all guinea pigs. Contains stabilized vitamin C - Remains active longer than traditional vitamin C. Contains probiotics - May promote GI tract health. Contains flaxseed - Great Omega-3 fatty acid source. It is abundant in plant proteins, chlorophyll, carotene, calcium, and other trace minerals. Alfalfa pellets are suitable for young, growing and pregnant guinea pigs. So, is Alfalfa Hay good for Guinea Pigs? Some low quality commercial foods often contain alfalfa. Re: Is alfalfa hay or timothy hay better? Alfalfa is rich in calories and contains a lot of calcium and protein. Guinea pig hay is one of the most important foods for a guinea pig and comes in many different types including Timothy, Meadow & Alfalfa. 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. It provides a lot of calcium, vitamins, minerals, protein and fibers that support their digestion and support their dental health. Contains natural vitamin E. [Is Is It Possible & Safe], Can Hamsters Eat Chocolate? Alfalfa Hay can be a great, wholesome addition to your Guinea Pigs diet. Viking Farmer is the Alfalfa Hay brand (available on Amazon) that I was recommended by my vet for my Guinea Pigs. Timothy hay is considered the Gold Seal of hay for Guinea Pigs. Small Pet Select Timothy Hay is a premium-quality timothy hay prepared in small batches by fellow animal… Alfalfa vs. Timothy Hay-based pellets. With that being said, Alfalfa Hay can be a great addition to your Guinea Pigs diet. While Alfalfa Hay seems like an appropriate solution to fill this requirement, consider that it can actually be too calorie dense and contain too much fiber for them. Yes; it is safe and healthy to feed a Guinea Pig Alfafa Hay. Guinea Pig Ringworm: Treating & Preventing Ringworm in Guinea Pigs. Due to its high fiber quantity, when an appropriate amount is provided it can support their digestive system and help them to extract nutrients from the rest of their diet. 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). Whatever age your guinea pig is, grass hay (such as Timothy hay) should always be available in the cage. Alfalfa hay can be given to guinea pigs under a year old or pregnant, but it is not a substitute for timothy hay. Guinea pig pellets are made from one of two primary sources: alfalfa or Timothy Hay. My guinea pigs enjoy eating these pellets. Timothy hay is a diet staple. 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. Timothy is a meadow grass that is both nutritious and flavorful, and it is highly recommended by veterinarians. Pet Educate strives to be the definitive online resource to help you learn everything that you need to know. If your guinea pig is young and under 6 months old then alfalfa is a good choice. However, a lot of pellets from the store are alfalfa hay based. Buy on Amazon. Meadow Hay is made from grass that is harvested from pastures. [What You Need To Know]. Traditionally, Alfalfa Hay is used to feed working Horses. It prevents obesity, dental disease, diarrhea and boredom. When looking at which type of hay to feed a … Vitakraft Timothy Hay is all natural, hight quality, and overall … It is imperative that you look after the health of your Guinea Pig by feeding them correctly and appropriately. Alfalfa is particularly high in calcium, which presents a health issue for guinea pigs. (Alfalfa is good for baby guinea pigs). Guinea Pigs have a low Calcium requirement and they are prone to bladder stones which can form with Calcium excess. Besides, the main purpose of hay is fiber. There are also some other cases whereby you can increase the amount fed or it is even preferably to regular Timothy Hay. Required fields are marked *. Timothy hay is a popular type of grass hay, often considered the “gold standard” because of its nutritional profile. This is because overfeeding it will supply too much nutrition and can cause obesity and weight management problems. The point of providing alfalfa hay is to give the guinea pig calcium since alfalfa is very high in calcium. Alfalfa hay is supposed to be a supplement and may be provided *alongside* another type of hay, but NOT replace it. It is particularly effective if your Guinea Pig has lost a substantial amount of weight (like following illness), or if it is being fussy and refusing to eat. Which hay is best for guinea pigs… Meadow Hay or Timothy Hay? These cheap, inappropriate and harmful products should be avoided entirely. (source). Senior Guinea Pig. If they are given pellets with alfalfa hay it should be safe to give them timothy hay. 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. Another aspect to be concerned with is the high calcium content. Whether your furry friend needs an oat hay, a legume hay (like alfalfa) or a grass hay (like Timothy or orchard), you’re guaranteed to receive a product that’s the freshest you can find anywhere. Ultimately, with Guinea Pigs, food is fundamentally important. 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). 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. It is also provides a lot of the B Vitamins, along with Vitamin C, D, E, and K. It also contains Phosphorous and Zinc. Guinea Lynx' HAY CHART All Hay Sun-cured Values in % or Ratio Dry Matter % Crude Protein % Calcium % Phosph. 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