Guinea pigs, like most other small pets, need a large amount of hay for an optimal diet. This will give them the fiber they need for healthy digestion and provide the essential chewing fodder to keep their teeth short. That said, guinea pigs are adaptable and can do well on a variety of foods alongside their fiber requirements.
Pellets are the most common form of commercial guinea pig food. Pellet-based foods will give your guinea pigs a healthy, balanced diet, as they cannot pick out the treats and leave behind the healthy foods. A good pellet will provide your guinea pig with essential fiber and all the vitamins and nutrients they need for healthy teeth and bones, coats, and immunity.
It can be confusing to find the right type of food for your furry friend, one that will keep them both happy and healthy. We’ve done the hard work and put together this list of in-depth reviews to help you narrow down the options and find the best guinea pig food for your beloved pet.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023
The 10 Best Guinea Pig Foods
1. Oxbow Essentials Cavy Cuisine Adult Guinea Pig Food — Best Overall
The pellets are specially designed to mimic an adult guinea pig’s natural diet, so it is only suitable for guineas over six months of age. Some users report that the food can break up easily, so there is often dust left over in the bag.
Check Price on Chewy
Optimized for adult guinea pigs
Specialized calcium-to-phosphorus ratio
Stabilized vitamin C for a healthy immune system
- Optimized for adult guinea pigs
- Specialized calcium-to-phosphorus ratio
- Stabilized vitamin C for a healthy immune system
Pellets break up easily
- Pellets break up easily
2. Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Guinea Pig Food — Best Value
These pellets have an easy-to-eat texture, with ingredients that are specially formulated for guinea pigs. It will provide a complete solution to all your guinea’s dietary and nutritional requirements. Several users report that a strange smell comes from the food and that their guinea pigs wouldn’t eat it. This small factor keeps it from our top position.
Inexpensive
Easy-to-eat texture
Contains prebiotics and probiotics
Complete dietary solution
- Inexpensive
- Easy-to-eat texture
- Contains prebiotics and probiotics
- Complete dietary solution
Some guinea pigs won’t eat it
Strange smelling
- Some guinea pigs won’t eat it
- Strange smelling
3. Oxbow Organic Bounty Adult Guinea Pig Food — Premium Choice
This food is produced by certified organic farmers and has 95% certified organic ingredients, which will give your guineas the best quality of food and mimic their natural diet. Its high cost keeps it just out of our top two positions.
Fortified with stabilized vitamin C
95% organic ingredients
High in organic fiber
- Fortified with stabilized vitamin C
- 95% organic ingredients
- High in organic fiber
Expensive
- Expensive
4. Kaytee Timothy Complete Guinea Pig Food
This food does contain small amounts of alfalfa, which can cause kidney stones in adult guineas if given too much. Also, some users report that their guinea pigs would not eat it due to its potent aroma.
Rich in fiber
No artificial flavors or colors
Optimized for adult guinea pigs
- Rich in fiber
- No artificial flavors or colors
- Optimized for adult guinea pigs
Contains alfalfa
Strong-smelling
- Contains alfalfa
- Strong-smelling
5. Oxbow Garden Select Adult Guinea Pig Food
Some users report that their guineas would not eat it, as the pellets are larger than usual. They also crumble easily, which will leave unusable dust at the bottom of the bag.
Contains tomato and yellow peas for variety
Three different types of hay
Non-GMO certified
Farmed in the U.S.A.
- Contains tomato and yellow peas for variety
- Three different types of hay
- Non-GMO certified
- Farmed in the U.S.A.
Pellets are fairly large
Pellets crumble easily
Pellets are fairly large
Pellets crumble easily
Related Read: What to Feed Your Guinea Pig When Out of Guinea Pig Food
6. Mazuri Timothy-Based Guinea Pig Food
Several users report that their guineas won’t eat it, and it has a strong chemical smell.
Complete nutrition solution
High in omega-3 for healthy skin and coats
Contains stabilized vitamin C
- Complete nutrition solution
- High in omega-3 for healthy skin and coats
- Contains stabilized vitamin C
Some guineas won’t eat it
Strong chemical odor
- Some guineas won’t eat it
- Strong chemical odor
7. ZuPreem Nature’s Promise Guinea Pig Food
Check Latest PriceNature’s Promise from ZuPreem contains all the fiber your guineas need for a healthy digestive system. It is made with fiber-rich timothy hay with added vitamins and minerals that include stabilized vitamin C for optimal immune health. It’s also high in omega-3 flaxseed and vitamin E to keep your guinea’s coat healthy and fluffy. The included weed-free timothy hay is tested and monitored for pesticides, so you can be sure it is safe to eat for your guineas, and it is made in the U.S.A. to ensure freshness.
This food does contain small amounts of alfalfa, which can cause kidney issues in older guineas if they are fed too much.
Includes stabilized vitamin C
Contains omega-3 and vitamin E
Tested and monitored for pesticides
- Includes stabilized vitamin C
- Contains omega-3 and vitamin E
- Tested and monitored for pesticides
Contains alfalfa
- Contains alfalfa
8. Supreme Science Selective 4216 Guinea Pig Food
This food is optimized for adults, as the pellets are fairly large. The pellets contain small amounts of alfalfa, and although it is stated that there is no added sugar, the ingredients clearly list cane molasses.
Contains linseeds for essential omega-3 oils
Contains stabilized vitamin C
Crunchy, airy pellet texture
- Contains linseeds for essential omega-3 oils
- Contains stabilized vitamin C
- Crunchy, airy pellet texture
Large-sized pellets
Contains cane sugar
- Large-sized pellets
- Contains cane sugar
9. Hartz Guinea Pig Food Pellets
Check Latest PriceThese guinea pellets from Hartz are specially formulated to meet all of your Guinea pig’s nutritional needs. The pellets are fortified with vitamin C for immune health, antioxidants and omega-6 for healthy skin and a shiny coat and omega-3 for a healthy heart. They are also high in timothy hay fiber to promote healthy digestion for your guinea.
Note that this food does contain alfalfa, which can be harmful to adults if given in large amounts. The pellets are also a mixture of small and large kibble, and the bigger kibble will be difficult for your guinea to eat. It also contains artificial coloring and preservatives, which are not great for your guinea’s overall health. Many users report that their guineas will not eat it.
Fortified with vitamin C
Include omega-3 and omega-6
- Fortified with vitamin C
- Include omega-3 and omega-6
Large-sized pellets
Contains artificial colors and preservatives
Some users report their guineas would not eat it
Contains small amounts of alfalfa
- Large-sized pellets
- Contains artificial colors and preservatives
- Some users report their guineas would not eat it
- Contains small amounts of alfalfa
10. Vitakraft Guinea Pig Food
Check Latest PriceThese guinea pellets from Vitakraft contains a wide mix of fruit and vegetables and natural probiotics to support immune health and digestion. They also contain omega-3 for assisting in brain function and vision and will give your guinea a healthy skin and coat.
This food contains many “treats,” some of which are not good to give your guinea on a regular basis. Users also report the pellets crumbling easily, which will leave your guinea with fewer pellets and more treats! The included treats are separate from the pellets, and your guinea will likely eat them and leave the pellets, resulting in an incomplete diet. The high sugar content from the fruit could easily result in obesity or even diabetes in your guinea.
Wide mix of fruits and vegetables
Contains probiotics
- Wide mix of fruits and vegetables
- Contains probiotics
Some unhealthy ingredients
Pellets crumble easily
High sugar content
Treats are separate from the pellets
- Some unhealthy ingredients
- Pellets crumble easily
- High sugar content
- Treats are separate from the pellets
Buying Guide: How to Select the Best Food For Your Guinea Pig
Pellets are the best form of food to give your guineas. They can provide the complete profile of nutrients that will keep your guinea healthy and happy, including protein, fiber, and vitamins. Pellets have everything your guinea needs, so you can be sure that it will not just eat the tasty treats and leave behind the nutritious parts. There are a few factors to consider when purchasing food for your guinea.
Ingredients
Guineas need fiber in their diet. This keeps their digestion healthy and keeps their fast-growing teeth short and strong. The fiber usually comes in the form of alfalfa hay or timothy hay. Alfalfa hay is great for adolescent guineas but can be dangerous for adult guineas in big quantities. Guineas cannot make vitamin C, so they need it as a daily part of their diet. Omega-3 fatty acids are also important, as they will give your guinea essential oils that help maintain healthy skin and coat.
Foods to Avoid
It’s important not to give your guineas high amounts of sugar, as this can lead to obesity and even diabetes. Pellets with added fruits and vegetables should be avoided or used sparingly. Some of these mixes also contain seeds and nuts in addition to dried fruit, which are not natural foods for guineas. Your guinea will likely love these treats, but they should ideally only be given as an occasional treat. Any kinds of artificial colorants or flavors should also be avoided, as they can cause health issues.
Alfalfa hay is a great source of calcium and fiber but is suited only to young guineas or pregnant or lactating guineas. Adult guineas past six months of age don’t need high amounts of calcium, which alfalfa contains in fairly high amounts, and this can cause health issues if you give too much of it to your guinea.
- Here is a list of foods that you should never feed your guinea pig!
Conclusion
According to our reviews, the Cavy Cuisine guinea food from Oxbow is the top choice for guinea pig pellets. It contains all the fiber and nutrients needed by adult guineas for optimum nutrition and contains stabilized vitamin C for a healthy immune system.
The best guinea pig pellets for the money are the Forti-Diet Pro Health guinea pig food from Kaytee. They will provide all the essential nutrients your guinea pig needs to thrive, and they contain various grains, including oats and wheat for protein, all at an affordable price.
You want to give your furry friend the best food possible, and it can be difficult and stressful to wade through all the various types of pellets available. Hopefully, our in-depth reviews have helped you narrow down the options, so you can find the best possible food to suit your guinea’s unique needs.
Looking for more info on gear for your guinea? Check out these posts:
- Best Bedding for Guinea Pigs
- Best Guinea Pig Toys
- Best Cage for Two Guinea Pigs
