Is it okay to feed your hamster guinea pig food?

Answer 1

NO NO NO NO

Guinea pigs are unique among other small mammals in their dietary requirements, since they require Vitamin C. Like humans, they are missing an enzyme that is necessary for the body to make Vitamin C. Therefore, they require supplemental Vitamin C in their diet.

Although guinea pig pellets have added Vitamin C, it only remains active for about 90 days after the pellets are made, and that is if the pellets are stored correctly (in a closed container in a cool environment). Storage at room temperature and high humidity can rapidly destroy Vitamin C. Therefore, we should not rely on the pellets to provide the guinea pig with its Vitamin C requirements. We need to feed fresh fruits and vegetables. Foods that contain high levels of Vitamin C include:

Leafy greens, such as kale, parsley, spinach, and chicory
Cabbage
Red and green peppers
Asparagus
Broccoli
Peas
Tomatoes
Dandelion greens (no pesticides, fertilizer, or herbicides)
Kiwi
Oranges
In addition to fresh guinea pig pellets, and fresh fruits and vegetables, it is generally recommended to provide guinea pigs with a daily vitamin C supplement in case they are not receiving adequate amounts in their diet. There are vitamin C drops that can be added to the drinking water, but the vitamin C in the water breaks down rapidly. Oral supplements in the form of flavored tablets for guinea pigs are available and are an excellent option. A 50 mg tablet daily would be adequate for a healthy guinea pig. Use products for guinea pigs that only contain Vitamin C. Using a multiple vitamin product to provide sufficient Vitamin C may result in an overdose of the other vitamins.

Signs of a Vitamin C deficiency in guinea pigs can develop quite rapidly (within weeks) if they are being fed a deficient diet. These signs include:

Loss of appetite
Depression
Ruffled fur
Weight loss
Swollen and painful joints and ribs; lameness
Poor bone and teeth development
Nasal discharge
Bleeding gums and hemorrhages under the skin and into the joints
If identified before the guinea pig becomes too ill, the Vitamin C deficiency can be corrected and the guinea pig will recover, although Vitamin C injections and force feeding may be necessary if the guinea pig has a decreased appetite. Vitamin C injections are often necessary for any ill guinea pig, since it will usually eat less and therefore not take in sufficient Vitamin C.

Answer 2

Firstly, Hartz Bonanza is one of the crappiest foods on the market. If it says Guinea pig food, and it's from Hartz, it's not even good enough for a Guinea pig. They have all sorts of sugar and other stuff that you would never want to feed your pet. And secondly, you can't feed a hamster human food and expect it to be healthy. Hamsters live off grains, not veggies like Guinea pigs. Guinea pigs and hamsters are hardly related at all, even if they look alike. I recommend picking out the seeds, using them for hamster treats, buying some real hamster food (I like Mazuri), and using the rest for fertilizer. Good luck with your hamster! : )

Answer 3

No, Guinea Pigs are herbivores and Hamsters are omnivores, the guinea pig food is mostly grasses and hays, this does not provide enough protien for the hamsters, also the grasses and hays are not easy for hamsters to break down in the digestive systems and too much can cause blockages. They really do need their own specific food.

Answer 4

They can eat a little guinea pig food, but it does not contain the nutrition a hamster needs. Their digestive systems are very different. If you can't get hamster food until tomorrow, give it some bread or oatmeal or cereal for tonight.

Answer 5

It depends. If you have a big hamster, that's fine, because they have practically the same diet. However, if you have a medium or small hamster, you could still feed him the food, but you would have to cut it up, so it wouldn't get stuck in your hamster's throught or digestive system. I think it would just be easier to buy hamster food, but guinea pig food works.

Answer 6

mabye like carrots it depends because i have a class guinea pig named
Sparky plus i am the pet monter

Answer 7

No! It is higher in fat and has more fiber in it than hamsters need. Feed a hamster, HAMSTER FOOD. ;)

Answer 8

idk ask a pet store maybe they will help