Updated
Small mammal question
Guinea pigs need unlimited clean grass hay every day. Hay supports teeth, digestion, foraging, and routine, so it should be easier to reach than any treat or pellet.
Keep hay, vitamin C, companionship, and appetite in view.
Start with the normal daily diet, then judge the specific food question against that routine.
Check the staple food, hay or seed balance when relevant, water, treats, hoards, droppings, weight, and whether one animal is eating less.
Food answers change by species because teeth, digestion, hay needs, hoarding, protein needs, and body size are different.
Place hay, vitamin C food, water, and the scale where a normal check also shows how cage mates act.
Set the staple, water check, treat rule, and leftover check so appetite changes are easy to notice.
Place hay, vitamin C food, water, and the scale where a normal check also shows how cage mates act.
Less appetite, fewer droppings, soft stool, weight loss, drooling, hoard changes, or one animal being blocked from food deserves an exotic-pet vet call.
Write down the staple, water check, treat amount, hoards or leftovers, droppings, weight, and the exact food change.
No. The page gives the practical rule, then the species profile should decide the final housing, food, handling, and vet plan.
Ask an exotic-pet veterinarian promptly for appetite loss, fewer droppings, labored breathing, collapse, severe lethargy, wounds, heat stress, or sudden weight change.
