Yes, Guinea Pigs Have a Specific Diet. Luckily, It Won't Cost You Too Much

Taking care of a guinea pig isn’t as easy as one might think. Not only do you need to buy them a cage that's big enough for them to move, but you also have to take them to the vet for routine checkups and provide them with the proper nutrition.

One thing to note is that guinea pigs can be very particular about their diet. According to VCA Hospitals, most guinea pigs develop food preferences early in life and any sudden change could result in a refusal to eat — even changing their food plates could confuse them. If you’ve recently adopted a guinea pig, be sure to ask what their current diet is, and make slow, gradual changes to avoid any issues.

According to Petco, because guinea pigs are herbivores, their diet should consist of hay, pellets, fresh vegetables, and fresh fruit. That being said, it is important to make sure that whatever food you are giving them is high in vitamin C because guinea pigs are naturally deficient of it. If a guinea pig doesn't get enough vitamin C in their diet, they could be prone to developing infections.

If you recently brought a little guinea pig home, or are thinking about adopting one, here’s everything you need to know about what guinea pigs eat.