The diets of guinea pigs and rabbits look fairly similar, but their nutritious needs differ. Because of the similarities, many pet owners believe that these two diets can be used interchangeably. This article is here to tell you the common feeding mistakes that happen, and why choosing an appropriate diet, including species-specific foods like Oxbow guinea pig food or Oxbow rabbit food, is essential. If you are guilty of this myth we’ve been discussing, this article is for you.
Feeding the Wrong Pellets
You might have seen or heard of rabbit owners buying Oxbow guinea pig food, or the other way around. This is where the most common mistake can be discussed, feeding your pet the wrong pellets. While it’s true that the pellets look similar, their nutritious value is different. A guinea pig requires some vitamin C in its diet because it doesn’t produce enough of its own; while the rabbit doesn’t require vitamin C supplementation. You can now clearly see why it’s not good to mix them up. Oxbow rabbit food will not have enough vitamin C for your rabbit.
Because of these kinds of differences, it’s recommended to always feed your pet with the food that is designed for them. Back to our example, if your guinea pig doesn’t get the vitamin C it needs, it could lead to symptoms such as: lethargy, painful teeth, depression, weight loss, and poor appetite. Ensuring that your pet’s diet is rich in the vitamins that it needs will keep them happy and healthy, and it will reduce the number of visits you need to make to the vet. If you’ve noticed any of these symptoms, you probably need to make a change in your pet’s diet.
You Are Not Providing Enough Hay
Hay should make up more than 80% of the diet of both guinea pigs and rabbits. Some people believe that this is just something that happens in fairy tales, so they don’t feed their pets enough hay. If you have a pet rabbit, choose Oxbow rabbit food as it has hay as a component. For animals like rabbits and guinea pigs, hay is necessary to wear down their continuously growing teeth. Without wearing them down, the teeth grow too long and sharp and will eventually hurt both the pet and the owner.
Hay is also great for supporting digestion. Digestion is one of the pieces of the puzzle that if it doesn’t work, everything goes bad. Without a healthy working digestive system, food doesn’t convert into fuel, so there’s no energy for your pet. Moreover, eating hay encourages natural foraging behaviour. So, don’t shy away from hay and feed as much as possible. Rabbits can survive with hay being 90% of their diet. Which means that it will be pretty hard to overfeed your rabbit with hay. Pellets should complement the hay, not represent most of the diet.
You Are Giving Too Many Treats
Giving treats feels like a great way to show your pet that you are proud of them. But, there is such a thing as too many treats. When compared to Oxbow guinea pig food and Oxbow rabbit food, the treats’ label isn’t as clean. Store-bought treats often contain sugar and artificial sweeteners which are not good for your pet. A sugary treat might seem like a good idea to you after a hard day, but do you have any idea of what a sugary treat might do for your pet? Their stomach is now upset, which could mean pain and diarrhea.
Oxbow guinea pig food is a great source of fibre and protein, but a treat is not a bad idea, when chosen wisely. Both rabbits and guinea pigs like fresh herbs, vegetables and fruits. Oxbow has a great selection of snacks you can choose from. Experts believe that treats should not make up more than 5% of your pet’s recommended daily calorie intake. When you are giving your pet too many treats, you might think that you’re being a good pet owner. But, this practice is better in thought rather than in action.
Choosing Food Based Only on Price
Choosing food based only on price is a mistake most pet owners are guilty of doing at least once. And while it may not lead to dangerous situations if done once or twice, if this is what you do regularly, your pet might not be as healthy as you think. We understand that price is one of the most important elements when making any purchase, but there are a few other factors you should consider more. Nutritional completeness is the element you should be paying most attention to. While Oxbow guinea pig food is slightly more expensive than other options, it’s higher-quality and prioritises the pet’s health and wellbeing.
When choosing food for your rabbit or guinea pig, look closely at the labels. Remember our vitamin C example from earlier. The product should provide the fibre, protein and vitamins that your pet requires. Product freshness should also be higher on your list of priorities. When you are only looking at the price, you are probably not providing all of the nutrients that your pet needs. The formulation and quality of a product matter for the long-term health of animals. So, ensuring that your pet will have a long and healthy life begins with a high-quality diet.
Conclusion
Oxbow rabbit food is never a bad decision, unless you are feeding it to a guinea pig! If you’ve done one or more of the mistakes presented on this list, don’t feel ashamed. The most important thing is to identify the mistake and not repeat it. Feeding your pet a diet that meets their nutritional needs is what will keep it happy and healthy. Never feed the wrong pellets, and don’t shy away from hay, as both rabbits and guinea pigs love it. If you are giving too many treats, try to at least switch to a healthy version; and don’t buy food only based on price!
