is alfalfa hay good for a guinea pig?
i have found alfalfa hay for sale and i have a guinea pig is it alright for them to eat?
If your guinea pig is an adult, do not use alfalfa hay as it is higher in calcium and calories. Alfalfa hay may be fine for breeding guinea pigs and for young guinea pigs (< 4 - 6 months of age) that need the extra calories and calcium but for adult pet guinea pigs the extra calories can cause obesity and the high calcium can lead to bladder stones and sludge. Alfalfa hay can also cause chronic soft stool and intestinal shutdown also known as Gastrointestinal (GI) Stasis. GI stasis is a medical emergency.
The best hay to feed is grass hay: (e.g. timothy hay, bermuda grass hay). This hay must be available at all times. 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week. You can use a hay trough to keep the hay off the ground and from becoming contaminated.
