A guinea pig’s diet has one requirement rabbits and chinchillas don’t share: guinea pigs can’t make their own vitamin C, so it has to come from their food every single day — on top of the same hay-first foundation every small pet needs.
Choosing a pellet
A guinea-pig-specific pellet — not a generic small-animal or rabbit pellet — is worth insisting on, since it’s formulated with added vitamin C that a rabbit pellet simply doesn’t include. Check the packaging date too: vitamin C degrades over time, so fresher stock matters more here than for most pet food.
How much pellet
A measured daily portion (roughly an eighth of a cup per guinea pig is a common starting point, though this varies by size and the pellet’s density) alongside unlimited hay and a daily fresh-vegetable portion for extra vitamin C.
Topping up vitamin C
Pellets alone often aren’t quite enough — daily fresh vegetables like bell pepper are a genuinely effective way to help close the gap, on top of a vitamin-C-formulated pellet rather than instead of one.
Every guinea pig is different — for anything specific to yours, an exotic-animal-savvy vet is the right source, not a general guide like this one.
Shop the range
See our guinea pig hay, guinea pig treats, or read the Guinea Pig Care Guide for the full diet picture.