Product title
Vendor
£19.99 | £24.99
Product title
Vendor
£19.99 | £24.99
Product title
Vendor
£19.99 | £24.99
Product title
Vendor
£19.99 | £24.99
Muscle and Bone Building Formula for Young Guinea Pigs
Product Description
Young guinea pigs, along with pregnant and nursing mothers, have higher energy and protein demands than adults, and Oxbow Essentials Young Guinea Pig Food is built around that. Leading with high-fiber alfalfa hay and layering in balanced protein, calcium, and stabilized vitamin C, this uniform pellet supports healthy growth, strong bones, and steady development when guinea pigs need it most.
Benefits
- Alfalfa-First Formula: Leads with high-fiber, protein-rich alfalfa hay to fuel digestion and healthy energy during early growth and development.
- Muscle and Bone Support: Balanced protein and calcium levels help support developing muscles and bones in young guinea pigs.
- Stabilized Vitamin C: Includes stabilized vitamin C, an essential nutrient guinea pigs need at every life stage they reach.
- Supports Pregnant and Nursing Pigs: Also formulated to meet the extra energy needs of pregnant and nursing guinea pigs as well.
- No Artificial Additives: Free of artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors, relying only on purposeful, natural ingredients throughout the recipe.
Variants
- 5 lb Bag
- 10 lb Bag
- 25 lb Bag
Ingredients
Alfalfa Meal, Soybean Hulls, Soybean Meal, Wheat Middlings, Soybean Oil, Salt, Lignin Sulfonate, Cane Molasses, Calcium Carbonate, L-Ascorbyl-2-Monophosphate (Vitamin C), Sodium Bentonite, Hydrolyzed Yeast, Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Yeast Culture, Zinc Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Niacin, Copper Sulfate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Manganous Oxide, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Magnesium Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Vitamin A Supplement, Sodium Selenite, Manganese Proteinate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Cobalt Carbonate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Calcium Iodate.
Guaranteed Analysis
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Crude Protein (min) | 18.00% |
| Crude Fat (min) | 2.50% |
| Crude Fiber (min) | 18.00% |
| Crude Fiber (max) | 23.00% |
| Moisture (max) | 10.00% |
| Calcium (min) | 0.60% |
| Calcium (max) | 1.10% |
| Phosphorus (min) | 0.25% |
| Vitamin A (min) | 10,000 IU/kg |
| Vitamin D (min) | 900 IU/kg |
| Vitamin E (min) | 190 IU/kg |
| Ascorbic Acid / Vitamin C (min) | 400 mg/kg |
How to Use
Dosage Chart
| Life Stage | Feeding Amount |
|---|---|
| Young (under 6 months) | Unlimited, free-choice |
| Pregnant/Nursing | Unlimited, free-choice |
Dosage & Administration Instructions
- Pair with Unlimited Hay: Along with this pellet, always keep fresh grass hay available so your guinea pig can eat as much as it wants.
- Limit Alfalfa Hay: Offer alfalfa hay only in small quantities alongside this alfalfa-based pellet formula.
- Transition Gradually Over a Month: Blend old and new food across four weeks, shifting the ratio weekly until fully switched.
- Consult Your Vet if Needed: Reach out to your veterinarian or Oxbow directly if your guinea pig is over- or underweight.
Additional Information
Precautions
- Guidelines Only: Feeding amounts are general guidelines only, so adjust as needed for your individual guinea pig's body condition.
Shipping & Return
We offer ground, express, and priority delivery; see our shipping policy for details.
For return instructions or product concerns, please refer to our detailed refund policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What life stages is Essentials Young Guinea Pig Food meant for?
Ans: This formula is built for guinea pigs younger than six months, as well as pregnant and nursing guinea pigs, since both groups have higher energy and nutrient needs than typical adults. It's not intended as a long-term diet once a guinea pig moves past these stages.
Q2: How much Young Guinea Pig Formula should I feed a young guinea pig?
Ans: The feeding guidance calls for unlimited, free-choice access to this pellet for guinea pigs under six months old. Because young guinea pigs are still growing quickly, they're allowed to eat as much as they want rather than being given a fixed daily amount.
Q3: Can I feed Essentials Young Guinea Pig Pellets to a pregnant or nursing guinea pig?
Ans: Yes, this food is formulated specifically to also meet the needs of pregnant and nursing guinea pigs, alongside young ones. Like young guinea pigs, pregnant and nursing pigs are fed this pellet on an unlimited, free-choice basis rather than a measured daily portion.
Q4: How do I switch my guinea pig over to Young Guinea Pig Food safely?
Ans: A gradual four-week transition is recommended to avoid digestive upset when switching guinea pigs to this food. Mix three parts of the old food with one part new in week one, gradually increasing the new food's share each week until feeding it exclusively by week four.
Q5: Why does Essentials Formula for Young Guinea Pigs include vitamin C?
Ans: Guinea pigs can't make their own vitamin C, so it always has to come through their diet, no matter their age or life stage. Stabilized vitamin C is added to every pellet in this formula, along with a guaranteed minimum level, to help meet that ongoing requirement.
Q6: Can I give my guinea pig alfalfa hay along with Essentials young guinea pig pellet?
Ans: Yes, but only in small quantities alongside this pellet, according to the feeding directions for this formula. Since it already uses alfalfa meal as its leading ingredient, adding a lot of extra alfalfa hay on top could push a guinea pig's diet out of balance.
Q7: Does the young guinea pig recipe from the Essentials line contain any artificial preservatives?
Ans: No, this formula leaves artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors out entirely, relying only on purposeful, natural ingredients throughout the recipe. That's consistent across the full product line, not just this particular young guinea pig formula, based on the product details listed on this page.