Oxbow Animal Health Essentials Young Guinea Pig Food

Purpose-Built Nutrition for Juvenile and Nursing Guinea Pigs

Product Description

Essentials Young Guinea Pig Food is an alfalfa-based pellet formula engineered to meet the elevated protein, calcium, and energy needs of guinea pigs under six months, as well as pregnant and nursing sows. Each uniform pellet prevents selective feeding, delivering balanced nutrition – fortified with stabilized vitamin C – for healthy growth, development, and reproductive wellness.

Benefits

• Targeted Growth Support: 18% protein and high-calcium alfalfa meet the demands of growing, pregnant, and nursing guinea pigs. 
• High-Fiber Foundation: 18-23% crude fiber from alfalfa and beet pulp ensures optimal gut motility and digestive health. 
• Essential Vitamin C: 400 mg/kg stabilized vitamin C supports immune function and prevents scurvy in species that cannot synthesize ascorbic acid. 
• Uniform Pellets: Prevents selective feeding habits, ensuring every bite contains complete vitamins and minerals.
• Natural, Clean Ingredients: No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives – only purposeful, premium components.

Ingredients

Alfalfa Meal, Soybean Hulls, Soybean Meal, Wheat Middlings, Soybean Oil, Salt, Cane Molasses, Lignin Sulfonate, Calcium Carbonate, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Vit. C), Sodium Bentonite, Dehydrated Beet Pulp, Hydrolyzed Yeast, Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Yeast Culture, Zinc Sulfate, Niacin, Copper Sulfate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Manganous Oxide, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Magnesium Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Manganese Proteinate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Cobalt Carbonate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Calcium Iodate.

Guaranteed Analysis

How to Use

• Provide free-choice pellets in a sturdy dish.
• Offer unlimited access to high-fiber grass hay daily.
• Transition gradually over 4 weeks: Week 1 (75% old : 25% new), Week 2 (50:50), Week 3 (25:75), Week 4 (100% new).
• Store in a cool, dry place; reseal bag after each use.
• Ensure fresh, clean water is available at all times.

Additional Information

Precautions

• Intended for juvenile, pregnant, or nursing guinea pigs only; adult guinea pigs require adult formula.
• Monitor body condition; adjust additional treats and hay to maintain a healthy weight.
• Discard moldy or soiled pellets immediately.

Shipping & Return

We offer ground, express, priority, and international delivery; see our shipping policy for details.

For return instructions or product concerns, please refer to our detailed refund policy. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can adult guinea pigs eat this food?

Ans: No. This formula is specifically designed for guinea pigs under six months, pregnant, or nursing. Adult guinea pigs should transition to Oxbow Essentials Adult Guinea Pig Food.

Q2: Why does this diet include alfalfa hay?

Ans: Alfalfa provides higher protein, calcium, and energy required for rapid growth and lactation, whereas adult maintenance diets use timothy hay for lower calcium content.

Q3: How should I transition my guinea pig to this food?

Ans: Gradually mix increasing amounts of the new food over four weeks, starting at 25% new diet in Week 1 and reaching 100% by Week 4 to prevent digestive upset.

Q4: How much vitamin C does this food provide?

Ans: Each kilogram contains 400 mg of stabilized vitamin C to meet and exceed daily requirements, preventing deficiency in guinea pigs.

Q5: What storage practices maintain pellet quality?

Ans: Store in a cool, dry environment away from direct sunlight. Reseal the bag tightly after each use or transfer pellets to an airtight container to preserve freshness.