The Best Guinea Pig Pellets: Reviewed and Ranked

Pelleted food is an important part of your guinea pigs’ diet. It is important to buy good quality food to have good nutrition for your guinea pigs. Guinea pigs also require a high fiber diet that gives them plenty of chewing time. Their teeth continue to grow throughout their lifetime and this chewing keeps them from becoming too long. With multiple different brands selling different types of food, it’s hard to know which option is the best choice for your pet. 

In this article, we will talk about some of the best options for your pet to get the most nutritional value out of its pellets. Timothy hay-based are often the best choice of pellets for your guinea pig. Vitamin C and fiber are an essential part of your guinea pigs’ diet, and they must be in the pellets. 

There are a lot of dried food mixes that are not good. For example, some will contain dried fruits, nuts, which are not meant for guinea pigs. While these may seem appealing, they are generally too high in sugar and too low in fiber to be healthy options for your little friend. They are made to look more appetizing so don’t be fooled by the colors. Surprisingly, it is the more boring-looking pellets that are usually the healthier choices. 

A-Z-Animals Top Picks for Guinea Pig Pellets

#1 Best Overall: Kaytee Timothy Complete Guinea Pig Food 

The best overall guinea pig pellets are Kaytee Timothy Complete Guinea Pig Pet Food.

These guinea pig pellets are made with timothy hay and contain no loose seeds or fruits. These pellets support dental health through natural chewing activity, plus they contain no added sugars which makes them an all-round healthy option. This food also contains chelated minerals, omega-3, natural antioxidants, and amino acids to make it the very best for maintaining you beloved guinea pig’s health. They also contain prebiotics and probiotics to help maintain a healthy digestive system. Another nutritional benefit is the added vitamin C. Vitamin C in dry hay loses potency over time so it is important that it is added back into the pelleted feed.

On the whole, these pellets are highly palatable and well-liked by guinea pigs. However, some customers have reported that the shape and size of the pellets are not always consistent, while it other cases some of them have been crushed into dust in the bottom of the bag.

Pros and Cons of the Kaytee Timothy Complete Guinea Pig Food 

Best Overall

Kaytee Timothy Complete Guinea Pig Food

• Support dental health through natural chewing
• Made with Timothy Hay
• Added Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Antioxidants
• Veterinarian-recommended

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2. Best Premium Option: Oxbow Essentials Cavy Cuisine Adult Guinea Pig Food

Our selection as the best premium option is the Oxbow Essentials Cavy Cuisine Adult Guinea Pig Food.

These pellets contain essential ingredients that are needed for a healthy, active lifestyle. They are also made with high fiber timothy hay to support healthy digestion. It also contains added vitamin C and antioxidants to support the immune system of your guinea pig. Also, the uniform pellets help to prevent selective feeding so it is great for picky eaters. Not only that, but this brand is veterinarian recommended. 

However, as this food is a premium option it is more expensive than some of the other food that we have selected.

Pros and Cons of the Oxbow Essentials Cavy Cuisine Adult Guinea Pig Food

Best Premium

Oxbow Essentials Cavy Cuisine Adult Guinea Pig Food

• Contain essential ingredients that are needed for a healthy, active lifestyle
• Made with high fiber Oxbow Timothy Hay
• Added Vitamin C and antioxidants 
• Designed with the help of leading nutritionists and veterinarians

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3. Best Complete Nutrition: Mazuri Timothy-Based Guinea Pig Food

The best complete nutrition option is the Mazuri Timothy-Based Guinea Pig Food which is specificially designed to meet the nutritional needs of guinea pigs.

These pellets are high in fiber which promotes increased chewing and aids in digestion. It also contains flaxseeds which help promote healthy skin and a healthy coat. These pellets also have probiotics to promote gastrointestinal health. This food offers proper guinea pig nutrition in pellet form using timothy hay which provides lower protein and excellent mineral balance for guinea pigs in all life stages. It also contains stabilized vitamin C which remains active for longer than traditional vitamin C to help prevent vitamin deficiencies than can lead to issues such as weight loss.

Unfortunately, some customers have reported that this food doesn’t smell very appetizing compared to other brands, and that their guinea pigs simply won’t touch it.

Pros and Cons of the Mazuri Timothy-Based Guinea Pig Food

Best Complete Nutrition

Mazuri Timothy-Based Guinea Pig Food

• High in fiber
• Contains flaxseeds which help promote healthy skin
• Suitable for guinea pigs in all life stages
• Contains all the essential vitamins and nutrients

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4. Best Value: Kaytee Supreme Fortified Daily Diet Guinea Pig Food 

If you are looking for the most cost-effective guinea pig food then we suggest the Kaytee Supreme Fortified Daily Diet Guinea Pig Food.

This food is a complete diet that helps ensure proper nutrition for a healthy immune system and growth. These pellets will give your guinea pig a wholesome diet that contains natural protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Also, this food is free from no artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. It utilizes natural seeds, grains, and pellets to provide your small pet with a simple but balanced diet.

Kaytee understands that sharing your life with a small pet is not only enjoyable but very enriching. Kaytee shows their love by ensuring they provide your little pet with the best nutrition for a healthy and long life. With over 150 years of nutritional experience, it’s no wonder why Kaytee is at the heart of every healthy feeding routine.

Unfortunately, some pet parents found that a lot of the pellets were crushed into dust in the bottom of the bag.

Pros and Cons of the Kaytee Supreme Fortified Daily Diet Guinea Pig Food 

Best Cost-Effective

Kaytee Supreme Fortified Daily Diet Guinea Pig Food

• One of the most cost-effective options
• Contains natural protein, fiber, and oils
• No artificial colors or preservatives
• High-quality ingredients

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Choosing the Best: What to Look For

The natural diet of a guinea pig is made up primarily of grasses and some grass seeds when they can get them. When you are purchasing guinea pig pellets it is important to look at the ingredients and try to get as close to a natural diet as possible. Timothy is a grass native to many parts of the United States. It provides an ideal balance of nutrients and fiber without adding extra sugar. You want to make sure the food you buy has vitamin C, fiber, and does not have any added ingredients or sugars. The pellets should be timothy-based. Typically, brands will try to add in different foods, such as fruits and nuts, and seeds, to make the product look more appealing to you but these offer no benefit to your guinea pig and can be detrimental. 

If you are raising baby guinea pigs, you may need a food with more nutritional value such as the Kaytee Supreme Fortified Daily Diet. This food is based on alfalfa, which is a legume with a higher level of nutrients than what is found in timothy hay. This high quality feed is appropriate for pregnant, lactating, or growing babies. However, it may be too rich for the average adult. This could lead to weight gain and a shortened lifespan because of the added weight.

What you want is for the food to not have anything extra added into the pellets. Fruits and nuts are not made for guinea pigs and many are hazardous to them. It is important to be reading the ingredients and understand what goes into the pellets to make sure your guinea pig is getting the nutrients they need without added fillers.  

Our Criteria: How We Choose the Best

Quality Ingredients: For your healthy adult guinea pig, we look for food which uses timothy hay as the main ingredient. It should be fresh and stabilized to protect easily damaged nutrients such as vitamin C. Kayteee Timothy Complete Guinea Pig Pet Food is a great choice. These pellets have all of the nutrients your guinea pig needs from their pellets and they will eat them up.

Healthy Fiber: Guinea pigs need plenty of fiber to keep their teeth healthy and their digestion working properly. We look for feeds that provide the right ratio of nutrient to fiber to ensure your little friend’s longevity and health.

Freshness: There are certain vitamins and nutrients that degrade over time so we look for food that is as fresh as possible and stabilized to maintain quality. You can help keep your guinea pigs food fresh by storing it in a cool, dry place.

Value for Money: Guinea pigs may be small, but they can still put away the groceries. We look for food that meets all the nutritional needs of these little guys without making you feel like you are feeding a horse. According to our findings, Kaytee Supreme Guinea Pig Food is a much more affordable option that has the nutrients needed for your guinea pigs. 

Up Next…

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• The Best Hay for Guinea Pigs — Hay is a great food for guinea pigs. It provides excellent nutrition and makes them happy!
• Here’s How to Keep Your Guinea Pig Healthy and Entertained — Take a look at the very best toys and treats for your guinea pig here!