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Cavy World > Cavy Care > Feeding |
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To save waste on feed, feed the cavy just enough pellets to last a 24-hour period. Most adult cavies will eat about 1/3 cup of feed a day, but there are some that will require more. It is very important that you feed your cavies at about the same time each day. The cavy's basic diet consists of pelleted feed. These pellets are made from various grains and alfalfa with added vitamins and minerals. There are pelleted feeds for both cavies and rabbits available. Cavy pellets have vitamin C added to them. Cavies are very much like people in their need for an outside source of vitamin C. Cavies, like people, cannot synthesize their needed vitamin C from food and must have it added to their diet. When buying cavy pellets make sure they have not been on the shelf over 90 days. After 90 days the quality of the vitamin C is minimal. Another important point to consider when buying pellets is the protein level. Cavies need at least an 18% protein level in their pelleted feed for them to stay healthy. Most cavy pellets are 18% to 20% protein. If cavy pellets are unavailable, or you are uncertain of the quality of the cavy pellets, you can use rabbit pellets. Make sure you use an 18% pellet and provide a source of vitamin C. Do not use a medicated rabbit pellet. Vitamin C can be provided in one of two ways: provide the cavy with fresh fruit and vegetables or use vitamin C in tablet or crystal form as a water additive. Cavies require a minimum of 10 mg. of vitamin C daily, but this can vary from one cavy to another. An easy way to add vitamin C to the diet is to supplement the water supply. Vitamin C Vitamin C tablets are made by using a binding material that does not dissolve and will leave a residue in the bottle. The use of tablets will necessitate the daily brushing of the bottle. The recommended dosage for an 8 oz. bottle is one 100-mg. tablet and this is added to the water daily. Whether or not you use vitamins in the water, the water bottle and the crock should be washed with hot soapy water at least once a week. Fresh Foods Cavies enjoy any of the fresh vegetables and fruits your family would enjoy. The rule of thumb when introducing cavies to different foods is, "give them a little and introduce them one at a time". Cavies, like people, have individual and preferential tastes. What one cavy enjoys, another may totally ignore. Much of the vitamin C requirements of a cavy can be satisfied through the addition of fresh foods to the diet. If you are relying on fresh fruits and vegetables to supply the required vitamin C these foods should be fed every day. One half of an orange would satisfy the vitamin requirement for one cavy daily. Some vegetables high in vitamin C are kale, broccoli and spinach. Cabbage is also very high in vitamin C but seems to always be a controversy. If the cavy likes cabbage and it has not been sprayed, then by all means give your cavy cabbage. Any fruits or vegetables that have been sprayed should not be fed to your cavy. When feeding fruits and vegetables wash them thoroughly and cut out any bruised spots. Dandelion is another source of green food for the cavy that can be found in almost everyone's lawn. As long as the lawn has not been sprayed or treated in any way, you can harvest the dandelion. Cavies also love hay. Hay can be given in small amounts. Giving too much hay at once
would be wasteful. It would only get trampled and soiled. The hay should
be green and have a fresh, sweet scent. Discard any hay that is moldy,
off-color, or has a moldy scent. The hay you feed should be free of
thistle and any other bramble. Orchard grass is excellent, is available
and the next best hay would be timothy. |