Guinea Pig Pellets & Nuggets

Food pellets or nuggets for guinea pigs are what’s known as a single component food. At Burgess Excel, we make ours through a process called thermal extrusion. This is where the ingredients are ground down into a fine flour and mixed together. We then add steam and water to make a soft mixture which can be pushed through a die plate to form the nugget shape.

Our guinea pig nuggets contain wholegrains, which are a source of fibre, protein and energy in the form of starch. Because we use heat in our process, this means the starch is cooked (gelatinised), and can be easily digested by small animals so they can make the most of its nutritional benefits.

In addition, the heat from the cooking process also kills any harmful bacteria or viruses. A lot of the ingredients in small animal nuggets don’t undergo many processes before they are made into nuggets. This means they could come into contact with the wild animal population, which can carry a range of illnesses and diseases. But the thermal extrusion process, and heat used, helps to make our Burgess Excel products safe for your pets, so you can buy good, well-made  pellets for your guinea pigs with confidence.

Absolutely! Brightly coloured muesli mixes may look more interesting to us humans but are not a healthy choice for guinea pigs. Single-component guinea pig nuggets are the best food pellets for guinea pigs because they prevent selective feeding. This is when guinea pigs pick out the bits that are high in sugar, which can cause painful problems with their teeth, and discard the nutritious and fibre-rich elements, leading to an imbalanced diet.

It’s no surprise that our annual survey of veterinary professionals revealed 92% of UK vets recommend Burgess Excel!

Find out more about common health problems with guinea pigs.

Guinea pig pellets should be fed daily – feed around one egg cup a day per guinea pig. You can split their daily ration between morning and evening feeds.

No. You need to provide your guinea pigs with the right balance of fresh, nutritious hay, high-fibre nuggets and a little fresh food to keep them healthy and happy.

Along with a small portion of guinea pig pellets, your guinea pigs will thrive on a feeding plan that comprises:

• 85-90% unlimited grazed grass (not grass cuttings) or high-quality feeding hay (not bedding hay, which may have poor nutritional value). As a guide, provide each piggy with at least their own body size in fresh feeding hay every day. As well as providing essential fibre, feeding hay has an important role in helping wear down your guinea pigs’ continually growing teeth
• A small handful of guinea pig-safe leafy greens, vegetables and herbs – around a teacup-sized amount a day per guinea pig. Greens and veg high in vitamin C are especially good.
• Fresh water – your guinea pigs must also always have access to plenty of fresh water, supplied in pet drinking bottles which feature a solid sipper tube.

You can also include some yummy, healthy guinea pig treats to add enrichment. Nutritious and delicious, these are great for hand feeding, helping you to build your bond with your piggy pals. Healthy snacks such as Herby Hearts, Meadow Munchies, Hay Bars and Wildflower Forage help to prevent boredom and promote emotional health.

The short answer is no. Food designed for rabbits does not contain the required level of vitamin C that guinea pigs need. A guinea pig fed rabbit food can develop scurvy, which is a serious disease caused by vitamin C deficiency. Unlike herbivore guinea pigs who need a high-fibre diet, hamsters are omnivores who require protein and lower levels of fibre in their food. Always provide your guinea pigs pellets, nuggets or other food designed just for them that meets their specific nutritional needs.

Industry body UK Pet Food advises:

“Small mammals, sometimes referred to as small furries, such as rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs, are some of the most popular pets in the UK. However, despite being grouped together based on their size, they have different nutritional needs. In the wild, small mammals live in different climates and naturally eat different foods. In fact, food suitable for one species can be totally unsuitable for another, with some of them only feeding on plants and others relying on animal proteins in their diet.”

Guinea pigs are constant grazers and their digestive tract should never be empty and should always contain food. If your guinea pigs go more than 6 to 8 hours without eating guinea pig pellets or other food, you should contact your vet immediately as this could signal that they are suffering from gut stasis.

Gut stasis in guinea pigs is a very serious, life-threatening condition which can be caused by a variety of reasons including a lack of fibre, a sudden change in diet, an obstruction in the gut, dental disease or stress. When it occurs, the gastrointestinal tract slows down and stops digesting food and moving fluid throughout the body. Without urgent veterinary treatment, gut stasis can be fatal.

Not eating is generally a sign that your guinea pigs are unwell. It could be a problem with their teeth or their digestion so it’s essential you get them checked by your vet as soon as possible.

Find out more about guinea pig health check.

If your guinea pigs haven’t eaten Burgess Excel Guinea Pig Food before, they’re in for a treat! As well as a choice of yummy guinea pig nuggets with mint or black current  and oregano,  there’s also a variety specially for indoor guinea pigs with a Calm formula** with added L-tryptophan.

Check out what some of our happy customers have told us after using our guinea pig pellets or nuggets:

“My Guinea pig is fussy and used to leave half or more of his food, until I tried this. Now his bowl is empty, and the quality is outstanding. Best price on subscription.”

“The piggies love these nuggets. I’ve finally found some they like!”

“My guinea pig is a fussy little man. When he arrived, he’d never clear his bowl and he’d waste a lot of food picking through what he wanted, until I tried this! He loves it! Empty bowl every day, no wastage and excellent price using subscription service. Food is excellent quality too.”

“The guinea pigs love it. Excel-lent. :)”

“My 4 boys love this food especially when I mix it with other Burgess products.”

“I have 8 rescue girls – they love it.”

Looking to change your guinea pigs’ diet? You can safely transition it over 7-10 days by gradually reducing the old food and replacing it with our guinea pig pellets and nuggets.

In the first few days, measure your guinea pigs’ normal food intake for the day. Take out a small amount and replace it with the same amount of the new nuggets. Mix them together so that your guineas eat a combination of the two. Each day, slightly reduce their old food and replace it with slightly more of their new food. At the end of the transition period, your guinea pigs should be eating their new nuggets happily with no issues!

Order online and have your Burgess Excel guinea pig nuggets delivered straight to your door.