Guinea pigs are rodents belonging to the family Caviidae and the genus Cavia. Despite their name they are not from Guinea nor are they related to pigs and the origin of the name is still unknown. They originated in the Andes regions of South America and are still mainly found in the wild in Peru Bolivia Ecuador and Chile. In 2003 the International Union for Conservation of Nature categorized guinea pigs as least concern for extinction due to their large populations in the wild and their adaptability to captive environments.
As vegetarians guinea pigs must have hay in their diet to remain healthy. Hay provides guinea pigs with the necessary fiber they need to help maintain their digestive tract health and prevent GI stasis. Timothy hay is the best type of hay for guinea pigs but other types of hay such as meadow hay can also be fed. Adult guinea pigs should have unlimited access to hay and it should make up the majority of their diet.
So how long can a guinea pig go without hay? Ideally guinea pigs should never go without hay but in a pinch they can survive for a few days without it. However without hay guinea pigs are at risk for developing gastrointestinal problems and becoming constipated. If you must feed your guinea pig hay-free meals do so only for a short period of time and make sure to offer them plenty of water. Up until question 15
