Every ingredient has a job. Here’s what each one does.
This page explains the role of each ingredient used in the Niblee Guinea Pig formula and why it was chosen. Guinea pigs rely on continuous chewing, steady hindgut fermentation, and precise nutrient delivery to stay healthy, with little margin for imbalance. Each ingredient in this formula serves a defined functional purpose, from fiber structure and fermentation control to mineral balance and vitamin support. This is not a marketing list. It is a breakdown of how species appropriate nutrition is built, one ingredient at a time.
Forage & Fiber Structure
Suncured Timothy Hay
Structural fiber foundation supporting chewing, gut motility, urinary health, and digestive stability.
Western suncured timothy hay forms the structural backbone of the Niblee guinea pig formula. With lower protein and calcium than legume hays and a high proportion of coarse, insoluble fiber, timothy hay regulates gut motility while extending chewing time for proper dental wear. Guinea pigs have continuously growing teeth and a fermentation driven digestive system that depends on steady intake of long strand fiber throughout the day.
The firm stems and natural fiber structure encourage prolonged molar grinding, which supports dental alignment, saliva production, and controlled passage of food through the gastrointestinal tract. This steady chewing rhythm helps buffer fermentation in the hindgut and promotes consistent stool quality.
Why Processing and Source Matter
We use clean, well sourced Western timothy hay, not chaff, fines, or overly processed hay meal. Proper sun curing preserves fiber length, stem integrity, and natural plant structure. When timothy hay is overly chopped or heat damaged, it loses its mechanical chewing demand and ferments too quickly, undermining its primary biological purpose.
For guinea pigs, predictable fiber structure is essential. Variability in fiber length or quality often leads to digestive sensitivity, reduced intake, or inconsistent stool output.
How it Functions in Balance
Timothy hay anchors the fiber matrix of the formula, allowing nutrient dense ingredients such as alfalfa, vitamins, and functional fibers to contribute without accelerating fermentation. Its role is mechanical rather than caloric. By slowing digestion and stabilizing microbial activity, timothy hay supports urinary tract health, digestive resilience, and long term metabolic stability.
In guinea pigs, timothy hay is not optional. It is the structural framework that allows the rest of the diet to function correctly.
What Happens if This Role Is Missing or Distorted?
• Reduced chewing time and inadequate dental wear
• Faster fermentation and increased gas or soft stool risk
• Poor regulation of gut motility and digestive inconsistency
• Increased sensitivity to dietary changes or treats
• Greater risk of urinary imbalance when calcium regulation is lost
In Niblee, timothy hay is not included for volume or cost efficiency. It is used intentionally as the structural fiber foundation that keeps guinea pig digestion steady, predictable, and biologically aligned over the long term.
Suncured Alfalfa Hay
Structural fiber, plant protein, calcium, and vitamin support within a forage forward guinea pig diet.
Western suncured alfalfa provides coarse structural fiber alongside digestible plant protein, bioavailable calcium, and naturally occurring micronutrients essential to guinea pig health. As a legume, alfalfa contributes higher protein and mineral density than grass hays while still requiring prolonged chewing. This chewing demand supports dental wear, saliva production, and steady gut motility, all of which are critical in guinea pigs’ continuously fermenting hindgut system.
Unlike animals that tolerate wide swings in nutrient density, guinea pigs rely on consistent fiber intake paired with controlled nutritional concentration. Alfalfa plays a targeted role by delivering nutrients that grass hays alone cannot supply, while still preserving the mechanical fiber function that drives digestion.
Why Processing and Source Matter
Sun curing preserves chlorophyll, carotenoids, and naturally occurring antioxidants that are easily degraded during high heat dehydration. These compounds support immune resilience, metabolic efficiency, and cellular repair. For guinea pigs, this matters especially because they cannot synthesize vitamin C and depend heavily on dietary antioxidant support to reduce oxidative stress.
Many commercial feeds rely on aggressively dried alfalfa meal that has lost much of its functional value before inclusion. While it may still analyze as protein or fiber on paper, its biological contribution is significantly reduced.
How it Functions in Balance
Alfalfa is intentionally balanced with grass hays and vitamin specific ingredients to support growth, tissue maintenance, coat condition, bone strength, and reproductive performance without overwhelming fermentation or mineral load. In guinea pigs, proportion is everything. Used correctly, alfalfa strengthens the nutritional backbone of the diet while maintaining digestive stability and predictable stool quality.
Its role is not to replace grass hay, but to reinforce it.
What Happens if This Role Is Missing or Distorted?
• Insufficient protein and calcium delivery during growth or reproduction
• Increased risk of poor coat condition and reduced tissue repair
• Greater reliance on synthetic supplementation to fill nutritional gaps
• Digestive imbalance when overused or improperly proportioned
In Niblee, alfalfa is not a filler or a shortcut. It is a functional forage ingredient, included deliberately and balanced precisely to support guinea pig biology over the long term.
Suncured Orchard Grass Hay
Palatable structural fiber supporting continuous intake, hydration, and controlled fermentation.
Suncured orchard grass hay provides a soft, aromatic structural fiber that supports consistent voluntary intake while still meeting the chewing demands essential for guinea pig health. Its flexible leaf structure and moderate fiber density make it highly palatable and easy to consume, especially for young guinea pigs, seniors, or animals experiencing stress or recovery.
Guinea pigs depend on continuous fiber intake to maintain stable hindgut fermentation and hydration. Orchard grass supports steady eating throughout the day, helping prevent intake gaps that can disrupt microbial balance, gas control, and stool consistency.
Why Processing and Source Matter
Sun curing preserves the natural aroma and leaf integrity that drive orchard grass palatability. Excessive heat drying or rough handling damages leaf structure and reduces volatile plant compounds, lowering intake appeal and increasing the risk of inconsistent feeding. Clean sourcing ensures uniform fiber texture and predictable fermentation behavior, both essential for guinea pigs with highly sensitive digestive systems.
How it Functions in Balance
Orchard grass works alongside timothy hay and controlled alfalfa inclusion to provide bite variety without accelerating fermentation. It supports regular chewing, hydration through frequent intake, and smoother daily feeding rhythms while preserving the long strand fiber structure required for gut stability.
What Happens if This Role Is Missing or Distorted?
• Reduced voluntary intake, especially in stressed or aging guinea pigs
• Increased gaps in feeding that destabilize fermentation
• Greater pickiness and selective feeding
• Higher sensitivity to dietary changes
• Reduced long term digestive resilience
In Niblee, orchard grass hay is not added simply for palatability. It is included to support consistent intake, digestive stability, and long term gut health in a species where balance is critical.
Suncured Mountain Teff
Fine stem structural fiber supporting balanced fermentation, mineral moderation, and steady digestive rhythm.
Suncured mountain teff is a fine stemmed grass hay with a complex fiber profile and a naturally low calcium and oxalate content. In guinea pigs, teff provides highly digestible yet slow fermenting carbohydrates that support cecal function without promoting gas production or microbial instability. Its gentle fermentability delivers consistent fuel to beneficial bacteria while maintaining predictable stool quality and digestive rhythm.
Guinea pigs are particularly sensitive to rapid dietary shifts and mineral imbalance. Teff helps moderate the protein and calcium contribution of alfalfa while reinforcing a fiber dominant feeding pattern. This creates a more balanced forage matrix that supports adult maintenance, urinary health, and long term gut stability.
Why Processing and Source Matter
Proper sun curing preserves teff’s delicate stem structure and complex carbohydrate integrity. Excessive heat drying or aggressive milling can disrupt fermentability and reduce its regulatory effect within the digestive system. Clean sourcing ensures uniform fiber behavior, predictable fermentation, and consistent intake, all of which are essential for guinea pigs with sensitive gastrointestinal and urinary systems.
How it Functions in Balance
Mountain teff works in concert with coarser grass hays such as timothy and meadow grass to support microbial diversity without accelerating fermentation. It contributes gentle, steady energy to the hindgut while allowing longer stem fibers to maintain chewing demand and saliva production. Its role is regulatory rather than dominant, helping smooth digestion while reinforcing overall fiber structure.
What Happens if This Role Is Missing or Distorted?
• Less balanced fermentation and increased digestive variability
• Greater sensitivity to protein and calcium load
• Reduced microbial diversity in the cecum
• Inconsistent stool quality over time
• Increased risk of dietary sensitivity during stress or change
In Niblee, mountain teff is not included as a novelty or filler ingredient. It is used intentionally to fine tune fermentation dynamics, mineral balance, and long term digestive stability in guinea pigs.
Beet Fiber (Molasses Free)
Moderately fermentable fiber supporting microbial stability, intestinal energy delivery, and controlled digestive flow.
Molasses free beet fiber is a low sugar, fermentable fiber selected to support healthy hindgut fermentation in guinea pigs without acting as a carbohydrate filler. It produces a steady supply of volatile fatty acids, particularly acetate and propionate, which serve as primary energy sources for intestinal cells lining the cecum and colon. This controlled fermentation helps maintain a stable gut environment, supports a balanced microbiome, and promotes consistent digestive function.
Guinea pigs rely on a delicate balance between structural fiber and fermentable substrates to maintain gut health. Beet fiber provides long chain, moderately fermentable fiber that delivers both physical bulk and slow release energy. This supports stool consistency, steady gut movement, and overall digestive comfort without triggering rapid fermentation or gas production.
Why Processing and Source Matter
Using molasses free beet fiber is essential to avoid unnecessary sugar exposure that can destabilize fermentation in guinea pigs. Proper processing preserves fiber integrity while removing residual sugars that would otherwise promote rapid microbial shifts. Clean sourcing ensures predictable fermentation behavior, consistent volatile fatty acid production, and reliable digestive outcomes.
Many commercial feeds include beet pulp with residual sugars or use it primarily as a pellet binder, undermining its biological role. In guinea pigs, this distinction matters.
How it Functions in Balance
Beet fiber complements long stem structural hays by supplying fermentable energy without reducing chewing demand. It supports microbial health while allowing coarse fibers to maintain dental wear and saliva production. Its role is supportive rather than primary, smoothing digestive flow and reinforcing gut stability when used alongside a forage dominant fiber matrix.
What Happens if This Role Is Missing or Distorted?
• Reduced production of volatile fatty acids needed for intestinal health
• Less energy available to support gut lining and microbial balance
• Increased variability in stool consistency
• Greater reliance on starches or synthetic binders for pellet structure
• Higher risk of digestive sensitivity during dietary transitions
In Niblee, beet fiber is not used as a filler, binder, or sugar source. It is included intentionally to support microbial balance, digestive consistency, and long term gut resilience in guinea pigs.
Clean Energy & Protein
Organic Field Peas
Measured plant protein and controlled energy within a vitamin-supported, fiber-first diet
Organic field peas provide a digestible source of plant-based protein and slow-release energy that supports muscle maintenance, growth, and reproductive demands in guinea pigs. As hindgut-fermenting herbivores with higher metabolic turnover than chinchillas, guinea pigs require modest but reliable protein availability without rapid starch fermentation.
Unlike refined protein isolates or flours, whole organic field peas retain their natural cellular structure. This slows starch and protein digestion, reduces glycemic spikes, and limits rapid fermentation in the cecum. When used within a forage-buffered formula, peas contribute usable nutrition without shortening chewing time or destabilizing gut motility.
Why Processing & Source Matter
Whole, minimally processed organic field peas preserve natural starch encapsulation and protein matrices. This structure controls the rate of digestion and prevents sudden carbohydrate release in the hindgut.
Highly processed pea fractions digest too quickly and can overwhelm guinea pig microbial populations, increasing the risk of gas, soft stool, or microbial imbalance. Organic sourcing also reduces exposure to pesticide residues that can interfere with gut health and vitamin metabolism.
How It Functions in Balance
In Niblee guinea pig formulas, field peas are intentionally paired with long-stem forage fibers and vitamin-supported premixes. This pairing ensures protein delivery occurs alongside adequate chewing demand, saliva production, and controlled fermentation.
When used proportionally, organic field peas support:
• Lean tissue maintenance and growth
• Reproductive performance
• Recovery during stress or illness
• Stable energy availability without rapid fermentation
All without displacing the forage foundation guinea pigs depend on.
What Happens if This Role Is Missing or Distorted?
• Inadequate amino acid availability for growth, reproduction, or recovery
• Overreliance on rapidly fermenting carbohydrates
• Increased risk of digestive instability and soft stool
• Protein numbers inflated through refined sources that undermine gut health
In Niblee, organic field peas are not used to chase crude protein percentages. They are included deliberately to meet metabolic needs while preserving digestive stability within a fiber-dominant, vitamin-supported framework.
Organic Whole Oats with Hulls
Measured carbohydrate energy that preserves chewing demand and fermentation rhythm
Organic whole oats with hulls provide a controlled source of carbohydrate energy for guinea pigs while maintaining the physical structure required for proper chewing and digestive pacing. Guinea pigs have higher daily energy turnover than chinchillas, but their hindgut remains highly sensitive to rapid starch delivery. Whole oats meet metabolic needs without overwhelming fermentation when their hull structure is preserved.
The intact hull contributes insoluble fiber that slows intake, extends chewing time, and moderates starch digestion. This allows oats to function as steady metabolic fuel rather than a rapid fermentable load that disrupts microbial balance or shortens chewing behavior.
Why Processing & Source Matter
Retaining the hull is critical. Dehulled, rolled, or finely ground oats deliver starch too quickly and increase the risk of gas, soft stool, and digestive instability. Whole organic oats with hulls preserve digestion timing by forcing mechanical breakdown before enzymatic access to starch.
Organic sourcing also reduces exposure to chemical residues that can interfere with gut health and vitamin utilization, which is especially important for a species with continuous vitamin C dependency.
How It Functions in Balance
In Niblee guinea pig formulas, whole oats with hulls are paired intentionally with long-stem forage fibers. This pairing ensures carbohydrate energy is delivered alongside sufficient chewing demand, saliva production, and gut motility.
When used proportionally, whole oats support:
• Stable body condition
• Metabolic energy during growth, breeding, or recovery
• Predictable fermentation behavior
• Continued dental wear through extended chewing time
Energy is supplied without displacing forage or accelerating digestive transit.
What Happens if This Role Is Missing or Distorted?
• Difficulty maintaining healthy body condition during higher energy demand
• Overreliance on fats or refined carbohydrate sources
• Shortened chewing time when hull structure is removed
• Increased digestive volatility from rapid starch fermentation
In Niblee, oats are not a filler grain. They are intact, structurally purposeful energy delivered in a form that respects guinea pig chewing biology and hindgut rhythm.
Stabilized Rice Bran
Supplemental energy and lipid support within a controlled fermentation system
Stabilized rice bran provides a measured source of digestible energy, beneficial lipids, and naturally occurring micronutrients for guinea pigs. When properly stabilized, rice bran delivers fats in a biologically compatible form without introducing oxidative stress or disrupting hindgut fermentation.
Guinea pigs require sufficient dietary energy to support growth, reproduction, and daily metabolic demands, but their digestive system remains sensitive to rapid fermentation. Stabilized rice bran increases energy density without relying on sugars or refined starches, allowing energy support while preserving gut stability.
Why Processing & Source Matter
Stabilization is essential. Unstabilized rice bran oxidizes rapidly, degrading fatty acids and fat-soluble nutrients while generating rancid byproducts that can irritate the digestive tract and burden the immune system.
Proper stabilization preserves fatty acid integrity, nutrient consistency, and shelf stability. Clean sourcing ensures predictable lipid profiles and prevents variability that can destabilize digestion in a species with limited digestive tolerance.
How It Functions in Balance
In Niblee guinea pig formulas, stabilized rice bran complements fiber and protein sources rather than replacing them. Its lipid contribution supports metabolic energy and coat condition while remaining buffered by long-stem forage fibers and controlled carbohydrate inclusion.
When used intentionally, stabilized rice bran supports:
• Sustained energy availability
• Body condition during higher demand life stages
• Pellet cohesion without excessive starch
• Balanced fatty acid intake when paired with omega-3 sources
Energy is delivered without accelerating gut transit or overwhelming microbial populations.
What Happens if This Role Is Missing or Distorted?
• Reduced energy density during growth, breeding, or recovery
• Increased reliance on sugars or refined starches for calories
• Poor coat condition due to inadequate lipid support
• Increased oxidative stress if rice bran is improperly stabilized
In addition to energy delivery, rice bran contributes omega-6 fatty acids that support fatty acid balance when properly paired with omega-3 sources elsewhere in the formula.
In Niblee, rice bran is functional fuel. It is included deliberately to support metabolic balance without compromising digestion or fermentation rhythm.
Omega-3 & Coat Support
Stabilized Ground Flaxseed
Primary omega-3 support for skin, coat, and immune balance
Stabilized ground flaxseed is Niblee’s primary source of alpha-linolenic acid, a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid essential for immune regulation, inflammation control, and healthy skin and coat in guinea pigs. When properly stabilized, flaxseed delivers omega-3 fatty acids in a safe, bioavailable form without oxidation or digestive disruption.
Guinea pigs do not tolerate excessive dietary fat, yet they still require balanced essential fatty acids for immune function, coat quality, and cellular health. Used at precise, low inclusion levels, stabilized flaxseed provides functional omega-3 support without elevating total fat load or accelerating fermentation.
Why Processing & Source Matter
Omega-3 fatty acids are highly sensitive to heat, oxygen, and time. Unstabilized flaxseed oxidizes rapidly, producing rancid byproducts that degrade nutritional value and increase oxidative stress on the digestive and immune systems.
Proper stabilization preserves fatty acid integrity, prevents rancidity, and ensures consistent omega-3 delivery throughout the product’s shelf life. Clean sourcing further ensures predictable fatty acid profiles and avoids variability that can affect sensitive hindgut fermentation.
How It Functions in Balance
In Niblee guinea pig formulas, stabilized ground flaxseed is included in carefully measured amounts to support coat condition and immune tone while remaining fully compatible with a fiber-first diet. Its lipid contribution is buffered by long-stem forage fibers, preventing fat-driven digestive disruption.
Beyond fatty acids, flaxseed contributes plant lignans and gentle fermentable fiber that support antioxidant activity and cellular stability without increasing fermentation speed. This allows flaxseed to deliver benefits quietly, without altering chewing behavior, saliva production, or gut motility.
What Happens if This Role Is Missing or Distorted?
• Dull, brittle, or dry coat quality
• Increased inflammatory sensitivity
• Reduced resilience during seasonal coat transitions
• Greater cumulative oxidative stress over time
• Overreliance on omega-6 fats without adequate omega-3 balance
In Niblee, flaxseed is not a cosmetic add-on or marketing garnish. It is included intentionally to support visible coat health and internal immune balance within a biologically appropriate framework.
Stabilized Rice Bran
Secondary lipid support for coat condition and energy balance
Stabilized rice bran provides a secondary source of dietary lipids that supports skin, coat integrity, and overall energy balance in guinea pigs. Its primary role is to supply omega-6 fatty acids that complement the omega-3 contribution from flaxseed, helping maintain appropriate fatty acid balance without increasing total fat load.
While rice bran is not used as a primary fat or energy driver, its naturally occurring lipids and fat-soluble micronutrients contribute to coat resilience and metabolic support when included in controlled, intentional amounts.
Why Processing & Source Matter
Proper stabilization is essential. Unstabilized rice bran oxidizes quickly, degrading fatty acids and generating inflammatory byproducts that undermine digestive and immune health.
Stabilization preserves lipid quality, prevents rancidity, and ensures rice bran remains a supportive ingredient rather than a source of oxidative stress. Clean sourcing further ensures consistency and predictability in fatty acid contribution.
How It Functions in Balance
In Niblee guinea pig formulas, stabilized rice bran plays a complementary role rather than a dominant one. Its lipid contribution reinforces coat condition and energy balance without elevating total dietary fat or accelerating fermentation.
Rice bran is deliberately buffered by long-stem forage fibers and controlled carbohydrate inclusion, ensuring its benefits are delivered quietly without disrupting chewing behavior, gut motility, or microbial stability.
What Happens if This Role Is Missing or Distorted?
• Reduced support for skin and coat resilience
• Greater reliance on primary fat sources alone
• Less flexibility in fatty acid balancing
• Increased oxidative risk if rice bran is improperly stabilized or overused
In Niblee, rice bran is a supporting ingredient. It reinforces coat health and metabolic stability without overwhelming digestion or competing with primary omega-3 sources.
Digestive & Immune Support
Spirulina
Micronutrient and antioxidant support for immune balance and cellular resilience
Spirulina provides a concentrated source of phytonutrients, naturally occurring antioxidants, trace minerals, and bioavailable amino acids that support immune signaling and cellular repair in guinea pigs. It is included at low, controlled levels to strengthen baseline resilience rather than stimulate the immune system aggressively.
Guinea pigs are particularly sensitive to immune stress, environmental changes, and oxidative load. Spirulina supports the body’s ability to respond appropriately to these pressures without pushing the immune system into inflammatory overdrive. This makes it suitable for long-term, daily feeding when used intentionally and sparingly.
Its natural chlorophyll content and micronutrient profile support liver detoxification pathways and red blood cell health, while its gentle digestibility allows it to integrate smoothly into a fiber-first, hindgut-fermenting diet.
Spirulina functions as a biological support ingredient. It is not used as a protein source, filler, or color additive.
Why It Matters
Healthy immune systems depend on consistency, not stimulation. Rather than activating immune responses unnecessarily, spirulina supplies foundational micronutrients that allow immune cells to function efficiently and recover more effectively from stress.
This approach supports steady immune tone, helping guinea pigs maintain resilience through seasonal changes, environmental stress, and normal metabolic demands.
How It Functions in Balance
In Niblee guinea pig formulas, spirulina is used in very small amounts alongside adequate fiber, controlled energy sources, and vitamin support. This ensures its benefits remain supportive and regulatory rather than disruptive.
Its contribution complements, rather than replaces, essential nutrients delivered through forage, vitamins, and minerals. The result is improved cellular support without altering fermentation patterns or digestive rhythm.
What Happens If This Role Is Missing?
• Reduced tolerance to environmental or dietary stress
• Slower recovery following illness or disruption
• Weaker antioxidant and cellular repair support over time
In Niblee, spirulina is not a trend ingredient. It is included deliberately to support long-term immune balance and cellular health in a species where stability matters more than intensity.
Yeast Cultures (Active & Postbiotic)
Gut barrier support and microbial balance without fermentable load
Yeast cultures provide both live metabolic activity and postbiotic compounds that support intestinal barrier integrity and immune communication in guinea pigs. These components help stabilize microbial populations and improve nutrient utilization without introducing fermentable sugars or starches that could disrupt hindgut balance.
Active yeast cultures assist in competitive exclusion by supporting beneficial microbial activity, while postbiotic fractions supply functional compounds that reinforce tight junction integrity within the intestinal lining. Together, these actions support digestion and immune signaling simultaneously, without accelerating fermentation or altering chewing demand.
Why It Matters
The intestinal lining is the body’s first and most important immune interface. When this barrier is compromised, immune sensitivity increases and nutrient absorption becomes less efficient.
Yeast cultures help maintain gut lining integrity in a steady, non-disruptive way, supporting immune resilience while preserving the fermentation patterns guinea pigs depend on for digestive health.
How It Functions in Balance
In Niblee guinea pig formulas, yeast cultures are included at functional levels that complement fiber fermentation rather than compete with it. Their activity supports microbial balance and intestinal health without acting as a food source for rapid gas-producing organisms.
This allows yeast cultures to contribute quietly, strengthening digestion and immune communication without changing stool consistency or gut motility.
What Happens If This Role Is Missing?
• Increased intestinal permeability
• Reduced efficiency of nutrient absorption
• Higher sensitivity to dietary or environmental changes
• Greater stress on immune signaling pathways
In Niblee, yeast cultures are not digestive “boosters.” They are structural supports for gut and immune stability in a species where balance is critical.
Pre / Probiotics (FOS / MOS)
Targeted microbial support through selective fermentation and pathogen control
Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) are functional fibers that support gut health by shaping the microbial environment rather than overwhelming it. These compounds selectively nourish beneficial bacteria while limiting the ability of undesirable microbes to attach to the intestinal lining.
Rather than flooding the gut with external bacteria, FOS and MOS work by encouraging the guinea pig’s native microbiome to thrive naturally. This supports predictable fermentation behavior, steadier digestion, and more reliable immune communication over time.
Both are chosen specifically for their gentle, controlled fermentation characteristics, making them compatible with a fiber-first, hindgut-fermenting system.
Why It Matters
Healthy microbiomes are cultivated, not forced. Guinea pigs rely on stable, diverse microbial populations to extract nutrients, regulate immunity, and maintain stool consistency.
Prebiotics like FOS and MOS guide fermentation in a calm, sustainable way, supporting long-term digestive resilience instead of short-term microbial spikes that can destabilize the gut.
How It Functions in Balance
In Niblee guinea pig formulas, FOS and MOS are included at measured levels that complement forage fermentation rather than compete with it. They support microbial diversity while avoiding excessive gas production or rapid pH shifts.
MOS also plays a protective role by binding to certain pathogens, reducing their ability to adhere to the gut wall and interfere with digestion or immune signaling.
This approach strengthens the system from within, without altering chewing demand, saliva production, or fermentation rhythm.
What Happens If This Role Is Missing?
• Reduced microbial diversity over time
• Greater digestive inconsistency
• Increased sensitivity to stress, illness, or antibiotic exposure
• Slower recovery of gut balance after disruption
In Niblee, prebiotics are not added for marketing appeal. They are included to support microbial stability in a way that respects the guinea pig’s natural digestive design.
Yucca
Yucca contributes natural saponins that help reduce ammonia and gas production during fermentation. This improves stool quality, reduces odor, and supports a calmer digestive environment without suppressing microbial activity.
By moderating fermentation byproducts rather than stopping fermentation itself, yucca helps maintain comfort and consistency, especially in sensitive animals.
Why it matters
Fermentation should be productive, not chaotic. Yucca helps keep the process smooth and controlled.
What happens if this role is missing
• Increased gas and bloating
• Stronger waste odors
• Greater digestive discomfort over time
In Niblee, digestive and immune support ingredients are not additives. They are structural safeguards, included to protect the system built by fiber, not override it.
Micro-Nutrition Components
Used at carefully calibrated levels, these components provide high-impact nutritional support while preserving digestive balance.
Brewer's Yeast
Supplies naturally occurring B vitamins, amino acids, and fermentation-derived bioactive compounds that support digestion, energy metabolism, and feed palatability. Brewer’s yeast contributes metabolic support without acting as a rapid fermentable substrate. Included at measured levels to support balance, not stimulation.
Monocalcium Phosphate
Provides a bioavailable source of phosphorus and calcium to support skeletal integrity, metabolic function, and proper mineral balance. Included to correct natural variability in plant-based ingredients and maintain appropriate calcium-to-phosphorus ratios without excess mineral loading.
Mineral Salt
Provides essential sodium and chloride required for nerve signaling, muscle function, hydration balance, and nutrient absorption. Included at calibrated levels to support physiological function while avoiding excess intake that could contribute to urinary or cardiovascular stress.
Mannan Oligosaccharides (Prebiotic)
A functional prebiotic fiber that supports gut health by binding undesirable bacteria and limiting pathogen attachment. Mannan oligosaccharides promote beneficial microbial balance and immune communication without increasing fermentable sugar or starch load.
Chicory Root
Provides inulin, a soluble prebiotic fiber that supports beneficial microbial populations and steady, controlled fermentation. Chicory root helps maintain digestive consistency by selectively nourishing favorable bacteria rather than accelerating fermentation or increasing gas production.
Probiotic Cultures
Used as supportive microbial reinforcement alongside prebiotics rather than as a standalone digestive solution. Probiotic cultures complement existing gut populations without forcing rapid microbial shifts. Included conservatively due to survivability limits in pelleted feeds.
Citric Acid
Used at trace levels to support mineral stability and protect nutrient integrity during storage. Citric acid helps maintain consistent product quality without altering palatability or disrupting digestive balance. Included for preservation support rather than gut acidification.
Methionine
Provides a targeted source of an essential amino acid required for tissue maintenance, antioxidant pathways, and coat quality. Supports amino acid balance without increasing total protein load. Used to fine-tune nutrition rather than compensate for low-quality protein sources.
Choline
An essential nutrient required for fat metabolism, liver function, and cell membrane integrity. Choline supports efficient lipid handling and metabolic signaling, which is especially important in guinea pigs due to their continuous intake of plant material. Included at precise levels to support metabolic efficiency without overloading the diet.
Zinc Methionine
A highly bioavailable, chelated form of zinc used to support skin integrity, immune response, and coat condition. Bound to methionine for improved absorption and stability. Allows effective zinc delivery without excessive mineral inclusion or interference with calcium balance.
Vitamin C
Guinea pigs cannot synthesize vitamin C and must obtain it entirely from the diet. A stable, controlled level of supplemental vitamin C supports immune function, connective tissue integrity, and normal wound healing. Included at levels designed to maintain sufficiency without excessive degradation during storage.
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Present in small amounts in forage and plant ingredients but often reduced during drying and processing. Supplemented to ensure consistent cellular energy metabolism, skin health, and nervous system support. Included to stabilize nutrient availability across batches and feeding periods.
Vitamin E
Naturally present in fresh forage but highly sensitive to oxidation and significantly reduced in dried hays. Supplemented to provide consistent antioxidant protection, immune support, and reproductive health. Included to protect cellular integrity rather than increase dietary fat load.
Copper Proteinate
Copper is naturally present in plant ingredients, but levels are variable and often poorly absorbed in inorganic forms. Copper proteinate provides a highly bioavailable source to support enzyme function, immune health, connective tissue strength, and coat pigmentation. Included at controlled levels to meet needs without risking excess.
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Occurs naturally in plant materials at low and variable levels, with losses during drying and storage. Supplemented to support energy metabolism, enzyme function, and normal growth. Included to maintain consistent metabolic support across forage variation.
Vitamin B9 (Folate)
Present in trace amounts in fresh leafy forages but highly inconsistent after processing. Supplemented to support cell division, red blood cell formation, and reproductive health. Included to stabilize essential cellular processes rather than rely on variable natural supply.
Vitamin D3
Not reliably supplied by dried forage alone and dependent on sunlight exposure for natural synthesis. Included at conservative levels to support calcium and phosphorus utilization and long-term skeletal stability. Used to reinforce bone health without excessive fat-soluble vitamin exposure.