Are These Treats Safe For Guinea Pigs?

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3Tyger

3Tyger

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Hi,
I was looking at some treats to buy my guinea pigs for Christmas. I'm very picky about what I feed them, I don't like them having honey treats and stuff that's bad for their teeth and i always check the ingredients carefully. I was considering getting them some treats from Oxbow as it's a brand I would usually trust. However, i was concerned about their Simple Rewards Veggie Treats, it lists the ingredients as;
"Barley Flour, Alfalfa Meal, Rolled Oats, Molasses, Canola Oil (naturally preserved with mixed tocopherols and lecithin), Dried Carrots, Dried Potatoes, Dried Cabbage, Dried Red Peppers, Dried Green Peppers, Flax Seed Meal, Kelp, Garlic Powder, Brewers Yeast, Yucca Schidigera".
I always thought that garlic and potatoes were toxic to guinea pigs though, is that right? And if so, how comes a good brand like Oxbow would be putting them in treats being marketed for guinea pigs? I'm really quite surprised! Or are garlic & potato safe in powder form? Please enlighten me...
 
Just to let you know, to be fair, I have e-mailed Oxbow with my concerns and will post their response when I get it. I don't think i'll be giving this product to my guinea pigs anyway though, as i'm pretty sure garlic & potatoes aren't safe ingredients for guinea pigs and I don't take chances when it comes to the health of my piggies. Love them too much <3 <3 <3 <3
 
I suspect small amounts would be fine, but garlic powder? In a treat? Odd! If you're not sure, don't feed. Ours have a treat carrotty stick that has honey in the ingredients list, I think it's used for stickiness, so I'm careful with how much they eat.
 
TheCavySlave said:
I suspect small amounts would be fine, but garlic powder? In a treat? Odd! If you're not sure, don't feed. Ours have a treat carrotty stick that has honey in the ingredients list, I think it's used for stickiness, so I'm careful with how much they eat.
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Exactly, i couldn't believe it when i saw garlic and potatoes in the ingredients, it's very odd! I won't be buying them for sure!
I know they can have honey treats in small doses, i'm just quite strict with their diet. Only because I love them :luv:
 
My Rowan would probably really enjoy a sticky carroty treat though, he loves carrots in a big way! :))
I think they do use the honey for stickiness, it's good that you're sensible and limit the amount yours have though. I guess its the same as giving sweets to children.
I think i just worry so much about it as I've had guinea pigs in the past with dental problems. One came to me as an adult with existing dental issues my vet said was most likely diet-related. The other was genetic as it was a lethal white guinea pig. In both cases the dental issues were ongoing and quite stressful, and i would do anything to avoid me and my piggies going through that again.
 
To be honest they don't sounds like great treats for guinea pigs, so it is good you are planning to avoid them.
I would also be concerned that molasses is listed as the third ingredient - just another way to sneak sugar into things.
 
Honestly, whatever brands of treats i'm looking at none are impressing me very much! They have lots of fresh hay & herb mixes & veg regularly anyway, and fresh fruit as a treat, maybe that is enough and i shall find some other Christmas gift for them.
 
I have pretty much given up on store bought treats.
Eddi loves anything made of willow that he can destroy.
Ruby and Oreo wheek and popcorn for different types of hay.
Ad Lucy is more than happy with a new cuddle cup.
 
Swissgreys said:
I have pretty much given up on store bought treats.
Eddi loves anything made of willow that he can destroy.
Ruby and Oreo wheek and popcorn for different types of hay.
Ad Lucy is more than happy with a new cuddle cup
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Mine don't have anything like willow sticks at the moment, so that's a great idea. I might also get them some new loofah balls, they are getting a lot of wear at the moment.
 
After they finish their carrotty treats I may give up store bought things. They look healthy, then you see the ingredients list. There are plenty of healthy treats out there. Even seed heads are seen as extra tasty, and they can be fed freely.
Now, if only there was a brand that actually sold a range of healthy treats.
 
TheCavySlave said:
After they finish their carrotty treats I may give up store bought things. They look healthy, then you see the ingredients list. There are plenty of healthy treats out there. Even seed heads are seen as extra tasty, and they can be fed freely.
Now, if only there was a brand that actually sold a range of healthy treats
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:agr: So far i'm struggling to find a treat that is actually truly beneficial once i've read the ingredients. I will probably just stick to the diet & fresh treats that they have already. They do love what they get so far, and i'm more keen to look after their dental health, having seen first-hand just how serious dental issues can get. Sometimes I think saying no is a greater act of love, and this is kind of where I stand when I see treats dripping with honey/sugar for guinea pigs.
 
3Tyger said:
:agr: So far i'm struggling to find a treat that is actually truly beneficial once i've read the ingredients. I will probably just stick to the diet & fresh treats that they have already. They do love what they get so far, and i'm more keen to look after their dental health, having seen first-hand just how serious dental issues can get. Sometimes I think saying no is a greater act of love, and this is kind of where I stand when I see treats dripping with honey/sugar for guinea pigs.
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That's the right thing to do. Occasionally, a slightly unhealthy treat would be okay, like with humans, but piggies love veggies, hay, things like lavender and grass- healthy treats. After the boys finish their sticks (we've decided a nibble after lunch is best) we'll stick to healthy treats.
Actually, talking of treats- what's the right amount for a snack? Say, we bring them down for a cuddle and give them a treat, how much? A few sprigs of parsley? A couple of pieces of carrot? I don't know...
 
TheCavySlave said:
Actually, talking of treats- what's the right amount for a snack? Say, we bring them down for a cuddle and give them a treat, how much? A few sprigs of parsley? A couple of pieces of carrot? I don't know...
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I have 4 piggies and usually feed mine a handful of greens each a day (i vary it, but mostly use spring greens, parsley, spinach, chard, romaine lettuce), along with a quarter of cucumber, and either a stick or 2 of finely chopped celery (so they don't choke as it's quite stringy), 2-4 chantenay carrots or half a large carrot, 2 chunks of fresh corn on the cob. And for a treat I allow them something like 12 blueberries or 4 strawberries, not more than 1-2 times a week.
 
Tiny said:
I've just bought these... the packaging makes a big deal about not having any sugar in. Verdict?

https://groceries.morrisons.com/webshop/product/Simply-Nibbles-Dandelion--Carrot-Sticks/214913011?from=shop&tags=|105651|102207&parentContainer=|102207

Also have these:
Wilko Rodent Treats Fruity Sticks 2pk
...and the ingredients are listed as:
Wheat, Maize, Pea, Apple, Extruded Wheat. Then under Additives it has: Edible Glue and EU Permitted Colourants.
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I think they contain a lot less sugar than most, but personally I probably wouldn't buy them as i'm still not over keen on the ingredients (sorry I am SUCH a fusspot). However, i do buy mine Natures Salad from Wilko's and sprinkle it on their hay, they love eating it and it encourages them to forage which is also great for their emotional health.
 
3Tyger said:
Honestly, whatever brands of treats i'm looking at none are impressing me very much! They have lots of fresh hay & herb mixes & veg regularly anyway, and fresh fruit as a treat, maybe that is enough and i shall find some other Christmas gift for them.
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I've ordered some treats from zooplus for my pigs Christmas presents.A lot of it was JR Farm products that I'm hoping haven't got anything bad in them.
 
I'm also very picky about what I feed my guinea pig so I understand that you want what is best for them. I know that Oxbow is a very good brand and I trust them. The ingredients you listed should be good, along with all the veggies in it. You might want to do research on the Molasses and Garlic powder though just to make sure it is safe.

One ingredient that is in many guinea pig treats is dairy and I have heard that is not good for them.

Hope this helps!
 
Gem789 said:
I've ordered some treats from zooplus for my pigs Christmas presents.A lot of it was JR Farm products that I'm hoping haven't got anything bad in them
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It wasn't my intention to alarm anybody about giving their pet a treat occasionally. I started this thread because I was quite shocked to see that an Oxbow treat, a brand I thought one of the best, contained 2 ingredients (garlic & potato) that I believe are actually toxic to guinea pigs.
My other comments about honey/sugar treats are really more down to preference, and if only fed occasionally would most likely be fine.
Please understand that having some guinea pigs in the past with health issues has made me quite anxious about the welfare of my guinea pigs, in particular I found the whole experience of the dental issues quite distressing.
 
happy_piggy said:
I'm also very picky about what I feed my guinea pig so I understand that you want what is best for them. I know that Oxbow is a very good brand and I trust them. The ingredients you listed should be good, along with all the veggies in it. You might want to do research on the Molasses and Garlic powder though just to make sure it is safe.

One ingredient that is in many guinea pig treats is dairy and I have heard that is not good for them.

Hope this helps!
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Thank you for your comment, and a big warm :wel: to you Happy Piggy - i'm loving your very positive name & pic, made me smile already! :)
 
Tiny said:
@3Tyger Mine have Natures Salad too but don't touch it, the fussy things!
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Oh dear, they do sound fussy!
My 4 seem to eat whatever I give them, it is ME that's the fussy one - i probably should have been born as a guinea pig! :lol!:
 
happy_piggy said:
I'm also very picky about what I feed my guinea pig so I understand that you want what is best for them. I know that Oxbow is a very good brand and I trust them. The ingredients you listed should be good, along with all the veggies in it. You might want to do research on the Molasses and Garlic powder though just to make sure it is safe.

One ingredient that is in many guinea pig treats is dairy and I have heard that is not good for them.

Hope this helps!
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Nope, piggies are lactose intolerant. Like cats, and me (well, we think). Although, if you gave a piggy lactose free milk, what would be the result?
Probably too fatty. I think they can have potatoes, and bread but in tiny amounts, and not really in their diet.
 
3Tyger said:
That's right, guinea pigs are lactose intolerant. I'd not let mine have any dairy products.
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I wouldn't dream of it! They probably wouldn't touch it, anyway. They're kind of fussy; new foods are not really eaten until they get used to it. All the fuss we used to have over pepper, and now they scoff it down!
 
Actually I need to try mine on pepper, they've not had any yet. They'll probably eat it, they're little food demolishers, they haven't refused to eat anything so far. Would probably try and eat ME if i dressed up in greens! :lol!:
 
TheCavySlave said:
Nope, piggies are lactose intolerant. Like cats, and me (well, we think). Although, if you gave a piggy lactose free milk, what would be the result?
Probably too fatty. I think they can have potatoes, and bread but in tiny amounts, and not really in their diet.
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I think lactose free milk would have too much sugar, but that should be listed as an ingredient. I also found out that potatoes are toxic to guinea pigs, but I'm not sure if that is true. Here is the link-
Can Guinea pigs eat potatoes?
 
I bought some Oxbow carrot and dill treats for my piggies to try. I think only one of them likes them though but they only get half one each once a week after cleaning their cage at lap time (they prefer a couple of bits of rocket at lap time for a treat) . They do have molasses in them but if they have had a bit of fruit or baby corn during the week they wont get any. I probably wont buy another packet when they finished though as they remind me a little bit of biscuits and just looks wrong lol.
 
Kylie80 said:
I bought some Oxbow carrot and dill treats for my piggies to try.
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So glad guinea pigs can't read! All these treats with carrots in that my Rowan is missing out on - he'd be packing a little bag and seeking you all out to give them a try! :nod:
 
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