Banana Leaves

[Jellyfish]

Hello! I have just adopted two guinea pigs, and they are very adorable like all guinea pigs. But the concern here is, the previous owner told me that she only gave them unlimited banana leaves everyday and there was no hay in their daily diet. I read that banana leaves hold no nutritional values and its consumption should be limited, but I am worried that since my guinea pigs used to eat it daily, it will affect their health.

I do try to feed them hay now, and fortunately, they have begun to eat it. At first a whole lot of hay was left uneaten, but now at least half were eaten.

My concern is their health, because they are so used to eating banana leaves daily, can it affect their health? I do want my guinea pigs to live a long, healthy life

 

[Piggies&buns]

Get them into a good hay based diet as of now. I would ask a vet to give them a thorough health check now they are in your care

 

[Jellyfish]

Get them into a good hay based diet as of now. I would ask a vet to give them a thorough health check now they are in your care

Thank you for the advice! I should probably reduce the number of banana leaves given to them so they can eat more hay right?

Also, the previous owner seems to give a lot of pellet too, so I was wondering, is it enough to just give like, one bowl of pellets everyday? I don't want them to eat too much as I read that pellets are basically junk food?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Stop giving them banana leaves altogether. There is absolutely benefit in them having it. They need hay hay and more hay!

With pellets, one bowl is likely to still be too much! They need just one tablespoon of pellets per pig per day (it’s literally just a few grams worth). Don’t leave them with access to pellets all the time.
I give my boys their one tablespoon of pellets in the morning and then after 45 minutes or so, I take the bowl away (even if there are pellets left in the bowl) and they don’t get any more until the next day. Pellets should only make up 5% of the diet. They need such a tiny amount (too many is not good for them) and they are purely supplementary.

The link below will help for how to base their diet. Remembering Over 80% of intake needs to be hay with pellets and veg kept strictly limited.
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

 

[Jellyfish]

Stop giving them banana leaves altogether. There is absolutely benefit in them having it. They need hay hay and more hay!

With pellets, one bowl is likely to still be too much! They need just one tablespoon of pellets per pig per day (it’s literally just a few grams worth). Don’t leave them with access to pellets all the time.
I give my boys their one tablespoon of pellets in the morning and then after 45 minutes or so, I take the bowl away (even if there are pellets left in the bowl) and they don’t get any more until the next day. Pellets should only make up 5% of the diet. They need such a tiny amount (too many is not good for them) and they are purely supplementary.

The link below will help for how to base their diet. Remembering Over 80% of intake needs to be hay with pellets and veg kept strictly limited.
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

Thank you! That is very helpful

 

[VickiA]

Please have a read of this helpful guide
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets
The basic rule of guinea pig keeping is hay, hay and more hay. It should make up about 80% of the diet with pellets 10% and veggies 10%. Hay is great for their digestive system and for their teeth (which grow continuously). They need to eat hay constantly to grind down their teeth.
l’ve taken in piggies before who weren’t sure about hay. Just persist with it and remove the banana leaves. If the hay is there constantly they will get used to it and will eat it as the main part of their diet.

 

[Jellyfish]

Please have a read of this helpful guide
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets
The basic rule of guinea pig keeping is hay, hay and more hay. It should make up about 80% of the diet with pellets 10% and veggies 10%. Hay is great for their digestive system and for their teeth (which grow continuously). They need to eat hay constantly to grind down their teeth.
live taken in piggies before who weren’t sure about hay. Just persist with it and remove the banana leaves. If the hay is there constantly they will get used to it and will eat it as the main part of their diet.

Oh I see Alright, will do so, thank you