Cabbage/kale Etc

[Tomsmum]

at the moment my Guinea pigs have a bit (maybe 1/4 cup of) some sort of cabbage green (cabbage of various types/kale) once or sometimes twice daily. It's easy as I have it in my garden and they certainly seem to enjoy it as it's always goes first before the peppers/cucumbers etc. But I have just been reading that it shouldn't be given every day as it might cause bloat.

Thoughts?

 

[helen105281]

I feed spring greens daily but it is only a tiny slither. I would not feed kale daily as it is also high in calcium. Mine prefer their leafy veg too and always go for it first but they should only be fed in small amounts. You can feed coriander daily, do they like that? Kale and other cabbages can cause gas if eaten in excess which can then turn to bloat.

 

[Stewybus]

Like Cabbage, Brocolli etc Kale may be high in calcium but unlike them it has an almost perfect ratio of phosphorous, magnesium and potassium and these elements are essential in assisting calcium uptake. Getting guinea pigs out in the sunshine is important too as vitamin D is also necessary for the calcium that is taken up in the bloodstream to be utilised by the guinea pig's body.

Inadequate phosphorous/magnesium/potassium causes calcium to be excreted in the urine which can often be seen as white chalky deposits in the urine.

That info came from Lil Chuffnut originally - she knows her stuff!