Calcium Allowance

[JandfpiggiesUK]

Hi, I apologise that I keep posting but I really appreciate all the help and advice I get on this forum and find it helpful.

I've been doing some research lately into the amount of calcium that should be given to guinea pigs daily. A friend of mine recently had her guinea pig operated on due to a bladder stone, she told me the cost and it came as a bit of a culture shock. I've always been aware of bladder stones and feeding too much calcium in the diet however I want to try and avoid operations if I can by limiting how much calcium my boys get daily.

I have flat leaf parsley, dill, celery, celery leaves etc in my fridge currently as I'm trying to vary the vegetables the boys get fed, so that they don't get bored.

From looking on this forums page on calcium I assume they can have 1-2 high calcium foods and then 2-3 lower calcium foods, I know they need some everyday as its an essential nutrient however I want to know how much is too much and how often to feed calcium based veggies and herbs.

 

[Bill & Ted]

Do you live in a hard water area (do you get limescale in your kettle, if so you do) you could buy a water filter to remove a lot of the calcium that they would get through drinking, although that does depend if they like to drink plenty, some do, some don’t
Kale, parsley and broccoli are quite high in calcium so limit these to twice a week. Dill is a good substitute for parsley and spring greens have a little less calcium than kale and broccoli x

 

[JandfpiggiesUK]

Do you live in a hard water area (do you get limescale in your kettle, if so you do) you could buy a water filter to remove a lot of the calcium that they would get through drinking, although that does depend if they like to drink plenty, some do, some don’t
Kale, parsley and broccoli are quite high in calcium so limit these to twice a week. Dill is a good substitute for parsley and spring greens have a little less calcium than kale and broccoli x

Yeah I do, they have a filtered water jug. So how often can I give dill?

 

[5StarPigs]

You should give dill 2 times a week, or every other day. Cilantro is an herb that can be given everyday to piggies. If you wanted I have just listed some veggies you can try on your piggies for a varied diet, and how often each veg should be given.

Romaine Lettuce (can be fed daily)
Kale (should be fed once a week)
Spinach (should be fed once a week)
Red Bell Pepper (can be fed daily)
Cucumber (should be fed three times a week)
Cilantro (can be fed daily)
Carrots in any form (should be fed twice a week)

 

[JandfpiggiesUK]

You should give dill 2 times a week, or every other day. Cilantro is an herb that can be given everyday to piggies. If you wanted I have just listed some veggies you can try on your piggies for a varied diet, and how often each veg should be given.

Romaine Lettuce (can be fed daily)
Kale (should be fed once a week)
Spinach (should be fed once a week)
Red Bell Pepper (can be fed daily)
Cucumber (should be fed three times a week)
Cilantro (can be fed daily)
Carrots in any form (should be fed twice a week)

Thank you. I’ve heard coriander/ cilantro is actually quite high in calcium so it’s the same as parsley and shouldn’t be fed daily. I don’t ever feed spinach only if it’s mixed in with other bagged salads. I give cucumber round about that amount a week and the same with carrot.

 

[5StarPigs]

Interesting, from what I have been told, and from what I have heard cilantro/coriander can be fed daily.

Thank you. I’ve heard coriander/ cilantro is actually quite high in calcium so it’s the same as parsley and shouldn’t be fed daily. I don’t ever feed spinach only if it’s mixed in with other bagged salads. I give cucumber round about that amount a week and the same with carrot.

 

[5StarPigs]

And yea, I have learned my lesson on feeding spinach and carrot too much as my Alfie is currently recovering from a tummy upset.

 

[artcasper]

I feed mine Dill each night - only one sprigg.. maybe I need to re visit the food list altho Pippin is 4 and has had it every night for dinner! I give them filtered water now as we have a few fridge with a filter / water filter..

 

[DMS260820]

Wet all of your veg under the tap then feed it. Extra hydration. Add cucumber too. Just a small slice, i do this and my vet reccomended wetting veg.

And only feed 1 tablespoon of pellet per pig per day. Try an use grain free is poss. Science selective do grain free

 

[VickiA]

You should give dill 2 times a week, or every other day. Cilantro is an herb that can be given everyday to piggies. If you wanted I have just listed some veggies you can try on your piggies for a varied diet, and how often each veg should be given.

Romaine Lettuce (can be fed daily)
Kale (should be fed once a week)
Spinach (should be fed once a week)
Red Bell Pepper (can be fed daily)
Cucumber (should be fed three times a week)
Cilantro (can be fed daily)
Carrots in any form (should be fed twice a week)

I am sorry to bring you up on your posting, but please be careful what you recommend or how you describe it. To say x “should be fed x times per week “ is not actually correct. Some “may” be fed several times a week, others should be limited to only once per week and others such as carrot are high in sugar and should be limited. It’s the use of “should” that is not quite correct.

Please refer to our carefully prepared guides about what vegetables may be fed safely as part of a balanced diet. Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

 

[VickiA]

Hi, I apologise that I keep posting but I really appreciate all the help and advice I get on this forum and find it helpful.

I've been doing some research lately into the amount of calcium that should be given to guinea pigs daily. A friend of mine recently had her guinea pig operated on due to a bladder stone, she told me the cost and it came as a bit of a culture shock. I've always been aware of bladder stones and feeding too much calcium in the diet however I want to try and avoid operations if I can by limiting how much calcium my boys get daily.

I have flat leaf parsley, dill, celery, celery leaves etc in my fridge currently as I'm trying to vary the vegetables the boys get fed, so that they don't get bored.

From looking on this forums page on calcium I assume they can have 1-2 high calcium foods and then 2-3 lower calcium foods, I know they need some everyday as its an essential nutrient however I want to know how much is too much and how often to feed calcium based veggies and herbs.

Here is the relevant guide Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets