Calcium/mineral blocks

no they are entirely unnecessary and can actually do more harm than good. Guinea pigs get all the minerals they need in their food and too much calcium can lead to health problems like bladder stones.
 
Not necessary to give them at all.
piggies get all the nutrients they need from their hay, veg and pellets.
too much calcium in the diet can lead to the formation of bladder stones
 
Definitely not, piggies almost never get calcium deficiencies but very commonly get kidney and bladder stones due to excess calcium in the diet- most people aim to minimise excess calcium and minerals to keep their piggies healthy!
 
Is calcium/mineral block the same as a salt licking stone?
I've had one like the picture below in my cage - and the guinea pigs seem to love it! They alternate between licking the salt and drinking water - to me it seems that the salt helps keeping them hydrated as they drink more.

What are the risks regarding too much salt for guinea pigs?

1604057771455.webp
 
Gullfaks said:
Is calcium/mineral block the same as a salt licking stone?
I've had one like the picture below in my cage - and the guinea pigs seem to love it! They alternate between licking the salt and drinking water - to me it seems that the salt helps keeping them hydrated as they drink more.

What are the risks regarding too much salt for guinea pigs?

View attachment 156732
Click to expand...

Salt is dehydrating though they’re only drinking more to correct that and undo what the salt lick is causing if that makes sense, it’s not a good thing.
There is no need for them to have these or mineral blocks as all it will do is cause imbalances - when fed a good hay based diet, with a variety of veg and a small amount of pellets, they get everything they need, so I’d recommend you remove them so you don’t cause them health issues
 
Piggies&buns said:
Salt is dehydrating though they’re only drinking more to correct that and undo what the salt lick is causing if that makes sense, it’s not a good thing.
There is no need for them to have these or mineral blocks as all it will do is cause imbalances - when fed a good hay based diet, with a variety of veg and a small amount of pellets, they get everything they need, so I’d recommend you remove them so you don’t cause them health issues
Click to expand...

Alright, I definitely see the point now - thanks for explaining it :) I will remove the stone stone asap when I am back ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top