Honey and Blossom
Junior Guinea Pig
Hi, can Gps eat doc leaves, long grass and dandelion leaves? If so how much of each? I have 2 GPs.
Please let me know ASAP
Please let me know ASAP
Can they eat....? PLEASE help
- Thread starter Honey and Blossom
- Start date
No they cannot eat dock leaves
dandelions are fine. They are high in calcium so not too many and not too often
Grass is fine as it’s their natural diet. Any grass needs to be introduced gradually into the diet though if their tummies are not used to it. Too much grass on an unprepared tummy can cause tummy upsets
Feeding Grass And Preparing Your Piggies For Lawn Time
dandelions are fine. They are high in calcium so not too many and not too often
Grass is fine as it’s their natural diet. Any grass needs to be introduced gradually into the diet though if their tummies are not used to it. Too much grass on an unprepared tummy can cause tummy upsets
Feeding Grass And Preparing Your Piggies For Lawn Time
Free Ranger
Forum Donator 2023/24
They are dandelion crazy though so if they get access to a patch they'll go for it!
If they've eaten something they shouldn't keep an eye on them for the next 24 hours... they can't vomit but they might go quiet overnight and be a bit off their food. But by the next morning things should be getting back to normal. If they are lying on their sides in a way they don't normally it's more serious. But if I've had a piggy that's escaped and got into something they shouldn't they've always bounced back (so far - fingers crossed!) because they usually just take one or two tentative mouthfuls rather than ploughing straight in with a bellyful. Hope they're OK x
If they've eaten something they shouldn't keep an eye on them for the next 24 hours... they can't vomit but they might go quiet overnight and be a bit off their food. But by the next morning things should be getting back to normal. If they are lying on their sides in a way they don't normally it's more serious. But if I've had a piggy that's escaped and got into something they shouldn't they've always bounced back (so far - fingers crossed!) because they usually just take one or two tentative mouthfuls rather than ploughing straight in with a bellyful. Hope they're OK x
Honey and Blossom
Junior Guinea Pig
Don't worry, they haven't had anything bad. I needed to check first
Dock leaves are highly poisonous and lethal to many animals, including guinea pigs. Humans will survive eating dock but be pretty badly ill.
Fresh growing grass needs to be carefully introduced with only small and then increasing portions before you put your piggies out on the lawn or you risk diarrhea or bloating; fresh growing dog pee free grass is actually high in vitamin C and is the reason why guinea pigs never had the need to make their own in the first place. NEVER feed lawn mower clippings! The lawn needs to be warm and dry to your bare feet for 5 minutes before you can put indoors piggies out on it. More tips and info for a safe and vet trip-free experience: Feeding Grass And Preparing Your Piggies For Lawn Time
Dandelion can be eaten all parts (including roots and blooms) but it should be treated more as supplementary forage and be fed in moderation. It is quite high in calcium.
More on natural forage for guinea pigs: Wild UK forage for guinea pigs
Our comprehensive diet guide, which looks at all food groups in their overall role in a balanced diet as well as in detail at every food group (which veg/forage only making about 15% of the daily food intake and pellets just 5%) also contains information on fresh grass and its role in the diet as well as forage for enrichment.
Here is the link: Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets