Cutting down on pellets

[CiaraPatricia]

I'm trying to cut my guinea pigs (and rabbits) down on the amount of pellets they eat, because they're eating so many and going through them at a crazy rate.

I think I'll let the boys have as much as they want cos Moxie and Cenci are still growing and Meeko is older and seems not very fat, and piggies should be fat right? And 2 of my rabbits are still growing so they'll get more.

But with the others I want to cut it down a lot.

I'm giving them hay as bedding again, as well as in a hay rack, so they will eat more hay, and they love that hay, it's nice a green and yummy apparently.

They also get grass, dandelions, clover, etc. but won't in winter.

I know I should give them green leafy veg and herbs, which they do get.

But should I be giving them a huge variety of greens, as well as other veggies? How do I know if the mix is right . . . it's so confusing. I'm scared of feeding them too much veggies, too little or not the right balance of different types. :...

I know hay is meant to be 80% but have no idea how much veggies would count as 20%.

Or is there anyone who has a link to any info about not feeding them pellets at all, or feeding them less pellets and more fresh food? Thanks


Also there is nutrition in hay right? Someone said it was just fibre, but it must have something, even a low nutrient level? I know someone who fed her ponies on only hay all winter . . . which I was quite shocked by but apparently that's often done, so it must have something.

 

[Bailey]

This thread might be useful http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=43961

I know you're not planning to cut them out completely but there is some good advice

I would feed 80% hay 10-15% veg & 5-10% pellets.

Do you weigh regularly? So you can keep an eye on if it's having a negative affect on them.

 

[Becky92]

I cant offer much advice but i can tell you what mine eat.

All guinea pigs & rabbits were getting on the podgy side side i limited the amount of pellets. But in order to make sure they were getting enough food i got them 2 food bowls, 1 for pellets and 1 for a hay. They have hay as bedding but i like it to keep some seperate and have reasurance theyre eating enough.

So mine have a small handful of pellets (per pig) and a handful of hay twice a day. So thats just enough pellets to fill the bottom of their bowl X's 2 and hay.

They get fresh greens ect. but i count them as 'extras' unless they are having alot then i would cut down on the pellets in the evening.

By doing this they have reduced in size. I would never stop giving them pellets completely just the same as i wouldnt stop them having hay.

Hope this helps x

 

[CiaraPatricia]

I don't weigh them hardly ever, but I'll start.

Thanks guys I'll check out that thread now.

Oh and yeah Becky, I was thinking a small handful of pellets each might be good.

 

[Bailey]

Before I got Coco, Amber (and Bailey too 8... ) got a shot glass of pellets each day, plus veggies and as much hay as they would eat.

It's a good to weigh them weekly ( http://www.guinealynx.info/weigh.html )
because weight loss can be a sign of illness. Laura-CCC4 has a weight chart which she sent to me or you can print one from the guinea lynx site.

 

[CiaraPatricia]

Thanks

Oh yeah I know it's good to weigh them, it's just one of those things I never got round to doing / never remember to. :red I will though when I cut down the pellets.

From reading the other post, I saw she gives her guinea pigs cucumber, tomatoes, celery, greens, herbs, greenbeans etc. so I think that mine will get enough variety, I'll just up the greens a lot.