Daily feeding advice - so confused!

[Littlepig44]

Hi. We’ve recently adopted 2 guinea pigs that are around 4 months old. We give them Timothy hay and guinea pig pellets and have also been giving them fresh greens and salad/herbs/veg such as rocket, spinach, parsley and peppers. I’m concerned about what quantities to give them of fresh food and which fresh veg/leaves are safe to feed daily as there is a lot of conflicting info on the internet! For example, some say parsley and spinach should be given sparingly and other sites say spinach and parsley should contribute towards the main bulk of their diet. Other sites say root veg should not be given, but then some say carrots are ok daily. Some forums have even said romaine/butterhead lettuce should be a treat but then other forums say this should be a bulk part of their daily diet too. The RSCPA site says cabbage and kale is good but other sites say it gives them too much gas/bloating. I really just want to understand what the staple things are that I can give them every day, what things should be a small treat and what sort of quantities I can give them of each thing. Really hope you can help. Thank you!

 

[Deleted member 114675]

to the forum !

My advice is don't over research -

I think you will find this thread useful as it gives a list of daily veg - plus a picture of a portion size


Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

 

[DMS260820]

I agree over research runs into confusion because of contradiction and different theories. I was a confused slave once.

 

[Hetja]

There is no general perfect advice. Feeding is individual. Some piggies get fat from eating root veggies and other will be to slim without.
Some are prone to bloats other have issues with to much calcium while some can eat nearly everything and never have issues.

You will soon find out what suits you and your piggies best.

General advice: New food should be introduced slowly.

 

[Littlepig44]

Thanks for the advice all that kind of brings on my other concern (and sorry if this sounds really stupid but I’m new to this!) how do I know if they are bloated or having too much calcium or getting enough vitamin c? I’m guessing there are obvious signs but I’m not sure what I’m looking out for? I’ve had lots of pets over the years and had GPs when I was young, but just want to make sure I’m keeping them happy and healthy as haven’t cared for any GPs for quite a while! Thank you all again

 

[Betsy]

First of a the only stupid question is the one you don't ask. As long as you follow the advice in the link @Veggies Galore has given you you can't go far wrong.

 

[Gem789]

Thanks for the advice all that kind of brings on my other concern (and sorry if this sounds really stupid but I’m new to this!) how do I know if they are bloated or having too much calcium or getting enough vitamin c? I’m guessing there are obvious signs but I’m not sure what I’m looking out for? I’ve had lots of pets over the years and had GPs when I was young, but just want to make sure I’m keeping them happy and healthy as haven’t cared for any GPs for quite a while! Thank you all again

If they're getting too much calcium you will notice a lot of white patches where they've peed. The sample diet is a good example of a varied diet with enough vitamin c. As for bloating I've never experienced it but I think the pig would've fluffed up in pain, off their food and their belly would sound hollow when you tap it.

 

[Betsy]

Betsy had mild bloat and went off her food completely, her tummy was round and she looked fat. I took her to the vet, syringe fed her, gave her Metacam (pain killers) and massaged her tummy at regular intervals. Then after about 3 days in the middle of her tummy massage she just deflated like a balloon and has not had it since.

 

[DMS260820]

Ive nearly lost an old boar ( pip) to bloat once. Gastric torsion was close. He had to stay in for 2 days. I hate bloat. I believe zantac and emeprid were the drùgs of choice. I think.

This pig survived everything. 2 uri's, 1 pneumonia and the above. Back then i didnt know alot.

 

[Piper&Kierstein]

I have seen very conflicting things online myself. What I have been doing as a new guinea pig mommy over the course of a month my morning routine is simple they usually get 2 pieces of romaine lettuce (I have 2 pigs so theres that) and I'll alternate between cilantro and different colored bell peppers if it's the pepper they get one half of a bell pepper between the 2 of them. They get that for about an hour then I leave to go to work take out the leftovers and let them fill themselves up on fresh hay and about a 1/8 cup of pellets each. When I come home they then again another leafy green (been trying out different kinds but it seems like mine only really like romaine lettuce ) and one other veggie like parsnip or zucchini. And I leave that longer than an hour and let them take their time because I'm home so they probably get about 2 to 3 hours but that's generally not necessary since they eat it all very quickly. My advice is play around with it. There isn't a guide of how much they should have. I was gauging how much was too much veggies by seeing what was leftover and trying to balance it like that. It seems to be working since my vet has said they have a clean bill of health :p sending good vibes to you!

 

[Seven7]

My Finn and Lara get veggies three times a day. Romaine lettuce and baby spring veggies are given everyday. I give other variety of veggies in moderation. Mine will eat cilantro/coriander, parsley, basil, cucumber, kale, dandelions, carrot, celery in rotation. They get fruits as treats.
My piggies get endless supply of hay and some pellets daily.

 

[SallyM79]

I have seen very conflicting things online myself. What I have been doing as a new guinea pig mommy over the course of a month my morning routine is simple they usually get 2 pieces of romaine lettuce (I have 2 pigs so theres that) and I'll alternate between cilantro and different colored bell peppers if it's the pepper they get one half of a bell pepper between the 2 of them. They get that for about an hour then I leave to go to work take out the leftovers and let them fill themselves up on fresh hay and about a 1/8 cup of pellets each. When I come home they then again another leafy green (been trying out different kinds but it seems like mine only really like romaine lettuce ) and one other veggie like parsnip or zucchini. And I leave that longer than an hour and let them take their time because I'm home so they probably get about 2 to 3 hours but that's generally not necessary since they eat it all very quickly. My advice is play around with it. There isn't a guide of how much they should have. I was gauging how much was too much veggies by seeing what was leftover and trying to balance it like that. It seems to be working since my vet has said they have a clean bill of health :p sending good vibes to you!

Thanks so much for posting this. This sounds ideal and should work for us.

 

[Piper&Kierstein]

Thanks so much for posting this. This sounds ideal and should work for us.

I am happy I could help they will let you know what they like and dont. Also, dont buy big quantities of certain veggies or fruits if you dont know they have had it before. I live in the US and usually dony have much of a choice but if you can try to get a small amount because your pigs may or may not like a certain. Veg or fruit. Good luck!