- Joined
- Jul 30, 2006
- Messages
- 15,673
- Reaction score
- 20,561
- Points
- 2,225
Having spent the past 14 years dealing with guinea pigs with dental issues and running TEAS for almost 10 years, I've learnt a lot about dealing with these very special piggies
.
Hay intake - It is very rare for those with ongoing dental issues, to eat a diet that is 80% hay. Some will manage to eat only very little amounts, if any at all! However, they can still be very healthy and live a good life. Grass can be substituted for hay and is just as good for wearing the teeth.
Veg/salad intake - this should be fed in abundance and offered frequently and served in a way that suits the individual guinea pig. Some guinea pigs with dental issues prefer to bite into a large chunk of veg, such as a brocolli stalk or a carrot. Some find this easier, as it doesn't move easily, while they try and bite into it and it is also good at strengthening the jaw of a guinea pig who hasn't eaten for themselves, for a long time. Others may prefer grated or spiralised veg or for it to be cut into thin strips. Salad leaves can be cut into thin strips, into small pieces or fed normally. Some guinea pigs like leaves with a stalk, so they can feed the stalk into their mouth first and then the rest follows on.
Nuggets - fill the bowl to the top! For guinea pigs with dental or mouth issues, trying to get a nugget into your mouth, while chasing it around the bottom of a bowl is frustrating and pretty much impossible. However, when they can push their face into a bowlful of nuggets, it becomes so much easier to pick up the nuggets. These guinea pigs won't eat a whole bowlful of nuggets and if they eat more than is advised, it really doesn't matter. It is more important that they remain strong!
Porridge oats - these are great for dental guinea pigs and again, fill the bowl to the top!
Obviously you want to be encouraging them to eat the foods that will wear the teeth best, so if you haven't got a lawn, grow grass in seed trays, or go foraging! Just make sure you thoroughly wash any grass that you have picked from public areas!
It is important to keep trying different methods, as sometimes preferences change, especially as their confidence grows and their dental problems improve.
.
Hay intake - It is very rare for those with ongoing dental issues, to eat a diet that is 80% hay. Some will manage to eat only very little amounts, if any at all! However, they can still be very healthy and live a good life. Grass can be substituted for hay and is just as good for wearing the teeth.
Veg/salad intake - this should be fed in abundance and offered frequently and served in a way that suits the individual guinea pig. Some guinea pigs with dental issues prefer to bite into a large chunk of veg, such as a brocolli stalk or a carrot. Some find this easier, as it doesn't move easily, while they try and bite into it and it is also good at strengthening the jaw of a guinea pig who hasn't eaten for themselves, for a long time. Others may prefer grated or spiralised veg or for it to be cut into thin strips. Salad leaves can be cut into thin strips, into small pieces or fed normally. Some guinea pigs like leaves with a stalk, so they can feed the stalk into their mouth first and then the rest follows on.
Nuggets - fill the bowl to the top! For guinea pigs with dental or mouth issues, trying to get a nugget into your mouth, while chasing it around the bottom of a bowl is frustrating and pretty much impossible. However, when they can push their face into a bowlful of nuggets, it becomes so much easier to pick up the nuggets. These guinea pigs won't eat a whole bowlful of nuggets and if they eat more than is advised, it really doesn't matter. It is more important that they remain strong!
Porridge oats - these are great for dental guinea pigs and again, fill the bowl to the top!
Obviously you want to be encouraging them to eat the foods that will wear the teeth best, so if you haven't got a lawn, grow grass in seed trays, or go foraging! Just make sure you thoroughly wash any grass that you have picked from public areas!
It is important to keep trying different methods, as sometimes preferences change, especially as their confidence grows and their dental problems improve.