Extreme Danger Of Salt Licks And Cavies

What other experiences have GP owners had with the danger of salt licks?

  • Salt licks are harmless

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Salt licks will kill

    Votes: 2 22.2%

  • Salt licks are merely not necessary

    Votes: 7 77.8%
  • Total voters
    9
  • Poll closed .
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Heidi37

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A few weeks ago, I bought a salt lick for my guinea pug. There is lots of contrary evidence online about whether or not salt licks are the way to go or not. Some say they're fine, others say they're unnecessary. "Unnecessary" is an understatement. After a few weeks of Sylvia nibbling on her salt lick, everything seemed normal. Then yesterday, she ate the whole thing and I found her dead last night. There is simply not enough information out there about salt licks and guinea pigs, and what info there is, is often contradictory. So, please, steer clear of salt licks if you value your piggy's life. I learned the hard way and don't know if I'll ever forgive myself.
 
So sorry for your loss. Did Sylvia have a cage companion? If so, get her checked out after this has happened to Sylvia.
If there is anything where you can't get clear yes or no on if its safe for guinea pigs, I stay well clear of getting them. I found early on not to have mineral/salt licks but they are in the small animal section in stores and nothing on them to say not to put them in with guinea pig's.
 
I would assume they get enough salt and minerals out of their pellets and veg for salt/mineral licks to be completely unnecessary. I got a free salt lick with my hay rack but it went straight into the bin and after reading this thread I'm glad I did. I'm so sorry for your loss :(
 
So sorry for your loss. :(
I am now glad that the ones I had went damp very quickly and they weren't really interested In them anyway so I threw them out. Might make me question using the mineral stone that I have now. I only brought it to bulk out an order to get free delivery.
 
My god I'm so sorry for your loss! :(
I've had one in with my boys since they arrived but other than the odd sniff they have never really touched it!
I think i'll be getting rid of them after hearing this at least untill there is more reliable evidence to either support them or warn against them!
 
I am so sorry for your loss, that is terrible.I recently bought a salt lick as one of my pigs really likes them but I will remove it after reading this.Hugs to you xx
 
That's awful, I'm so sorry, I thought they were meant to have them!
 
I am so sorry for your loss.
 
Terribly sad. I am so sorry.

Many years ago my vet said not to bother, that they were a waste of money but I have to admit I had no idea they could do this. Thank you for sharing such a heart breaking experience x
 
That's really horrible! So sorry for your loss..

Thank you for sharing though, I will make sure to tell other people who have salt licks about this so that they stay away from them
 
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