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Food Bowls Used As Litter Box?

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LukeStanforth

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Hi

one of the young guinea pigs is using the food bowl as a litter box.

I have tried moving the food bowl but she's determined to poop and wee in both no matter where I place them!

Is she marking her territory?

How can I stop this?

Thanks in advance
 
This is not at all uncommon with young guinea pigs. I would strongly recommend to switch to serving any veg and pellets in smaller portions that can be eaten in one go 2-3 times a day, so that no food gets soiled and you can remove the bowls. Between the meals, your piggies have unlimited hay, so they are by no means going hungry and are encouraged to concentrate on the food that should make up to 80% of their daily food intake: i.e. hay.
 
Hi

one of the young guinea pigs is using the food bowl as a litter box.

I have tried moving the food bowl but she's determined to poop and wee in both no matter where I place them!

Is she marking her territory?

How can I stop this?

Thanks in advance
Despite soft vetbed & fleece hideys one of my boys has decided he wants to live in his hay tray. This means he lays there all day long pooping & weeing in it. I have now ordered hay bags so that I can hang up some clean hay for him to eat. Perhaps you could use one of those stainless steel hanging bowls for her food like they have for birds. Some members on here do use them. I don't know about marking her territory but in my experience it is hard to stop a piggy from toileting where they want!.
 
Some of my piggies love to live in the hay trays, especially the ones that used to live in hutches in their previous lives before coming into rescue, but I have notived that they have their firm pee corners when they do so, so I put the fresh hay at the other end. or you can use a hay rack above the tray. Many piggies love to nibble on hay while going to the toilet.
 
Some of my piggies love to live in the hay trays, especially the ones that used to live in hutches in their previous lives before coming into rescue, but I have notived that they have their firm pee corners when they do so, so I put the fresh hay at the other end. or you can use a hay rack above the tray. Many piggies love to nibble on hay while going to the toilet.
Yes Mason definitely pees in one corner of the hay tray. I am going to hang the hay bag above his hay tray.
 
I don't think my 4 girls eat 80% hay

They don't eat it from a rack on side of cage but do from the bedding which is cheaper hay?

I give them unlimited access to pellets and water.

And feed hay and veg every afternoon when I get back from work normally consisting of bell pepper, parsley, carrots, broccoli (that there fav) and kale occasionally.

Is this ok?
 
Is it possible to over feed a guinea pig?

Yes, it is, especially as soon as the first quick growth phase is finished - and that will finish much sooner if your piggy is growing quickly.
You may find these threads here helpful for a good, steady diet for optimum long term health; the diet recommendation thread also tells you which veg you can feed how often. Kale and carrots for instance should not be fed daily.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk...deal-weight-overweight-and-underweight.38805/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk...or-a-balanced-general-guinea-pig-diet.116460/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk...veg-and-fruit-list-with-vitamin-c-grading.42/
 
Yes, it is, especially as soon as the first quick growth phase is finished - and that will finish much sooner if your piggy is growing quickly.
You may find these threads here helpful for a good, steady diet for optimum long term health; the diet recommendation thread also tells you which veg you can feed how often. Kale and carrots for instance should not be fed daily.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk...deal-weight-overweight-and-underweight.38805/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk...or-a-balanced-general-guinea-pig-diet.116460/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk...veg-and-fruit-list-with-vitamin-c-grading.42/
Thanks I am reading now it's incredible when I purchased Dolly I was told the nuggets form most of there dietry requirements and veg was the occasional treat?

A lot more gP than most people think.

Thanks again for all your help guys
 
Thanks I am reading now it's incredible when I purchased Dolly I was told the nuggets form most of there dietry requirements and veg was the occasional treat?

A lot more gP than most people think.

Thanks again for all your help guys

The advice you were given is the old breeder's advice - and of course, sellers of dry food support it, too! Dry mix is a lot cheaper and easier to feed than good quality veg... :(
 
The advice you were given is the old breeder's advice - and of course, sellers of dry food support it, too! Dry mix is a lot cheaper and easier to feed than good quality veg... :(
I will never listen to Pets at home again.

They sold me Dolly on her own pregnant. In a indoor cage which was only 80cm long and no advice really.

Poor girl would have had a miserable life if it wasn't for this forum because I didn't no any better.
 
I will never listen to Pets at home again.

They sold me Dolly on her own pregnant. In a indoor cage which was only 80cm long and no advice really.

Poor girl would have had a miserable life if it wasn't for this forum because I didn't no any better.
Don't feel bad, exactly my experience with the pet shop here except my boy wasn't pregnant! It was this forum that opened my eyes.
 
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