Food issues

[sifjada]

Hi everyone!

I'm having a real big issue with buying pellets. Basically, any pet that isn't a cat or a dog won't have many options here in Iceland. The only guinea pig food they have is the mixed kind with all the colors and unhealthy stuff in it. I found some pellets called Cavia Complete, but the ingredients list didn't sound like it had all the right things.

I've heard everyone talk about Oxbow, but they don't sell here and the only way I could buy it is through ebay. Now, I don't care much about how expensive it is or anything like that, but Iceland is iffy about shipping in any organic materials that aren't grown locally. Foreign hay is a big no-no, so I have to feed them some random hay they sell in the stores here. I have no idea what type it is, so it makes me kind of nervous, but they've got to have something and they seem to love it.

Basically, my question is should I keep feeding them the Gerty mix/Cavia Complete pellets, or should I risk shipping the Oxbow? They may confiscate it, which would majorly suck.

Also, do you guys have any knowledge on feeding guinea pigs non-alfalfa/timothy hay?

Edit: wow, I thought for sure I was posting in the Guinea Pig Cages forum... oh well, I think I've sort of asked this question here before but we'll go for it again, haha

 

[Suzygpr]

Hi there

I looked at the nutritional breakdown and it seems ok, the Vit C level is a little low but with the additional fresh veg I wouldn't be too concerned. The protein and fat content is suitable for an adult, the cal : phos levels are pretty good too.

I would prefer this to Gerty, which has been linked to bladder issues by many owners.

Basic farm/meadow hay is fine for piggies, do check for thistles in the hay as the tiny thorns can cause problems. Alafalfa (lucerne) is not recommended for adult pigs as the calcium levels are too high and can cause bladder stones/crystals.

If the pigs are able to access fresh grass they will prefer this to most other hays anyway - it's what they evolved to eat after all.

HTH

Suzy x

 

[sifjada]

Hi there

I looked at the nutritional breakdown and it seems ok, the Vit C level is a little low but with the additional fresh veg I wouldn't be too concerned. The protein and fat content is suitable for an adult, the cal : phos levels are pretty good too.

I would prefer this to Gerty, which has been linked to bladder issues by many owners.

Basic farm/meadow hay is fine for piggies, do check for thistles in the hay as the tiny thorns can cause problems. Alafalfa (lucerne) is not recommended for adult pigs as the calcium levels are too high and can cause bladder stones/crystals.

If the pigs are able to access fresh grass they will prefer this to most other hays anyway - it's what they evolved to eat after all.

HTH

Suzy x

Thanks so much! I'll stop purchasing the Gerty then. I'm still going to check if I can import the Oxbow or maybe KMS, but I'm glad to know that I have something decent in the meantime.