Gone pellet free, advice from those who do this please.

[Shelley anne]

Hi, I have a pig who constantly has lots of white pee spots and some are a bit sludgy & thick and i am worried so I have stopped the pellets and this has helped quite considerably!
Any advice for a healthy diet without pellets. It makes me nervous but not as nervous as I was with the sludgy white pee.
What about getting enough Vit C, also Vit D? Vitamin C is easy to give if necessary but what about Vitamin D?
Also anyone have long lived guinea pigs that are pellet free?
Are they healthier, do they still have urine problems?
All info would be appreciated please.
I want to know as much about this as possible please

 

[Piggies&buns]

I thought it was hard to get from food sources and natural sunlight is the best source of vit d.
Vit c is essential in their diet and needs to come from fresh vegetables. water additive vit c supplements aren’t recommended.
Ensuring their drinking water is filtered can also help
To my knowledge, plenty of hay and a variety of fresh veg and your piggy should get all they need. Pellets are supplementary in any event.

 

[Shelley anne]

I thought it was hard to get from food sources and natural sunlight is the best source of vit d.
Vit c is essential in their diet and needs to come from fresh vegetables. water additive vit c supplements aren’t recommended.
Ensuring their drinking water is filtered can also help
To my knowledge, plenty of hay and a variety of fresh veg and your piggy should get all they need. Pellets are supplementary in any event.

Good advice, I have given filtered water now. Also, I have ordered the kids liquid Vit c that Scotty's animals recommends and they have a UVB light so I hope that fills the gaps, along with good variety of veg.

 

[Piggiewheekwheek]

I thought white pee meant they were getting too much calcium? I cut down my veg intake especially kale and my piggies don't have white pee anymore and they are drinking more water which I filter first through my britta kettle or I use bottled water that I also filter.

 

[DMS260820]

My vet did once say,( and he knows his stuff about small furrys) that he wouldnt be surprised if pellets were a main cause for bladder stones, I didn't dare go pellet free, so I went to grain free instead. I have thought about going pellet free altogether, but I was also worried about vit d, not vitc so much though

 

[DMS260820]

I thought white pee meant they were getting too much calcium? I cut down my veg intake especially kale and my piggies don't have white pee anymore and they are drinking more water which I filter first through my britta kettle or I use bottled water that I also filter.

They will pee out any excess calcium, I thought if it is gritty then worry.

 

[PigglePuggle]

Good advice, I have given filtered water now. Also, I have ordered the kids liquid Vit c that Scotty's animals recommends and they have a UVB light so I hope that fills the gaps, along with good variety of veg.

I dont think a UVB light is a good idea, those are really for reptiles... UVB light can cause sunburn and skin cancer in mammals, and also damage the eyes... I think a UVB light for a guinea pig is far more dangerous than a few pellets! Can I ask where you read about UVB lamps being ok for guinea pigs?

 

[DMS260820]

.

 

[PigglePuggle]

Which Uvb Bulb/light To Buy?

Found this, a few comments down, someone mentions you can get uvb lights that do not give out heat

It isnt the heat that causes the burns, it is the UVB rays- that's what causes sunburn and skin cancer.

 

[DMS260820]

It isnt the heat that causes the burns, it is the UVB rays- that's what causes sunburn and skin cancer.

O right, didn't realise. Nah I wouldn't want to do that then. It's o. T. T

 

[Wiebke]

Hi, I have a pig who constantly has lots of white pee spots and some are a bit sludgy & thick and i am worried so I have stopped the pellets and this has helped quite considerably!
Any advice for a healthy diet without pellets. It makes me nervous but not as nervous as I was with the sludgy white pee.
What about getting enough Vit C, also Vit D? Vitamin C is easy to give if necessary but what about Vitamin D?
Also anyone have long lived guinea pigs that are pellet free?
Are they healthier, do they still have urine problems?
All info would be appreciated please.
I want to know as much about this as possible please

Hi!

Please be extremely careful with UVB light as it can be quickly too much. Practice has shown that it is very difficult to get the amount just right and to not overdo it. There was a discussion quite a few years back, but it is very telling that the lamps never took and quickly disappeared completely from the scene across the board of welfare and medical sites!

Rather than artificial lamps, which can cause cancer if too strong or overused, give your piggies regular time outside in daylight whenever conditions are favourable for them, even if that is just for a short time in a small cage and not out on cold ground. Daylight is by far the best source of vitamin D .
Please also be aware that grass is high in vitamin C and so is hay; that is the reason why guinea pigs have never had the need to make their own vitamin C - it was readily available in their diet. Overdosing on vitamin C can be as bad as underdosing because guinea pigs on regular high levels of vitamin C can conversely develop symptoms of scurvy as soon as their vitamin C level sinks for some reason (like illness).

You can go pellet free, but on the whole it is easier to feed a modicum of veg and fresh herbs (but very little fattening/sugary root veg or fruit) with a wide range of nutrients and just a tablespoon of pellets per day. If you really want to replace pellets, then dry and fresh forage is the best replacement rather than lamps and additives.

 

[DMS260820]

Hi!

Please be extremely careful with UVB light as it can be quickly too much. Practice has shown that it is very difficult to get the amount just right and to not overdo it. There was a discussion quite a few years back, but it is very telling that the lamps never took and quickly disappeared completely from the scene!

Rather than artificial lamps, which can cause cancer if too strong or overused, give your piggies regular time outside in daylight whenever conditions are favourable for them, even if that is just for a short time in a small cage and not out on cold ground. Daylight is by far the best source of vitamin C .
Please also be aware that grass is high in vitamin C and so is hay; that is the reason why guinea pigs have never had the need to make their own vitamin C - it was readily available in their diet. Overdosing on vitamin C can be as bad as underdosing because guinea pigs on regular high levels of vitamin C can conversely develop symptoms of scurvy as soon as their vitamin C level sinks for some reason (like illness).

You can go pellet free, but on the whole it is easier to feed a modicum of veg and fresh herbs (but very little fattening/sugary root veg or fruit) with a wide range of nutrients and just a tablespoon of pellets per day. If you really want to replace pellets, then dry and fresh forage is the best replacement rather than lamps and additives.

You have a typo in there, the first vit c should be d

 

[Wiebke]

You have a typo in there, the first vit c should be d

Thanks, I am tired.

PS: Please be careful when linking in old advice.

 

[DMS260820]

Thanks, I am tired.

PS: Please be careful when linking in old advice.

I said that I'm not saying it's a good idea. Don't worry you can make a mistake, just telling you so it doesn't stay wrong

 

[Wiebke]

I said that I'm not saying it's a good idea. Don't worry you can make a mistake, just telling you so it doesn't stay wrong

I have corrected.

Please be careful when linking in old threads. If there are no more recent ones, then there is usually a good reason for that.

 

[DMS260820]

I have corrected.

Please be careful when linking in old threads. If there are no more recent ones, then there is usually a good reason for that.

 

[Shelley anne]

I dont think a UVB light is a good idea, those are really for reptiles... UVB light can cause sunburn and skin cancer in mammals, and also damage the eyes... I think a UVB light for a guinea pig is far more dangerous than a few pellets! Can I ask where you read about UVB lamps being ok for guinea pigs?

I can't remember where I saw this info but it said that they benefit from it and scientific studies were done, although I am aware of the risk of sunburn so keeping it to short burst while they are eating their greens.

 

[Shelley anne]

They will pee out any excess calcium, I thought if it is gritty then worry.

Unfortunately Bindy's was gritty and thick. I really felt I had a problem. But is seems it is better now even after a couple of days pellet free. Just one white pee whereas 2 days ago, 20 or more with a lot of thick and sludgy pee spots.

 

[Shelley anne]

Hi!

Please be extremely careful with UVB light as it can be quickly too much. Practice has shown that it is very difficult to get the amount just right and to not overdo it. There was a discussion quite a few years back, but it is very telling that the lamps never took and quickly disappeared completely from the scene across the board of welfare and medical sites!

Rather than artificial lamps, which can cause cancer if too strong or overused, give your piggies regular time outside in daylight whenever conditions are favourable for them, even if that is just for a short time in a small cage and not out on cold ground. Daylight is by far the best source of vitamin D .
Please also be aware that grass is high in vitamin C and so is hay; that is the reason why guinea pigs have never had the need to make their own vitamin C - it was readily available in their diet. Overdosing on vitamin C can be as bad as underdosing because guinea pigs on regular high levels of vitamin C can conversely develop symptoms of scurvy as soon as their vitamin C level sinks for some reason (like illness).

You can go pellet free, but on the whole it is easier to feed a modicum of veg and fresh herbs (but very little fattening/sugary root veg or fruit) with a wide range of nutrients and just a tablespoon of pellets per day. If you really want to replace pellets, then dry and fresh forage is the best replacement rather than lamps and additives.

I think you are right. Will be careful with the lamp and will keep to to 10 minutes bursts only perhaps. I am just a bit over protective with having them outside but I may have to look at something. I did on one occasion and as they weren't used to it they were quite frightened and so I didn't do it again.

 

[Shelley anne]

Hi!

Please be extremely careful with UVB light as it can be quickly too much. Practice has shown that it is very difficult to get the amount just right and to not overdo it. There was a discussion quite a few years back, but it is very telling that the lamps never took and quickly disappeared completely from the scene across the board of welfare and medical sites!

Rather than artificial lamps, which can cause cancer if too strong or overused, give your piggies regular time outside in daylight whenever conditions are favourable for them, even if that is just for a short time in a small cage and not out on cold ground. Daylight is by far the best source of vitamin D .
Please also be aware that grass is high in vitamin C and so is hay; that is the reason why guinea pigs have never had the need to make their own vitamin C - it was readily available in their diet. Overdosing on vitamin C can be as bad as underdosing because guinea pigs on regular high levels of vitamin C can conversely develop symptoms of scurvy as soon as their vitamin C level sinks for some reason (like illness).

You can go pellet free, but on the whole it is easier to feed a modicum of veg and fresh herbs (but very little fattening/sugary root veg or fruit) with a wide range of nutrients and just a tablespoon of pellets per day. If you really want to replace pellets, then dry and fresh forage is the best replacement rather than lamps and additives.

So if my piggies are getting plenty of forage, grass and hay as well as a piece of green capsicum, they are probably getting enough vitamin C daily as it is aye? I give them a huge variety, and forage for them daily. Because I live semi rural in NZ I go out my back door and get a variety of different weeds and fresh grass and my garden has a lot of different veggies which they get straight from the garden and is super fresh.

 

[Eriathwen]

If you do use a uvb lamp, please consult with the manufacturer first to assess which product would be most suitable for you and be wary of any company that does not know. These lights when used correctly can be safe and often are used with piggies with Osteodystrophy. Lots of things need to be taken into consideration when deciding on which one to choose such as diet, their cage dimensions ect. There aren't really any 'plug and play' uv lamps for mammals yet that I know of. It is something I have researched for use with my Osteodystrophy pigs though and when I contacted Arcadia who are arguably one of the best manufacturers of uv lighting for animals via Facebook they took all sorts of details and figured out for me exactly which index and bulb would be safest to use while still providing benefit. I was also advised on removing the reflector that also comes with some bulbs in order to reduce the amount of uv reaching the floor due to their minimally haired ears.
While I was told there is evidence that most animals are better able to process vitamin d absorbed via the sun or uv lighting compared to ingesting it from their food, please don't just suspend any random uv unit over piggies as you could very easily cause burns or cancer. Giving them time outside is a much safer alternative if you're unable to find a unit specifically advised for use by the manufacturer.

 

[Shelley anne]

If you do use a uvb lamp, please consult with the manufacturer first to assess which product would be most suitable for you and be wary of any company that does not know. These lights when used correctly can be safe and often are used with piggies with Osteodystrophy. Lots of things need to be taken into consideration when deciding on which one to choose such as diet, their cage dimensions ect. There aren't really any 'plug and play' uv lamps for mammals yet that I know of. It is something I have researched for use with my Osteodystrophy pigs though and when I contacted Arcadia who are arguably one of the best manufacturers of uv lighting for animals via Facebook they took all sorts of details and figured out for me exactly which index and bulb would be safest to use while still providing benefit. I was also advised on removing the reflector that also comes with some bulbs in order to reduce the amount of uv reaching the floor due to their minimally haired ears.
While I was told there is evidence that most animals are better able to process vitamin d absorbed via the sun or uv lighting compared to ingesting it from their food, please don't just suspend any random uv unit over piggies as you could very easily cause burns or cancer. Giving them time outside is a much safer alternative if you're unable to find a unit specifically advised for use by the manufacturer.

I contacted Arcadia before I bought it and they recommended the 20 Watt Bird lamp which is what I have. How long do you use it for at a time on your Osteodystrophy pigs? I've gotten a bit nervous now over using it after the discussion over UVB lamps. I don't want to give them sunburn or worse cancer. I am thinking that perhaps 10 minutes twice a day would be Ok and I will try to get them some time outdoors as well.

 

[DMS260820]

Unfortunately Bindy's was gritty and thick. I really felt I had a problem. But is seems it is better now even after a couple of days pellet free. Just one white pee whereas 2 days ago, 20 or more with a lot of thick and sludgy pee spots.

Give some cucumber too, I do this before bed every night

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

My vet did once say,( and he knows his stuff about small furrys) that he wouldnt be surprised if pellets were a main cause for bladder stones, I didn't dare go pellet free, so I went to grain free instead. I have thought about going pellet free altogether, but I was also worried about vit d, not vitc so much though

Simon does advise pellet free or certainly grain free for avoiding bladder issues. I feed pellets as a treat rather than a main food, with hay and grass being the biggest part of the diet. I then feed a small amount of veg, once per day! I have never had a piggy with bladder issues.

 

[DMS260820]

Simon does advise pellet free or certainly grain free for avoiding bladder issues. I feed pellets as a treat rather than a main food, with hay and grass being the biggest part of the diet. I then feed a small amount of veg, once per day! I have never had a piggy with bladder issues.

I think you have things right then, I can't feed grass through winter, it goes horrible out the back where I live.

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

I think you have things right then, I can't feed grass through winter, it goes horrible out the back where I live.

I grow grass in seed trays over winter! Simon was saying that grass is the very best thing to feed, as it contains such a lot of water, which is perfect for the bladder!

 

[DMS260820]

I grow grass in seed trays over winter! Simon was saying that grass is the very best thing to feed, as it contains such a lot of water, which is perfect for the bladder!

Might give it a go myself

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

I certainly wouldn't recommend getting a UVB lamp though! A good grass rich diet, with a small amount of pellets, unlimited hay and a selection of veg, is the way to go!

 

[Siikibam]

I would think about putting them outside regularly. Put hides (not plastic) in their run, or even stools or boxes. And cover the run as well. They can then mow your lawn for you and get some grass in. Beware if they’ve not had grass regularly, don’t leave them out too long at first.

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

I would think about putting them outside regularly. Put hides (not plastic) in their run, or even stools or boxes. And cover the run as well. They can then mow your lawn for you and get some grass in. Beware if they’ve not had grass regularly, don’t leave them out too long at first.

I think this is also very important. The piggies at TEAS spend a lot of time in the runs, munching on the grass. Obviously, as with any change of diet, if they haven't had a lot of grass previously, introduce it slowly.