Grass And Vegetables?

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Merithimas

Merithimas

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Seeing as the sun is coming out, I've been allowing my guinea pigs out in their run for a few hours on most days. I was wondering, when out and about in a run, eating grass, how much fresh veg should I give them as well? Is none necessary, or is it just a reduced amount?

Also, even if the weather's good, should I keep them off the lawn for a few days each week so they don't overeat?

Thanks!
 
Hello there. Here's some info re grass time https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk...-preparing-your-piggies-for-lawn-time.111794/

I always treat grass time as part veg so reduce veg significantly after grass time. However one of my piggies became ill with bloat after overeating grass a couple of weeks ago so I'm going to be even more wary. You just need to monitor the poop changes. If they are very squishy and many more than usual, cut back on veg. Wiebke also recommends putting hay in the run too to give them fibre to eat while on grass. Hope this is helpful.
 
Looking at the guinea pigs now, they both seem quite fat, almost swollen. Could this be bloat? They are still running about, eating lots and leaving normal - if rather soft - droppings. Is it bloat, or are they just a bit fat from all the grass and vegetables? I'll definitely be cutting down on how much they're eating.
 
I didn't mean to worry you - so please don't panic. Bloat is a very painful condition for piggies when the gas builds up inside them and cannot escape. Aside from the obvious sign of swelling in the abdomen my experience is that my piggy sits hunched up, looking miserable with dull or closed eyes, some unhappy tooth grinding, refuses to eat and her fur looks puffed up and not flat and smooth. She stops producing pellets. If I gently flick her swollen sides she sounds hollow due to the gas build up. That's just when she has had bloat. The rest of the time she has a rounded belly in any event.
Your piggies sound fine -just full of food! If their droppings are soft I would give no further greens until they have returned to normal -just pellets and plenty of hay.
Hope this helps.
 
Ah thanks! Still, when I flick their bellies they do sound rather hollow. But if they're still eating and producing even a single pellet, it's not bloat?
 
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