Guinea pig and weeds

[artur1417]

Hi
I have read about which weeds could be poisonous, I don't think I have any of those in my garden.

So today when I left home I decided to put my two guinea pigs like this:


I covered half of it with a waterproof dark plastic sheet in case they need shade.

Can they eat too much greens and become ill? They will be there for about 4hours.

Thanks for the feedback

 

[Robin_]

Hello!

Please do not leave your guinea pigs outside unsupervised. A predator could easily burrow under the walls of the cage and eat your piggies

As for the greens, it’s generally best to wean your piggies into grass before letting them out to graze or they could get an upset stomach. Be sure your lawn isn’t treated with any pesticides or fertilizers!

 

[Piggies&buns]

Yes they can eat too much greens and become poorly. Piggies who aren’t used to grass or greens can’t just be put on grass for hours. They have to be gradually introduced a handful at a time.

It is also not a good idea to leave your piggies in a garden run unattended. You don’t say your location, but there are many predators which could be lurking and can push an unstable run over, and also the temperature has to be considered. Guinea pigs can very quickly overheat.

 

[artur1417]

Hello!

Please do not leave your guinea pigs outside unsupervised. A predator could easily burrow under the walls of the cage and eat your piggies

As for the greens, it’s generally best to wean your piggies into grass before letting them out to graze or they could get an upset stomach. Be sure your lawn isn’t treated with any pesticides or fertilizers!

Thanks for the tips.
I live on an island with no predators whatsoever. There are cats sometimes, but I doubt they would disturb them.

Okay. I will let them graze regular lawn grass for now on. And I won't leave them unsupervised. But they don't eat or do anything while I'm near. I have them for 2 months and they are extremely not sociable. They freeze or run away if I get near.

 

[artur1417]

Madeira island, Portugal.

No prey birds, or any predatory animals (except cats?).

Temperature is around 18-23Celcius during winter now.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Cats are predators and absolutely would attack piggies. Equally, just the presence of cats (even if by some chance they didn’t go near them) is enough to scare prey animals such as piggies.

Even with normal grass, they still need to be introduced to it gradually. In spring I introduce my piggies to grass again (after a winter off grass) by giving them a handful a few for a week or two, and then increase it to a couple of handfuls etc, until their tummies get used it and then they get put on the lawn for a short while, and then slowly increase the time they spend on the grass.

 

[piggieminder]

You may find this guide helpful.
Feeding Grass And Preparing Your Piggies For Lawn Time