Help... Think I'm Getting It Wrong!

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abby

abby

Junior Guinea Pig
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For the two and a half weeks I've had them, I've been feeding my 14 week old piggies about 30g each of pets at home pellets daily.
Unlimited hay.
2 large cups of veggies between them, mainly consisting of kale and cucumber.

I have also tried celery, red and green peppers, courgette, carrots,
Strawberries and apple (just once as I know fruit should be given less because of sugar)
The carrots were successful, though I read that they should be given just a couple of times a week.
But of all the other different veg, they only really seem interested in the kale and cucumber.
Firstly: am I feeding them too much?
Secondly: is it bad to give kale every day, does this cause calcium deposits?
Thirdly: what do you find successful that can be given to them daily?
I'm just a bit confused and need set right before it's too late.
Thanks. X
 
Don't worry at all :) With new piggies, it's very much about trial and error to try to discover their likes/dislikes.

I would not recommend giving kale every day as it is quite high in calcium. It is more of an 'occasional' veg. A small slice of pepper every day (any colour) is a good way to give them some vitamin C. Fruit, as you say, should be a treat. Carrots should not be a daily veg either.

Here's some (hopefully) helpful info: https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk...veg-and-fruit-list-with-vitamin-c-grading.42/
 
Thanks, I think that is the link sport_billy sent me a couple of weeks ago, so I know I'm not giving them anything with no nutrition or is bad for them! but it doesn't mention if there are any veg you can give daily, if any, and the only one it mentions that has high calcium is parsley, are there any others?

I have just noticed though that it suggests unlimited hay, unlimited pellets and I cup of veg a day, so I'm not over feeding as much as I thought! Just a couple of other threads suggests very limited pellets so I think I'm just getting myself confused!

What about the pellets. I've made the mistake of buying pets at home own brand, as unfortunately the other mistake I now realise I've made was to buy the guinea pigs from there too, but that was the food they were used to so I thought it best to keep them on it. But I'm guessing now I would be better with an ingredient including alfalfa (or is it just alfalfa hay they need) seeing as the piggies are still young.

I have noticed that their pee is cloudy white looking..... Am I causing this with too much kale, and have I caused any long lasting problems for my piggies?
 
It's great that you are looking to do the best for your piggies, so don't worry. As Jerrybelly says, it's all a bit trial and error to see what they like and a mixture of foods is best. Mine love carrots, baby sweetcorn, spring greens, broccoli and apple, but I try to mix things up so they don't have the same things every day. There is a definite trend towards feeding less pellets, and more hay and veg. Do you have access to grass and weeds like dandelions? At this time of year I forage daily and this takes over from the veggies a bit. Alfalfa is high in energy, but also high in calcium, so I wouldn't recommend it long term.

Piggies wee is often white, this is normal. I'm sure you haven't caused any long term problems, they sound very well cared for. :D
 
My boys were on wagg food when they came which I don't like as it can start selective feeding so I moved over to burgess excell nuggets over a period of a week, slowly introducing the nuggets now thats all they eat :) try a yellow or orange pepper of they don't like red or green :) try green beans ( dwarf beans) as my boys love those. Piggies pee is cloudy anyway as they deposit calcium through their urine so you're not causing it. As @Jerrybelly says just dont feed things like Kale everyday :)
 
Thanks every one. I've given them dandelion leaves and they liked them, as for the grass I haven't noticed if they are eating it or not as the two times I've had them outside, they remained in their little house, but I'll keep trying that, and keep trying the veg to see if they'll take to it. X
 
peppers can be given every day and i think celery can as well.Mine like green beans as well. Are they babies or older pigs? Babies can have unlimited pellets, my babies do. The older ones are restricted.The amount of veg you are giving is spot on.I dont bother with alfalfa or tomothy hay, they only get meadow hay as they wont eat anything else.
 
That great, thanks Hermes.... Need to get a good look at it to get my head around it, but I think it will help a lot......
Also Many thanks to Laura-CCC4 that was a fantastic post, I appreciate the hard work that went into it. X
 
Gosh this is confusing!
Now I realised I've been giving Kale too often and dandelions too!
Mine have a handful of excel pellets a day with unlimited hay a couple slices of pepper ( red they like)also bits of carrots . I tend to give veggies at weekends or should I spread that out?
I was told give fruit in little amounts . I was not aware they would like grapes, raisins , strawberry ?
Tonight they are having half of a corn on the cob is that ok?
 
Rubys cafe said:
Gosh this is confusing!
Now I realised I've been giving Kale too often and dandelions too!
Mine have a handful of excel pellets a day with unlimited hay a couple slices of pepper ( red they like)also bits of carrots . I tend to give veggies at weekends or should I spread that out?
I was told give fruit in little amounts . I was not aware they would like grapes, raisins , strawberry ?
Tonight they are having half of a corn on the cob is that ok?
Click to expand...

corn on the cob is Ok but be careful how often you give it as it is fattening
 
Sara412 said:
Why can't they have carrots daily - as the chart shows not that high in calcium?
Click to expand...

The problem with carrot is it is high in Vitamin A. The information I have suggests that a small amount ( about the size of a little finger) can be given "almost daily".

Do other forum members agree ?
 
Rubys cafe said:
I will cut down on amounts I give .
We are going to the vets on Tuesday and they are getting a check up too
Click to expand...

I still feel new to all of this and worry whether I am giving my guinea pigs the best diet. From what I understand, they key is to give variety and give a total of 1 cupful of veggies per pig per day - preferably in 2 "sittings". I'm afraid I spoil mine and they are a bit on the cuddly side.

You are wise to take them to the vets for a check up.
 
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