How Many Days To Feed Veg?

[LozzyBee]

Hi!

I'm a new Guinea pig owner to 2 piggies called Barlow and 'the big one' (as yet unnamed as my daughter can't think of one!). They're nearly 2 and from a rescue where they were fed veg 2 days a week.

My question is, do I need to build up the veg they're having and if so how? I did my research and had thought I had to give them veg everyday (morning and evening?), but the packet of nuggets I bought says to feed them veg two or three times a week and now I'm confused

Thank you!

 

[Kerrie74]

Welcome to the forums.

Usually everyday I've pasted a couple of links for you to look at

Recommendations For A Balanced General Guinea Pig Diet

Edible And Forbidden Veg And Fruit List With Vitamin C Grading

I've started using the IC diet which is on the first link.

 

[Guinea Slave]

Well if I didn't feed mine veg twice a day they would pack their bags and leave!

Definitely morning and evening. Fresh veg are more important than nuggets and ad lib hay most important of all.

 

[LozzyBee]

Thanks for the replies!

Is it ok to go straight to doing it everyday when they haven't been used to it though? I'm worried about bloating and gas.

At the rescue they had a cabbage leaf and carrot twice a week.

Sorry for the daft questions, just want to get it right!

 

[Deleted member 114675]

You're right - you are best to introduce new foods gradually . If I were you , I would stick to giving carrots twice a week and start to introduce some of the vegetables listed as "daily veg" in the link Kerrie has provided (bell peppers, celery, french bean, cucumber, coirander/cilantro, spring green ).

Peppers ( bell/capsicum ) are great as they contain vitamin C .

The veggies most likely to cause bloat are the veggies in the cabbage family ( cabbage , kale, broccilli, spring green etc) . Keep the portion sizes of cabbagey foods small - the "IC" diet advises giving a 1" strip of spring green .

 

[VickiA]

You're right - you are best to introduce new foods gradually . If I were you , I would stick to giving carrots twice a week and start to introduce some of the vegetables listed as "daily veg" in the link Kerrie has provided (bell peppers, celery, french bean, cucumber, coirander/cilantro, spring green ).

Peppers ( bell/capsicum ) are great as they contain vitamin C .

The veggies most likely to cause bloat are the veggies in the cabbage family ( cabbage , kale, broccilli, spring green etc) . Keep the portion sizes of cabbagey foods small - the "IC" diet advises giving a 1" strip of spring green .

Introduce new foods gradually, but look to increase their veg intake. Always good to remember that piggies should eat the greatest volume of hay, followed by veg and finally pellets that should be the smallest part of their diet. Each piggy needs about 1cup of veg per day. I split mine into 2 smaller portions - breakfast and tea - to make their lives more exciting.

 

[Guinea Slave]

They're not daft questions at all! Very sensible ones actually.

And yes, as others have said, introduce gradually but build up to twice a day.

 

[sport_billy]

great advice from all above. You sound like a very caring owner. :0 Be lovely to see some photos of your piggies once they have settled in

 

[Angeladeedah]

Just like what everyone has already said. Introduce different veggies slowly and build it up to twice a day.
You'll start to really enjoy watching them eating. I've had piggies for about 10 years and it still amazes me watching them pick out their favourite foods before going back to eat the rest. And the noise they make when they know good stuff is coming! It's brilliant.

 

[Elbie]

I going to be honest. I found the info in the feeding link a little confusing as with regards to quantities to feed. I'm mindful that I need to feed a high vit c diet and read that they should have about 50g of veg per pig per day. But then some foods which I think will be good should only be fed in a small amount (I. E. One slice of bell pepper). What do you make up the rest of the weight with?

 

[Deleted member 114675]

I going to be honest. I found the info in the feeding link a little confusing as with regards to quantities to feed. I'm mindful that I need to feed a high vit c diet and read that they should have about 50g of veg per pig per day. But then some foods which I think will be good should only be fed in a small amount (I. E. One slice of bell pepper). What do you make up the rest of the weight with?

I'm afraid there are differences of opinion on portion sizes. I judge mine by cupful and aim to give 1/ 2 cupful per pig morning and evening . I mostly give the daily veg listed in the links so each pig gets ...

1 french bean, a few pieces of celery, 1 sprig coriander , a 1" slice of spring green , 1 slice bell pepper. 1 slice cucumber ...

morning and evening

nb :I do give other veg occasionally as a treat - but the above is the "core" of their diet

 

[Elbie]

Thanks piggyowner. I find it so hard as read one thing then something else conflicts it!

I was getting veg ready this morning and thinking about it I don't think it's too bad. They normally have 2 slices of pepper each per day with a handful of watercress and handful of parsley. Then a small handful spring greens (I buy the ready chopped up type because I'm lazy). Then every few days they get a little sweetcorn cobet.

Worried about over feeding but then worry about them not getting enough vit c!