Is Lettuce Fine For Guinea Pigs?

[ash231421]

i'm really not sure who to listen to because some people say lettuce is bad and some say its fine. i know that iceberg lettuce is bad for guinea pigs but i have little gem lettuce and people say its fine. also at the pet shop they said lettuce is bad and also i saw on wikihow that its bad. can someone clear this up for me please?

 

[Wiebke]

i'm really not sure who to listen to because some people say lettuce is bad and some say its fine. i know that iceberg lettuce is bad for guinea pigs but i have little gem lettuce and people say its fine. also at the pet shop they said lettuce is bad and also i saw on wikihow that its bad. can someone clear this up for me please?

Some lettuces are better than others, but personally I would not feed lettuce daily (in fact, I don't even though my piggies get a little every few days).
You may find our sample diet (with picture) and our detailed list of what you can feed how often in which quantity helpful. We have written the guide specifically for new owners that are confused. Most of our long term member owners feed a diet with personal variations that is based around the sample diet. We have noticed a marked decrease in urinary tract problems (especially stones) and an increase in longevity in our own piggies, so we think that it is not a bad place to start out on.
Recommendations For A Balanced General Guinea Pig Diet

We have got lots more really helpful and detailed guides that address the problems most often encountered by new owners and have combined them with some important need-to-know information that can help avoid problems in the longer run. You will find them very helpful. We have got over 10 years of practical experience and know what know owners really want to know - so our guides are as precise and step-by-step as possible!
New Owners' Online Starter " Booklet" For Really Helpful Advice

 

[sport_billy]

We feed little Gem lettuce 3-4 times a week.

Roamaine should be fed sparingly and Iceberg not at all (this is due to very little nutritional value)

 

[Freela]

Iceberg lettuce is not recommended because it's basically empty of nutrients and very watery. I buy spring mix for me and the pigs, it's a variety of mixed greens (spinach, dandelion, kale, etc.) I give it for snack time in the evenings, along with some carrot, peppers, etc.

 

[Merrypigs Sanctuary]

There used to be a thing around about it containing Laudanum which is toxic in big quantities. That theory has been disproved now but it does contain a component of Laudanum which I read up about online... It's really random
"Lactucarium is the milky fluid secreted by several species of lettuce, especially Lactuca virosa, usually from the base of the stems. It is known as lettuce opium because of its putative sedative and analgesic properties. It has also been reported to promote a mild sensation of euphoria" GIMME SOME LETTUCE

 

[2 fluffy boars]

Hi. Personally, I feed around 1-2 leaves of lettuce per pig on a daily basis. I know that sounds like a lot, but my piggies are on a pellet free diet since I can't get my hands on any good pellets. I've been doing this for a year now and I've had no problems so far. However, If the piggies haven't been fed lettuce before, you have to introduce it very slowly. I also wouldn't take sources such as wikihow and pet shops very seriously. Instead I'd use trusted websites such as guinealynx and this forum. I hpe I helped

 

[Kylie80]

What is in lettuce then that is so bad that they cant eat it daily? Is it the calcium content or is it high in some other mineral/vitamin. I feed lettuce daily but only because I have read others who feed daily and assumed it was ok, i'm a bit of a follower lol. I usually only feed them lettuce from a salad mix with various other leaves (not spinach).

 

[2 fluffy boars]

What is in lettuce then that is so bad that they cant eat it daily? Is it the calcium content or is it high in some other mineral/vitamin. I feed lettuce daily but only because I have read others who feed daily and assumed it was ok, i'm a bit of a follower lol. I usually only feed them lettuce from a salad mix with various other leaves (not spinach).

Romaine lettuce has too much calcium and iceberg has no nutritional value, but other than that, its completely OK for daily feeding

 

[VickiA]

Romaine lettuce has too much calcium and iceberg has no nutritional value, but other than that, its completely OK for daily feeding

Hi. Personally, I feed around 1-2 leaves of lettuce per pig on a daily basis. I know that sounds like a lot, but my piggies are on a pellet free diet since I can't get my hands on any good pellets. I've been doing this for a year now and I've had no problems so far. However, If the piggies haven't been fed lettuce before, you have to introduce it very slowly. I also wouldn't take sources such as wikihow and pet shops very seriously. Instead I'd use trusted websites such as guinealynx and this forum. I hpe I helped

@2 fluffy boars where are you based that you can’t get decent pellets? Pellets can be ordered online and delivered if shops nearby don’t stock good brands.

@ash231421 you have been given some great links by Wiebke about feeding. I would follow the recommended guides which are reflective of best practice that the forum endorses.

 

[2 fluffy boars]

Only one on-line shop actually ships to where I live, as I live in a rural area in a very small country. This shipping takes weeks and costs a fortune. Also, the only time I managed to get Oxbow(on my trip to the USA), my pigs hated it. I have no idea why, but whe I tried to introduce it, hopeful that I could find a way to get more if they liked it, they didn't even touch it. And the only pellets this shop carries is Oxbow. I feed a homemade dry mix instead, along with more veggies and I see no problems. I've been doing this for a year now and my pigs are completely happy and healthy.

 

[Linzig33]

Hello, I too am getting mixed opinions on food online. I have two baby's (around 6 weeks old). I have had them a week today and have been feeding them pellets with alfalfa hay built in once a day in two seperate bowls. I also feed them veg 2-3 times a day? This includes mostly kale, some broccoli, I have tried some carrot, pepper and cucumber but they don't enjoy these as much as the kale. After I feed them it they popcorn like crazy and dart around there cage. I noticed today one of the boys urine was kind of white/cloudy in colour. I am not concerned their diet is good? Any help would be appreciated, thank you.

 

[2 fluffy boars]

Hello, I too am getting mixed opinions on food online. I have two baby's (around 6 weeks old). I have had them a week today and have been feeding them pellets with alfalfa hay built in once a day in two seperate bowls. I also feed them veg 2-3 times a day? This includes mostly kale, some broccoli, I have tried some carrot, pepper and cucumber but they don't enjoy these as much as the kale. After I feed them it they popcorn like crazy and dart around there cage. I noticed today one of the boys urine was kind of white/cloudy in colour. I am not concerned their diet is good? Any help would be appreciated, thank you.

The urine is probably very cloudy because you feed a lot of calcium rich food. Both kale and alfalfa are very high in calcium. Calcium is generally fine with babies but can cause problems with adults. Try to see if the pee forms white stains after drying on darker fleece. If yes, your piggies probably have too much calcium in their diet. If that is the case, I'd either switch to adult pellets without alfalfa or feed less calcium rich veg. I hope I helped

 

[Linzig33]

The urine is probably very cloudy because you feed a lot of calcium rich food. Both kale and alfalfa are very high in calcium. Calcium is generally fine with babies but can cause problems with adults. Try to see if the pee forms white stains after drying on darker fleece. If yes, your piggies probably have too much calcium in their diet. If that is the case, I'd either switch to adult pellets without alfalfa or feed less calcium rich veg. I hope I helped

Great help, thank you . I don't have a fleece yet for my boys. Sawdust at the moment but I am very keen to get rid of this. Would you recommend fleece in a cage? It's a large cage and has two tiers. Only one tier at the moment as they are very small. Would a fleece on a top level with other absorbent material on the bottom be better? I noticed the white urine when I had them out on a cover but it didn't dry white?

 

[Kylie80]

Romaine lettuce has too much calcium and iceberg has no nutritional value, but other than that, its completely OK for daily feeding

I knew about the cos and iceberg I was just wondering about other lettuces in general as there have been posts in the past that have mentioned lettuce being high in vitamin A and being linked to liver issues.

 

[2 fluffy boars]

I knew about the cos and iceberg I was just wondering about other lettuces in general as there have been posts in the past that have mentioned lettuce being high in vitamin A and being linked to liver issues.

I've never heard of that, but maybe more experienced owners or professionals can tell you something about it.

 

[2 fluffy boars]

Great help, thank you . I don't have a fleece yet for my boys. Sawdust at the moment but I am very keen to get rid of this. Would you recommend fleece in a cage? It's a large cage and has two tiers. Only one tier at the moment as they are very small. Would a fleece on a top level with other absorbent material on the bottom be better? I noticed the white urine when I had them out on a cover but it didn't dry white?

I would really recommend fleece over an absorbent material. You can use bath mats, puppy pads, or fleece liners with an absorbent layer already in them.Sadly, I have no experience with cloudy urine not drying to form dry patches on dark fleece. Maybe it would be a good idea to get in contact with a vet.

 

[Linzig33]

I would really recommend fleece over an absorbent material. You can use bath mats, puppy pads, or fleece liners with an absorbent layer already in them.Sadly, I have no experience with cloudy urine not drying to form dry patches on dark fleece. Maybe it would be a good idea to get in contact with a vet.

I will keep an eye out for any further white urine and limit the amount of kale and alfalfa I give them in the mean time. Thank you for your help . I have purchased as 'fleecey' bath mat that I could find, could you possibly advise if this may be a choking hazard? I feel over cautious sometimes as my 5 guinea pigs growing up didn't have any of these luxuries but lived to a good age haha. Like you say, times have moved on and I only want the best for the little guys.

 

[2 fluffy boars]

I will keep an eye out for any further white urine and limit the amount of kale and alfalfa I give them in the mean time. Thank you for your help . I have purchased as 'fleecey' bath mat that I could find, could you possibly advise if this may be a choking hazard? I feel over cautious sometimes as my 5 guinea pigs growing up didn't have any of these luxuries but lived to a good age haha. Like you say, times have moved on and I only want the best for the little guys.

View attachment 73208

I have a bath mat exactly like this and my pigs love it, Unless they chew it a lot, there should be no choking hazard.