Is this normal poo?

[Rachp]

Hi, just wondered if someone could tell me if my piggies poo is a "normal" colour. No diarrhoea or mushy poo it feels fine just wanted to know if it's down to her veggie intake? The food she's on is pellets and plenty of hay and fresh water. Thank you.

Please note the photo attached has sawdust on it but you get the jist.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi, just wondered if someone could tell me if my piggies poo is a "normal" colour. No diarrhoea or mushy poo it feels fine just wanted to know if it's down to her veggie intake? The food she's on is pellets and plenty of hay and fresh water. Thank you.

Please note the photo attached has sawdust on it but you get the jist.

Hi!

If the white flecks are just on the surface, then they may be just from your piggy having had a calcium pee on top of some pellets.

If they are inside, then they are pointing to a very mild tummy upset. if you see more fresh poos with undigested bits of food, then it usually helps to take your piggy off any fresh food to allow the gut fermentation to settle down and normalise again on its own. As veg should only about about 10% of the daily food intake (over 80% should be hay), this is not a problem.

Here is our guide for digestive issues: Digestive Disorders: Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement) And Not Eating

 

[Rachp]

Hi I did add on the bottom its the sawdust off the bottom of her cage

 

[Wiebke]

The poos are slightly light but well within the normal range.

I would however consider switching to another bedding as saw dust with tiny bits of wood flying around is not ideal for guinea pigs, who have a very small and narrow respiratory system.
Bedding For Guinea Pigs - Overview

 

[Rachp]

Hi I've been to several vets and pet shops who recommend the saw dust I use as it's dust free

 

[Wiebke]

Hi I've been to several vets and pet shops who recommend the saw dust I use as it's dust free

But they seem to eat it or if it is just tiny pieces stuck on, then I would be personally worried about this small bits that can get into the respiratory tract?

 

[VickiA]

Hi I've been to several vets and pet shops who recommend the saw dust I use as it's dust free

Pet shops will always recommend products they sell. And our experience tends to suggest saw dust really is not great for the respiratory tract. You are however free to take or leave any advice we offer. Ultimately it’s your decision to take.

 

[Rachp]

I've always used it with my rabbit who I had for ten years. They're fine. The sawdust isn't what I asked about

 

[Rachp]

Oh and by the way the link that you forwarded says woodshavings is also used as a guniea pigs bedding?

 

[Rachp]

But they seem to eat it or if it is just tiny pieces stuck on, then I would be personally worried about this small bits that can get into the respiratory tract?

 

[Piggies&buns]

I've always used it with my rabbit who I had for ten years. They're fine. The sawdust isn't what I asked about

No you are right it isn’t what you asked about, but we have a duty to keep threads accurate with the information.
Sawdust is also not suitable for rabbits.

Oh and by the way the link that you forwarded says woodshavings is also used as a guniea pigs bedding?

Wood shavings are ok to be used (provided the shavings are large enough so as to not get into the respiratory tract, and come from safe wood), sawdust is a different thing and is not safe to use.

 

[Rachp]

Yeah it's wood shavings I use I thought calling it sawdust was the same thing

 

[Rachp]

This is what I use!
Which is perfectly fine for my piggies

 

[VickiA]

This is what I use!
Which is perfectly fine for my piggies

Fine, well I’m glad that’s cleared up.