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mineral/salt blocks?

  • Thread starter Thread starter kaw
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kaw

hi all, i am a little confused about mineral and salt blocks.
i have just put a mineral block in for my 2 new girls, and came across a thread in here and someone said they are bad for them?
is this true?
i dont want to give them anything thats bad for them. i did it also as a knaw block for their teeth.
oh and also, are bananas ok for them?
thanks guys.
 
squeaks

my vet said to use these blocks and feed no pellets
i give them guins and rabs lots if fruit and veg
one day a week they have the block as they are very salty
and on the other days a few pellets

venice
 
If they are on an adequate diet there is no need at all for salt/mineral blocks. Remember the manufacturers are trying to sell you their products ie do you care for your pigs, give them these treats etc!?
 
thanks for the replies.
i am still looking into what the best foods for them are, when they came to me they had a very cheap not very nice looking food, i went to the pet shop today and got the best quality one they had, and got them treats and those long treats on a stick.
i also got them vitamin C pellets.
 
Again vit c pellets and treats are not necessary. If you want to give them a real treat give them a large bowl of fresh grass!
 
Kaw i know its very tempting to buy them treats when all of the pet shops etc sell them but like one member said they will enjoy a lovely bowl of fresh grass, dandelions and other weeds that are safe for them. My two go mad for grass! Here is a link on what weeds that are safe for them and be sure that there is no dog mess about and that you dont pick them from the side of a road.
http://www.pamperedpiggies.co.uk/edible_weeds.php

Also I'm sure they would love some tasty hay or dried grasses such as readigrass or oxbow orchard grass as a treat. If you buy a good brand of guinea pig food that will contain vitamin C and along with fresh veg everyday that's all the vitamin C they need. Ive also heard that the salt licks etc cause them to be dehydrated and drink more because of the saltiness but i do not know if this is true, but i would avoid them personally.
:)
 
I used to give mineral wheels (round block on a wire) years ago. They were ignored (the wheels, that is). Given that the pigs suffered no ill effects from not having a mineral wheel, it could be assumed that they are not at all necessary!
 
guys i have taken out the mineral block, thanks for all your advice on the subject.
i am going to look on the link you posted now, thankyou.
 
Hi
I don't know about salt blocks. I did try it once but they didn't do anything with it, so I don't bother with it.
You asked about banana's. Mine love sliced banana
 
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