My Piggy's Don't Like A Variety Of Veggies

[shyskinnygirl]

I got 2 male Guinea pigs a week ago. I think they are about 2 month old the store didn't know their age right on. I read lots off the internet on veggies and fruit and everything I read is different. My piggy's only so far like Romaine Lettuce, Corn on the cob leaves not the corn, Carrots, Grass, Apples, Water Melon. I have tried millions of other foods but they don't eat them, I tried cutting them different and still no good. They don't like cucumber and I read that all like that. So what is the best way to feed them? I will keep trying new veggies.

 

[KittyandNancy]

Mine were like that at first but I kept offering them and then they liked them. Like at first Nancy would only eat the cilantro stem lol now she eats the leaves too. Just keep offering them is my opinion. Maybe someone will have a better answer. They LOVE bell peppers and they are a good source of vit C

Congrats on the pigs. We've had ours about a month now.

 

[Nicola_]

I'd echo that, just keep trying! My boys were like yours when I first got them as well but they gradually started eating more as time went on. Of course there are certain veg that I've just given up trying and others which can still be a hit and a miss but we've reached a stage where they eat enough for me to offer a slightly varied diet! As for cucumber my boys are not huge fans - it's always the last to be eaten (if eaten at all) and usually it's just the skin they eat. All piggy's are different, I have a friend who's pig's taste is completely different from my boys. You'll get there eventually

P.s. bell peppers are good, initially my boys would only eat green ones but then I went on holiday and came back to find my dad had fed them the other colours, I nearly told him off until I discovered they'd actually been eating them! Tought me a good lesson in why to perservere!

 

[PiggySmitten]

Yes I'd also say keep trying and sometimes just give them veggies they are refusing without any you know they like so they might be more tempted to give them a go.

Also they like some veggies so you can at least rest easy that you could keep them going just on what they do like if all else fails.

You may have already read this thread from when I had just the same concern but if you haven't it's worth a read for some more comfort. None of my piggies will touch bell peppers still by the way!

http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/piggies-dont-like-veggies.115680/

 

[shyskinnygirl]

Thanks everyone. I have tried bell peppers and they don't like them yet. I just don't want them sick by feeding them the same foods. I will try feeding them what they don't like and see if they try anyone out. I even bought piggy treats so they can bond with me better and they don't like them either they love their hay and nibble.

 

[Flutterby]

I definitely agree with everyone else. My ladies don't always like new things first time but keep trying them with things a few times and they will soon decide if they really don't like them or not

 

[Lady Kelly]

Mine have had a harsher treatment, I put a bowl of veg in their cage and leave it there. Overnight I saw a few teeth marks in new veg and after 24 hours or more they actually ate it lol. Peter was... well not the fussiest... but the slowest, he used to take his time and eat his portion of veg over many hours but when he was neutered and put in with the girls he soon realised he had to eat quicker if he was going to get any lol

 

[Wiebke]

They will learn, but it is slow process when they haven't had veg or much veg in their life before. Be patient and persist and you will get there eventually!

Like @Lady Kelly says, it is easier when they have other piggies to learn from and in a group, they catch on quickly that they either eat quickly or not at all.

Your boys won't suffer a deterioration of their health if they don't eat a lot of veg in the short term; veg make only about 10% of the daily food intake. It is more of a problem for guinea pigs on a long term poor diet, especially those who are mainly on poor quality dry mixes with very little hay.