Oxbow or science selective urinary care?

[Gadzy]

Hello all,

Body clock is all over the place currently due to work! However, I was wondering what people’s thoughts are on these products?

I read that the oxbow urinary support tablets are better? I also read on the packet of the oxbow ones that it’s not intended for growing Guniea pigs? Does that mean you can’t use them until they’re a full adult? Mine are young but not sure their fully grown yet

Thanks,

 

[WWDrew]

Yes when a product is saying that it's not recommended for growing pigs it usually means that it has high calcium content which increases changes of kidney stones. I believe these products when it says this usually okay for adults piggies 1 year or older.

I would be nice to know what is your goal with using these products usually most people use this to prevent kidney stones and UTI's. Or just Guniea Pigs in general who might get similar symptoms like sludgy pee, or crystals in their pee.

One of the best things you can do is just give piggies low calcium veggies (prevents stones) and clean out their cage/spot clean. (Prevents UTI's) A clean dry cage goes a long way.

I'm so happy to meet you because you're being preventative and really care about your piggies.

Take care,

WWDrew

 

[Piggies&buns]

You don’t need to use them at all, particularly if your piggies do not have issues (although I’m not sure we have any evidence whether they actually work either).

If you are looking to prevent bladder issues then the best thing is to concentrate on diet rather than give any commercial supplements.
Most calcium comes into the diet via pellets and water so keep pellets limited to one tablespoon per pig per day, choose good pellets (Piggie parcels are well recommended) and filter drinking water. Feed low calcium veg.

My approach is slightly different. I don’t feed pellets and instead feed a slightly higher veg content, filtered water. They get the four safe daily veggies but I give slightly more and I also do feed calcium veg due to them not getting pellets. I have never give any supplement at all to any of my animals (and haven’t in over 30 years of keeping small animals). We have a balance in their diet and don’t have any bladder issues here and I believe that is due to them getting a lot of grass and wild weeds, more veg and no pellets.