Picky About Hay

[Ed55]

Our pig seems to really like alfalfa hay, if I give him some he doesn't stop eating until it is virtually gone.

When I give him timothy hay, he's happy about it but nearly not as enthusiastic and tends to spread it out and use it as bedding rather than eat it mostly. Orchard hay, is about the same enthusiasm, maybe slightly more, but it is noticeably different looking at it, and not sure if it is as good for him as the timothy.

I've tried mixing them in various ways, even if well mixed, but he sorts through it, I've actually watched him do this, and mostly eats the pieces of alfalfa only. What a silly pig!

He also gets pellets and fresh vegetables which he eats without issue.

 

[Wiebke]

It would be good if you stopped the alfalfa hay, as it can contribute to bladder stones in the long run. Alfalfa/lucerne is a legume and not a grass, and a lot richer, higher in calcium and protein than normal hay. We only recommend alfalfa hay for pregnant and nursing sows. You will also find that most pellets are alfalfa based, too, so it would be good if you limited them as well.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk...or-a-balanced-general-guinea-pig-diet.116460/

It may take a while until your boy will accept that there is no more of his favourite hay, but for the sake of his health, it has to be done and you will have to stay strong!

 

[juls65]

Hi, you may find by easing back on pellets it will encourage him to eat his other hays more readily

 

[Ed55]

Thanks for the helpful replies! So we have cut back on the pellets, and he is eating more hay! But seems kind of bummed about this. I read the packaging for the pellets and it says it's timothy based and for adult guinea pigs, so would it be okay to give him some? When I give him even a small amount of pellets he jumps with glee - although it is difficult to resist topping him off when he acting like this. He is cute and might I say slightly manipulative? We're just giving him some pellets here and there at this point and serving plenty of hay.

http://www.oxbowanimalhealth.com/products/type/detail?object=1582 - that's the pellet food we have

I also picked him up a bag of this "botanical hay" which he seems to like okay likes it slightly better than plain timothy. It has Timothy Grass Hay, Chamomile, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Clover, http://www.oxbowanimalhealth.com/products/type/detail?object=1620

 

[Wiebke]

The actual additional amounts of extra protein, calcium and vitamin C that youngsters need are very small. Just be a little bit more generous with the pellets and you are perfectly fine. My own and my foster babies have grown up on an adult diet in a mixed group; they have got a perfect weight and are totally healthy.

Our diet thread gives you a bit of a guide how much to give at which age: https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk...or-a-balanced-general-guinea-pig-diet.116460/