Readigrass Query

[PiggySmitten]

I saw someone comment in another thread that this should only be given as a treat because the calcium content is high.

I've had a look at the analysis on it shown on the Hay Expert site and it says calcium is 0.8%. Is that high for piggies?

I was hoping to use this product over the winter months sometimes in place of fresh grass when it is difficult to get that but obviously won't do that if it isn't suitable to use regularly.

I would be giving it in addition to normal amount of veggies and unlimited hay still. Would a better alternative be to increase amount of veggies given if I can't give fresh grass?

 

[piggyfan]

What I would do is buy a variety of hay and give that as a treat. I use these hays,
https://www.thehayexperts.co.uk/orchard-grass.html

https://www.thehayexperts.co.uk/green-oat-hay.html

Guinea pigs don't have to have grass so don't worry about them not having grass over winter. As I have no garden mine have never tried grass. I know people say redigrass is okay as a treat but personally, I would not feed anything high in calcium. The woman who runs a guinea pig rescue in wales warned me about redigrass.

 

[karonus]

We give our gang a handful of readigrass every day and dont have any problems, but they also have Burgess Timothy Hay with herbage as their normal hay. They tend to nibble at the readigrass but not devour it like the hay.

 

[PiggySmitten]

What I would do is buy a variety of hay and give that as a treat. I use these hays,
https://www.thehayexperts.co.uk/orchard-grass.html

https://www.thehayexperts.co.uk/green-oat-hay.html

Guinea pigs don't have to have grass so don't worry about them not having grass over winter. As I have no garden mine have never tried grass. I know people say redigrass is okay as a treat but personally, I would not feed anything high in calcium. The woman who runs a guinea pig rescue in wales warned me about redigrass.

Thanks that's really helpful so is 0.8% calcium a high amount then? It confused me because, to me, that's not a high percentage.

 

[piggyfan]

Thanks that's really helpful so is 0.8% calcium a high amount then? It confused me because, to me, that's not a high percentage.

I guess it must be although I'm clueless about ratios. I was going by what the rescue woman taught me. She used to be on here and was great.

 

[Deleted member 114675]

I would like to know more about Readigrass . I am happy to accept forum advice that it should not be given in unlimited quantities . However my guinea pigs love it and it is nice to give them as a treat in winter when grass is not available .

 

[smileyface:)]

I bought Readigrass for my boys as a treat, but they really seem to prefer meadow hay over it, and I think hay is better for keeping their teeth short too so its a win win!

 

[Wiebke]

Readigrass can lead to overweight because it is richer than hay and it has been connected with the reoccurrance bladder stones by members trying find ways to keep bladder problem piggies happy if fed in larger quantities.