Sick piggie diet

[CaviaEkko]

Hi everyone, I’m looking for advice about my guinea pig’s diet. He is 8 months old and unfortunately has kidney failure as well as stones. He currently gets his pellets mixed with water and given by syringe. He barely eats vegetables anymore, although sometimes he will take a bite or two. His favorite vegatables are tomatoes, parsley, carrots, cucumber, and chard, and he also sometimes likes the green leafy tops of carrots. He also likes grass and fruit.

I’m wondering what foods and vegetables would be safest for him given his kidney failure and stones. Are there any of the foods he likes that I should avoid or only give in very small amounts?

 

[Piggies&buns]

As he is on palliative care, you can be a bit more lenient with the things any other piggy shouldn’t have much of - Give him a small amount of what he likes and allow him to enjoy them for whatever time he has left.

But in answer to your question:

tomatoes aren’t needed in the diet as they are too acidic. But if they are to be given it is a small amount and only very occasionally as a treat.

Carrots and fruit are too sugary. Again, not ideal in the ideal and are considered an occasional treat.

Parsley is a high calcium herb so can only be given in a very small amount and no more than once a week (you shouldn’t feed any high calcium foods in quantity due to the stone risk, and only feed one high calcium feed per week ie don’t give parsley and kale for example in the same week)

 

[CaviaEkko]

Thank you for the reply and information!

Could I also ask about radicchio (red chicory) and dandelion leaves?

My guinea pig gets radicchio every day since we grow it at home, and honestly, all of my piggies prefer it over regular green lettuce. Is it safe for him to have it daily, or should I limit it? Also, what about dandelion greens?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Dandelion is a diuretic so they need to have it with other watery veg but they can have a little fresh dandelion each day
They can have radicchio , it isn’t high calcium

 

[Merab]

Mine love radicchio- it’s practically inhaled.
Holding you in my heart as you care for your sick piggy.

 

[Mrs Tiggy Winkle]

I see grass on your list of what he likes. If you have any left after the drought, I'd give him that rather than parsley, kale etc. Mine loved radicchio too, great that @Piggies&buns has given the go-ahead!

Thinking of you as you care for your sick piggy, and sending him good vibes for as many happy and comfy days as possible.