Told By Vet Nurse That Gp Don't Need Nuggets.

[New Piggies Own]

Hello,
I have had my Guinea Pigs about 6 weeks. I got them from a rescue, so got a lot of helpful advice about caring for them and did a lot of research. Unfortunately one of my Piggies had to go and see the vet. This was a rather bruising encounter both emotionally and financially (on which I start another post on vet fees). A very officious vet nurse who I saw when picking my piggie up after an Aneasthetic and dental work. Demanded to know what I fed my piggies. When I explained mainly hay, but also veggies and nuggets. She informed me that GPs definitely don't need nuggets, just hay and veggies. This wasn't just post dental work but full stop. I feel very confused now as everything I've read and told before suggests that they need nuggets. The dental work was not feeding related but a freak accident.

 

[Deleted member 114675]

Nuggets are the least important part of a Guinea Pig's diet - and, with the right veggies, they could easily manage without them.

There are some members on here that don't feed nuggets - and many members limit nuggets to an eggcup full per pig per day .

I give my guinea pigs nuggets .

This is the a good thread to refer to ..

Recommendations For A Balanced General Guinea Pig Diet

 

[DM030819]

One of my boars has bladder sludge issues so I took him off pellets a few years ago. They have quite a bit of calcium in them which isn't good for sludge prone pigs. He slowly lost 200g so it shows how fattening they can be.

I think giving them access to a few is a good thing. It gives them variety to eat and also helps wear their teeth down.

I do just give them a small amount each day, and they usually eat all of them.

 

[Kylie80]

I give my GP's just over a tablespoon to share twice a day. I have a pellet pig so I had to reduce their intake because she would gorge herself with whatever was there plus they need to eat more hay and I thought that was more important. I think they get enough of their vit c etc through their veggies anyway.

 

[Swissgreys]

Like others have already said it is possible for a guinea pig not to have any nuggets, but also feeding them is not bad.
I feed them because the pigs like them and it broadens their diet a bit.
It is a shame you had such a negative experience with the veterinary nurse - she certainly doesn't sound like someone you would turn to for support and helpful guidance.

I hope your piggie is feeling better.

 

[zombieprincess]

Yes as others have said, not essential. But feeding a little doesn't hurt. I'm sorry you had such a negative experience. I'm sure the nurse was only trying to help, and share some knowledge. However it sounds like she went a very wrong way about it!

 

[Beans&Toast]

Technically they don't need them if they've got the right hays and veg. Some people don't give them at all, some people give limited. You just have to watch as some are full of calcium which isn't great. My two only get about 5g of nuggets each a day, they're on 95% hay, then some veg then a few nuggets. There's no right or wrong answer, just be careful not to overfeed.

 

[New Piggies Own]

Thank you all very much for all your helpful comments. It's good to be reassured that there is nothing wrong with nuggets as long as they are the smallest part of their diet. The eggcup idea is helpful.