Veggie Advice

[Phoebe&bonnie]

so I’ve done a lot of research on safe vegetables and staple greens a lot of websites say that romaine lettuce is ok for everyday but some say it isn’t. The other popular one seems to be green leaf lettuce but I can’t find hay in any shops I look in. Is there any other lettuce I can feed everyday and what do you think about the romaine lettuce ?

 

[Merab]

There is a lot of mixed advice - it can be confusing.
Check the forum for New and Wannabe owners. There’s a thread on food which has some helpful advice.
Other more experienced piggie slaves will be along to share words of wisdom

 

[Betsy]

Here is the link @Merab's Slave is referring to.

Edible And Forbidden Veg And Fruit List With Vitamin C Grading

 

[Betsy]

Have also found another for your night time reading that may be of help.

Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diet

 

[Lorcan]

I don't feed romaine lettuce regularly, but that's because it's almost twice as expensive as little gem lettuce and they like the little gem just as much. However if it's on offer I'll buy romaine to give them something different every once in a while. Just don't go giving them iceberg!

 

[randomname]

rule of thumb is that the darker the leaf the more nutrition. Romaine, bok choy, rocket etc are all ok. Iceberg is literally empty - there's no nutrition in there. It's pretty much just water which is why is causes lose poop. I don't even get why humans eat it, it's naaasty lol. I like a bag of mixed salad leaves, it covers a wider range of nutrients. Plus 1 bag is exactly the right size for 3 piggies & 4 rabbits I find. Have you tried to grow your own? You can buy living salads from most supermarkets, just stick it on your windowsill.

 

[Phoebe&bonnie]

@Lorcan do you feed little gem regularly

 

[Lorcan]

@Lorcan do you feed little gem regularly

Yes, I do.

 

[Phoebe&bonnie]

I can find that so could I switch between little gem and romaine ?

 

[Phoebe&bonnie]

@randomname I can’t find any of those most of the shops near me don’t have a big variety of veggies so I’m kinda limited

 

[gizzy]

Mine do well on verous types of vegetables in moderation, but my mainstay veggies are a daily portion of red bell pepper for the vit c they need, carrot are hard and require the pig to work there incisors, and cucumber to help keep the bladder flushed

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

Where are you based @Phoebe&bonnie ? If you put your location on your profile it will be easier to help

I'm UK and we have a pretty good mix of veg and such but the best thing is to go as natural as possible with grass, some herbs and weeds like dandelion and plantain and such. I don't feed as much lettuce any more, although the pigs love it there's other things to have.

Variety is the key to a balanced diet for piggies so I wouldn't say feeding one type every day would be the best course of action. I tend to change up their food daily, for example one day romaine lettuce, celery & basil with grass and clover and the next kale, pepper, grass and plantain etc

 

[Pigwhisperer]

so I’ve done a lot of research on safe vegetables and staple greens a lot of websites say that romaine lettuce is ok for everyday but some say it isn’t. The other popular one seems to be green leaf lettuce but I can’t find hay in any shops I look in. Is there any other lettuce I can feed everyday and what do you think about the romaine lettuce ?

I think you really do need to give them hay, it's meant to be 80% of their diet? Pet shops or farm shops will stock it.

 

[Deleted member 114675]

rule of thumb is that the darker the leaf the more nutrition. Romaine, bok choy, rocket etc are all ok. Iceberg is literally empty - there's no nutrition in there. It's pretty much just water which is why is causes lose poop. I don't even get why humans eat it, it's naaasty lol. I like a bag of mixed salad leaves, it covers a wider range of nutrients. Plus 1 bag is exactly the right size for 3 piggies & 4 rabbits I find. Have you tried to grow your own? You can buy living salads from most supermarkets, just stick it on your windowsill.

@Lorcan do you feed little gem regularly

Mine do well on verous types of vegetables in moderation, but my mainstay veggies are a daily portion of red bell pepper for the vit c they need, carrot are hard and require the pig to work there incisors, and cucumber to help keep the bladder flushed

There isn't much nutrition in any type of lettuce - so, I'd be looking at lettuce as a treat rather than a food.

Gizzy's post implies that carrot can be given daily - please don't give carrot daily , it's got too much sugar in it .
Carrots Are Fattening (for Guinea Pigs)

@randomname I can’t find any of those most of the shops near me don’t have a big variety of veggies so I’m kinda limited

You don't need to give your guineas a big variety of veggies . This thread gives a list of recommended daily veg - plus portion sizes .

Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diet

 

[gizzy]

Gizzy's post implies that carrot can be given daily - please don't give carrot daily , it's got too much sugar in it .
Carrots Are Fattening (for Guinea Pigs)

Sorry l wasn't implying unlimited carrot, just hi lighting the need for the incisors to be working to keep them in shape! I should have mentioned that l feed no moor than 3/4 inch per day!


A 3/4 inch of carrot a day is not fattening with carbs at 10g per 100gm! A 3/4 inch slice is no moor than 20 grams

Dried guinea pig food can average 15g carb per 100gm sometimes a lot moor

The only thing my pigs get in unlimited quality is best quality thimathy hay, ! Nessessary for molar wear and digestion ect

I

 

[sport_billy]

We feed little gem 3 times a week at tea and swap it for coriander the other 3 and parsley for one.