Veggies, please help!

[Cute_Guineapigs]

Hi

I'm about to acquire a couple of guinea pigs |) but I'm confused and overwhelmed with information about veg.

I've read the calcium : phosphorus ratio thread on here, which is great, but I've also read some other veg charts on the internet, and some info contradicts. I'm so worried about doing it all wrong and making them ill.

What should I be concentrating on? Should I concentrate on Vit C, and high calcium and low phosphorus? Or should I just give them any veg (within reason), just a large variety of it?

 

[sport_billy]

Hi

I'm about to acquire a couple of guinea pigs |) but I'm confused and overwhelmed with information about veg.

I've read the calcium : phosphorus ratio thread on here, which is great, but I've also read some other veg charts on the internet, and some info contradicts. I'm so worried about doing it all wrong and making them ill.

What should I be concentrating on? Should I concentrate on Vit C, and high calcium and low phosphorus? Or should I just give them any veg (within reason), just a large variety of it?

Hello, it is very easy to feel overwhelmed by all the info on offer. Try not to worry too much, go for variety and make sure you don't over do it on really high calcium foods and fruit and it'll be fine..

Our core diet for the trio is this

Mornings:
Cucumber
Celery
Big chunk of pepper (this is ace for Vit C)

Tea:
Parsley or Lettuce or Coriander or Cabbage or Celery leaves
Cucumber
Carrot or green beans or brocoli

Sometimes there'll be other things added or substituted. But you'll find out what your piggies love and dislike, then it's a case of tweaking it to make sure it isn't over calciumed.

We used the calcium/phosphorous thread on here to help with the frequency of feeding certain foods, it is very useful for that.

When are you getting your pigs? Very exciting for you, looking forward to hearing lots about them.

 

[Mizzpigz]

I have to agree with sport billy as this is more or less what I give mine aswell. We also give them a selection of foraged foods in moderation. Cow parsley, geraniums, dandelions and guinea pig grasses

 

[Pound Shilling & Pig]

I agree with others that a good variety of veg is the best way to go. As i only feed dry food once or twice a week i like to feed a lot of green leafy veg as these generally contain the most vit C as do red peppers. Personally i don't feed spinach (or beetroot leaves) as these contain oxalic acid which can irritate the bladder.

Fresh grass and foraged foods are also excellent and are the most natural food for guinea pigs

As well as feeding a wide variety of fresh foods it is also esssential to feed unlimited good quality hay.

 

[Cute_Guineapigs]

Thank you for your helpful posts.

Roughly, how long does fresh greens or veg last in a fridge? How often and in what quantity should I buy fresh food? How many varieties of greens or veg should I give in one meal? And should I worry about gassy foods, like cabbage and broccoli, should these be given only a couple of times a week?

 

[Pound Shilling & Pig]

Fresh food should last several days in a fridge. Basically if it is not fresh enough for people to eat, it is not fresh enough for
piggies either. I buy twice a week or more often if i spot a bargain.

I usually give three or four different veg in one meal but you don't need to be too exact about it.

I feed spring greens, cabbage or broccoli daily as i feel it is better for their guts to be used to small frequent amounts rather than larger amounts less frequently. i also don't feed veg at the same time as pellets/muesli, that way they will be eating plenty of hay along with the veg which i feel helps prevent bloat.

Introduce new veggies one at a time and in small amounts and see how your piggies get on. This way over a few weeks you should be able to build up the variety and quantity safely.

As i say it is not an exact science and other people will have different routines that work just as well for them and their piggies

 

[Mizzpigz]

I only shop once a week at the supermarket and carrots last a good few weeks in the fridge. I buy a big bag of the spring greens and wash them before they eat them, but I use these for my chickens aswell as they need these aswell to keep healthy.

Hey don't worry too much and try little bits and see what they like. Mine won't touch courgette, apples, pumpkin, or any fruit really other than melon which they quite like.

 

[Wiebke]

Feed ideally a mix of veg, and try to include one high vitamin C veg every day (like a slice of pepper of any colour, a bit of broccoli, a bit of any variety of cabbage or some fresh herb like coriander (US cilantro), parsley, dill, mint or basil.

You can't do much wrong when feeding a bit of everything. Try to expose your piggies to a variety of veg and fruit while they are still young, so they don't become too picky. Piggies need about 50g of fresh veg per piggy per day; a bit more if you feed less pellets. The main food intake should be hay - up to 80%. Hay is very important to keep the guts balanced and the crucial back teeth ground down.