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Wait, what?! Too much grass causes bloat?!

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iluvguineapigs4

iluvguineapigs4

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On a thread a user said that too much grass he/she thinks causes bloat. Is this a true statement? I thought it quite odd as wild piggies will naturally feed off grass being their main food source. Not too sure. So does too much grass cause bloat? I leave my piggies out in the run for like 5 hours ish. Any opinions greatly recieved, thanks :)
 
Was this on my thread by any chance? I am a bit confused about this too! As you said if in the wild they eat mostly grass and doesn't cause bloat why would it be different in captivity? Glad you made this thread as this is something I was wondering too!
 
Maybe mixed up... I thought it was horses who got grass bellies/bloat which can lead to colic? Bloat in guinea pigs is usually caused by too many greens as in veg?
Mine were out most days when the sun was out, they didn't get bloat (a rare occasion that they ever get to go out) :{
 
Yeah, it was on your thread and I'm definitely confused too! Some people seem to keep their piggies out in the run for ages whereas others are saying about bloat...:{
 
Mine can be out for hours, they don't eat all the time, they rest in the shade.. our grass is quite poor anyhow, so unlikely to cause tummy upsets..
 
Yes, some say all day and others say only an hour out in the run! Just as BonBon said I also thought it was veggies that caused bloat?
 
Yeah same, mine rest in the shade but I just want to know whether it causes bloat or not. All this piggie stuff is so complicated!
 
I think certain foods cause bloat as well but I just wondered about grass. It's sooooooooo confusing! :{
 
Grass can cause bloat. This might happen when introducing grass to a guinea pig that had never had it before. Also, in the spring when the rich new grass comes through and the guinea pigs have had a break over winter. In these cases, then grass should be limited and increased gradually.

It could also be a trigger food for a guinea pig that is prone to bloat.
 
flips said:
Grass can cause bloat. This might happen when introducing grass to a guinea pig that had never had it before. Also, in the spring when the rich new grass comes through and the guinea pigs have had a break over winter. In these cases, then grass should be limited and increased gradually.

It could also be a trigger food for a guinea pig that is prone to bloat.
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Oh right! Thank you! Now I understand it a little better!
 
I was also under the impression that grass when fed having been cut by the lawnmower is also prone to cause bloat :)
 
Yeah I've never tried the mown grass. Always a bit wary as all the piggie books I've read have said that it is bad. I just go with the majority :))
 
I think the issue with grass causing bloat is in spring/early summer when the grass is rich and pigs are not used to it (indoor pigs being put outside for example). It's advised to intoduce them to it gradually at this time of year because any sudden major change in diet can upset a pig's digestion. Once they are used to it it's okay for them to be out longer. Grass clippings (as in lawn mower clippings) can also cause bloat due to the fermentation process that starts to take place when grass is cut or damaged which is why piggies shouldn't be given them.
 
CharlieH said:
I was also under the impression that grass when fed having been cut by the lawnmower is also prone to cause bloat :)
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That's more likely to kill your gp's.. we never feed it to horses as it causes serious stomach problems, even death by poisoning.. not recommended..
 
BonBon2010 said:
That's more likely to kill your gp's.. we never feed it to horses as it causes serious stomach problems, even death by poisoning.. not recommended..
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Its crazy right :(

When we first got pigs years ago I had to stop my Dad giving some cuttings to the pigs as he thought they might like some 'freshly cut grass'.. don't like to think what would have been the outcome had they had it!
 
Same reason why you should never put a guinea pig out on a newly mowed lawn, it doesn't matter how clean your mower is, whether it's electric, or oil, it's simply too risky towards your pets health..
 
BonBon2010 said:
Same reason why you should never put a guinea pig out on a newly mowed lawn, it doesn't matter how clean your mower is, whether it's electric, or oil, it's simply too risky towards your pets health..
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Oh :{ I've put my piggies out after the lawn's been mown but my Dad cleans out all the clippings. Is this still bad? If it is, I won't ever do it again! :(
 
I usually leave it over night, can't be too careful, if it rains before then, the chemicals gets washed away, you could have them out later in the day when the grounds dried out again
 
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