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White Staining, What Is Classed As Normal?

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MissBubblegum

MissBubblegum

Teenage Guinea Pig
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Hey guys! So I was wondering if I could get some advice on how to tell what is normal and what is not for white staining from urine. I know they excrete their extra calcium, so some is to be expected. But what exactly is normal and to be expected, and what is signs that there diet is too rich in calcium? Picture are welcome too! I often find white stains on my fleeces (great thing about using fleece you can see it) and since starting to change pellets from Burgess to the JR Farm I have seen less, but still see them now and then.
 
As long as it is not gritty, I wouldn't worry too much. A low calcium diet will help, but I don't think it is necessary unless you have a piggie prone to stones or sludge. Are you in a hard water area? If so giving filtered water will also reduce white wee stains.
 
Thank you! I am going to show this to MrBubblegum as he is all "oh we dont have hard water" whenever i mention getting a filter jug -.- Maybe this will help convince him!

Elwickcavies said:
As long as it is not gritty, I wouldn't worry too much. A low calcium diet will help, but I don't think it is necessary unless you have a piggie prone to stones or sludge. Are you in a hard water area? If so giving filtered water will also reduce white wee stains.
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I thought it was normal to see some, but i was seeing alot with my boys while they were on the Burgess and getting 1/8 of a cup twice a day. I cut down to 1/8 of a cup once a day and it helped, and since going to the JR i see even less. I still worry though which is why I would like to know what exactly is normal and whats not, yah know?
 
It's normal to see some, but it's only a problem if it's really gritty or there is a history of bladder stones or sludge. I don't have any piggies prone to stones (touch wood) and I don't filter my hard water or stick to a rigid low calcium diet, and I get moderate white stains from my lot.
 
piggyfan said:
I always thought it was normal to see white marks daily until I switched to vitakraft emotion pellets and the I.c diet. Now I see one or two a month!
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Thanks to your advice and Helens I now use vitakraft along with my ings hay and ive noticed a change for the best in my boys I'm going to follow your veg plan too as I think my boys are having too much daily veg and as my fudge often gets mild bloat i think the change will do him good :) .....thank you
 
MycuteBoys said:
Thanks to your advice and Helens I now use vitakraft along with my ings hay and ive noticed a change for the best in my boys I'm going to follow your veg plan too as I think my boys are having too much daily veg and as my fudge often gets mild bloat i think the change will do him good :) .....thank you
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I'm so happy to hear that.
 
hi, is your piggy drinking reguraly? Because I read that white stains can also mean dehydration:(
 
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