Winter Feeding

[tabithakat64]

The guinea pigs will be moving inside soon so won't be on grass during the day what changes do I need to make in their diets?
Other than more hay, do they need vitamin d? More vitamin c rich veg?

 

[Stewybus]

The only changes to my piggies diets in the winter once the frosts come & I can't give them fresh grass is that I give mine a little ReadiGrass & also Porridge Oats (straight from the packet, not cooked).

 

[piggyfan]

You do not need to make any changes but you may like to offer a variety of hay.

 

[tabithakat64]

They get a variety of hay already, this is good

 

[nicky]

The only changes to my piggies diets in the winter once the frosts come & I can't give them fresh grass is that I give mine a little ReadiGrass & also Porridge Oats (straight from the packet, not cooked).

I didn't realise they could have porridge oats. How much and how often do you feed it them?

 

[Stewybus]

Mine are in groups of 4 & 5 piggies and they get a small bowl of porridge oats topped up or replaced every 2 days. They tend to leave a lot of dusty chaff in the bottom of the bowl. I just get supermarket own brand which cost about 75p to 80p a Kilo. Through the spring to autumn they just get it as an occassional treat.

 

[nicky]

Thank you Stewybus I will try them with some.

 

[Wiebke]

Porridge oats and more readigrass are only recommended for piggies in need of burning more calories over the winter (like outdoors piggies/piggies living in unheated or cooler rooms). Otherwise, our normal recommendations apply.

 

[nicky]

Oohh thanks Wiebke I dont think I will give them then . Edward is a chunky boy to start with.

 

[MissBubblegum]

my house gets cold over winter as we get veey little sun up this far north in winter. should i maybe give my boys some readigrass or oats once a week or something?

 

[BooBoo]

The guinea pigs will be moving inside soon so won't be on grass during the day what changes do I need to make in their diets?
Other than more hay, do they need vitamin d? More vitamin c rich veg?

Get them some vite-min drops for their water thats what i have done for mine since i moved them indoors.

 

[BooBoo]

my house gets cold over winter as we get veey little sun up this far north in winter. should i maybe give my boys some readigrass or oats once a week or something?

Yews that would be a good idea but you could put a couple of hot water bottles under their bedding and night for extra warmth

 

[piggyfan]

Get them some vite-min drops for their water thats what i have done for mine since i moved them indoors.

Sorry but you should never add vitamin drops to water. If you want to give vitamin then you can buy small animal vitamin c tablets. When you add drops to water it changes the taste and they often will not drink it and the dose is so diluted they may as well not have it.

Rather then hot water bottles did you know you can buy snuggle safes? They are like hot water bottles but safe to use for guinea pigs.

 

[MissBubblegum]

Yews that would be a good idea but you could put a couple of hot water bottles under their bedding and night for extra warmth

Thanks for the suggestion. I have a hot water bottle on hand for when they are unwelll and to use in my lap but i would never put on in their cage even under their fleece incase it bursts from them pop corning on it or they decide to try and chew it.

 

[tabithakat64]

Porridge oats and more readigrass are only recommended for piggies in need of burning more calories over the winter (like outdoors piggies/piggies living in unheated or cooler rooms). Otherwise, our normal recommendations apply.

Is there a limit on the amount of ready grass we can give them safely please?

 

[Wiebke]

I would regulate the amount according to the actual temperatures. If you have a piggy with a tendency to bladder problems/infections you need to be careful as too much readigrass could contribute to stones. About a pinch per piggy per day (instead of every few days) to not more than a small bowl full for several piggies during a real cold snap.