Yellow pee deposits?

[thewheakybeans]

Hey everyone,

I'm a bit concerned about my other piggy Cappuccino (not Macchiato for once!). I've noticed over the last few weeks that their cage has been smelling more recently and then today, I found small yellow deposits after having Cino in her carrier where she had peed. She was by herself so definitely coming from her.

Any ideas what this could be or if this is a vet situation? I've seen some small white stains before from piggies but never a yellow clump like this...

 

[Wiebke]

Hey everyone,

I'm a bit concerned about my other piggy Cappuccino (not Macchiato for once!). I've noticed over the last few weeks that their cage has been smelling more recently and then today, I found small yellow deposits after having Cino in her carrier where she had peed. She was by herself so definitely coming from her.

Any ideas what this could be or if this is a vet situation? I've seen some small white stains before from piggies but never a yellow clump like this...

Hi

These are the normal way that excess calcium is excreted by the body and nothing to worry about unless you have them on a near daily basis and may want to review your diet.

The yellow stain reflects the concentration or any natural colorants in the pee.

 

[thewheakybeans]

Hi

These are the normal way that excess calcium is excreted by the body and nothing to worry about unless you have them on a near daily basis and may want to review your diet.

The yellow stain reflects the concentration or any natural colorants in the pee.

Thanks for the reassurance, you learn something new about piggies every day! I may need to limit their kale intake (and pellets). It's a delicate balance as two of my piggies including Cino are coming up for 1 years old so it's making sure they get enough calcium for their growth but not too much either

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks for the reassurance, you learn something new about piggies every day! I may need to limit their kale intake (and pellets). It's a delicate balance as two of my piggies including Cino are coming up for 1 years old so it's making sure they get enough calcium for their growth but not too much either

Hi
Cino is long past the initial fast growth phase where he will profit from a little more calcium - the cut-off for 2 instead of 1 tablespoon per piggy per day is latest by 4 months. You also need to be aware of that the actual extra amounts are minute in such small animals.
Extra pellets AND plenty of kale are definitely overkill and can contribute to bladder stones in the longer term and in combination with other contributing factors out of your control. Too many pellets long term can contribute to dental issues due to piggies eating less hay instead and also to overweight-related issues.
Please be aware that there is a difference between 'good' and 'extra good' - the latter can lead to all sorts of longer term issues and can be sadly life-shortening instead of life-prolonging; but it is a trap that loving owners, especially new ones, often fall into. 'Good' means walking the straight and narrow, which is tougher but it comes with its own rewards. Try to turn feeding time into fun time instead.

PS: My own home-born babies to already pregnant sows or rescue-born adoptees over the years have very often lived to a very good age (about half of them of them to around 8 years unless there were other medical/genetic factors in play due to their background) on a normal adult diet with just a few more pellets in the first month after weaning and they have been mostly very healthy indeed until old age caught up with them.

Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

 

[thewheakybeans]

Hi
Cino is long past the initial fast growth phase where he will profit from a little more calcium - the cut-off for 2 instead of 1 tablespoon per piggy per day is latest by 4 months. You also need to be aware of that the actual extra amounts are minute in such small animals.
Extra pellets AND plenty of kale are definitely overkill and can contribute to bladder stones in the longer term and in combination with other contributing factors out of your control. Too many pellets long term can contribute to dental issues due to piggies eating less hay instead and also to overweight-related issues.
Please be aware that there is a difference between 'good' and 'extra good' - the latter can lead to all sorts of longer term issues and can be sadly life-shortening instead of life-prolonging; but it is a trap that loving owners, especially new ones, often fall into. 'Good' means walking the straight and narrow, which is tougher but it comes with its own rewards. Try to turn feeding time into fun time instead.

PS: My own home-born babies to already pregnant sows or rescue-born adoptees over the years have very often lived to a very good age (about half of them of them to around 8 years unless there were other medical/genetic factors in play due to their background) on a normal adult diet with just a few more pellets in the first month after weaning and they have been mostly very healthy indeed until old age caught up with them.

Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

That's very useful to know, thanks for all the info. I will definitely limit their pellets and look at the diet link as I want them all to have the best healthy start in life. Their main food is definitely hay but I'll make sure to limit the calcium rich veggies too.

 

[Wiebke]

That's very useful to know, thanks for all the info. I will definitely limit their pellets and look at the diet link as I want them all to have the best healthy start in life. Their main food is definitely hay but I'll make sure to limit the calcium rich veggies too.

Limestone/hard water is generally not so much of an issue as in England but you will still need to find your own soft spot between too much and too little calcium in the diet.
Please keep in mind that most calcium in a diet actually comes with pellets and water. Even no added calcium pellets contain a lot more calcium weight for weight than kale.

A normal diet as we recommend is perfectly find for most guinea pigs. I have only had one urethral stone in nearly a decade now and that was in the wake of the lockdowns and struggles to find enough veg for 27 piggies while shielding.