Are these pellets fine?

[cavy_lover]

Hi all!

I just wanted to check if these pellets are okay. They are the only ones available here in Australia but I just wanted to make sure. They are ''Lucerne Pellets'' made by the RSPCA, for rabbits and guinea pigs. They contain:

Finely ground cereals
Lucerne grains and Legumes
Molasses
Vitamins and Minerals

For people overseas Lucerne is Alfalpha.

Any comments as to whether these pellets are safe to use would be appreciated

[The Magic Taco]

I get that brand (is it peters?) sometimes. They're nice and cheap, but I'm not sure if it's good. My piggies didn't care for them much. They ate them, though.

[Slap Maxwell]

They don't look like good pellets to me. However I would like to see the ingrediants fully.

[C&K]

They don't look good at all, cereals means they could contain any grain that is considered a "cereal" such as wheat and oats. While not a huge problem in itself, it is just low in nutrients, basically filler. Since they are listed first, it means more cereal then alfalfa. That it concerning, the majority of the pellet should be hay, not fillers.

Alfalfa isn't the greatest for older pigs, better to hind a timothy bases pellet. However, being in Canada without a lot of Timothy pellets, I feel your pain!

I am not seeing a source of vitamin C, which they really need, water drops are no good.

Also many vitamins are only good for rabbits, and can be toxic to cavies. Cavies should never ever be given the same food as rabbit food. That is the biggest warning flag of them all, the fact the diet is for both.

If you really can't get anything else, I would look into going with a pelletless diet. Unlimited hay, lots of veggies. However you should ask for help in setting it up, so that you know you are getting the right mix of nutrients. Some foods are really high in certain vitamins or minerals, or you may find you are not feeding enough. It isn't hard to set up, but will take a bit to get used to.

[cavy_lover]

Thanks all,

I was concerned because it didnt list the ''vitamins and minerals'' in it also the ''cereals''. Listed were only the cereals and vitamins, and I really would have liked it to list exactly what was in it. It has ''added vitamin C'' written on the box. If i could get timothy pellets I would.... but we arent as fortunate as those in america!

Also good hay is so hard to find. Ive resorted to buying Alfalpha in a palstic bag and sorting through each bit so I only give my piggies the sofest parts and not the sharp stems in the bag. Takes me hours... but I dont want an eye poked out! There is also a shortage of timothy hay here since a factory burnt down and oxbrow doesnt ship to Australia!

Ill try to cut the pellets out of their diet and maybe find some better hay if I possibly can. My cavies health comes first.

[C&K]

I am wondering if you may have access to other grasses or forage products that could help supplament the Timothy hay, I know on Guinea Lynx that a lot of people use Kentucky Blue Grass. And I think I have scene other types listed. Maybe a guinea rescue in Australia could point you in the right direction for finding supplies?

[cavy_lover]

Thanks cavies- and- kids,

Would you know any forages that would be okay for guinea pigs? I would have to grow them myself because unfortunetly we dont have any guinea pig rescues where I am at all. Or exotics vets... which is a real problem. Thankyou again for your help =)

[C&K]

Would you know any forages that would be okay for guinea pigs? I would have to grow them myself because unfortunetly we dont have any guinea pig rescues where I am at all. Or exotics vets... which is a real problem. Thankyou again for your help =)

No problem :-)
It is hard when you are talking a totally different part of the world. However, there must be some suitable things in Australia, afterall, wild Piggies don't run around munching on Timothy hay all the time. I can try and find out for you, however I know there are rescues in other parts of Australia, even though they are not in your "backyard" they are probably more familiar with the grasses and hays of Australia. Do you have a property you could grow grass or hay on? Are you in a part of Australia where the climate is favourable for this sort of thing? Just think of the money that could be made in Australia developing and producing high quality small animal feed!

Also, buy not saying what "cereals" or "vitamins" are in the product, they reserve the right to change it up batch by batch, depending what is cheeper or fancies them at the time! Not a good situation.

[C&K]

http://www.guinealynx.info/hay.html

I think this link may help you. It gives a ton of info on Hay, as well as a Hay chart, and another link to grass information.

Both Bluegrass and Orchard grass are also popular choices in the States and Canada. I don't know if you have these in Australia.

Perhaps you could post to GuineaLynx yourself and ask for anyone with knowledge of Australian hay to fill you in on the ins and outs of hay overthere.

[Ly&Pigs]

I am sure those are not the only guinea pig pellets available in Australia. Without seeing a full ingredients list, I can't tell if they are good or bad.