Is it Safe? Unsafe Veggie Basket? - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**MomtoO&O** · #1 04-12-09, 02:28 am

I have this veggie basket for my piggies. I'm not seeing very many pictures of them in the galleries, so I'm wondering if they aren't safe?

**wheekypigs** · #2 04-12-09, 07:13 am

Probably not, but it doesn't seem to make very much sense using it, when a simple plate will do.

If I were a piggy, I'd be very frustrated trying to catch a nibble of lettuce stuffed into a swinging ball.

**fieryone** · #3 04-12-09, 09:09 am

My pigs have one and I would put lettuce in it every once in a while for some variety. But once it was on the floor of their playpen area and one of my pigs got her head stuck in it. They were much smaller then, but I stopped using it. I could probably use it again now, but it's too much of a bother.

**Ilovemypiggies1** · #4 04-12-09, 09:34 am

They should be safe. (only for adult piggies so they don't get their heads caught like fieryone said) I was going to get one but i though it would be too much of a hassle to stick veggies or hay in there when you can make your own hay rack with a bent grid and you can put the veggies on a plate which enables your cavys' to get the vegetables better. I've seen it in a lot of the photos in the galleries.

**ShainaBee** · #5 04-12-09, 10:40 am

I have that basket and they hated it when it had veggies in it, but as soon as I started filling it up with hay everynight they loved it. They will eat that before they eat out of their hayrack and they even eat the pieces that fall, while at their hayrack they leave a collection of hay on the floor. haha.

**MomtoO&O** · #6 04-12-09, 11:28 am

Thanks for you all of your input. I have been using it once a week or so to add some variety. Their daily staples go in a bowl on the ground. I suppose for a once in a while thing, it's not harmful. I agree, though...could be annoying to them or exhausting if they have to get all of their veggies from it everyday.

**Toadies** · #7 04-12-09, 06:02 pm

Have you ever stuffed a TP roll with hay for them to play with? The hay ball offers a similar challenge. While I wouldn't make it the only source of veggies or hay, it does offer them an opportunity to "play" with their food. My boys enjoy theirs and I also use it in their carrier when we have a trip to the vet.

**-PiggyPrincess-** · #8 04-12-09, 06:24 pm

I have one of these and use it for hay as an extra source. They have their usual hay in their tray & then for a bit of change I'll hang the ball up. They enjoy reaching to get it but also like to eat it from the tray as normal. I think as long as it isn't your only supply of vegetables or hay etc... then it should be fine

**pupsandpigs** · #9 04-12-09, 06:35 pm

I have this exact veggie basket for Ella and she loves it. Every morning she wheeks for her veggies and I give them to her in the basket and she eats them right away. She loves to ring the bell when it was empty and she loves to play around with it! It really just depends on the pig.

**gooberific** · #10 04-12-09, 07:49 pm

I have one for each piggie, and I put about 1/4-1/2 their lettuce in it at night to keep it up off the floor. Even if I use a plate, they just pull it away and drag it all over through their poops, and I like to think they enjoy having the opportunity to eat non-dirty food.

**s.edwards** · #11 04-15-09, 10:18 pm

I have one that I removed the chain and bell from. I will put their lettuce, parsley, kale, carrots and cilantro (1 or 2 selections at a time) in it and they love rolling it around the floor to munch at it. They're shy girls but will be bold when it comes to their veggie ball.

**Ly&Pigs** · #12 04-15-09, 10:33 pm

They need to be able to access the veggies pretty easily. I don't hold much faith in those balls as they are hard to get the veggies out of for our furry friends. It's much better to put their veggies on a plate or in a bowl.

**s.edwards** · #13 04-15-09, 11:55 pm

Some pictures of my girls using it.

Before it was filled
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3638/...ed424570_m.jpg

After it was filled
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3560/...6592823c_m.jpg

There is one spot where the spacing is larger and this is where the veggies go in. I try to put a leaf of kale or cabbage in last so the food doesn't fall out the space and make it too easy for them.

**walleandeva** · #14 04-16-09, 04:13 am

I have one for my boys and they love it. I dont use it for their veggies everyday. I always put their veggies in a bowl. Every now and again i will put some lettuce in it and hang it from my upper level and they love going on their back legs to get at it. It offers some variety.

**IluvePiggies** · #15 04-20-09, 05:51 pm

Loud and its a pain! I used it for hay and there's no way of opening it so there was no use for it! I literally had to stuff it and that was a pain. Do not get it.

**Bambi5826** · #16 05-12-09, 11:24 pm

I use one for hay. Ralphie goes crazy over it. and when it's empty, he rings the bell to let me know..."Time to fill it up mom!"