Bamboo?

[MinnieMay9]

I have some bamboo plants growing in my yard. I was wondering if I could cut off pieces and let my girls have it. I was thinking it would add some variety of chew-things. Since they are in my yard I know they havn't been sprayed with anything harmful.
Thanks!

[JarBax]

I know that bamboo is edible to humans - but have never heard mention of it in any guinea pig edibles list. I presume you mean the new fresh shoots, not the old hard stems - as they would be a definite no-no!

I do know that apple is safe for them to eat/gnaw - so a twig or branch of that would be fine (though I bet you won't have an apple tree in your garden! - typical! )

[MinnieMay9]

Yeah, either the new shoots or the very-tip tops where the new growths happen. Either that or a few of the leaves.
Funny thing is, no I don't have an apple tree. But my neighboor does. I'll have to ask them if they've ever sprayed them and if they havn't, if I could steal some small branches.

[Ly&Pigs]

I was thinking it would add some variety of chew-things.

Don't be too surprised if they don't chew on the chew things. Most guinea pigs have no interest in chew toys or branches. They are more interested in their hay and veggies. Make sure to provide unlimited grass hay and that will help to grind down their teeth properly.

[MinnieMay9]

Originally Posted by Ly&Pigs

Don't be too surprised if they don't chew on the chew things. ~ Make sure to provide unlimited grass hay and that will help to grind down their teeth properly.

I give them lots of hay. They like the chew-sticks, but only the yellow ones. Maybe they look more tasty then the others? So I would rather get something less expensive then a while pack of chews and they only use one. And I wanted to make sure I wasn't going to hurt them if they decided to give them a try.

[Percy's Mom]

What kind of chews are you giving them?

[MinnieMay9]

Originally Posted by Percy's Mom

What kind of chews are you giving them?

S.A.M Stick Munchies

[seagirl96]

My piggies like new sugar maple branches. Yum! From my yard, my tree no pesticide or fertilizer.

[MinnieMay9]

Originally Posted by seagirl96

My piggies like new sugar maple branches. Yum! From my yard, my tree no pesticide or fertilizer.

I'll have to go and find out if I have any of those in my neighboor hood and then pound on their door to make sure they aren't sprayed with anything. Thanks for the idea!

[FuzzButtLover]

I thought that bamboo is easy to splinter and that only some animals can eat it, great example: Pandas. I had no idea humans could eat it, that is weird I think. I thought that you have to have a certain digestive system and mouth? that can withstand the splinters or something. ??

[JarBax]

The young shoots are crunchy and not in the least splintery!

[MinnieMay9]

Originally Posted by FuzzButtLover

I thought that bamboo is easy to splinter and that only some animals can eat it, great example: Pandas. I had no idea humans could eat it, that is weird I think. I thought that you have to have a certain digestive system and mouth? that can withstand the splinters or something. ??

Bamboo shoots are put into a lot of Chinese take-out food. *drools* anyway, I don't know what they do to them to keep them soft, but I wouldn't give my piggies the tough-spintery bottom parts, just the young shoots and leaves. I wanted to make sure I wouldn't be poisening my little babies.

[MinnieMay9]

Does anyone know if the leaves would be poisenous of not?

[Fay]

If nobody knows I would just not give them to be sure!