Forages: Can I feed my guinea pigs fresh grass, dandelions, and other forages?

[Ly&Pigs]

Originally Posted by Should I?

Is there any benefit to feeding grass?

Absolutely. They get vitamins and minerals from it. Forages should be a part of all pigs' diets. Fresh grass is one of the best forages out there. The reason we feed grass hay is because finding large amounts of long strands of fresh grass all year long is an improbability for most people.

[werevamper]

Does anybody know what this kind of flower is? It's purple with a white middle, only grows to about an inch, has five petals, and is found growing near dandelions. I live in south eastern MN. I want to put my pigs outside and don't want them to eat a potentially poisonous flower. It might be a weed too, I'm not sure.

[pigsmakemesmile]

I'm glad they can eat dandelions.....I have a ton right now in my yard. If it weren't for the cool rainy weather today they'd be out on the grass eating both.

[blackarrow]

Originally Posted by werevamper

Does anybody know what this kind of flower is? It's purple with a white middle, only grows to about an inch, has five petals, and is found growing near dandelions. I live in south eastern MN. I want to put my pigs outside and don't want them to eat a potentially poisonous flower. It might be a weed too, I'm not sure.

Do a Google image search for "violet" - is that what you're looking at?

[werevamper]

Originally Posted by blackarrow

Do a Google image search for "violet" - is that what you're looking at?

Yes it is. Thanks. Would it be the field violet in Ly's list then so it's ok for the pigs to eat?

[ChristyG]

Danelions..great..I have a bunch in my yard..which we have no fertilizer or pesticides on!

[fairylover]

What about Ecoli from dogs' excrement? I have dogs and cats so I'm afraid to give the grass and stuff to my guinea pigs.

[Ly&Pigs]

You wouldn't give them grass that has been or potentially been contaminated by other species such as dogs or cats.