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| Diet and Nutrition Food, diet, nutrition, hay, special dietary requirements, etc. |
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#1
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| Can I feed my guinea pigs fresh grass, dandelions, and other forages? There are many forages that guinea pigs can eat. Please make sure before feeding to wash thoroughly. Also all forages must come from chemical and pesticide free areas and avoid areas close to roadsides as fumes from cars can contaminate. Grass can be fed daily in unlimited amounts once your cavies are used to it, otherwise start with a small amount and increase daily for several days. Dandelion leaves are quite high in calcium, best fed every 3 days or so. Everything else, use your best judgement and give in small amounts. Also want to mention, if it's not on this list it may not be edible. So please ask before feeding.
Another source for forages is Guinea Lynx :: Common Forages. Last edited by Ly&Pigs : 04-04-07 at 03:51 pm. |
| Thank you Ly&Pigs, for this useful post, say these 15 members: | ||
cavyowner2007 (04-06-07),
dixiedoo4736 (04-27-07),
Fay (04-05-07),
FoolOnTheHill (04-12-07),
gpigluver14 (04-03-07),
heatherbunnie (04-04-07),
Jenni_Feathers (06-17-07),
Katie_bug (07-22-07),
Kealie78 (05-10-07),
landhermie (04-16-07),
Mommy Of One (12-08-07),
PhoenixFeather (09-06-07),
Piggersrule (05-06-07),
Sammy and Peanut (03-15-08),
Wheekie (11-11-07)
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#2
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| Re: Can I feed my guinea pigs fresh grass, dandelions, and other forages? Thanks for the list Ly! Question though: can they have mulberries? <sp? I have a tree near my house that bears the fruit in the summer. Are they okay to give them? |
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#3
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| Re: Can I feed my guinea pigs fresh grass, dandelions, and other forages? Great list, Ly, thanks for posting it. I had just been wondering about lemon balm which I see is also called lemon mint. I do have a few questions - you have peppermint (mentha piperita) on the list, but not spearmint (mintha spicata). Do you think spearmint would be okay too? There are also the herbs that are included in the new Oxbow botanical hay: Chamomile, Lemon Verbena, Hibiscus, Lavender, Rose Hips, Comfrey, Borage, Red Clover Blossoms. I know some of these are already on your list, but do you think its safe to assume that if Oxbow would include it, then it is okay? I am particularly curious about lavender. Thanks! |
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#4
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| Re: Can I feed my guinea pigs fresh grass, dandelions, and other forages? As far as Mulberries, I haven't found any info on those yet to see how safe they are for piggies. Spearmint is fine. I will add it to the list. Quote:
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#5
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| Re: Can I feed my guinea pigs fresh grass, dandelions, and other forages? Quote:
Factsheet - Morus spp. |
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#6
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| Re: Can I feed my guinea pigs fresh grass, dandelions, and other forages? Ly, a long time ago you were investigating daisies (bellis perennis). Were you able to reach a conclusion or is there insufficient information? And is it OK to feed fresh nettles or would they sting? Should I dry them first? |
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#7
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| Re: Can I feed my guinea pigs fresh grass, dandelions, and other forages? Thanks for the list. I bring my piggies out in the summer time and they just love it. Now I know what is ok and isn't. Thanks. |
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#8
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| Re: Can I feed my guinea pigs fresh grass, dandelions, and other forages? Quote:
My own girls love fresh grass, clover (both red and white in moderation), broad leaf plantain and dandelion leaves. |
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#9
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| Re: Can I feed my guinea pigs fresh grass, dandelions, and other forages? My daughter and I would like to plant edible flowers for the pigs. I have been told nasturtiums (the entire plant) would be good for them. What other flowers would be tasty (or at least edible)? |
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#10
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| Re: Can I feed my guinea pigs fresh grass, dandelions, and other forages? |
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#11
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| Re: Can I feed my guinea pigs fresh grass, dandelions, and other forages? Quote:
Quote:
The flowers from red and white clover can be fed. Fay, Ground elder is on Melissa Kaplan's harmful and poisonous plants list. BISHOP'S WEED (Ammi majus); plant may contain toxic levels of nitrates. |
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#12
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| Re: Can I feed my guinea pigs fresh grass, dandelions, and other forages? Quote:
The site says the leaves were fed to goats. I am not sure how safe the leaves are for piggies and I think you should skip the fruit as I cannot find anything regarding the safety or hazards of the mulberries and piggies. I'm pretty much inclined to tell you to skip both the leaves and the fruit. It's much better to be safe than sorry. |
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#13
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| Re: Can I feed my guinea pigs fresh grass, dandelions, and other forages? Sorry about that...Thank you for taking the time to research it. I agree, it's definitely better to be safe than sorry. Especially when it comes to the precious pigs. |
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#14
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| Re: Can I feed my guinea pigs fresh grass, dandelions, and other forages? Quote:
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#15
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| Re: Can I feed my guinea pigs fresh grass, dandelions, and other forages? How do you feed duckweed? |
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#16
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| Re: Can I feed my guinea pigs fresh grass, dandelions, and other forages? Quote:
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