grapes?bananas?

[chesneycwgrl]

are they ok? my mom always keeps a huge bag of them in the fridge, because my niece LOVES them....are they ok? I havent seen them mentioned anywhere..

or bananas?

or here, what ISNT ok to give them?

[Ly&Pigs]

See the nutrition charts thread. It's a sticky at the top of this forum.

[VoodooJoint]

I don't think it's mentioned in the nutrition thread but I will not feed my guinea pigs banana at all, not even a little bit.

There have been reports of gps getting seriously ill, even dying, after eating banana. From the looks of things the banana can constipate them to the point of bloat that can lead to GDV (gastric dilatation volvulus). A situation where the stomach fills with gas and if not alleviated can cause the stomach to turn on it's axis causing a loss of blood supply to the internal organs, system sepsis and death. Only emergency surgery can save the animal's life once the stomach twists and even then the chance of death is very high due to the amount of toxins in the animal's system along with the dead/dying tissue.

Another concern is potassium poisoning if they eat banana in large quantities. Potassium poisoning effects the heart and can cause cardiac arrest.

Ly and I spent an evening online with a member here a while ago helping her "unstick" a constipated pig. The only cause we could figure out was a small slice of banana the pig had had earlier in the evening.

In my opinion it is simply too risky to feed banana ever.

[chesneycwgrl]

thanks VooDoo I really appreciate the help!!=D

[MrElussive]

I give my pigs a small slice of banana every morning. They are not crazy about it so they will only eat their share and not really ask for more. I am hesitant to recommend feeding a piggy any banana after reading VoodooJoint's post, but I personally will not change the routine until the pigs let me know.

[Ly&Pigs]

I am hesitant to recommend feeding a piggy any banana after reading VoodooJoint's post

Honestly, you should be very hesitant and it would be in your pigs' benefit to stop feeding it. Bloat is a very serious condition and requires emergency intervention. Just because you've had no problems so far doesn't mean you won't in the future. The pigs don't have a voice to tell you when they are ill or hurting. Why take chances with their lives when you don't have to?

[MrElussive]

I believe that happy piggies are healthy piggies. I give them apple and banana every day, apple in half-wedge slices 2-3 times a day. I take this forum's advice seriously, but my pigs are looking so much prettier and healthier than when I first picked them up at the pet store so I must be doing something right. It makes my ownership more satisfying and my pigs are in high spirits as well as health!

[Hooray4Ashley]

Originally Posted by MrElussive

I believe that happy piggies are healthy piggies. I give them apple and banana every day, apple in half-wedge slices 2-3 times a day. I take this forum's advice seriously, but my pigs are looking so much prettier and healthier than when I first picked them up at the pet store so I must be doing something right. It makes my ownership more satisfying and my pigs are in high spirits as well as health!

It made my pit bull happy to steal three corn cobs out of the trash can and eating them Sunday night. He was in high spirits. It didn't hurt him, and he passed them. Does this mean I should continue to give him corn cobs because it made him happy? Sounds silly doesn't it.

I'm sure your pigs won't revolt if you cut off their banana supply, or limit their apples. They probably wouldn't even notice. I know my guinea pig would take romaine lettuce over an apple any day. Why not try finding a snack you can give your pigs that isn't known to cause problems that they like just as much? The only reason I can think one wouldn't is because apples and bananas are VERY inexpensive. Price shouldn't be the deciding factor, though.

That comparison may seem far fetched to you, but it really isn't. The corn cobs made him happy, and in high spirits. I know corn cobs can cause blockages, but thus far it hasn't. Should I continue giving the corn cobs? Knowing it can cause a problem, but so far I have been lucky. It would be crazy for me to make that a daily snack? Wouldn't it?

[VoodooJoint]

Hooray for Ashley - Watch those corn cobs. They can kill a dog
Bad Foods For Dogs List
Doggy Dangers
American Dog Trainers Network -- Safety Tips for Dogs -- Holiday & Seasonal Hazards

[Hooray4Ashley]

Originally Posted by VoodooJoint

Hooray for Ashley - Watch those corn cobs. They can kill a dog
Bad Foods For Dogs List
Doggy Dangers
American Dog Trainers Network -- Safety Tips for Dogs -- Holiday & Seasonal Hazards

Oh trust me I know! I work for a vets office and we have had to remove them from intestinal tracts before. My husband had cooked corn on the gril and was shucking them so he pulled the trash out of the door it's usually kept behind. After the corn was eaten he threw the cobs in the trash can and walked off. I came in a few minutes later and my pit bull had the clever idea to get them out of the trash can and eat them. I was horrified! Working as a vets office I immediately went into the panic "oh my god he's going ot have a blockage and die!" because I ALWAYS assume the worst. He's doing fine so far. Increased amounts of canned diet with mineral oil in it to help him pass it all. That's why I was using this as an example for the OP. He enjoyed it, it didn't hurt him, so because it made him happy I should keep giving it to him? Just sounds like a silly idea, eh? I think Kobe was just trying to give me a heart attack...no more corn cobs for him. My husband heard an ear full about leaving the trash out, so hopefully we have no more issues.

[VoodooJoint]

I'm glad you know. I've had my dogs steal them and eat them too so I know the panic.

You are correct. Just because they like something is no reason to keep feeding it if there is a chance of harming them.

[TX_2_Pigs]

On the subject of corn on the cob, I saw that you can give them to the piggies once in a while, so I gave them a small piece (about 1 1/2 in wide). They at the whole thing! Cob and all! Is that ok? Of course I don't know why I thought they would just stop at the corn.

And they can have watermelon rind too? We got a awatermelon the other day and if they can have it, I want to give them a little of the the rind when we cut it.

[MilwCavyMom]

I thought a small bit once or twice a week was ok? But I tried it with the pigs and they didn't like the banana slices and left them. I suppose it depends on their appetite and likes.

[MrElussive]

It's just personal preference for each piggy. My piggies are not crazy about it but they will eat it...Bacon likes them much more than Bastardo but they both know their limit. Banana is actually extremely healthy but only in strict moderation.

[Ly&Pigs]

Originally Posted by TX_2_Pigs

On the subject of corn on the cob, I saw that you can give them to the piggies once in a while, so I gave them a small piece (about 1 1/2 in wide). They at the whole thing! Cob and all! Is that ok?

The best way to feed it is to give about 1/2 a cob with the corn (per 2-3 pigs about once a week) instead of a small piece. The cob itself isn't good for them.

And they can have watermelon rind too?

Yes, just scrub the outside before feeding. A good treat on hot summer days is frozen rind. I freeze it then let it thaw slightly then give it as a nice treat to help cool them down.

Originally Posted by MrElussive

Banana is actually extremely healthy but only in strict moderation.

Strict moderation doesn't mean feeding it daily. You've stated you feed banana daily in previous postings. In my charts you will see that it should be fed maybe 1 or 2 times per month.

[TX_2_Pigs]

I guess I won't give them the corn on the cob anymore. They weren't real interested in the corn. They ate enough of it to get to the cob. I only gave them a small piece because I didn't know if they would like it.

Great news on the watermelon rind! I will be sure to put it in the freezer when we are done with it.

[Ly&Pigs]

TX, you can also do the same with canteloupe and honeydew rinds. Most pigs especially love those if you leave a bit of the fruit on it too.