Iceburg Lettuce?

[YuselinMaikel]

Is Iceburg Lettuce bad for piggies?

[Tulia&Susie]

Yes it is. That is one of the big no's for piggies. It does nothing for nutrition wise and it actually causes dihrera(sp?) for them I believe. So I strongly suggest not feeding it to them.

[YuselinMaikel]

Originally Posted by Tulia&Susie

Yes it is. That is one of the big no's for piggies. It does nothing for nutrition wise and it actually causes dihrera(sp?) for them I believe. So I strongly suggest not feeding it to them.

But what does it does? or what does it contains? I have been feeding it to my piggies since they were here for almost 2 and a half month and I did not figure out it was iceburg lettuce until now that for curiosity I looked at the bag. They love it! and I have never seen diahrrea or any abnormal behavior or condition. I am 24/7 with them and I clean their cages and never found a bit of diahrrea I always check their poop and pee when cleaning the cage and sometimes when they have just finished. Now I am confused

[Tulia&Susie]

I used to feed them the same thing a long time ago. And as you I never spotted really anything different or odd. But what you might not see is they can also get an upset tummy. Iceberg lettuce mostly contains water. Hence why it's not very nutritional for them and with all that water will cause diherra. It may not now but maybe when there older(like seniors as in 4+) you may notice it more and more with them.

[Jennicat]

Iceburg lettuce is nutritionally void. It has little to no nutrients, and is 98% water.

[YuselinMaikel]

Thanks guys I will be buying other type of lettuce to my babies.

[PhoenixFeather]

I wonder if the iceberg lettuce may also be responsible for some of the bad smell you are noticing in your cage. If it is a bad "poo" smell rather than a bad "pee" smell I'd guess that would be your issue right there, because with a healthy diet, we don't really smell Frisky's poo at all.

And as others have said, since it has no nutritional value, your pigs are filling up on it without getting the vitamins they really need to get out of their veggies.

[rabbitsncavyluv]

Your pigs aren't getting any vit c from it. It can cause digestive upset to most pigs, esp. if they are not used to it.

[YuselinMaikel]

Originally Posted by PhoenixFeather

I wonder if the iceberg lettuce may also be responsible for some of the bad smell you are noticing in your cage. If it is a bad "poo" smell rather than a bad "pee" smell I'd guess that would be your issue right there, because with a healthy diet, we don't really smell Frisky's poo at all.

And as others have said, since it has no nutritional value, your pigs are filling up on it without getting the vitamins they really need to get out of their veggies.

Thanks for your help! what is a good name/brand of lettuce I can give my babies? sorry about all this questions but I am really concern about my babies health. Thanks again!

[rabbitsncavyluv]

There is a diet guide here and at Guinea Lynx :: A Medical and Care Guide for Your Guinea Pig You should read them. They were likely given to you already.

[PhoenixFeather]

Any lettuce other than iceberg is good for your piggies. Many piggies like bibb/boston, red leaf, and romaine. Buy any head of lettuce in the grocery store that isn't a hard round ball (iceberg). You can also buy a bagged mix of "baby lettuce" which our little guy seems to like.

[YuselinMaikel]

Originally Posted by PhoenixFeather

Any lettuce other than iceberg is good for your piggies. Many piggies like bibb/boston, red leaf, and romaine. Buy any head of lettuce in the grocery store that isn't a hard round ball (iceberg). You can also buy a bagged mix of "baby lettuce" which our little guy seems to like.

Thanks!!!

[Alyndra]

There is a lot of hype with nutritionists about iceburg lettuce right now. They always seem to have anxiety about some food or another. At one point it was declared that potato skins were toxic and no human should eat them. A couple years later, they learned that they are not toxic and never were. Right now, nutritionists say that iceburg lettuce is completely void of any nutritional value. God made it, so it's not useless. I'm sure they'll change their minds in a couple of years.

Meanwhile, piggies like other mammals, need a variety in their diet. Iceburg lettuce is fine, but not solo. We get a salad mix for out piggies, with leaf lettuce, spinach, iceburg, romaine, and other green leafy veggies. Then we also give them a bit of whatever else we have on hand: zucchini, cucumber, squash, carrot, etc. For a very special treat, we give them a little orange or apple when we hold them.

[Jennicat]

Alyndra, you are incorrect. Iceburg is composed primarily of water. It provides few nutrients, and can cause diarrhea. The advice you're giving is potentially dangerous.

No amount of scientific research is going to change the amount of vitamin C (or other vitamins) that are currently found in iceburg lettuce.

[Mommy Of One]

I like to use Romaine for my piggies, I think you should switch Iceberg with Romaine.

[Jenni_Feathers]

Originally Posted by Alyndra

Iceburg lettuce is fine, but not solo. We get a salad mix for out piggies, with leaf lettuce, spinach, iceburg, romaine, and other green leafy veggies. Then we also give them a bit of whatever else we have on hand: zucchini, cucumber, squash, carrot, etc. For a very special treat, we give them a little orange or apple when we hold them.

Alyndra- They should never be fed iceburg lettuce, it can cause upset stomachs and dirareah (sp?). Also spinich, apples and oranges should only be fed 1-2 times a week at most. Have you seen this. If not you may want to have a look at it.
http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/...arts-info.html

[YuselinMaikel]

Originally Posted by Mommy Of One

I like to use Romaine for my piggies, I think you should switch Iceberg with Romaine.

Thanks