Limited Vegtable Repetoire

[Res Judicata]

The entire time I've had Bunny (almost a year now), she has refused to eat vegetables. I've had her vitamin C tablets. So far she's been healthy, but I know she's missing out on needed nutrition because she won't eat anything but hay and pellets. Last week she decided that she likes lettuce, but only romaine and green leaf. Not red leaf, not anything lettuce-like, for example, cilantro or parsley. Is this enough for her to get her needed nutrition, or should I still supplement with the vitamin C tablets while I hope that she soon finds other parts of the daily salad edible?

[Haley0489]

Her pellets should already have vitamin C in them...?

I've found with my guinea pigs, that if I add anything 'foreign' that they don't already know, they'll eat everything in the bowl except the new veggie. If I offer it a second time, they eat it! I guess they're comparable to kids, they don't want to try anything new...

[RufussMom]

hmm does Bunny live other pigs that eat veggies? Im assuming Bunny is a really a guinea pig. Usually pigs will get jealous that the other is enjoying all that food and then they will start eating it. As long as she eats her pellets, which should provide some Vitamin C, and her hay she shoudnt be too unhealthy, but you really should try to get her to eat the veggies. Try alot of different things that are safe for pigs. The vitamin C treats are good, Im sure you already know not to put vitamin drops in their water though. Maybe someone else has some more ideas on how to get her to eat her veggies... sorry.

[Res Judicata]

Yep, Bunny is a guinea pig. She has an unusual popcorning technique that makes her look like a hopping rabbit, which is why she's Bunny. She lives with two other females, who eat their vegetables like there's no tomorrow. But unless it's her favorite lettuces, she just relaxes in the corner while the other two eat.

[CF#5]

Actually what you've got is pretty good. The high-C vegetables all have to be given in moderation for various reasons, so if she's not willing to eat any of them, it's not the end of the world.

If she's willing to eat romaine and green leaf lettuce, and she's willing to accept vitamin C supplements, she'll be fine. Give her three times as much green leaf compared to romaine (by weight before washing) and supplement 15-30mg of vitamin C every day. If you do this, and she eats lots of hay, she'll be totally fine.

[Ly&Pigs]

Originally Posted by CF#5pig

Actually what you've got is pretty good. The high-C vegetables all have to be given in moderation for various reasons, so if she's not willing to eat any of them, it's not the end of the world.

If she's willing to eat romaine and green leaf lettuce, and she's willing to accept vitamin C supplements, she'll be fine. Give her three times as much green leaf compared to romaine (by weight before washing) and supplement 15-30mg of vitamin C every day. If you do this, and she eats lots of hay, she'll be totally fine.

I'm totally in agreement with CF#5.

It doesn't really matter if the pellets already have C in them because over time and with exposure to light and air, the C degrades so who really knows how much C they are getting from the pellets. That's why the need to feed vegetables and a bit of fruit occasionally. Pellets are the least part of any guinea pigs diet.