Veggies

[LoveCutePiggies]

Let me start off by saying that I don't have a piggy yet, so I don't know alot, and am trying to learn before I get her.

I looked at the sample veggie menus, and was shocked! I guess I just thought that all they needed was pellets, hay, and vitamin c. I can't believe the veggie variations and strict menus that were on there! Do guinea pigs really need all those different veggies a day?? Or is only a couple a day okay? I'm just trying to get an idea here of what to feed her. And if you have a strict menu, do you cut up all the veggies ahead of time and stick them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator to pull out and feed, or do you hand chop them every day?

[Ly&Pigs]

Veggies are a must. They provide the nutrients pigs need as they are foragers in the wild. A good variety of veggies is the key to a good diet. A minimum of 1 cup of veggies per day is the requirement. Feeding them the veggies ensures they get enough Vitamin C. Pellets are the least of a pigs diet but they need to be high quality pellets and not the garbage brands that you find in most stores.

The sample menu's are just that, samples. It gives an idea of things to feed. It's not "strict" by any standards. Have you looked at the nutrition charts thread? It's a sticky at the top of this forum. It gives you the guidelines to a good diet as well as color coded charts to determine what can be fed daily and then in rotation.

Cutting them up and storing them in individual containers or bags or chopping them daily are personal preferences.

[LoveCutePiggies]

I'm SO glad I found this website... Thank you for your answer, I'd appreciate others, too!

[Metroid & Boo]

My boys never had pellets but I do feed them veggies every day. They get a fresh meal twice a day, one in the morning and another at night. During the day they have hay, water and a fruit treat. Mostly strawberries and occasionally an apple, they love apples
I am still learning though, I just found this forum and the nutrition chart is really awesome, I printed it and take it with me everytime I go shopping for veggies.

[PrayerWarrior]

[FONT=Georgia]The food chart is extremely helpful. It has basically every fruit and vegetable imaginable. By no means are you supposed to feed them all the "Almost Daily" foods daily, but a variety over time. That's why the food list samples of other owners pigs' diet is so great.

Definitely head on over and check 'em out.
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[Ly&Pigs]

By no means are you supposed to feed them all the "Almost Daily" foods daily

The things in the yellow or "Almost Daily" are for daily use. But you don't have to feed everything in yellow every day. Pick 4-5 things from the yellow category to include bell pepper, lettuces (preferably two types) and then a couple more. Those will be your daily "staples". Carrots and cherry/grape/or equivalent of regular tomato need to be limited to one per pig per day

Then other things on the chart that you pick out needs to go into a rotation depending on how often it's to be fed. Even though some things say it can be fed 2-4 times per week doesn't mean it should be fed 4 times per week. Some things in the 2-3 times per week category are better only being fed twice per week such as dandelion greens, artichoke, cabbages and yams.

All fruits are better fed about twice a week in small amounts as they are high in sugars and some are very acidic and can cause mouth sores if fed too much.

[Haley0489]

I do what Ly said!
I have my "staples," the things I buy every week and feed regularly. Romaine and green leaf lettuce, tomato, carrot, zucchini, bell pepper, and cilantro.

Then I have my 'sometimes' foods; parsley, basil, spinach, yellow squash. Along with other things, it all depends on what looks good at the market!

I also try and pick one or two new items every week. This also teaches me what NOT to buy in the future. None of my pigs will eat asparagus, even though I offered it time after time, they'd pick it up and spit it out. So now, I know not to waste my money!

[LoveCutePiggies]

Thanks again! I went back and looked at the veggie menus again, and I noticed a pattern, and that made it not so overwhelming. I understand now, thank you!