Pellets: Kleenmama Pellets

[couchon]

So, today, I finally ordered the Kleenmama Timohthy Pellets (I have been using Oxbow Cavy Cuisine up until now). Is it true that it is the highest quality pellet out of all the other brands?

I looked through the ingredient list, and I still have some concerns:

Sun cured alfalfa, oats, wheat, soybean hulls, soy meal, Choline Chloride, stabilized Vitamin C, Vitamin A supplement,Vitamin E supplement, Manganese Oxide, Meniodine Bisulfate, dl-Methionine, Zinc Oxide, d-Calcium Pantothenate,Copper Sulfate, Niacin, d-Biotin supplement, Pyrideoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin D-3 supplement, Riboflavin, supplement, Cobalt Sulfate, Vitamin B-12 supplement, Calcium Iodate, Cane molasses.

What are all the extra ingredients? They sound like chemicals and preservatives, and that can't be too good. What about Cane molasses. Why is it needed in guinea pig food?

I guess my concern is that while it may be the best of what's available, it's still not that healthy. Is it possible to feed guinea pigs a completely raw diet (no pellets)? Has anyone tried this?

[JD In Van]

Are you sure you're looking at the right ingrediants? THat looks like an alfalfa pellet.

Most of the highlited ingrediants are in Cavy Cuisine too.

[couchon]

I am sorry, here's the list I meant:

Timothy grass hay, oats, wheat, barley, soybean hulls, soy meal, Choline Chloride, stabilized Vitamin C, Vitamin A supplement,Vitamin E supplement, Manganese Oxide, Meniodine Bisulfate, dl-Methionine, Zinc Oxide, d-Calcium Pantothenate,Copper Sulfate, Niacin, d-Biotin supplement, Pyrideoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin D-3 supplement, Riboflavin supplement, Cobalt Sulfate, Vitamin B-12 supplement, Calcium Iodate, Cane molasses

[SLS5173]

So I totally understand your concern and once i read this I started to do some research. Basically all the big science words you have highlighted are terms for vitamins just basic salts and things like that.

[JD In Van]

Niacin, Folic Acid and Thiamine, Ribofliavin are all essential vitamins, vital to neurological development and functioning. Zinc is a vital element as well. So you can dismiss any worries about those right off.

[Ly&Pigs]

They are pretty much in all cavy feeds in some form or another. The molasses is a binding agent. You have to have something in there to bind the ingredients together.

If you look at the list of KM's ingredients vs. many other brands, you will find that it's quite a short list.

Choline chloride is an organic compound and a quaternary ammonium salt.
Manganese Oxide is most likely a mineral derivative of manganese
Meniodine Bisulfate ? Possibly spelled wrong, there is a Menadione Bisulfite which is a vitamin K compound
dl-Methionine is an essential amino acid
Zinc Oxide is a source of zinc
Copper Sulfate when used in foods is a copper supplement
Niacin is a type of B vitamin also known as B3
d-Biotin supplement is a type of B vitamin also known as B7 or Vitamin H
Pyrideoxine Hydrochloride is vitamin B6
Folic Acid is vitamin B9
Thiamine Mononitrate is vitamin B1
Riboflavin supplement is vitamin B2
Cobalt Sulfate is a mineral supplement
Calcium Iodate is a source of Iodine

See nothing to worry about, they are all vitamin and minerals.

[akstrohm]

Please don't assume that because something has a long name that it is dangerous or unnecessary. Even things like water have official chemical names. Similarly, be careful of things labeled "organic" or "natural" they are not necessary safe or good to include in guinea pig food. It's best to ask questions (like you are doing) or do research before assuming things based on names alone.

Originally Posted by couchon

Is it possible to feed guinea pigs a completely raw diet (no pellets)? Has anyone tried this?

Yes, but it takes a lot of knowledge and the diet must be carefully managed. Unless you are extremely experienced with guinea pig nutrition (which requires being familiar with the ingredients of the pellets you mentioned above), it is better to feed high quality pellets in limited amounts in addition to veggies.

[couchon]

Thanks Ly and akstrohm!

I should've looked more closely at the ingredients. It's really good to know that the food is good I just worry about the little guys. Plus, commercial pet food just scares me. I am fostering a dog, and I was having all sorts of trouble finding a food for him that wasn't junk (especially at the pet stores)!

And akstrohm, I do realize it's a huge responsibility to switch to raw food, and it requires a lot more knowledge than I have right now. I was just wondering if anyone does it, and if they see it as being beneficial.

[akstrohm]

You're welcome. It can be tricky to understand ingredients lists. Guinea Lynx has some info on pellet free diets if you're curious. Even if you plan on sticking with pellets, it's interesting to see how pellet free diets work.