How Much?: Should I Double the Veggies?

[Sugar&Ellie]

I recently found out that the food i was giving my piggies was extremely unhealthy. 'Junk food' to be exact.
My guinea pig absoloutly loved it, and they sold it at the pet store at extremely high prices so I thought it had to be the best option. I learned that it is NOT. So I ordered some Kleenmama's alphalpha Pellets last night and im waiting for them to come in. For now im picking the pellets out of their 'mostly seed and colored bits' diet. There is only a limited amount of pellets.

I have started my guinea's diet and they get 1/8th of a cup of pellets and 1 cup of veggies a day now. With a hay loft and 2 hay feeders.

Im wondering if i should double their veggies or at least increase by half a cup when they're pellets run out before i recieve my Kleenmama's? If so, by how much? If not, what do you suggest?

PS- My older guinea pig HATES just pellets. She dumps the bowl and receeds to her house or to the Hay loft to scream at me. I am not giving in! She is getting 3 hrs of floor time a night in edition to her diet. Will she warm up to just pellets as she realizes that's all shes getting besides veggies and hay?

[Sugar&Ellie]

Also, i live in Canada and i ordered online from Kleenmama's. Does anyone know how long it takes to come in?

[Tessa Bea]

Which part of Canada do you live in? Kleenmama's is located in the Eastern side of the state of Washington, US. I'd imagine the delivery time would depend upon how far away from there you live.

Your pigs should get a variety of veggies, one cup a day each, if I'm not mistaken.

[Sugar&Ellie]

Originally Posted by Tessa Bea

Which part of Canada do you live in? Kleenmama's is located in the Eastern side of the state of Washington, US. I'd imagine the delivery time would depend upon how far away from there you live.

Your pigs should get a variety of veggies, one cup a day each, if I'm not mistaken.

I live in Alberta. Which if im not mistaken isnt that far, or so iv heard.

I know that they're supposed to get 1 cup of veggies a day but if im running low on pellets until i get my order should i increase the veggies?

[Tessa Bea]

That I'm not sure of- I always get my pellets before I run out so I have no idea. :x Hopefully someone else can give you better advice on this issue... Is Alberta just east of BC? It shouldn't be much longer than a week, I don't think- is there anywhere you could get more pellets for the time being, or could you post online, call around, ask a vet or rescue, and try to find someone to loan some to you until your shipment comes in?

[Sugar&Ellie]

Well I could definatly go to the pet store but I would only need about 2 cups until the order comes in if its going to take less than a week. The pet stores sell very low quality pellets and they sell them at 5lb quantities.

I could always ask my friend for a couple cups if she's feeding just pellets. If it comes down to that I'll have to do it but Im hoping someone gives me adive so I dont have to do so.

[JD In Van]

You can get Oxbow in Canada, Kleenmama's can take a bit cause stuff gets held up in customs due to import/export laws for grains. Keep this in mind when you're deciding what to get in the future (it's why I opted for Oxbow over Kleenmama's personally, as my vet sells Oxbow in bulk). If you keep with Kleenmama's you'll need to give yourself at least a one week window.

In the mean time pellets are the least important part of your piggies diet. If you give them piles of hay and lots of veggies they should be fine for a few days. My boys get only 1/8 cup of pellets a day now and they would cry with out it (it's their favorite thing) but could definitely live with out it for a few days. Better nothing then junk imo.

[Sugar&Ellie]

Thanks!

Ellie would settle for anything, she's not much of an eater.

Sugar screams for food all the time. Purs when she gets it. She loves veggies so I think if I dont get the pellets by the end of the week I'll have to borrow some.

So should I increase their vegtables if they have no pellets or keep them at 1 cup?

[JD In Van]

I'd increase their greens and vit c (peppers) but not increase anything sugary. Maybe give them a third feeding of greens and peppers. That's what I did when my boys went off alfalfa and I didn't have Oxbow yet. I also had to replenish their hay twice a day instead of once a day.

But then my oinkers already eat more then a cup of fresh veggies a day even with pellets.

[Ly&Pigs]

Yes, I'd increase veggies until you get the better pellets in from KM. You could give a total of an extra cup per day, mostly leafy greens and extra bell pepper.

[akstrohm]

Yes, I would increase the veggies. Once your pig gets used to the new pellets, she should start eating them. If she doesn't do so right away, it's not a huge concern since pellets make up a small part of the diet.

[Sugar&Ellie]

Thanks everyone