Vitakraft bad products.

[Fay]

So everywhere I go over here I see the brand Vitakraft, Treats, Food and all that for guinea pigs. Sadly all this stuff is very bad for your guinea pig. So I went to look at their website today and some of the info they give out about Guinea pigs really shocks me. Let me know what you think and whether I or someone else should contact them about their products and information. Maybe we could start a petition to see if we can show them that their products are bad for guinea pigs and information given out unproper. I doubt they will listen to me alone.

For love of animals - Vitakraft products for the species-specific keeping and feeding of pets

[smartorl]

I think they got the country of origin correct, . I think the biggest problem with things like this and I see it alot in my industry as well, is that a person was paid money to create that care page that did a little quick internet research without actually trying to make sure the information is correct or having any personal experience. They threw in their own two cents from observations that they have made like pigs and rabbits housed together. Of course, they were going to instruct you to purchase from a pet shop, that is where the junky treats are sold. Sadly, the company put their stamp on it possibly without really evaluating the statements on the page. I think the company makes junk, but there are some people out there that MUST feed their animals treats for their own feeling on contentment. I see it alot, they know that treats are not healthy but they still feel the need to give them. I never try to discourage someone for trying but I really feel that this would be in vain. The company is not to give proper information, to do so would show that their main line of products is obsolete. By all means speak your opinions, I will send an e-mail to the company as well. Good luck and thanks for the "educational reading".

[crazywiggy]

Thanks for the link - I had a look and it seems to be just propaganda to sell their products.
I will definately email them, but can you tell me where to find the address? I couldn't see it on the site...

Thanks

[Fay]

[FONT=arial]Vitakraft Werke[/FONT]
[FONT=arial]Wührmann & Sohn GmbH & Co. KG[/FONT]
[FONT=arial]Mahndorfer Heerstr. 9[/FONT]
[FONT=arial]28307 Bremen, Germany[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Phone: 00 49 421 / 4896 - 0 [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Fax: 00 49 421 / 483036[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]e-mail: info@vitakraft.com[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Management:[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Heiko Wührmann ( CEO )[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Peter Hänsli[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Klaus Pepmeier[/FONT]

[Res Judicata]

Love some of the information there. I should move my cage, as it is near the TV. I wouldn't want to rot their cute little guinea pig brains with too much bad programming. Better that I keep a male and a female together. Oh, but only as long as I have people to give all those babies to when they are weaned.

I'll be e-mailing Vitacraft, too. I shall have to restrain myself from saying something like "You stupid idiots, do you know anything?"

[this_lil_piggy]

I just love their total lack of even mentioning hay!
But the part that really really just killed me, was suggesting sending your gp to a petstore to be babysat when you are vacation. *laughing hysterically*
Sure, let me send my pig there to be stomped on by its new best friend, Rabbit, and bring it back home pregnant by one of their missexed boars--that is if it doesnt get mistakengly sold first.

Oh brother, I think the information on that website is even worse than the Petco caresheet I was given when I bought Pepper!

[Shaffy]

That made me laugh! I'll be e-mailing them too, I love angry e-mails..

Oh brother, I think the information on that website is even worse than the Petco caresheet I was given when I bought Pepper!

Really? It makes Petco seem smart!
Could you please type up the petco care sheet?, i would like to compare.

[Fay]

Oh, I'll quote my favorite parts:

[FONT=Arial]

" Guineapigs are perfect pets for children."

Ye, And I'm the queen of england.

[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]"Two females always get along especially well. With a couple, you should expect offspring several times throughout the year. You should think about who will take the young guineapigs before getting both a male and a female. Another option is to have the male guineapig castrated by the veterinarian. By the way: guineapigs get along very well with rabbits."[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]

Ye they get along with rabbits just fine since they make perfect stuffed toys to walk over and kick at. Not to mention how perfect they are for breeding all those cute little babies that end up being stuffed toys for some rabbit or kid...

[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]The best way to do that is to lure them with a treat such as a Kräcker[FONT=Courier, Courier New, monospace]®[/FONT] (Sticks)"

[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]

Yes this will be incredibly healthy for them... not to mention how cute they look fat...

[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]A comfortable home for the guineapigs
[/FONT][FONT=Arial]Guineapigs feel most comfortable in a cage that is big enough for them to climb and run around.
Checklist for the guineapig cage:[/FONT][FONT=Arial]
[/FONT]

• [FONT=Arial]Stable food bowl made of glazed ceramic, or a practical "self-serve food machine". [/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial]Drinking trough with fresh water or Vitakraft[FONT=Courier, Courier New, monospace]®[/FONT] Nager-Trank. [/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial]Holder for hay for the daily ration of hay. [/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial]Salt stone to lick on for the supply of important minerals and trace elements. [/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial]Little house to sleep in and relax. [/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial]Soft litter such as wood shavings, straw or hay."
  
  
  [/FONT]

Ye that cage looks very suitable for a guinea pig! and that water, I'm sure they will want to drink that....Oh yummy a salt stone... as if they need that.

[FONT=Arial] You need to spend only little time on the personal hygiene of the guineapigs because they are very cleanly animals who clean themselves thoroughly every day. "[/FONT]

You only need to spend time cleaning and taking care of them pretty much every day..

• [FONT=Arial]
  [/FONT]

  [FONT=Arial] Even during your vacation, you do not have to miss the company of your guineapig. Protected from drafts and heat in a proper transportation box, you can easily take your guineapig along with you on vacation. You should check with the hotel or vacation apartment beforehand to make sure small animals are allowed. If you cannot take your guineapigs along with you, look for a loving person ahead of time who will take care of your darling while you are away. Pet stores or stock breeders often offer this service, too."[/FONT]

  [FONT=Arial]
  
  Ofcourse this will be so relaxing for the guinea pig not to mention how comfortable they will be with a petstore or breeder where they will be stuffed toys for rabbits and get mounted by a 100 male guinea pigs to become ill or pregnant and then die...
  
  [/FONT]

  [FONT=Arial][/FONT][FONT=Arial]

  Guineapigs always need something to nibble on such as Kräcker[FONT=Courier, Courier New, monospace]®[/FONT] (Sticks), to rub down their teeth.

  For the supply of life's essential minerals and trace elements, always put a salt stone such as Sel-plus by Vitakraft[FONT=Courier, Courier New, monospace]®[/FONT] in the cage."[/FONT]

  [FONT=Arial]
  
  Yes they always need to nibble on those sticks to make them extra fat and unhealthy, and the saltstone will make them feel so good.
  
  

  " [FONT=Arial]Fresh water every day is essential for guineapigs. Aqua-Drink by Vitakraft[FONT=Courier, Courier New, monospace]®[/FONT] is a spring water with essential minerals that are important for a healthy metabolism."[/FONT]

  [FONT=Arial]
  Yeey some yummy chemical sludge...
  
  [/FONT]

  [FONT=Arial]Vitakraft[FONT=Courier, Courier New, monospace]®[/FONT] complete food - all-in-one!
  Healthy guineapigs are agile and fit. To stay happy and healthy all their life they need a diet that fulfills their specific nutritional needs. Vitakraft[FONT=Courier, Courier New, monospace]®[/FONT] offers a variety of foods that contain everything guineapigs need for a long and healthy life[/FONT]

  [/FONT]

  [FONT=Arial] [/FONT]

  [FONT=Arial]Oh yes their foods look so healthy with all those seeds to choke in, chemical colored bits for them to become fat with and not to mention those wonderfull dried vegetables... yummmy
  
  [/FONT]

  [FONT=Arial] The guineapig's front teeth constantly grow back. For the necessary rub-down you should feed extra hard treats such as Kräcker[FONT=Courier, Courier New, monospace]®[/FONT] (Sticks) by Vitakraft[FONT=Courier, Courier New, monospace]®[/FONT]."[/FONT]

  [FONT=Arial]
  
  Yes don't forget to give your Guinea pig treats every day especially those honey sticks are soooo good for them...
  
  
  
  
  I rest my case...........
  [/FONT]

[Res Judicata]

Originally Posted by Fay

You only need to spend time cleaning and taking care of them pretty much every day..

What? You mean I've been doing it wrong by only cleaning up after them once a month or so and occasionally throwing in some Vitakraft products?

It's so nice of them to mention that these little guys need floor time, too. Especially if you're giving them all that crap that's going to make them fat and squeezing them into a cage a mouse couldn't run laps around. And running together the words "guinea" and "pig" just annoys me to no end. It's a stupid little thing, yet it rubs me the wrong way.