Any problem nibbling grass?

[aasagan]

When we brought our cavies outside to roam in a pen recently they favored eating grass as much as the greens and hay tossed in with them. The grass isn't treated or anything like that, just regular midwest grass of some variety. Doesn't seem to have bothered them yet, but wondering if it can cause problems.

[cavylover]

Not at all.Just like in the wild the pig knows when something is bad for them or if they dont like it.Like rubarb is bad for them and since its got a tangy taste to it only some would actually eat it.Dandilion greens they love and its good for them.I bring mine out on a weekly basis into my yard and let them chop down all my grass.Enviroment Freindly lawnmower you could say .

[ChadWPB]

aasagan, fresh, clean, untreated grass is about as good as it gets for a piggie, since it's grass that they eat in the wild. As long as it's not the very first growth of the season, they can eat it every day.

[aasagan]

Originally Posted by ChadWPB

aasagan, fresh, clean, untreated grass is about as good as it gets for a piggie, since it's grass that they eat in the wild. As long as it's not the very first growth of the season, they can eat it every day.

Really?! That's good. So, in a pinch if we're out of greens grab some grass from the yard. How convenient.

[cavylover]

Get them dandilion greens they seem to love the milky substances inside and its not harmful.usually once a day i being them all out side and let them graze all day.They even love the winter :P j/k.why wouldnmt grass be ok They DO eat it in the wild :P.

[NoVeil]

We go out into our yard twice a day (actually prefer the neighbor since they don't cut as often) and grab up two containers full of fresh grass for the girls. It is mainly bluegrass and fescue. We also put in some clover and dandelions (this is from the neighbor....we don't have clover or dandelion in our yard). We do have a lawn service that treats our yard once a month and when he does, we just don't use our front yard to get grass since the backyard is untreated. The girls love the fresh grass. We also let them sit under a tree out in the yard (in the shade) to nibble grass and play in it.

[aasagan]

This is helpful. This website is helpful. I actually took our cavies to a vet the day after purchase to get a checkup. He told me not to take them outside. "Too many bad things can happen." What a bunch of hooey. These little creatures clearly enjoy variety in life. Heck, they even get perky when I refresh their bedding, let alone visiting a grassy pen outside! We can't tell if they're Cub fans yet, but they seem to tolerate watching. I was bitten right when the Cubs shortstop made a game losing error yesterday. It was like Kiwi and I had the same angry reaction. So maybe she's a Cubs fan.

So what would you think about them being out in wet grass after a rain? No difference right? I mean their not going to get wet tail or rotted feet or anything??

[NoVeil]

Wild cavys don't have a problem being on wet grass, I doubt domestic ones would either. My girls don't mind if the grass is damp. I don't bring them out right after a rain but I also don't wait for the grass to be totally dry.

[ChadWPB]

I'd wait till things dry. Domesticated cavies are not equipped like wild cavies are to handle the elements. You're asking for an URI if you get your cavy wet.

For even more helpful info on pigs, try Guinea Lynx. It's the best single cavy site on the net, and refers back here to this site for caging info.

[StasiaJ26]

Originally Posted by cavylover

Not at all.Just like in the wild the pig knows when something is bad for them or if they dont like it.Like rubarb is bad for them and since its got a tangy taste to it only some would actually eat it.Dandilion greens they love and its good for them.I bring mine out on a weekly basis into my yard and let them chop down all my grass.Enviroment Freindly lawnmower you could say .

I used to breed cavies (just now getting back into it) and I had so many out door pens that since I moved them everyday I never had to start the lawnmower. That was a relaxing summer.~Stasia

[StasiaJ26]

Originally Posted by ChadWPB

aasagan, fresh, clean, untreated grass is about as good as it gets for a piggie, since it's grass that they eat in the wild. As long as it's not the very first growth of the season, they can eat it every day.

What is wrong with the first growth?~Stasia

[CuteFluffyThing]

Most guineapigs have their own tastes but mine like corn and corn leaves (i wouldn't buy worked on corn in the supermarkt , just make a deal with the local farmer so you can take a piece or two from his fields)

[Ly&Pigs]

Originally Posted by StasiaJ26

I used to breed cavies (just now getting back into it)

Just so you know, cavy cages is very Anti-Breeding.

[StasiaJ26]

Originally Posted by Ly&Pigs

Just so you know, cavy cages is very Anti-Breeding.

OOP! Sorry, I'll remember that.

[weaseldropping]

My pigs live out in a predator-proof run from Spring to Autumn - basically when there is no frost. They have a variety of little houses - some on legs to hide under, one with wondows to look out of during a shower. They go into their hutch when there is heavy rain forecast, and they live in there most of the winter - having a run when the sun shines. They eat fresh grass every day, and they eat it in preference to just about everything, except dandelions. When the grass is long, they don't bother with pellets at all - they are complete grassivores! They are given all sorts of veggies regularly, as well as pellets, hay, water etc, but the grass is the thing.

They are all incredibly healthy, very lively and chatty. In Summer we spend most of the time outside, and they are really part of the family. As long as nothing can eat them, and they have shade and somewhere to hide, it is, in my opinion, a great life!