Food!

JJThinker · Jan 16, 2003

Food!

Okay maybe I'm missed something but I never believe reading that the pellets that I give my piggy are made from Alfalfa. Am I giving my pet the wrong kind of food. I'm a new pig own and I've only had her (I believe I will call her Lucy) about 4 days. I read all the info about Alfalfa being bad because it creates stones because of the calcium intake. But the same pellets that I'm giving my pig say they are made from dehydrated alfalfa.

In addition to giving it the pellets (two different brands; I wanna know which one she likes) I am also giving her the Timothy Hay (which she eats all night long).

I have another question as well. My piggy is very scared right now. It's like she never ever wants to see me. Now I know that she's got a new home and everything; in fact I've probably only held her twice since I got her for about 2 hours each time. This is because I have to "chase" her around her cage every time I want to hold and I don't think she likes it. So I guess my question is when can I aspect her to be more social? Does it take time to build the bond? How long should I wait?

Briana D · Jan 16, 2003

Re: Food!

Usually after you pig is 6 months I believe you should want to start feeding him/her a timothy based pellet. Oxbow ((broken link removed) carries a very high quality pellet with stable vitamin c in it.

I'm glad to hear your pig enjoy timothy - feed him/her as much as they want it is very good for them.

Most guinea pigs always run from their owners. They are prey animals so they are very skittish most of their life. Some people have had great luck in taming their pigs to the point where they will just about come running when their name is called.

I've had my guinea pigs for about 2 years and they run from me when I pick them up but they settle down once they feel safe. Hold your pig more often and that will help greatly with your bond with him/her.

Don't feel bad when they run away its their instincts.

Makay772 · Jan 17, 2003

Re: Food!

I have had my guinea pigs since Christmas and I will tell you my experience...

Both of them were very shy and nervous, especially when I came to the cage or opened it. Then in the past week, maybe 2, the male always runs up to the cage when he sees me. And both of them will start squealing when I come in the room. I love hearing it!

Anyways, give it time and they will adjust. You will see a difference in the next few weeks, I am sure.

jesswade5575 · Jan 21, 2003

Re: Food!

My guinea pig was the exact same way. It would take me forever to catch him & that was about 5 months ago. Now he comes when I call him, lays in my lap & crawls up on my chest and puts his head down. He popcorns all over when he hears his food OR even just his name (Eeyore).

Just keep on holding him - try putting a pillow in your lap and laying him on it & gently pet him the whole time. That is what I did with Eeyore and still do - except now he climbs off the pillow and onto my chest.

Jessica

JJThinker · Jan 23, 2003

Thanks

Thanks for the info guys. My piggy even now is coming to my hand; at certain times. Lucy is a cute little piggy.

LisaGlitterz4MC · Jan 23, 2003

By the way...

We also have our first guinea pig, and just took him to the vet for his first checkup this week. She told us to limit him to 1 Tablespoon of pellets per day. In the paperwork she gave us, it says to limit them after they are four months old, and if they are younger than that, to give them unlimited amounts of pellets. Sunflower is only 2½ months old, so I'm not sure why she said to start limiting him now...

Anyway, it does sound logical to me to switch to Timothy based pellets. I haven't heard anything positive about alfalfa for piggies, so why feed them alfalfa-based pellets? You have given us food for thought tonight, and I'm about to check the ingredients on Sunny's and Gumdrop's pellets. Thanks a lot, and let us know whatever else you find out!

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