Diet Thinking of going pellet less

I started doing this about 4 years ago and they only eat hay and veggies. What I did was I gave them less and less and finally I just quit giving them to them. I feed them every time I eat which is three times a day. The only thing they like are bell pepper, spring mix, carrots, and apples. So that is what I give them. Not every time but I usually give them apples and peppers as treats every once in awhile. They also like cucumbers. So I would start giving them some kind of lettuce.

If you're worried about calcium, get them off the romaine and switch to red or green leaf lettuce.

But I have to tell you, stones have a strong genetic component, and it may not be possible to keep your pigs from developing one. All you can do is lessen their chances with diet, but it's not a sure bet.

Okay! I really would like to lessen chances. I've been really strict about what they do, if they're pooping, etc since Mocha died. I'll ease them off as I'm almost done any way and then I'll go to the farmers market tomorrow.

Oh and I feed both green leaf and romaine so just green leaf from now on? @bpatters

Okay thank you! I'll get started on the switch!

What are the pros or benefits of not feeding pellets? Just cost?

Cost, less chance of forming stones, that's all I can think of. I've actually been thinking about this for 2 - 3 weeks now and looking at old threads and I really would rather be safe then sorry[emoji4]

Wait Mocha died?? So sorry! I didn't see that before. My suggestion is red and green leaf lettuce, lots of green pepper, occasional parsley cilantro etc., some fruit once a week. Have you seen this link? https://www.guineapigcages.com/foru...vy-Nutrition-Charts-amp-Poisonous-Plants-List

PeanutnCookie said:

Wait Mocha died?? So sorry!

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Yes Mocha died in January from soft tissue trauma. There's a thread that I posted 2 weeks after her death in memory and I think I explained on her medical thread as well. (I don't know how to link threads)


Thank you for the link!

Your welcome! I guess I wan't on the forum much in January...

PeanutnCookie said:

Your welcome! I guess I wan't on the forum much in January...

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Here's her medical thread where I explained what happened. Skip the first part because that was an abcess she was treated for and left her for good. I think it's starts on page 3 or 4 - https://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/showthread.php?t=105069

I want my piggies to go pelletless too, since i have a garden with lots of greens, and since ingredients in pellets (even oxbow) are not something that is healthy for them. Limestone? Doesn't it sound like something that can form stones? And what about wheat and soy? Anyway, my only concern would be vit D, because it is not in plants and they do not spend much time in the sun. I have a quality human vit. D supplement, but their dose must be tiny...How much i understand, there is no official dose set at all. Do you have any more information about it? Or at least an idea of how much would be needed? Do I just divide himan dose into 150 or so ? Also, how would I make them eat it (they are oily drops.) I suppose I could smear them on the cut up veggies and maybe hanfeed that piece to make sure they each get it.

Oh yes, I also wanted to say, give your piggies just well filtered water (like reverse osmosis, they sell it in water machines), and not bottled water (unless it is distilled). Did you see deposits on tea kettle, if using tap water? Well, just imagine, when those deposits end of in our or piggies bodies. I use reverse osmosis water only and never have deposits in my tea kettle. I also give it to my piggies.

Edited by bpatters: Do NOT give distilled water to any animal. It actually leaches the minerals out of their bones and other body systems, and leaves them subject to fractures and other problems.

Actually, according to my vet I wasn't supposed to pellets less because pellets have minerals that need to be moving constantly through their body (also why they would need more then 1/8th cup and I have multiple confirmed sources on this). So I wouldn't suggest pellet unless you less your pig has developed stones

they would need more then 1/8th cup and I have multiple confirmed sources on this

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And what are those sources?

From Oxbow, about their pellets: "Feed 1/8 cup pellets daily in addition to unlimited grass hay."

From the Humane Society: "Commercial food: About 1/8 cup of pellets once a day, supplemented by hay and fresh vegetables as described below, will be enough."

From Guinea Lynx: One-eighth cup per pig per day.

2 experienced exotic vets and my pig sitter who fosters for two Rescues and she said that what she was told. I still only fill the bottom of the bowl lightly (since it's long).

Most vets don't have guinea pigs as pets, and they're going off what their veterinary books say. Those books are based on feeding schedules for laboratory animals, not personal pets. And since I don't know anything your pig sitter, I won't comment on that, but she's not a credible source as far as I'm concerned. But I will say that the majority of sources recommend only 1/8 cup of of pellets per day per pig.

They're the least important part of a pig's diet, and are merely a convenient way to give them vitamins and minerals. The value of pellets can easily be replaced by careful attention to the vegetables and hay that the pig eats, with occasional vitamin supplements for older pigs.

@bpatters - Okay. My vet does have two pigs for a pet. Like I said, I don't over fill, just shallowy (did I spell that right?) fill it.