Appalled,Shocked and Scared

[guineapigfan9000]

Goodness!
I use Peters pellets for mine - they have the RSPCA logo of approval or something on them. I always make sure I'm buying un-tampered-with packages (I've heard of people putting stuff into packets of food for "fun").
Mine don't eat many pellets anyway, I used to give them heaps and they'd just poop in it so now I give them a small handful and they still don't eat it all. They mostly eat hay and vegetables.

 

[Fay]

Oxbow and Kleenmama's are the best picks for guinea pig pellets.

 

[Aertyn]

guineapigfan9000, are you Australian? Because Peters are an RSPCA endorsed brand here (not that that is saying much, they are crappy as)https://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/../members/guineapigfan9000.html

 

[this_lil_piggy]

Unfortunately things like this happen more often in our human products, than animal products. Things are safe one day and the throws of evil the next.
It was just this week on my local news that I heard that many brands of shampoo, and bubble bath are now believed to contain higher levels of "something" that cause cancer. My 3 yr old takes 3 bubble baths a day, so now I have to wonder what damage I've done. Ah, here we go: Some children's bath products linked to cancer - The Cancer Blog

Back when my 8 yr old was a little one they recalled Dimetapp--he had been on it for a week with a cold. They recalled the RotaVirus vaccine.

It is really sad and sick that none of these deep pockets watch over things more carefully.

 

[this_lil_piggy]

Wheekie I didn't answer your actual question haha Got off on a rant about careless product makers.

I think Oxbow and Kleenmama's are the safest bet for guinea pig food. As far as I know they don't purchase from these mass production pet companies, and they monitor what goes into their products more closely.
I presume there are always risks when you purchase products and foods that are grown, and manufactured by companies...but I think those two are our safest choices. I know not everyone can order online, but some vets, pet stores, and farm supply type stores are willing to order Oxbow in for customers if it is requested.

My pigs had been on very limited pellets for 2 months, and they have now been completely off pellets for about 2 months. They got where they just really didn't want them, and it wasn't worth me having 5 or 10 lbs shipped to me to sit and waste or get peed in. They would go days without even acknowledging them. Now, I provide them with tons of KM's bluegrass, 2 cups each of a wide variety of fresh veggies, and then treats through the day of some fruits, fresh grass, and additional veggies. It has worked for us perfectly fine. The pigs are all maintaining and gaining weight, and are happy, energetic, and healthy.


Just out of curiosity, and back to "off the topic"... Has anyone heard any updates on the Peter Pan and Walmart branded peanut butters? I notice they still aren't back on the grocery shelves yet, but I haven't heard a word as far as the investigation into it.
That whole ordeal gave us the push (since there was nothing else available!) to give all natural peanut butter without hydro. oil in it a chance, and I think we will probably just stick with it. Takes some getting used to, but we quite like it now. I sent back 4 lids from Peter Pan that we had here that matched the recall. The 4 of us had what was thought to be the RotaVirus like 3X in the last years and now I suspect it was our PB. I don't think I'll go back when it hits the shelves again.

 

[Jenah]

My pigs had been on very limited pellets for 2 months, and they have now been completely off pellets for about 2 months. They got where they just really didn't want them, and it wasn't worth me having 5 or 10 lbs shipped to me to sit and waste or get peed in. They would go days without even acknowledging them. Now, I provide them with tons of KM's bluegrass, 2 cups each of a wide variety of fresh veggies, and then treats through the day of some fruits, fresh grass, and additional veggies. It has worked for us perfectly fine. The pigs are all maintaining and gaining weight, and are happy, energetic, and healthy.

Dude - my girls eat anything/everything I put in their pen. LOL and they LOVE the pellets too! Shoot Pilot is actually gaining weight...cracks me up. She is over 2.5 years old! What a piggie!:crazy:

 

[guineapigfan9000]

Are you Australian?
Yeah.
Because Peters are an RSPCA endorsed brand here.
It's the best I can get, better than those bulk ones from pet stores, who know what's in those. Twinkle came with a bag of food from her old owner containing unidentifiable things (no ingredients list), though I could see some corn kernels. Also, the use-by date on the thing claimed it could last a year. My cavy-knowledgeable vet says that pellets will only keep their nutritional value for three months in a cool, dry, airtight place. The bag these pellets came in was wet inside with condensation, some of the pellets were off. I've never actually used this bag of pellets, but I've neglected to throw it out. I might actually keep it until December this year (cut-off use-by date) to see what condition the UNOPENED product is in then, just as an experiment.
Some supermarkets even sell their own home-brand of pellets. I bought some once, used this for the cavies once, they didn't even touch it. It was horrible-looking, mostly brownish-grey powder. Ew. I bought the proper type the next day.

 

[C&K]

I just don't understand what any Canadian company is doing buying wheat from China. Canadian wheat is some of the best on the market, and our prices are very competitive with the world. (the wheat board makes sure of that).

My mother and her farmer b/f would have CONIPTIONS if they knew that companies where "importing" it to Canada!

To think that they are putting our pets lives at risk for what?

The point about untampered packaging is a valid one. The Zellars store my sister works for is notorious for "taping and repacking" animal food, even when it has been damaged by leaks in the roof! Scary stuff! *shudder*

 

[Basil-And-Alfie]

That really is horrible what such big brand names are doing but my local pet shop have started to do totaly organic food, i think it shoud be better.

 

[seagirl96]

I started trying all natural Canidae with no wheat, corn or soy for my dogs and I love it. My Golden is not shedding & scratching so much and no more hot spots on my Bichon. The Bichon is eight years old & always had hot spots. My Vet who recommends Purina is impressed. Check out Canidae.com

 

[thegpiglioness]

My Doberman Mix Has been on Canidae for the 4 yrs we have had her and at the supply only Petstore I get my dog food from the lady who works there said she's never seen a better coat on a dog who was on Canidae.. I highly reccomend the food for dogs..keeps their coat shiny and its good for dogs with allergies as you said seagirl..wellness is another good dog food with no corn and is natural.. BTW.. the Petstore I get my dogs food from carries Oxbow Products for various animals as well and don't sell pets.. thumbs up for them..

 

[maxyluver43]

I have a dog and he eats Hill's food and on of the Hill's food was poisoned but not his. I'm half thinking about feeding him meat and cooked vegies. i'm also thinking of growing organic timothy grass in our veggie garden for my pigger

 

[maxyluver43]

I should try Canidae

 

[MCR_Rox]

The reason why they were buying their crappy wheat from China was for profit, and profit only. Iams is all about profit. They don't care about animals. They just care about the big chunk of $ that goes straight into their pocket when you buy their crap. They actually test on animals! Visit IamsCruelty.com and see! Also, they have a ton of by-product crap in their food. By-products are considered "unfit for human consumption." I've read a lot about by-products, and what kind of nasty stuff is in them. And why don't they put good pieces of meat inside of their food, instead of cheap by-products? BECAUSE OF PROFITS. They are a big company because of their false advertising that their food is actually healthy for animals! They try to make you believe that their food is good, when it is very, very bad!

 

[Lakota]

Even if you do decide to make your own food for your piggies, you need to understand that you will be relying on the human food supply instead. And those have their own recalls and such to worry about. Many people seem to forget that. Remeber to take precautions with that, such as washing all veggies or cooking raw meat thoroughly before you give it your pets. Not that you have to worry so much about raw meats...