Hi Chubbypiggies, The link that I gave you and failed, is this.
https://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/diet-nutrition/24770-sample-veggie-menus.html
I am very upset with myself, because many of the past links that I have given out to try to point people in the right direction usually did not work !! ARRGGH. I am still learning how to use the computer. I feel
terrible about this. However, I am
finally learning how to copy and paste a link. I feel so stupid, and terribly embarrassed.
Anyway, if you are following Ly&Pigs wonderful charts and daily sample menu's, then your younger piggie will be getting all the vitamin C that she requires, o.k. ?
You mentioned how much parsley you should be giving her, and Ly's charts and such show that 4-6 sprigs of parsley is good for two piggies, but should only be given 2-4 times a week, because it is very high in calcium and oxalic acid which can bind with calcium to form stones. Cilantro is much better and can be given every day. My girls favorite veggie is parsley, so I try to be very careful not to give them too much. If you follow Ly's daily menu, and you are giving quality pellets and quality hay 24/7 they should be just fine. I will give you my 2 cents worth on a couple other questions you posted.
1.
The bird type colored blocks you mentioned, might be "o.k." but I am not completely sure, and if it were me, I would not bother with those. Also, please don't take this the wrong way, but if you can at all possible, NOT purchase anything from a pet store, ( which supports there business) I would NOT. I have done this, but I am learning as I go along too, that given how awful the usual ( not every single pet store) behind the scenes treatment and how they use and abuse these poor creatures is not something I want to support !!
I
have gotten toys and such (
stupid me) from pet stores myself, and highly regret it. There are many online places that one can buy these things ahead of time, and not support the on-going astrocities that happen all the time, in most pet stores to these sweet innocent animals. There are some places online that you can get various items from, like this one: drsfostersmith.com that you can check out. That is where I got my large "gnawsome hut" which my girls chew on a regular basis, and absolutely love ! I did check this gnawsome hut out, and found it is perfectly safe for them to use. In an emergency, I also have gotten Oxbow hay and pellets from a petstupid store though. I am not proud of this.
The important thing is to be prepared, and not let yourself run out.
2.
Children's colored blocks, are usually covered with a chemical, a sealant of some kind which would most likely NOT be safe for them to chew on.
Are you handy with wood ? For getting them at least ONE wooden hidey house, I think is a good idea, though many have that "hole" on the side which some have said their piggies have gotten stuck in. I hope to make my own wooden hidey come summer, for I love working with wood myself. I am no pro though, but I have made a few things with wood in the past. ( before I had piggies)
3. If you purchase quality hay and pellets, their teeth naturally need to grind these foods down, which keeps their teeth in good shape, as well as the very important aid in keeping their digestive tract healthy.
May I ask what kind of pellets and hay you are currently using ? Oxbow, Kleenmama and Sweet-meadow are the best to purchase online from. Their pellets for cavies under 6 mos. has vitamin C already in it. I do not think you need to worry about feeding alfalfa hay is Vitamin C is these pellets or if you are feeding a regular veggie diet as Ly has listed. Although it was not necessary, for awhile I did give them a bluegrass/alfalfa hay mix, along with offering 2cnd or 3rd cut timothy hay. Oxbow's cavy performance cuisine pellets are alfalfa based, so as you can surmise....it is not necessary to supplement their diet further with alfalfa.
Hoped I helped, for real, this time ! Warm wishes and good luck piggie pal !! :cheerful:
