Hay Is alfalfa hay important for baby pigs?

[pandaloki]

I was part of this raffle contest, I won, I didn't know what the prize was (it was a secret), turned out it was a baby cavy. So everything was unexpected

I already have two teenage pigs so I only have meadow hay with me. Is alfalfa really important for the new baby? Can I just feed him meadow hay or should I buy a different bag of hay for him?

 

[petgal49]

If your guinea pig is an adult, do not use alfalfa hay as it is higher in calcium and calories. Alfalfa hay may be fine for breeding guinea pigs and for young guinea pigs (< 4 - 6 months of age) that need the extra calories and calcium but for adult pet guinea pigs the extra calories can cause obesity and the high calcium can lead to bladder stones and sludge. Alfalfa hay can also cause chronic soft stool and intestinal shutdown also known as Gastrointestinal (GI) Stasis. GI stasis is a medical emergency.

The best hay to feed is grass hay: (e.g. timothy hay, bermuda grass hay). This hay must be available at all times. 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week. You can use a hay trough to keep the hay off the ground and from becoming contaminated.

 

[bpatters]

No, you don't need alfalfa hay for a baby pig -- grass hay (timothy, orchard, blue, brome) is fine. Your baby does need extra calcium, which you can get by feeding him pellets for young pigs (Oxbow Cavy Performance, for example), or extra parsley or other veggies high in calciium. You can take him out of the cage to feed him his calcium-rich veggies so the other pigs won't get too much calcium.

 

[pandaloki]

Thanks!