Forages low calcium grass

[kiwipig]

hi all! i want to start growing grass for my guinea pig but she has an issue with bladder sludge and just had a bladder stone (passed it on her own!). is there a certain kind of grass I should choose that is lower in calcium? I was going to grow wheat grass but I think I read that is high in calcium.

i want to limit her pellets which is the main reason i’m deciding to do this. she already gets filtered water and pellets are the next highest thing she eats regarding calcium so i want to lower her intake while replacing it with something else - aka grass.

any help on what type of grass to start growing that is low in calcium would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[Guinea_Pigs_Are_A_lifest]

hi all! i want to start growing grass for my guinea pig but she has an issue with bladder sludge and just had a bladder stone (passed it on her own!). is there a certain kind of grass I should choose that is lower in calcium? I was going to grow wheat grass but I think I read that is high in calcium.

i want to limit her pellets which is the main reason i’m deciding to do this. she already gets filtered water and pellets are the next highest thing she eats regarding calcium so i want to lower her intake while replacing it with something else - aka grass.

any help on what type of grass to start growing that is low in calcium would be greatly appreciated!!

I am not sure, but you could call your local vet (where you took your piggy when she had to bladder stone) and they will tell you. (sorry I couldn’t answer your question, I know when people answer without the answer It’s kind of annoying/useless lol)

 

[iggy]

From my understanding, wheatgrass is ok to feed because the ratio of Calcium to Phosphorous is 1:3, (and you generally want that ratio to be max 1.3-1.6:1). In comparison, alfalfa hay is around 6:1 and timothy hay is 2:1. See more details here for the wheatgrass info: https://www.guineapigcages.com/threads/how-much-calcium-is-in-wheatgrass.42350/post-423023

And here is where I got the info on the Calciumhosphorous ratio:

Calcium in Guinea pigs: everything you need to know

While Calcium is an essential mineral in your guinea pig's diet, an overload of it be harmful to their health. But a lack of calcium in your piggy’s diet could also be detrimental. Confusing isn’t it! Here’s our easy-to-follow guide to guinea pigs and calcium.

kaveecage.co.uk

In addition to wheatgrass, you could checkout oat, rye, and triticale (a hybrid between rye and wheat)

 

[kiwipig]

@iggy this is SO helpful!!! i will definitely be looking at this. honestly i didn’t realize that he was just dried grass. thank you so much!