Hay To cube or not to cube

[korryn92]

I am not sure if in your case if it is possible, but have you considered getting allergy shots? I used to be allergic to dogs and went through only a small amount of allergy shots as a child and it significantly improved things to the point of where I plan on getting a dog in the future. I am allergic to grass and since going this site I have been giving my pigs much more hay lately and obviously handling it much more and my allergies have gotten much worse. I am considering talking to my doctor to possibly see a specialist to get retested for allergies and get allergy shots so the symptoms hopefully go away or aren't so bad.

 

[corrinamilito]

I work in a rescue and there are a few others on the forum who do as well. I know our rescue will tell people about how both the rabbits and guinea pigs need loose longe strand hay as the primary part of their diet, that its not an optional or replaceable thing. Its not an opinion, its fact that cubes do not replace the loose hay at all and if your vet is telling you it does, Id honestly question that vet.

What my vet, a Purdue graduate who has been treating animals for forty years, said was that as long as the cube didn't contain filler and was comprised of 100% long-strand fiber, then it was a perfectly viable substitute. I'm so frustrated. Forgive me for trusting my veterinarian who has cared for our family's animals, my parents' animals, and many of our friends' animals for more than two decades. I called him again this morning as I am so distressed about all this. He assured me that MY GUINEA PIGS are the best indicator of how their diet is working for them. I appreciate that we are all cavy lovers here, myself included. It is my understanding that Oxbow offers some of the finest guinea pig foods on the market. Oxbow describes their cubes as follows:

"Long-strand fiber is essential for digestive health and function. By giving your pet Hay Cakes you provide long strand fiber for rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas and other small herbivores.

Oxbow's Hay Cakes provide a compact, nutritious hay source while preserving the flavor and aroma of 100% fresh timothy hay. Great for people who prefer not to have the mess of loose hay, but realize their pet needs the long stem particle size. Perfect for rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas and other small herbivores, and a real workout for the teeth!

Offer one cube per pound of body weight along with, or in place of, loose hay."

I can't imagine this is some sort of conspiracy so Oxbow executives can get filthy rich off the demise of poor, defenseless guinea pigs. It isn't like I just don't want to be bothered with the hay. I love my pigs but I also love when my throat doesn't close up. And I don't want to re-home my pigs. I can guarantee that what they'd loose by leaving my home in EVERY WAY would be a far greater detriment to their well-being that loose hay versus cubes. :ashamed:

 

[Inle_Rabbit]

What about adding fresh grass or corn husks to allow the guinea pigs to wear their teeth better in addition to the cubes? Would that work? I'm sorry I'm not an expert in this subject but I remember reading something about that in a past thread so I thought I would ask.

 

[madelineelaine]

my two cents:

I think that giving them grass may work better for you. Omit hay all together. Grass is more nutrisious for them, and it still grinds down there teeth. If you are already giving it to them, then fazing it out wouldn't be a huge hurt to them.

I give my pigs outside grass from the lawn, and I grow inside grass for them too. They normally get about 50% grass, 50% hay, if not more grass. I'm still working on my indoor grow op for the winter, and then they'll be getting a bit more grass. We give it to them in huge quantities at least twice a day. We give them hay too. If you really can't tolerate any hay, then grass may be the way to go.

p.s I'm on a slow computer so I didn't read page two, if I missed something.

 

[corrinamilito]

my two cents:

I think that giving them grass may work better for you. Omit hay all together. Grass is more nutrisious for them, and it still grinds down there teeth. If you are already giving it to them, then fazing it out wouldn't be a huge hurt to them.

I give my pigs outside grass from the lawn, and I grow inside grass for them too. They normally get about 50% grass, 50% hay, if not more grass. I'm still working on my indoor grow op for the winter, and then they'll be getting a bit more grass. We give it to them in huge quantities at least twice a day. We give them hay too. If you really can't tolerate any hay, then grass may be the way to go.

p.s I'm on a slow computer so I didn't read page two, if I missed something.

Thank you so much for the practical suggestion! I do give them grass from our garden (and clover) every single day. I mentioned it earlier but no one suggested it was a good option. Oh, yeah, except for my vet who apparently shouldn't be trusted. (Excuse the snarkiness... this thread has been exhausting.)

Thanks again. I'm heading out to the garden right now. I have a fenced off area in my vegetable garden under strawberry nets just for the pigs so I know it is never soiled by other animals. I had considered growing indoor grass as the winter approaches and I will definitely do it now! Thanks again!

 

[madelineelaine]

I posted a step by step guide on how to grow wheat grass. Very cheap, very easy, and very good for the pigs!

I understand your exhaustion, I find it frustraiting that everyone jumps to the conclusion that your pigs are in danger. Of course hay cubes aren't the best thing for them, but it's better then no hay at all. That being said, I still would'nt encourage that as 100% of their hay.

Just make sure it isn't trreated with pesticides or anything (it doesn't sound like it) so the pigs are okay.

I'm also thinking of buying some regular grass seed to grow inside too. But wheat grass grows in 5-6 days. I always have a bunch of trays growing at different stages.

 

[madelineelaine]

If I may add though, you may want to make sure your vet is cavy savy. Some vets are wonderful with cats and dogs, but they don't know a lot about small animals. Just like a zoo vet may not know alot about dogs. Just a thought. My vet has 3 guinea pigs of her own, she neutered her two boars herself (long silly story) . I trust her 100%.

 

[madelineelaine]

oh a quick note, don't give clover everyday, it's high in calcium. If your pigs don't pee white spots then it's okay a few times a week. Mine are sensitive though, they get it seldom.

 

[corrinamilito]

Thanks again. I sometimes buy fresh wheat grass for myself so it makes sense on all kinds of levels to grow it at home. I'm a 100% sustainable, organic, chemical free gardener with both vegetables and ornamentals. Most of our plant based diet, pigs included, comes from our own garden from March to November. And thanks for the info on the clover. I noticed the white pee when I fed them lambs quarter but I haven't noticed it since. I'll keep an eye out.

 

[GuineaPigPerson]

Hi folks!

I am a proud mommy to two gorgeous boars, Donny and Walter. The boys joined our family in April of this year, about six months ago. We just adore them. I am meticulous about how I feed and care for my cavies. I feed them organic, often locally sourced, fruits and veg, and the highest quality pellets I can find. Unfortunately, I am HIGHLY allergic to hay. Like, throat closing allergic. So my pigs always have access to hay cubes. I offer them primarily timothy hay cubes, but also alfalfa cubes as they are not yet a year old. I'd love to hear your expert opinions on the cubes. Are there better manufacturers? Can I (well, can my husband) make cubes from fresh hay? Walter and Donny get a wide variety of fresh greens, twice daily, every single day. We offer them baby red chard, baby tat soi, baby spinach, baby green swiss chard, baby arugula, local spring greens, beet and turnip greens, fresh herbs, you name it (along with fruits and veg, of course). Am I giving them all they need?

Thank you!!!

I don't think you should rehome them, it's obvious you're a great pet owner. Maybe you can have a big and protected rabbit hutch outside and everyday get someone to feed them long strand hay, but during the day feed them the cubes. As long as they're getting long stranded hay often I would think they're fine with hay cubes.

 

[SquishyPig]

Hi, so my daughter is allergic to the hay also so I started buying different kinds and found only one that she is 100% not allergic to! It's called Meadow Hay. Its looong, soft blades of hay with absolutely no dust! I order it along with my guinea pigs pellet food from Sweet Meadow Farm.
Here is the link to their website: (broken link removed)
I found their hay and food is cheaper and shipping MUCH cheaper threw Sweet Meadow Farm than KMS.

I hope this helps!

 

[Carissa6729]

Offer one cube per pound of body weight along with, or in place of, loose hay."

Okay, so I have a question regarding this. Not aiming this at anybody in particular, just my wonderings, but if guinea pigs are supposed to have an unlimited supply of hay why would they limit the number of cubes you are supposed to give if there wasn't some sort of filler that could be bad?

I feed Oxbow products so I don't have issue with them, just this statement makes me curious. I do however feel that every corporation (especially large ones) is out to make money; sometimes at the harm in endangerment of animals (ie. colored bits food, seed and other crap chew toys, exercise balls marketed for guinea pigs, etc.).

 

[RodentCuddles]

@Carissa6729 I've just been wandering that as well. Hopefully someone will be able to tell us.

 

[corrinamilito]

Hi, so my daughter is allergic to the hay also so I started buying different kinds and found only one that she is 100% not allergic to! It's called Meadow Hay. Its looong, soft blades of hay with absolutely no dust! I order it along with my guinea pigs pellet food from Sweet Meadow Farm.
Here is the link to their website: (broken link removed)
I found their hay and food is cheaper and shipping MUCH cheaper threw Sweet Meadow Farm than KMS.

I hope this helps!

Thank you!! I will try this!

 

[Inle_Rabbit]

You can buy Meadow hay at Petsmart or Petco or other pet stores as well, before you try a large shipment, just to make sure it works for you. Oxbow sells it.

 

[cavyluvr]

Those cannot replace long strand grass hay either. They won't grind down their teeth.

How would they not grind down their teeth if the pellets are hard???

 

[LithiumRiot]

I dont think you should re-home your pigs just cause you're allergic to hay. That's wayyyy extreme there.

I do like the hutch idea, where someone can take your piggies out there and feed them hay where you dont have to handle it and have a reaction. Or you can try Meadow grass.

If you can't do that, I'd say stick with the hay cubes/cakes/whatever and offer them plenty of grass. If you're piggies teeth seem fine and they seem healthy I honestly wouldnt worry about it too much.

Good luck though

 

[sdpiggylvr]

I'm sorry you feel frustrated. We all understand that you love your guinea pigs, but you must realize that we are also looking out for the well-being of your guinea pigs just as you are. This is a challenging issue to deal with because we all strongly believe that hay is an essential component to a guinea pig's diet and the importance of it cannot be stressed enough. I don't know your exact situation, but if I were you I would see if there is any way at all I could deal with my allergies--medication, shots, etc. Hay is so very important and, as everyone else has said, hay cubes cannot replace the actual long strands that are so crucial to proper digestion and keeping teeth at a good length. You need to try different types of hay as well. You have already been given links to KMS Hayloft Bluegrass and Sweet Meadow hay. Try those. There really is a difference compared to your average pet store hay.

I do not like the outdoor hutch idea. Domesticated guinea pigs are not adapted nor meant to live outside--they have no means of defense against predators, and they are more susceptible to illness when exposed to the elements. It's also much harder to keep an outdoor guinea pig a part of the family. Out of sight, out of mind. They enjoy human attention, be it just your presence or a quick pet as you walk by. It's not easy to give guinea pigs this kind of attention when they are housed outside.

I understand that your vet may have decades of experience and is a graduate of a reputable university, but you must realize that not all vets are equally competent in all species. Guinea pigs are exotic pets and their veterinary needs require treatment from a specialist with years of experience with guinea pigs specifically. I feel confident an experienced exotics vet would not recommend hay cubes as a substitute for hay.

Ultimately it all comes down to you. No one here can force you to do anything. These are your guinea pigs. We are all looking out for the well-being of guinea pigs everywhere because we all come here for the same reason: we love guinea pigs. That's the reason we are trying to help yours. If you are accepting of the fact that feeding your guinea pigs hay cubes as a replacement for hay may be detrimental to the well-being of your guinea pigs, even though it may not seem to be at this point in time, and if hay is just not an option, then hay is just not an option.

 

[LithiumRiot]

I do not like the outdoor hutch idea. Domesticated guinea pigs are not adapted nor meant to live outside--they have no means of defense against predators, and they are more susceptible to illness when exposed to the elements. It's also much harder to keep an outdoor guinea pig a part of the family. Out of sight, out of mind. They enjoy human attention, be it just your presence or a quick pet as you walk by. It's not easy to give guinea pigs this kind of attention when they are housed outside.

I don't think the idea was for them to live in a hutch, that would be quite dangerous for the poor piggies. I think the idea was for them to be out there, with someone who isn't allergic to hay for a few hours so they can consume some hay. Although it wouldn't be unlimited hay, it would be better than none.

 

[Lord_aperture]

I don't think the idea was for them to live in a hutch, that would be quite dangerous for the poor piggies. I think the idea was for them to be out there, with someone who isn't allergic to hay for a few hours so they can consume some hay. Although it wouldn't be unlimited hay, it would be better than none.

The problem with that idea is they need access to hay 24/7 like you said and not just a for an hour or if some one is will to wait out side with them. I know theres only so much you can do when you have severe allergies. But the truth is that not giving them proper access to real long strand loose hay is going to in the long run be a huge detrimental and unnecessary risk to their health.