treats

[i_love_my_pig]

Is it safe and healthy to give my guinea pig nutrtious "small animal" treats? I was just wondering cuz I bought some today and I just wanted to be sure they werent bad for him or anything! Thanks

 

[LiciaMommycott]

Is it safe and healthy to give my guinea pig nutrtious "small animal" treats?

It depends on what's in them. I got some treat sticks that were actually labelled for guinea pigs but they had sunflower seeds in the shell in them, which I found out they shouldn't have. I took them back but now am leary of products labelled "treats." Try looking at the ingredients list. If there are things that they normally don't eat like animal products, sugar, etc. I'd probably not give it to them.

Here's what they say about treats on Seagull's:
(broken link removed)

"There are several commercially available treats on the market that are aimed at guinea pigs. Berry flavored "crunchies" and flavored chew sticks are popular among some owners and guinea pigs, and are generally safe. Some owners also have experimented with vegetarian dog biscuits and dry cereals such as Cheerio's.

"However, you should be wary of the guinea pig "treat sticks", which are also available commercially. These sticks are essentially seeds and nuts that are held together with honey. Most of the treat sticks on the market contain sunflower seeds that are still in their shells, which is a big no-no for guinea pigs due to the choking hazards."
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[LiciaMommycott]

Which reminds me. This is a recipe I found on Seagull's and I've been wondering if it's really OK to give them. I'm curious as to the wheat flour and honey since those are not normal pig food.

(broken link removed)

• 2 cups whole wheat flower (sic)
• 1 cup shredded carrot
• 1/4 cup shredded apple
• 1 cup warm water
• 2T. honey

Mix into a fairly stiff dough...if the mixture is not firm like a bread dough..add some more whole wheat flower. Roll to 1/4 inch thickness on a lightly floured surface and then, using a cookie cutter or a small paring knife...cut into shapes. I use a carrot shape. Bake in a 350 degree oven (farenheit) for 9-12 minutes..until edges are crispy. Let them cool and store in an ait-tight container. These cokies (sic) will last about 2 weeks. You can also freeze them for longer storage.

 

[Malcsy04]

....

I give my piggie yogies...he loves them ....I give him one a day(even though he would eat the whole container) They consist of mostly sugar so i wouldnt feed him or her too much...i shouldnt even give him that much but he popcorns and squeals for the things!

 

[NoVeil]

My piggies think fruit are great treats. I don't give a lot of fruit because of the sugar so when they get some apple, banana, melon or strawberry, they take that out of their yummy dish first. Cinnamon also views green pepper as a great treat...Petunia sniffs in disgust when I put green pepper in her dish.

 

[mncavylover]

Yes, small animal treats are perfectly safe for your cavy. Just make sure that the treats are made for cavies, not for hamsters or rabbits or something. Otherwise, my piggies love their yogies and vitakraft treats.

 

[LiciaMommycott]

Just make sure that the treats are made for cavies, not for hamsters or rabbits or something.

Again, even so look at the ingredients. If you see seeds in the shell, the treat is not safe for the pigs regardless of what the packaging says.

 

[mncavylover]

I agree with the above. Check all the ingredients. Seeds aren't the greatest treats for piggies anyhow because if you give them seeds often they can be fattening. Also, make sure to research the latest on safe ingredients for cavies. =)

 

[mncavylover]

Remember, guinea pigs are herbivores!
Avoid these foods:

• Don't fall for commercial treats marketed for cavies (like yoghurt drops) which can even be detrimental to their health. Consuming these empty calories (many contain fat, sugars and even excess calcium) can result in decreased consumption of the basic foods they really need.
• Do not feed mixes or treats with nuts, seeds, dried fruit and dyed pieces.
• Do not use mineral wheels.
• Do not feed meat.
• Do not feed rabbit pellets (they do not contain Vitamin C and some may even include antibiotics toxic to cavies).
• [font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Do not feed dairy products.

I just got this list from Cavy Spirit. Just thought I would let you know, since I didn't know some of this stuff! (Like the Yogies...) =)

 

[supertramp]

You're better off giving your pigs a bit of everything to see what they like the best, and that can be their treat. I don't think they even enjoy commercial treats that much, they seem to be made on the basis that a guinea pig will enjoy what a human enjoys ie. yogurt drops = chocolate substitute, treat sticks = sweet cereal. My clever guinea won't touch yogurt drops but she goes mad over sow thistle.