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Do I HAVE to feed my piggies pellet food? They don't seem to like it, no matter what brand I try. Instead of eating the pellets, they've been pooping in their food dishes and eating the fresh foods I give them instead. Are they going to get enough nutrients if I only feed them healthy, fresh fruits and veggies along with their hay? I'd rather not feed them processed foods if I don't have to, especially since they've made it clear that they don't like them!
Many people feed a pelletless diet. However, you need to be extra diligent in making sure you are feeding a variety of greens/vegetables. You may want to weigh them more often than weekly to make sure they aren't losing too much weight (many guinea pigs put on a pelletless diet will initially lose a small amount of weight).
At first we fed our guineas a mix of the pellets and the fiesta but then we found out there is a choking hazard with the nuts and mix so we switched to just pellets I think they have to get used to the idea of only pellets so now our's are happy with just pellets and it takes the worry from us that we know the choking hazards are gone
I've fed them about 3-4 different brands. They don't like any pellet foods. They only eat them if they absolutely have to. Which is almost never. Maybe once a week on grocery day when the veggies are running low. But they aren't happy about it. So I'll find more veggies at the local market that they like and keep them stocked.
I would be concerned that they weren't getting the proper nutrients especially vitamin C. I have never tried the vitamin drops but that may be a thought if you are going to go pelletless. I am wondering about the vitamins myself as I have 2 9 week olds that eat ok but I just want them to get the best start possible. Does anyone have any info on the vitamins? Good or bad?
We had learned from a girl that runs a shelter that they can be given small doses of liquid vitamin c, we ordered some from amazon.com and they love it. Cause the vitamin drops and powder for the water don't do anything because they get diluted and it may make the water taste bad so they might not drink enough water.
There are so many foods rich in vitamin C like peppers, but I have found that if I put 1-2 drops of Oasis Vitamins on their food they will eat it without complaint. Luckily my Abby Sheena will take a drop or 2 directly from the dropper. I like Oasis brand because it has a high concentration of Vit C and seems to be better tasting than some other brands There is a link on this site to the best veggies and fruit for gp and the amount to give Maybe someone else can best direct you or put it here??
Or find children's chewable vit. C tablets. Mine LOVE the Trader Joe's kind. All four take them by hand, so readily that I have to take care not to lose a finger. They are 500 mg, but they break into bits quite easily. I just estimate a 25mg size chip. You can get 250 mg and 100 mg, though.
Have you tried KM's (kleenmama's) hayloft? She's out in e. WA somewhere, and I see you are too. She has timothy pellets milled here in oregon, to her specs. She ships, of course, but maybe she's close enough to you to drive to? Google KM's hayloft.
Quick Question About Pellet Food
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