Can You Give To Much Fresh Food?

[Mellowmummy]

I only got my piggies today so I have lots of questions! I am giving guinea pig pellets daily and was planning on giving fresh food, but I am just wondering can I give to much vegetables? I wil give a variety of vegetables but don't want to over feed them?

 

[Jess]

There is a shopping list of goodies for Piggies on here somewhere... Can't remember where it is though! That'll have all the food which is high in Vit C and recommendations of how often to feed. I think from what I've learnt that... 80% is hay, 10% is pellets and 10% is veg and fruit... I think that's right...

@Wiebke <---- She'll know for sure
WIEBKE! YOUR KNOWLEDGE IS REQUIRED!

 

[klee]

Here is the food list http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/...veg-and-fruit-list-with-vitamin-c-grading.42/
It details what is good and what you shouldn't feed piggies.
Especially as you don't know what your piggies have had before veg-wise, any veg should be introduced slowly and in small portions. You can give a variety of veg and fruit, which keeps their lifes exciting (piggies adore food!) and ensures they get all the nutrients they need- although fruit should really only be given occasionally.

 

[Wiebke]

We recommend about a cupful/ca. 50g per piggy per day in a veg mix, which can include fresh herbs and occasionally fresh fruit. Feeding too much veg means that the piggies will eat less hay, which is very important for long term gut health and to keep the crucial back teeth ground down.

Feed fruit and tomato only twice a week, but include one high vitamin C veg or fresh herb like a slice of (sweet) pepper of any colour, a floret or chunk of broccoli or a sprig of fresh coriander/cilantro, parsley, dill or mint per day for the vitamin C and vary between these. Individual tastes and preferneces can vary a lot.

 

[Mellowmummy]

Thank you so much for all your advice, I have printed that list out and put it on my fridge, good idea about introducing things slowly

 

[Miyavi]

My guinea pigs get so much veggies as they want.

And they eat ~ 300-350g per Pig daily.

 

[Bekki]

It depends what veg you're giving, high calcium veggies for example yes you most certainly can give too much and potentially cause problems but some can be given more freely. @Pigjes has a sticky in the food section on veggies that can be fed freely for example in a pellet free diet (they need more veg without pellets) its worth a read :-) as long as its introduced over time and you avoid super high calcium and super low nutrient it can be that a higher amount of veg is fine. The 50g a day is probably recommended because its an easy amount to give and a small amount really so as not unbalance their diet and still give them approx 80% hay overall to keep their teeth properly worn down :-)

 

[Stewybus]

Generally if you put too much out there'll be some left my next meal time. As piggies vary in preference try different veggies until you get the right mix. Their bowls should be just about empty by next feeding time. Mine usually get between 6 & 8 different veggies at a time including lettuce, celery, cucumber, sweet pepper, melon, apple (very sparingly), kale, tomato (twice a week) brocolli, cauli leaves & florets, carrots & various herbs.

 

[Bekki]

Mine are the same Stewy, some days they get a big pile usually because i'm going shopping and need the fridge room or sometimes they only get one type of veggie/fruit because its something that will spoil once cut into. They do always have some left if I give too much in one go :-)

 

[Mellowmummy]

Thanks for all your advice and the link your all so kind helping me out!
I am putting vegetables out morning and evening in a bowl most of it goes but they seemed unimpressed by the parsley I tried them on the other night, it's lovely seeing them eat and be happy x

 

[flowerfairy]

Mine just ADORE veg and whistle away like little bagpipes when they hear the rustle of a bag!