Changing Food Over

[Maria71]

Hi

I am in the process of changing my piggies over to a complete food rather then the food they came with . I started on giving them more of their normal food then the new food and have gradually added more of the complete nugget . I am finding they are leaving the nuggets and eating their old food .

How do I get them to eat the nuggets do I just keep adding more of the new and less of the old . Or should I have left them on what they where on .

I think it was called Dobson & something I cant remember the last bit , but the lady said it was similar to goat food ?

The piggies are 10 weeks old and I have had them for about 11 days .

 

[Wiebke]

There are two ways of shifting over (and you are right to not feed that **** anymore that is considered acceptable by cheapskate breeders who just want to see money).

You can do it gradually, but it often doesn't work. The alternative is to go cold turkey and stick it out even though it may take 2-3 weeks. Thankfully, pellets are the smallest part of a piggy's daily diet, so you do not need worry if they are not eating much for a while as long as the rest of the diet is well balanced and healthy.
Recommendations For A Balanced General Guinea Pig Diet

 

[Swissgreys]

Just wanted to ad that my 3 went through a phase of eating no pellets at all, and they are similar age to yours.
With unlimited good hay and a decent amount of fresh food daily they were fine.
I have since found a pellet that they like so they now get that too, but if I were you I would stop the food they came with cold turkey.
Offer a decent pellet, plus hay and fresh and they will be fine.

 

[VickiA]

I'd agree - just give them your complete food pellets and they will soon get used to them.

 

[Maria71]

Thanks for the great advice . I had got them a bag of pets at home own nuggets . Is there a better one to feed them or is that OK ?

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks for the great advice . I had got them a bag of pets at home own nuggets . Is there a better one to feed them or is that OK ?

It is OK; Burgess are a bit better, though.

 

[Maria71]

Ok next question is breeder told me to put orange tablets in their water for added vit c . I haven't done this as I just don't feel its the right thing to do . They are having veg and good amounts of dust free hay . ?

 

[Veggies Galore]

Ok next question is breeder told me to put orange tablets in their water for added vit c . I haven't done this as I just don't feel its the right thing to do . They are having veg and good amounts of dust free hay . ?

Guinea pigs don't need vit C supplements if they are getting the right diet .


The only time I would consider giving Vit C is if one of my Guinea Pigs is ill

 

[VickiA]

Guinea pigs don't need vit C supplements if they are getting the right diet .


The only time I would consider giving Vit C is if one of my Guinea Pigs is ill

With @PiggyOwner . The Burgess pellets have Vit C added. The rest of their Vit C should come from their veg. I only give a supplement if they are poorly.

 

[Wiebke]

Ok next question is breeder told me to put orange tablets in their water for added vit c . I haven't done this as I just don't feel its the right thing to do . They are having veg and good amounts of dust free hay . ?

No - additives in water don't taste great and guinea pigs will drink noticeably less. it also goes off fairly quickly and promotes the growth of algae so bottles go green very quickly. Breeders use the tablets so they can wiggle out of giving a wholesome, but obviously more costly diet.

Please carefully read the diet link I have given you. You will find all the information in there, from water, hay, pellet amounts and which veg you can feed how often to make a balanced diet. The tread is very detailed and especially geared towards new owners; it is going to answer many of the questions that you may have.

Here it is again:
Recommendations For A Balanced General Guinea Pig Diet
Feeding Grass And Preparing Your Piggies For Lawn Time

We have got lots of guides on settling in and understanding your guinea pigs etc. in this information bundle here, which is aiming to provide answers to the most often asked questions by new owners as well as helping them with what they need to know for a good start: " Starter Kit" Of Information Threads For New Owners