GPs might have had chive

[Charlibob]

Hi I am freaking out because I cut the GPs some cucumber and they ate it and I then realised it was with the same knife/ same board as I cut some chives. I don’t think they got any actual chive but possibly residue from the knife.
They seem fine right now, behaving normally but I’m worried I’ve poisoned them

 

[Bill & Ted]

I really would not worry, a hint of chive will not harm them. Onion type vegetables should not be given but I don’t think a tiny amount of juice off a chive will do any harm at all.
I often pick grass in our local churchyard and it contains natural “onion” grass, it’s a grass that has a tiny bulb in the root. They have eaten it on the odd occasion with no ill effects

 

[Charlibob]

Thanks so much! My girls just adore them so so much I’d never forgive myself if I hurt them.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi I am freaking out because I cut the GPs some cucumber and they ate it and I then realised it was with the same knife/ same board as I cut some chives. I don’t think they got any actual chive but possibly residue from the knife.
They seem fine right now, behaving normally but I’m worried I’ve poisoned them

Hi!

Please take a deep breath. There is a big difference between actually highly toxic substances like foxglove leaves and foods that should not be part of a normal diet. The first group is thankfully not that large (some house plants and things like chocolate are the biggest problem); most veg that humans eat but not guinea pigs fall into the second group.

This means that eating a bit won't do any real harm; only if bulb plants are eaten in a larger quantity or regularly over a long period will toxins have a chance to build up enough to do lasting damage.

I hope that this allays your worries? My piggies always manage to snatch some crocus leaves from the spring lawn, as much as I try set up of the runs around the crocus patches which predate the piggies but it has never done them any harm as far as I can tell. My worst offender lived to 8 years and died from old age.

PS: I have a dedicated piggy knife and chopping board in the kitchen and have trained my husband to not touch them under any circumstances because he just uses what is at hand. If you suffer from anxiety, it may be a useful way of working around the issue but just a little sap on the knife or board won't be a problem.

 

[Charlibob]

Thank you that helps massively - I shouldn’t have immediately Googled and read all these posts saying how toxic anything onion related is We are normally so careful with the chopping but great idea re the dedicated knife & board. Thank you!

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you that helps massively - I shouldn’t have immediately Googled and read all these posts saying how toxic anything onion related is We are normally so careful with the chopping but great idea re the dedicated knife & board. Thank you!

Warnings on foods that should not be fed are pretty strong because that is needed as a deterrent but very few of the foods listed will be actually fatal or even harmful in a small one-off quantity.

The rule of thumb is to see a vet asap as a life or death emergency if your piggy is suddenly showing signs of being very unwell or very lethargic within 24 hours of having eaten something doubtful but in the vast majority of cases, this won't come to pass in our 15 years of experience on this forum.

 

[RT03]

So helpful thank you! This was posted 2 years ago but I’ve just cut my piggies veggies with a knife my dad used to cut onion. Was starting to worry a little bit but much happier now after seeing this. Won’t be doing it again!