Is this ok for Guinea Pigs to eat?

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Mummybean

Junior Guinea Pig
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I brought these from a reputable pet shop. Both say they are fir Guinea Pigs (one even has a picture of a guinea pig on the front). But I have read on line they can’t have peanuts and both contain them? I am very confused. Is it only whole peanuts they can’t eat? C8287BC6-ACF7-4C8E-981D-D4F5D4774393.webpEA0B8737-89DF-4E48-BF9F-924302B09848.webpE11F82AB-6783-4EEB-833C-DC38D99FECAC.webp
 
I thought maybe a generic picture of ‘small animals’ had just been used but double checked the pack and guinea pigs are listed. Very confusing, I might try the Rosewood customer service. The piggies haven’t had any yet thankfully 😅 image.webp
 
I wouldn't it contains egg and seeds and the second main ingredient is wheat. All things that aren't great for piggies.

Guinea pigs don't need chew toys or gnawing blocks the best thing for grinding down their teeth is a big pile of hay. Their teeth naturally grind down as they rub against each other while they munch on grass or hay.
 
Sadly both of those are inappropriate for guinea pigs (eggs, nuts, seeds) and rabbits too.
It is a disgrace that these can still be marketed as appropriate for these animals.
You can try contacting Rosewood (who really do know better but just don't care) and you willl get the standard response of 'they are meant to be fed in moderation and trace amounts of 'insert inappropriate ingredient here' should not harm you pet'.
 
Swissgreys said:
Sadly both of those are inappropriate for guinea pigs (eggs, nuts, seeds) and rabbits too.
It is a disgrace that these can still be marketed as appropriate for these animals.
You can try contacting Rosewood (who really do know better but just don't care) and you willl get the standard response of 'they are meant to be fed in moderation and trace amounts of 'insert inappropriate ingredient here' should not harm you pet'.
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I don't understand how this is allowed.. Before this forum, before I knew any better, I bought some snacks from a pet store. Some bits seriously got stuck in Rosie's teeth, a lot of them contained products piggies should never have..

I remember reading somebody's thread here about salt licks or whatever they're called. Apparently their pig, overnight, had managed to eat half of it. The poor piggy was dead the next day.

It's vile.
 
When I was a child we used to give our piggies yogurt drops as a treat. I shudder at the thought of that now but I was only a child and really didn't know better at the time. I'm sure some of the things I do now I will one day look back upon in horror but I guess we just have to keep learning.
 
Thank you so much. I didn’t realise they don’t need chew toys (I assumed they are necessary for their teeth) but good to know I can get rid of these and let them just enjoy the hay. I really feel there is a lot of misleading information for new owners in the shops and on line, most of the important information I have gained had come from here. We were originally sold a hutch that was way too small, a big bag of straw and some guinea pig dry food and told that’s all they need 🙈. Really glad we found this site.
 
RosieLily said:
I don't understand how this is allowed.. Before this forum, before I knew any better, I bought some snacks from a pet store. Some bits seriously got stuck in Rosie's teeth, a lot of them contained products piggies should never have..

I remember reading somebody's thread here about salt licks or whatever they're called. Apparently their pig, overnight, had managed to eat half of it. The poor piggy was dead the next day.

It's vile.
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This really scares me, I was looking yesterday on line at guinea pig products and saw the salt licks and wondered if that was something I need, I’ve started using Google and this forum to check everything.
 
Mummybean said:
Thank you so much. I didn’t realise they don’t need chew toys (I assumed they are necessary for their teeth) but good to know I can get rid of these and let them just enjoy the hay. I really feel there is a lot of misleading information for new owners in the shops and on line, most of the important information I have gained had come from here. We were originally sold a hutch that was way too small, a big bag of straw and some guinea pig dry food and told that’s all they need 🙈. Really glad we found this site.
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Piggies like to chew on things as enrichment but incisors are actually self-sharpening against each other and the crucial molars and premolars at the back of the mouth are ground down by chewing on the very abrasive silica in grass and hay, against with their teeth and gut have actually evolved.
Willow, apple- and pearwood twigs and branches, if you can get hold of them, make much healthier and safe chewing equipment. I also love my wooden log tunnels and the piggy huts which my hub makes for me as safe chewing places for my piggies.
Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs
Potentially Dangerous Cage Accessories And Toys

Safe treats are dry forage and freeze-dried readigrass (too much readigrass can be fattening) very much in moderation; anything that contains seed or corn that can get stuck in their teeth is not safe. Neither is anything containing lactose, eggs, honey and sugar in any form good for piggies. If possible, please stay away from any highly processed foods and stick to naturals.
If you can grow fresh herbs in windowsill boxes, you are doing your piggies a much greater favour.
 
Mummybean said:
This really scares me, I was looking yesterday on line at guinea pig products and saw the salt licks and wondered if that was something I need, I’ve started using Google and this forum to check everything.
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This forum really is amazing, isn’t it? So much amazing information for free, never mind the kind and thoughtful users we have here.

Whenever you have any questions, post away! Personally I’ve been helped and supported by some incredible people on here. They will always help you the best they can!

Oh and we love pigtures and piggy-spam, so if you ever feel like showing us your pigs, we’d be very happy :wub:
 
Piggie Parcels and Piggies Doodles both do lovely forage which piggies enjoy.
Mine love a paper bag filled with hay as well.
When lockdown is over I will have to go to Hotel Chocolat to get one of their paper bags for the piggies. The quality of the bags are so good it usually takes a week to trash it.
I do have to make the sacrifice of eating the contents of said bag.

Wooden bendy bridges get gnawed at as well as slept under
 
Mummybean said:
Oh your piggy is gorgeous! This is Norbert and Digby. I’m definitely grateful for the support. I had a little cry tonight feeling a bit overwhelmed with trying to get it right. I feel a little out of my depth. View attachment 171138View attachment 171138View attachment 171140View attachment 171141View attachment 171142
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Such gorgeous piggies 🥰 Don‘t be hard on yourself, you‘re doing great! And we‘ve all been there - when we first got our piggies last year we were also fooled and got a bunch of treats that weren’t suitable for them at all. There‘s so much misinformation out there and so many things to learn. It took us ages to figure it all out & even now I still find myself in situations where I don’t get it right. But that’s ok too! It‘s all a learning curve, just keep asking questions and don‘t put too much pressure on yourself xx
 
What gorgeous piggies.
Don’t beat yourself up.
I still cringe when I think of what I used to feed my first piggies.
I’ve learned so much about good care, diet and housing on this forum.
Your cute little black & gold aby reminds me so much of one of my childhood piggies.
 
Your piggies are so gorgeous, honestly the fact that you’re asking the questions and care enough to take advice means you’re doing brilliant, when I first had pigs, I was young, we would give them stick treats that came with a handy little clips obviously designed to clip onto the cage while whole, since getting my boys nearly 2 weeks ago I have looked at these treats and found that they are 100% not suitable for pigs and they cover themselves by putting “for use in moderation” in the small print... despite the fact that it’s designed to clip on the cage... it’s honestly shouldn’t be allowed. You’re doing great and they are lucky to have you :D I’m already so grateful to be able to use this forum
 
Isla&Steve said:
Your piggies are so gorgeous, honestly the fact that you’re asking the questions and care enough to take advice means you’re doing brilliant, when I first had pigs, I was young, we would give them stick treats that came with a handy little clips obviously designed to clip onto the cage while whole, since getting my boys nearly 2 weeks ago I have looked at these treats and found that they are 100% not suitable for pigs and they cover themselves by putting “for use in moderation” in the small print... despite the fact that it’s designed to clip on the cage... it’s honestly shouldn’t be allowed. You’re doing great and they are lucky to have you :D I’m already so grateful to be able to use this forum
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The other way they cover their back is by having massive pictures of Guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, gerbils etc. On the front but not actually saying it's suitable for them
 
You are doing a great job! and your piggies are lovely x
Don’t feel overwhelmed, enjoy them x Learn as you go, that’s what everyone on here has done 😃
 
You are doing really well, you are obviously a caring owner as you are taking the time to do research. There's no need to spend money on expensive treats. My boys favourite treat is a dandelion leaf from the garden!
 
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