Is this poop healthy?

[Bubble64]

Hi. I have 2 boars in this C and C cage. They are 2 years and 6 months. I have had them for a few months now. Their poop has been very dry, crumbly and powdery. I am fairly sure this isn't normal as I have another pair of boars who's poop seems normal. They used to have powdery poop so I introduced more cucumber to their diet and that helped and their poop hasnt been an issue since but for my other pair the poop is still dry. I have tried veggies with more water, a water dish and dont know what to do as those havent worked. Is their poop something to worry about? Should I take them to the vet? Or is there something that can be recommended to sort this as the poop is very hard to clean of fleece every day. Thank you.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi. I have 2 boars in this C and C cage. They are 2 years and 6 months. I have had them for a few months now. Their poop has been very dry, crumbly and powdery. I am fairly sure this isn't normal as I have another pair of boars who's poop seems normal. They used to have powdery poop so I introduced more cucumber to their diet and that helped and their poop hasnt been an issue since but for my other pair the poop is still dry. I have tried veggies with more water, a water dish and dont know what to do as those havent worked. Is their poop something to worry about? Should I take them to the vet? Or is there something that can be recommended to sort this as the poop is very hard to clean of fleece every day. Thank you.

Hi

Please be aware that the water runs off any veg in a matter of seconds; it's widely recommended but I have found it a very ineffective measure when trying it myself. If you want to offer more water in edible form you need to feed more water veg in the shape of cucumber, lettuce or fresh grass (with the proper introduction).

You can also see whether syringing water will do the trick. Please never, ever just squirt water into the mouth but allow them to drink from the syringe and then see whether they like a bottle nozzle with the scent of cucumber juice on it once they are good with a syringe. If you squirt in too much too quickly, it can go up into the nose or worse, end up in the lungs.

Bottle drinking is something piggies learn by watching their elders. When they have been separated before they have had a that guidance, then it is much harder to get them to learn it.

All About Drinking And Bottles | The Guinea Pig Forum

 

[Bubble64]

Thank you for your reply. I give them cucumber as much as possible as I know that it contains quite a lot of Water. I could see if syringing helps but not sure they will drink from it as they are still quite nervous but I can always give it a go. Thank you