They Ate Plastic!

[Gizi]

So here the back story of why my guinea pigs ate some plastic bag that was next to their cage... and I know this is long but I'm trying to explain that this was just an accident!

When we moved into our house 3 years ago we decided not to put any grass in the backyard because of the pool as we feared that when cutting the grass some of it will fly into the swimming pool. So we didn't

Now after 3 years getting my first piglets I knew they could eat grass. They really just loved everything green and it was such a pain to go out to the front of the house and sit with the pigs there where everyone could see me, I also hated going to the front to pick grass for them as it took quiet a long time.

Anyway so when we built this house we also planted some banana tree in the back yard, we planted 3 one of that was given to us by one of friends. The trees really just took over the area of the place they were planted in and soon enough there was actually 14 banana trees there! It just went wild so recently we chopped them out of the ground and we only actually got 3 stalks of bananas from those trees!

Now we have decided to put 1 rectangel of grass down there. So we digged out the banana roots so they would grow back anymore as they just kept growing and growing! We ended up with 16 bags full of banana tree roots! We are going to take them to the rubbish dump some time this week but my problem is that we put some plastic bags next to the guinea pig cage....

Now I knew that they would eat the plastic next to their cage if we put it there but I had NO idea they could reach it! And so yesterday morning I found holes in one of the plastic bags that is not moved so they can't reach any!

They seem to be pooping, eating and drinking normally but I'm just worried, what should I do?

Thanks and I know it was a pain to read all of this

 

[Freela]

My pigs have eaten plastic bags on a couple of occasions (generally, what happened was the kids left the hay bag too close to the cage.) The risk is that it could potentially cause bowel impaction, so watch to make sure they are eating/pooping normally for the next couple of days. That said, I think the risk is pretty low. Linney once ate a gigantic section of plastic hay bag before we caught her at it, and she was absolutely fine.

 

[Gizi]

My pigs have eaten plastic bags on a couple of occasions (generally, what happened was the kids left the hay bag too close to the cage.) The risk is that it could potentially cause bowel impaction, so watch to make sure they are eating/pooping normally for the next couple of days. That said, I think the risk is pretty low. Linney once ate a gigantic section of plastic hay bag before we caught her at it, and she was absolutely fine.

Like I said they are eating and pooping normal just worried they might get a bloat or something. I have weighed them although It's not the usual time I weight them so that might be why that gained ALOT! They both gained at least 60 to 70 grams from last week and only one of them is actually still a baby pig

 

[piglet_and_rogers_mama]

Just keep an eye out, but I wouldn't worry too much unless their behavior changes. Mine have gotten the odd piece of plastic occasionally (usually like Freela said because the food or hay bags get too close!) and they haven't had any problems.

 

[Lilly]

One of my boys (don't know which one) chewed a hole through a fabric hidey and got at the foam that was used to hold the hidey upright. There was quite a bit of foam missing so I did worry. But I just kept a watch and as they continued to eat, drink, wee & poop as usual it seems no harm came to the foam nibbler. That was well over a year ago. So as others have said, I shouldn't worry unless you see a change in them. Of course, to set your mind at ease, you could always have the vet x-ray them.

 

[karenben]

My piggies like nibbling on the corex used in their cage but have had no ill effects.