[Gpdd] Care: Piggy Snacks

[Algernon07 at aol.com]

Hi Chastity,
       You'll probably get a lot of email on foods with which to supplement 
you new little guy's diet. GPs cannot manufacture their own vit. C (neither can 
we so if we don't get it from outside sources we get scurvy -- not common 
these days, of course).
       Iceberg lettuce is pretty much a no-no -- no nutrituion value, high 
water content. But occasionally a leaf doesn't hurt and the water content can 
come in handy while traveling with pig. The other lettuces such as romaine, 
endive, etc. are much better suited as are certain other greens -- parsley, 
cilantro, etc. Green pipper slices are an excellent vitamin source and most love 
them. Cantaloupe -- rinse outside before cutting -- they enjoy the rind as well 
as a bit of the melon. Ditto water mellon rinds. A grape or two, a slice of 
banana (I have never had my GPs get diarrhea from fresh fruits buit I suppose its 
possible to over do on some. By the way, my don't get all these things daily 
-- romaine or a similar lettuce --yes!! Daily. They love carrots but don't 
over do. 
       My piggies and I "snack" together. I open a grape, hold it between 
cage bars and a happy guinea big takes it -- after passing out 4 such grapes (4 
piggies) then I get a few and we start again. (I've been doing much beter on 
fruits and veggies since my piggies have come into my life.)
       When dandelions are in season -- as long as you do NOT use chemicals 
on your lawn or harvest them along the side of a road where there's a lot of 
car exhaust, they a a GP favorite. They love the leaves and most love the 
flowers and stems, too.
       Agian -- if there are no chemicals on your lawn, handsful of fresh 
grass.
       Oh -- no "white" veggies -- such as potatoes, lima beans (I know they 
aren't white) and no rhubarb. Toxic to pigs.
       An ear of corn -- strip off the outside husk (not not all the husk -- 
leave the cleaner inner husk -- break off the brown part of the tassle and 
rinse well to get pesticides off. Corn on the cob itself (with husk and silk) is 
a very occasional treat (but my guys love it) but the clean inner husks and 
corn silk are always fine. Slice off the top of a strawberry or 2 or three -- 
fruit and green stem. Many guinea pigs like straberries and blueberies.
       Excuse typos  :) -- and enjoy the new companion.
       By the way -- it sounds like you've already got a great set-p for Eddy 
-- even room to play! That's so important.

All best,
Alge