Readi Grass Product Review for Guinea Pigs
Like 3 Dislike 0 Published on 5 Feb 2013
My review on Readi Grass and similar dried grass products - they are great to feed guinea pigs as a treat, don't take their normal good quality hay away from them though! I also rant about the mouldy hay I bought from my local pet shop!
Dried grass is different to hay because it is grown then cut short then dried quickly - the drying process removes all fungal spores and parasites which may be present in hay. Hay is left to grow long before being cut and dried slowly, it is the long fibers which are very good for guinea pig's digestion and for wearing down their teeth.
You can feed dried grass...
* As a great healthy treat your piggies/bunnies will enjoy instead of sugary high fat treats often available in pet shops. Please don't buy these unhealthy products - they may be attractive to us as customers in a pet store, and our pets may enjoy them, but only because they are junk food!
* When fresh grass is no available like in winter.
* To sick piggies who need to eat when they might not feel like it. They may eat dried grass even when they refuse to eat hay or pellets - the high fiber content will help to keep their digestive systems going.
Some concerns associated with dried grass products:
* Too much calcium - the 2:1 Ca:P ratio is slightly higher than recommended (but fine for young piggies, hence why it says developing skeletons on the pack), though in my opinion this is fine as long as they don't have an unlimited supply of readi grass. If you are worried keep an eye on their urine for white deposits and if they are gritty to the touch you might want to consider lowering the calcium in your pigs diet to avoid bladder stones. Links for more information on calcium and the Ca:P ratio:
Veg and the Ca:P ratio explained: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?37030-Feeding-your-Guinea-Pigs-A-Balanced-Diet-%28incl-Ca-P-Ratio%29
Bladder stones: http://www.guinealynx.info/stones.html
Calcium and hay: http://www.guinealynx.info/hay_calcium.html
* Bloat - just like feeding too much grass too soon in spring, dried grass products may bring with them a risk of bloat. If you are concerned or think you have a piggie sensitive to bloat, introduce the grass slowly.
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