Thank you biscandmatt1,
Your post is very much appreciated.
What leafy greens would you advise on?
When you say dried herbs is this preferable to normal non-dried herbs? Do you know where i could find a list off herbs and natural plants piggies can eat.
Also would you reccomend wagg or excel pellet wise?
fresh herbs and dried herbs. fresh would count as leafy greens.
i'll list everything my two have!
hay
grass
fresh water of course
leafy greens - 4-5 different variety a day (two from the 'high' range and two from the 'low' range - something to do with the calcium to phosphous rate!). i feed one high and one low food in the morning and the same again at night. if i feed three at one meal, i do one high and two low. i feed a side plate size between them both twice a day, although with leafy greens the vet said they can have more than that once they're used to them etc. aslong as you keep switching them around they should have a nice variety and in moderation aswell.
high
parsley
basil
savoy cabbage
tenderheart cabbage
spring greens
pak choi
curly kale
spinach
rocket
wild rocket
low
coriander
thyme
romaine lettuce
hearts of romaine lettuce
little gem lettuce
curly lettuce
trio leaf lettuce (lollo rosso, biondo, red oak leaf)
asda leafy rocket salad (rocket, virgil victoire, apollo, saigon)
asda tender leaf salad (baby coral lettuce, endive, chard)
watercress
red chard
i'm careful with anything gassy though, and feed that less than the others.
it did take a while to introduce all those leafy greens though and slowly to make sure they were ok with each one etc etc...
ches and maisie also had trouble with their tummies with cauli leaves so they don't have those. i know people feed a handful of readigrass/dried grass aswell if they can't get fresh grass but ches and maisie also had problems with that aswell so i personally don't feed them any. depends on the piggies i guess.
they also have dried herbs, usually a small amount, just a sprinkling in the hay to forage for. they enjoy that. i get them from the hayexperts, galens garden and/or pampered piggies.
you can also feed more natural foods like dandelion leaves, apple sticks and leaves (the vet told me today though not so much of those) and other natural things every so often.
this is for two healthy adult piggies though but it may need tweaking for younger piggies, ill piggies, etc.
pellet wise, i feed oxbow cavy cuisine, about an eggcup full at night. today at the vets though i was told to get rid of the pellets altogether now that i have the rest of the diet right. so we will be doing that at some point i think. it's one of those things that some people are for and some against, the same as not including any 'usual' veggies like peppers, cucumber, etc. everyone does things differently and i've just gone with the vets advice for my two piggies who he knows and has examined and advised for their particular needs.
there is a list of safe piggy foods on the piggy forum i think.