I have two Guinea Pigs - I have a question?? Can I feed them lettuce??

Question

I have been told that it is bad for them because lettuce contains laudenam - but on reading other information it seems that it is ok to feed lettuce to Guinea Pigs - any thoughts please????

Answer 1

Diet
A guinea pig can be a fussy little creature, expect likes and dislikes, and a bit like some of us, they don't like change!
Staple guinea pig mix from your pet store is the basic diet, but even here beware! - best choose a guinea pig mix that prevents selective feeding, i.e. they choose those bits they like and leave the bits they don't. The consequences of this is that they may lack a balanced diet and can be prone to illnesses as a result!

Next we come to fruit and veg - and here little often is better than too much which can cause diarrhoea. Guinea pigs need fresh fruit and veg, and are partial to green leafs.
A Vitamin C supplement in their drinking water is recommended, but read the instructions so not to over-dose!

Try beetroot (not pickled), carrot, broccoli, celery, cauliflower leafs, cabbage, but lettuce only very occasionally if at all, as it is associated with colic.
Offer orange, apple, grapes but not the whole fruit, cut or slice and make this a treat rather than constantly available.

Answer 2

I breed and showed guinea pigs when i was a teenager.
I did feed them lettuce but only a very small amount, about a leaf between 5. its true that reports say it contains laudenam and can be bad for them as too much can give them upset stomach
if in any doubt do not feed, there is many other stuff that's good for them mine loved dandy lion leaves if your close to the country and cabbage leafs ..hope that helps

Answer 3

You can give your guinea pigs fruit and veggies, but the best treat you can give them is a piece of orange everyday. Guinea Pigs don't have the ability to produce vitamin C in their bodies, so we have to help them out. You could also give them bits of carrot, apple, lettuce, zucchini.... just watch how much you give them of these things as they can cause the runs. oranges are the important ones. Especially if you aren't using vitamin C drops in their water every day.
Good Luck
and no, lettuce does not contain laudanum
just a LOT of water

Answer 4

I feed my guinea pig lettuce but he prefers carrot to anything else

Answer 5

I've had Guinea pigs, and they both loved lettuce, they lived a good long life, too.

Answer 6

I had two guinea pigs when I was younger. I fed them lettuce all the time with no problems. They lived long and healthy lives. They also like baggage and carrots.

Answer 7

Lettuce give guinea pigs gas and diarrhea. That can make them weak and sick so no you should really not feed them lettuce. I never feed mine lettuce. I do feed them carrots, apples, watermelon without seeds, oranges, grapes, and raisins. Never give them any fruit or veggies that have seeds, that too will make them sick. Good Luck!

Answer 8

No, lettuce is no good for guinea pigs has it has no nutritional value in it and can cause diarrhoea. I found out a couple of years ago when i first started keeping them.

Answer 9

I know rabbits can not digest lettuce, put guinea pig into the computer and there is lots of imformation, as for bedding never us cotton wall this will kill them, as they eat it and raps around the intestine

Answer 10

i give my guinea pigs small amount of lettuce everyday.. they seem fine.. jz be careful to not give too much.. but ive been giving my guinea pigs lettuce for a month now and they seem ok :)