I changed my guinea pigs' food...?

Question

I did so gradually but he seems to be eating like crazy now... I know what pig doesn't? But at the same time he also seems depressed, I mean he doesn't "talk" much anymore and when I picked him up today he had like crusty p**p on his bottom - I know it sounds gross, sorry. I saw no evidence of diarreah in his cage but he's always been very clean so whats with the dirty butt? Is there anything I should do... I mean a trip to the vet would have to be more than whats going on right? He is chewing a little different - but I think its because hes not totally used to all the goodies in this food (dried corn, sunflower seeds, etc.) Hes not having trouble eating but just is chewing each piece longer than what I remember when he only got plain pellets. I still keep a steady supply of timothy and he is eating that fine too, and his daily salad of whatever veggies we have and drinking normal...

Okay to get the point... should I stop this food from what youve heard above, or ride it out and if I notice diarreah in the cage not just on his bottom quit it then, or just take him to the vet, which of coarse who can afford that but if I gotta I gotta? Any suggestions on what to do would be great. Thanks.

Answer 1

Maybe you could try changing his food and see if he eats it more normally.  Also, the reason he might be eating slower is because his teeth are developing.  When guinea pig teeth are growing it may hurt them a bit, causing them to eat their food slower.  The only reason he has crusty p**p on his butt is because he has been sitting in it and has dried up.  I've had many guinea pigs in my life so I know a lot about them.  There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with your guinea pig, these things are all normal.  

Answer 2

Ditto Einy and Kate. Those "goodies" are really bad for guinea pigs.

He is having trouble eating it because guinea pigs cannot naturally digest that junk. They can also choke on them.

http://www.guinealynx.info/diet.html

Answer 3

he might have diahreea

Answer 4

if u want to change the things food don't change all of a sudden give it a little of da new food at a time and work ur way to giving it all of da

new food!

hope i help!

Answer 5

Stop feeding the food and begin feeding him a decent quality food as soon as possible. No decent guinea pig food has 'goodies'. A decent feed never has any colored bits, dried corn, sunflower seeds, or anything of that nature. He's going to chew it differently because guinea pigs are not made to chew that type of stuff. He needs to be put on a decent diet, such as Oxbow. They're the best, but any normal pellet with no oddly colored bits or 'goodies' is better than what you're feeding now. Still, I recommend checking out http://www.oxbowhay.com

Answer 6

Eeny and Katie C are both right on.  Oxbow products are easier to find at local pet stores as opposed to chains, and they may even special order it if you don't have it.

Answer 7

Eeny has it right. No "goodies" should be in the food. The piggies pick them out and dont eat the pellets.

Change the piggies to a pellet such as oxbow. If you cant find oxbow, look for a pellet that is similar to the ingredients in oxbow.