Kidney Stones Guinea Pig Diet

Alfalfa based pellets and hay contain higher concentrations of calcium and it has been suggested this may also contribute to urinary stone formation in guinea pigs.

Kidney stones guinea pig diet. Not all pellets are equal so aim to buy the ones that are not too high in calcium as this can lead to kidney and bladder stones. In this study we investigated the effect of adding 3 or 15 cellulose as a source of fiber into similar diet to asses the formation of kidney calculus. An easy way to check if your guinea pig has too much calcium in their diet is to watch out for milky white deposits in their urine. You cannot eliminate calcium because your pet needs it for his bones and teeth.

Luckily there s finally more research on the topic than ever before and plenty of options to help keep stones at bay. The majority of guinea pig bladder stones are calcium based calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate. Guinea pig bladder stones prevention is a whole lot easier than dealing with a formed stone. If the guinea pig is fed a high calcium diet its body becomes saturated with calcium and is more likely to form deposits in its urine.

Bladder or kidney stones bladder or less commonly kidney stones both cause enormous pain to guinea pigs and this can result in death if not treated. Feed your guinea pig a low or reduced calcium diet. 10 should come from dried guinea pig pellets. Other factors can contribute to stone formation for example infections inflammation and bleeding in the bladder very concentrated urine and stress.

Often the presentation of this pain can be confused with a urinary tract infection uti and a vet needs to establish if it is this or stones that is causing the pain possibly blood loss or more. Vitamin c is important in the diet of guinea pigs as they cannot produce their own however high levels should be avoided in guinea pigs prone to calcium oxalate stones. Calcium in a guinea pig s diet is the most common cause of kidney stones. Careful diet adjustments are key to preventing stones from forming but some guinea pigs will struggle despite our best efforts.

Our earlier report showed that diet rich in calcium and sodium fed to guinea pigs can be urolithogenic. By diagnosing treating and preventing urinary issues you can keep your guinea pig happy and healthy. Also due to their short stature their genitals are low to the ground and will often make contact with droppings and other harmful bacteria. Guinea pigs that develop urinary stones are more likely to be fed a diet high in overall percentage pellets low in percentage hay and less variety of vegetables and fruits.