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Patagonian Cavies

Discussion in 'General Zoo Discussion' started by Brittany28, 8 Apr 2016.

  1. Brittany28

    Brittany28 New Member

    Joined:
    8 Apr 2016
    Posts:
    1
    Location:
    Florida
    I was wondering if anyone takes care of Patagonian cavies and what diet you give them. It seems like the ones I take care of are not interested in any type of produce. We give them greens, rodent chow, leafeaters, and fruits and vegetables. We also give them plenty of browse and alfalfa. I was considering increasing their leafeaters because they always seem hungry and wait until the end of the night before they start chewing on their produce. We put up a camera to watch. During the day they refuse to eat produce and come at the fence chewing it wanting more leafeaters. I do not think that leafeaters are bad for them, but I was wondering if anyone else knew of other items that I could try to add to their diet.

    Thanks!
     
  2. Mr. Zootycoon

    Mr. Zootycoon Well-Known Member 5+ year member

    Joined:
    3 Jun 2015
    Posts:
    1,193
    Location:
    probably in a zoo
    I've worked with Patagonian cavies and we fed them guinea pig pellets,
    fruit (apples), vegetables (carrots) and common dandelion (when available).
    They always had a fresh supply of hay and water, and they also had
    some grass in their enclosure, but I'm not sure they actually ate that.

    As far as I know they did very well on this diet and they even bred.
     
  3. PAT

    PAT Well-Known Member 15+ year member

    Joined:
    16 Jan 2008
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    1,557
    Location:
    Victoria
    I can't recall whether it was David Attenborough or Gerald Durrell (shame on me) who said in an old interview that the only way that he could get maras to eat greens was by first feeding them uncooked pasta.
     
  4. Animalchap

    Animalchap Active Member

    Joined:
    11 May 2011
    Posts:
    33
    Location:
    Stoke-on-trent
    yes I used to keep them and bred regulalry - guinea pig food, and greens etc, can be quite fussy eaters.
    biggest problem we had was that you often don't know they are sick until late. Susceptible to Yersinia psuedo TB