Should guinea pigs eat cauliflower leaves daily instead of grass?

Hi. Please refer to the following link as this is a great article on feeding GPs and has a list of safe fruits and veggies. https://tricountyhumanesociety.org/pet-tips/critter-tips/139-proper-guinea-pig-diet Copied from link-Guinea Pig Diet Timothy Hay WebGrass Hay Grass hay is an important part of a guinea pig's diet and should always be available. It is good to give a variety of grass hay, as each type of hay provides a slightly different texture and fiber content. Alfalfa Hay - Only give to pregnant, nursing, or young guinea pigs under 6 months of age. Alfalfa hay is too rich for adult guinea pigs, and in excess can lead to health problems. Botanical Hay - This hay has a great variety of grass and dry flowers, which offers different flavors for guinea pigs to enjoy. Oat Hay - This is a good hay to throw in some variety as it is thicker and harder and helps keep teeth ground down a little. Orchard Grass - This hay has a softer texture, which is nice for bedding as well as food. Timothy Hay -This grass hay is a favorite for most guinea pigs and is the most available in stores. Pellets Stay away from "gourmet" pellets that include peanuts, seeds, colorful cereal, and other additives. Guinea pigs that are pregnant, nursing or under 6 months of age may receive unlimited alfalfa pellets. Guinea pigs 6 months and up should receive only 1/8 to ¼ cup of alfalfa pellets. Any more than that can lead to obesity and health problems, and is unnecessary when also fed hay and fresh fruits and vegetables. Timothy pellets are healthier than alfalfa pellets for guinea pigs 6 months and up because they have a lower fat and calcium content. It is best to purchase pellets in small quantities and store them in a dry, cool, dark place to preserve the potency of the vitamin C. Look for a pellet that uses stabilized vitamin C and has a "Best If Used By" date to ensure quality. The Tri-County Humane Society sells Timothy Pellets, Timothy Hay, Oat Hay, and Botanical Hay from the Oxbow Company, which is a premium brand for small animal diets. Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Guinea pigs should eat about 1 cup of vegetables each day. Fruit should be given once or twice a week, and limited to 1-2 tablespoons per 2 pounds of body weight. Remember to rinse all fruits and vegetables thoroughly. Most fresh fruits and vegetables have high water content, so your guinea pig may drink less water than expected. Do not feed wilted or spoiled food, and remove uneaten fruits and veggies daily. New foods must be introduced slowly to avoid digestive upsets. If you notice loose stools, you are feeding too much and you should cut out the fresh fruits, veggies and pellets, feeding only grass hay until the stool is formed again. Variety is the key to maintaining a healthy guinea pig! Vegetables Alfalfa, radish & clover sprout Basil Beet Greens (tops)* Brussel Sprouts Carrots Carrot Tops* Chard (red or green)* Cilantro Clover Cucumber Dandelion Greens (no pesticides)* Escarole Green Peppers Mint Parsley* Pea Pods (the flat edible kind)* Peppermint Leaves Radichio Radish Tops Raspberry Leaves Romaine Lettuce or Red/Green Leaf Lettuce Watercress* Wheat Grass (*)=Use no more than twice a week. Fruits Apple Blueberries Melon Orange (including peel) Papaya Pear Peach Pineapple Plum Raspberries Strawberries Tomato Do Not Feed Guinea Pigs the Following: Bananas (too sugary) Beans (causes bloating) Bok Choy (causes bloating) Broccoli (causes bloating) Cabbage (causes bloating) Cauliflower (causes bloating) Celery (strings dangerous, no nutrients) Collards (causes bloating) Commercial Treats (too sugary) Iceberg Lettuce (no nutritional value) Kale (toxic in excess) Grapes (toxic in excess, too sugary) Mustard greens (toxic in excess) Rabbit pellets (don't contain vitamin C) Raisins (toxic in excess, too sugary) Seeds in husks (can be a choking hazard) Spinach (toxic in excess)

Guinea pigs require plenty of fresh water, grass or hay, and pellets. They can have up to 1 cup of vegetables per day, but that doesn't mean they need that much. Romaine lettuce is fine in moderation. This site provides a list of cavy--safe foods and detailed dietary instructions. I hope this helps. http://www.happycavy.com/what-can-guinea-pigs-eat/

This article should clarify things for you: ( https://www.petcoach.co/article/the-best-way-to-care-for-and-feed-your-guinea-pig/ ) The diet should be mostly hay (Timothy) and only a very small amount of pellets and other foods. ( https://www.amazon.co.uk/Petlife-Oxbow-Western-Timothy-Small/dp/B000WFKF9O/ref=sr_1_3?crid=36258PZZT5VOO&keywords=oxbow+hay+timothy&qid=1557744772&s=gateway&sprefix=oxbow+hay%2Caps%2C773&sr=8-3 ) ( https://www.amazon.co.uk/Petlife-Cavy-Cuisine-Complete-Guinea/dp/B0017JFIDC/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=oxbow+pellets&qid=1557744806&s=gateway&sr=8-1 )

Fresh grass along with some green vegetables are a fine substitution for most small herbivore species like guinea pigs and rabbits, but any food change must be done gradually to avoid diarrhea. If you can get fresh grass year-round, this is a fine option, but make sure to stay away from legumes like alfalfa as this is too fattening for guinea pigs long-term and should only be used as a treat. Don't forget to add vitamin C either to the water or as a food supplement as this is required for pigs!

You should feed about one cup of fresh vegetables for each guinea pig every day. Leafy greens vegetables like romaine lettuce, spinach, kale or parsley are the best. Add carrots, baby tomatoes, zucchini and sweet potato a few times a week. Fresh vegetables provide them with a wide range of essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C.

Banana leaves is not the best option, you can give him fresh corn leaves for example, greens (kale, parsley, coriander, spinach), and you can of course vary with different types of hay. guinea pig nuggets should of course be provided as well.

It's OK for him to eat spinach everyday, but it should not be a major component of his diet, because it is too concentrated. The major component of his diet should be a high fiber pellet and high quality hay. Fruits and vegetables are also good to give on a daily basis, but they should not be the majority of the food he is eating. It's best to have variety, but if he has a few leaves of spinach each day, then I see no problem with that. I hope that helps and all is well with Mellow.