When KMS failed I switched to Oxbow Garden Select. My pigs don't like it though. I can't say I blame them. It smells like oregano. I think they they use rosemary and sage; I'm not sure why. Maybe a year ago, I searched Amazon for another brand and found Selective Naturals, made in the UK. It's advertised as grain-free, although I'm not sure why grains are bad for pigs. It uses soy bean products primarily. My pigs love it, but my senior pig has been having issues with impaction. I'm not sure if the Selective Naturals might be to blame, but I want to try another brand. I am think of going back to the regular Oxbow Essentials, which I stopped using because I didn't like the ingredients list, and they smell very malty... maybe lots of molasses too.
Anyone have thoughts on the Oxbow Essentials, pig's distaste for Garden select or any other pellet recommendations? I wish Oxbow would drop what seems like a marketing gimmick with the strong herbal smell in the Garden Select. I think it puts pigs off.
I've also been using orchard grass due to the scarcity of timothy. My vet said that could be an issue with the impaction as well, so I am now buying bagged timothy in addition to orchard by the bale. It's not much fun paying $2+ per pound vs. $0.25.
And lastly, here is a question I even hate to ask, but here goes: The vet has recommended canned pumpkin, saying it's pure fiber, to help with the impaction. I can't see how cooked food could help with a pig's transit time. He's mentioned it twice now, and he is an exotics vet who is very knowledgeable and experienced. Any thoughts on this? My pigs will eat raw winter squash in small amounts, but I wouldn't expect it to be especially helpful to digestion, so I can't imagine that a cooked squash would advisable. I'd think it would have the opposite effect of impairing a pig's digestion.
Thoughts on Pellets
-
bpatters
- And got the T-shirt
Pumpkin is often recommended for pets and people as a source of fiber. I regularly give it to my dog to help with her loose stools. I don't think the cooking is detrimental to the fiber.
Senior males, particularly intact ones, often have problems with impaction, and I'm not sure fiber is going to help. How often are you cleaning him out?
Since KMS went under, Oxbow Essentials is about the best choice in the U.S. And a senior pig shouldn't be eating many pellets anyway -- no more than two tablespoons a day.
Senior males, particularly intact ones, often have problems with impaction, and I'm not sure fiber is going to help. How often are you cleaning him out?
Since KMS went under, Oxbow Essentials is about the best choice in the U.S. And a senior pig shouldn't be eating many pellets anyway -- no more than two tablespoons a day.
I've not been checking him myself lately. I guess I need to start. I've always been afraid of hurting him, and I haven't developed the technique, but I guess there is only one way to learn. The vet cleaned him yesterday, but I will never have him do it again. This seems to be the most knowledgeable and experienced vet I've been to, but he is a big guy and not gentle.
I also did not know older pigs should eat less pellets.
I also did not know older pigs should eat less pellets.
Pumpkin oddly can help with loose stools or constipation. I have used it for both cats and dogs. I have a pumpkin powder that I use for my cat with megacolon. Only ingredient is pumpkin. Baby food pumpkin was too expensive and I could not use the canned up fast enough for a cat. This is the product.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B32 ... =UTF8&th=1
I have no idea how much you could use for a pig though. My 14 lb cat gets 1/3 tsp twice a day. But if you ask the vet, maybe they could tell you. I have no idea if it would help with impaction in a pig though. As bpatters said, it is just what happens with intact senior males. My neutered male who was fairly old when he died, never impacted..
None of my exotics would touch the Oxbow Garden Select. I went back to the regular type. Small Pet Select is supposed to make good products. Have not tried it though.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B32 ... =UTF8&th=1
I have no idea how much you could use for a pig though. My 14 lb cat gets 1/3 tsp twice a day. But if you ask the vet, maybe they could tell you. I have no idea if it would help with impaction in a pig though. As bpatters said, it is just what happens with intact senior males. My neutered male who was fairly old when he died, never impacted..
None of my exotics would touch the Oxbow Garden Select. I went back to the regular type. Small Pet Select is supposed to make good products. Have not tried it though.
-
Lynx
- Resist!!!
It might be worthwhile rereading the impaction page. One tip has to do with how you hold him so you can tell if there is a current issue.
https://www.guinealynx.info/impaction.html
https://www.guinealynx.info/impaction.html
-
ItsaZoo
- Supporter in 2023
I use canned pumpkin for our little dog with digestion problems. When I open a can, it's more than I can use before it goes bad. So I divide it up into small containers and keep one in the refrigerator, then put the rest in the freezer.
As far as pellets, I feed Oxbow Essentials. I liked the herbal smell of the Garden Select, but my piggies didn't liked them. I tried mixing them but piggies have a good nose. They picked out the Essentials and left the Garden Select.
As far as pellets, I feed Oxbow Essentials. I liked the herbal smell of the Garden Select, but my piggies didn't liked them. I tried mixing them but piggies have a good nose. They picked out the Essentials and left the Garden Select.
SHOP AMAZON