Cavy Pellet Analysis

Peter

Post   » Wed Feb 19, 2003 9:25 pm


Does anyone know anything about Cavylets made by Nutritional Research? As far as I know there is no corn, but it is an alfalfa based pellet. I'm pretty sure I have the information about it saved on my computer somewhere, but it's all in a different language to me. I was thinking of switching over but didn't know much about it. What I've heard has been good things, though.

Josephine
Little Jo Wheek

Post   » Wed Feb 19, 2003 9:43 pm


Print the ingredients and we'll see...

I couldn't find a web site.

Peter

Post   » Wed Feb 19, 2003 10:30 pm


I actually don't think they have a website. Someone online took a picture of the label for me, and I'm just typing up the lable. I zoomed in to better read it, it got a little blurry so I might make a typo or two but I'll do my best not to make any.

Ingredients:
alfalfa meal, wheat middlings, wheat bran, soybean oil meal, dried molasses supplement, oats, spray dried lignin sulfonate, corn distillers dried grains with solubles, linseed meal, wheat germ meal, brewers dried yeast, saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast, whole dried whey, DL-methinonine, soybean oil, carotene from carrot oil, monocalcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate, salt, magnesium oxide, manganese sulfate, iron sulfate, iron oxide, copper sulfate, zinc oxide, calcium iodate, cobalt carbonate, sodium selenite, choline chloride, ascorbic acid, vitamin A acetate, D-activated animal sterol, DL-alpha tocopheryl acetate, menadione sodium bisulfate complex, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin supplement, niacin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, calcium pantothenate, vitamin B-12 supplement, inositol, folic acid, biotin supplement, yucca schidigera extract, bacillus subtilis fermentation product, bacillus licheniformis fermentation product, silicon dioxide, sodium sulfate, verxite, calcium propionate, and flavor.

Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude protein: not less than 20%
Crude fat: not less than 4%
Crude fiber: not more than 15%

This is the first time I really took the time to read the ingredients. It seems like there's more in it than Oxbow or Mazuri, which makes me wonder. I don't know if all that "extra" stuff is good or crap. I've talked to some breeders who use it and they say their animals looked nice on it, and I want a feed that makes them look nice but I don't want one that will compromise their health for it.

Josephine
Little Jo Wheek

Post   » Thu Feb 20, 2003 6:25 pm


Here are what worries me:

spray dried lignin sulfonate, corn distillers dried grains with solubles, D-activated animal sterol (ANIMAL PRODUCT), wheat bran (pretty sure is a filler left over from human products--not nutrient value), soybean oil meal, soybean oil, flavor, bacillus subtilis fermentation product, bacillus licheniformis fermentation product

Too much filler and low-quality products. What exactly is flavor? Couldn't find an AAFCO definition. Too many oils and animal product. Seems like a traditional animal food (filled with the stuff no one could use in human products). Too high in protein and fat (IMO). Definitely not for maintenance in older pigs. About as good (or worse) than Kaytee. The fiber is high due to the amount of fillers (good or bad), but is still not high enough to be desirable. Over 20% fiber is much better. Sawdust is considered high fiber, too.

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aj_trouble
Gave a Guinea!!

Post   » Thu Feb 20, 2003 6:40 pm


I've not come across any of those GP food's in the UK.

The best you can get here is Burgess Supa Guinea Excel.

However it does contain unmolassed Beet pulp, which I note is not recommended.

Ingredients:
Wheat, Lucerne meal, Cokked Non GMO Soya Beans, Peas, Oat Hulls, Unmolassed Beet Pulp, Brewers Yeast, Soya Oil, Dicalcium Sulphate, Calcium Carbonate, Fructo-oligosaccharides.

Contains no added colours or preservatives - vitamins guaranteed until best before date.

Contains no coccidiostat.

Nutritional Analysis

Protein 17%
Fibre 15%
Oil 4%
Ash 6.5%
Calcium 0.8%
Phosphorous 0.5%
Vitamin A 22,000 iu/kg
Vitamin D3 1,250 iu/kg
Vitamin E 100 iu/kg
Vitamin C 800 mg/kg
Copper as cupric sulphate 15 mg/kg

It also states on the bag that this food should fed along side a good quality long fibre such as Supa Forage Excel and succulent vegetables such as beetroot and broccoli.

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aj_trouble
Gave a Guinea!!

Post   » Thu Feb 20, 2003 6:52 pm


The Animal Welfare Foundation states that some rabbit foods, contain an anti-coccidiostat (a form of medication) which is toxic to guinea pigs. Which is why the above food does not contain any!

Josephine
Little Jo Wheek

Post   » Thu Feb 20, 2003 8:57 pm


I'm not so sure the wheat basis is great, either. It is not very high in fiber, high in oil, nutrient devoid byproducts (the oat hulls), and of course the beet pulp. Certainly there are better choices, even in the UK?

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aj_trouble
Gave a Guinea!!

Post   » Thu Feb 20, 2003 9:02 pm


We really are the poor relations when it comes to GP products.

I'll look around and let you know though, Gerty Guinea Pig food is the one I see the most in Pet Stores.

Supa Guinea is recommended by my Vet (where I buy it from).

Peter

Post   » Thu Feb 20, 2003 9:33 pm


Thanks, Josephine. I think I'll just stick with the Mazuri for now. I wish Proform or Oxbow was sold here cheap...

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cindy29

Post   » Thu Feb 20, 2003 10:37 pm


two pet stores in my town are carrying Oxbow now!
Yeah!!

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sylvieL

Post   » Fri Feb 21, 2003 6:39 am


I have found in my local feed store a pellet that's 100% alfafa. Period. Thoughts ?
I'd think all the added vitamins would not be needed if I give veggies and vit C daily, and at least there isn't all the by product crap ... so I'd tend to think it's OK ... but then what do I know ?!

Evangeline

Post   » Fri Feb 21, 2003 7:22 pm


Impossible. Just alfalfa wouldn't stick together. They have to use a binder. Have you called the cpmpany and requested a complete ingredient list?

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