Flavoring in Medicines for Guinea Pigs

Hi readers! Buffy here, and I have a story to share with you from earlier this week. As longtime readers know, I've been placed on a few medications by my vet for some health issues I've been facing, and the humans have had to hand-feed them to me every morning and night. One of these medicines is Tramadol, which is a pain-killer. Usually, I'm very enthusiastic about taking my medicines, and don't even want to let go of the plastic syringes when the humans are done because I'm pretty sure there still might be a tiny drop or two inside of them. However, after the humans got a refill of Tramadol, I started turning my nose up at the syringe:

Can you guess why I'm no longer interested?

What changed is the flavor of the medicine. Before, my Tramadol was blueberry-flavored, which I was a big fan of. However, they then switched to banana-flavored Tramadol for the refill, which I don't really care for at all! (Yes, I know I liked actual bananas. But banana flavoring is not the same!)

You see, there's a difference between mass-produced drugs made by manufacturers, and pharmaceutical compounding, where personalized medicines are prepared for patients using the specific ingredients and dosages needed. One way that compounded medicines can be customized is with flavoring; different animals like different flavors, and if you get it wrong, we won't want to take our medicine.

So if your piggy ever turns their nose up at their medicine, give it a sniff to figure out what flavor it is, and consider asking for another one on your next refill. I'm rather partial to blueberry myself!

Guinea Pig Report Cards

Hi there, readers! The humans have been traveling a lot this month. This means they haven't had as much time to go the store and find new foods and products for us to review, which means we've been posting a little less than usual.

There is something interesting we wanted to share with you, though. We were boarded at the vet's during the human's trip, and when they finally came back and picked us up, the vet gave the humans report cards on our behavior!

We did love the treats!

Lola could learn a thing or two about having a healthy appetite from us!

So just a warning to other guinea pigs out there-- If your humans board you at a good veterinarian, then they might be given a report card, so be in your best behavior. (At least while the vet is looking!)

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Sour Green Plums?

It's time for our first food review with Lola! Given that we're still in separate cages and haven't quite gotten the hang of getting along yet, I'm not sure how this will go down. But we'll see! (Let's hope we bite into the food and not each other!)

Today were reviewing sour green plums, which are also known as greengages. They are a type of plum which is often eaten by humans before they're ripe. Humans even like to dip them in salt. (Have I mentioned lately that humans are weird?) Guinea pigs should be given them plain, however--no salt for us. As with all plums, we can have these plums 1-2 times per week. And, of course, don't feed us the pit.

Can't wait to sink my teeth into one!

Yum, green plums!

Hey! You're hovering over them! No fair!

Haha! Broccoli just can't resist the opportunity to bother Lola! Now's my chance!

No, human! You should have just let him stay in Lola's cage! Don't bring him back yet! I'm still eating my fill!

Lola just sat in the corner, and Broccoli spent most of the time chasing her around and invading her cage. I guess that means the review falls to me, and I liked them! Sour green plums get 5/5 stars!

Getting Guinea Pigs to Try New Foods

Well, hello there readers. I recently had an interesting experience that I must share with you. Ever since moving to my new home, the humans have been trying to get me to eat new things. These new foods have included things called "cherry tomatoes" and "zucchini." (Perhaps you've heard of them? ) I have so far ignored the tomatoes, and pooped on the zucchini. Perhaps that sounds uncouth to you, but if I don't recognize something as food and it's in my cage, it's within my rights to poop on it.

The humans seemed displeased with how I was treating their gifts, and decided to punish me with another bonding attempt. Oh, great. More of Broccoli's annoying attempts to assert dominance. Didn't know you cared that much about zucchini, humans!

This time went a little differently, however. The humans put us all down on the floor around a blue plate with chunks of something called "green pepper." Sorry, that doesn't look like food, either.

What is this stuff?

Or does it? Broccoli and Buffy seem to be eating it. I'm just starting to get to know them, though, and I don't know if I trust their opinions yet. They do seem to really be enjoying it, though. Really enjoying it. If I just sit here and watch, it will all be gone soon. And why should I be left out of such enjoyment?! That's it, I'm trying this green pepper stuff out for myself!

Let me just try a little of this to see what all the fuss is about...

Not bad!

Quite good stuff, it turns out. So maybe I trust their opinion a little more now. Maybe I'll actually give tomatoes and zucchini a try if I see them eat it first. No promises, though.