Nutritional Features of Specific Ingredients

Alfalfa (pellet, stalk)

Alfalfa is naturally rich in fibre (cellulose and lignified fibre), protein (essential amino acids such as lysine, threonine, tryptophan), b-carotene (pro-vitamin A) and vitamin E, calcium and linoleic acid. Alfalfa also contains some fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS), reported to promote numbers of beneficial bacteria within the gut.  Both alfalfa pellets and stalk are used in Gerty.  The stalks are particularly useful as not only do they maintain a longer eating period keeping the animal occupied for longer, but also they may aid the appropriate wear of the teeth, helping to prevent dental overgrowth.

Extrusions

There are three disc-shaped extrusions in Gerty.  The red discs and green discs are wheat extrusions, and contain predominantly wheat.  Wheat is rich in starch, phosphorus and contains moderate levels of protein.   These extrusions also contain oat feed (consisting of oat bran and some endosperm), which is a low energy ingredient and contains high levels of fibre and Vitamin E.  Both contain linseed oil (see linseed), a valuable source of the essential fatty acid linolenic acid, important in maintaining skin and coat condition.   The orange discs are also wheat extrusions.  However as well as containing oat feed, they contain wheat feed. Wheat feed is a good source of fibre, but and contains some short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS). The orange discs also contain soya oil (see later) a source of linoleic acid (another essential fatty acid), and a vitamin and mineral supplement that is tailor-made to suit the guinea pig.  Such supplements are essential to promote the optimal health and performance of the animal, and are added to balance the levels of nutrients in the finished product.    The supplement used for Gerty supplies both minerals and vitamins (of which Vitamin C holds particular importance to the guinea pig).

Field Beans (flaked)

Beans are a good source of protein and starch (which provides energy).  They are high in lysine, but relatively low in methionine and cysteine.   They contain low levels of fibre, but have a high phosphorus content. The rolling (cracking) process they used to produce flaked beans improves their digestibility.

Linseed (lozenges)

Although Linseed lozenges are the cake produced by pressing the meal remaining after linseed oil is extracted from its seed, they still have quite high oil levels.  The oil is rich in essential polyunsaturated fatty acids e.g. linolenic acid (C18:3; w-3 fatty acids).  It is reported to give bloom to coats condition, and enhance immunity.  In addition it is relatively rich in phosphorus.

Gerty Guinea Pig

Product Analysis

Specific Ingredients Continued