Guinea Pigs and Vitamin C – Cinema Veterinary Centre

Guinea pigs can be a great family pet. They are highly social creatures and like to have attention from their humans. They require very particular husbandry to keep them healthy. Guinea pigs should be fed a good source of grass hay, like timothy hay, as well as small amounts of pelleted food and fresh veggies and fruits. Most people do not realize that they also need to have a daily source of Vitamin C. Just like humans and other primates, guinea pigs can get scurvy if they do not have sufficient vitamin C. This is because, like humans, guinea pig bodies cannot synthesize Vitamin C on their own and must get it from their diet. With Vitamin C deficiency, guinea pigs can experience a rough hair coat or hairs that fall out easily, low appetite, delayed wound healing, and dental or joint pain or lameness. Adult guinea pigs should intake 20-25 mg per day of Vitamin C. There are commercially available Vitamin C treats or alternatively you can give fresh fruits and vegetables. Foods high in vitamin C and good choices for your guinea pig would include but are not limited to: Red bell peppers, kale, broccoli, guava, strawberries, mustard greens, or parsley. Cinema Veterinary Centre is located at 23460 Cinema Drive unit L in Valencia, (661) 253-9300.