Unlike a lot of animals, however much like people, guinea pigs can’t manufacture vitamin C by themselves and need to have additional vitamin C in their diet. Many high-quality guinea pig pellets have vitamin C included, but guinea pigs also like a range in their diet.
Vegetables
Guinea pigs are vegetarians who feed primarily on yards in the wild. In captivity, however, they’ll enjoy fresh veggies given as deals with daily. The vegetables with the highest amounts of vitamin C consist of dark, leafy greens, bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower and specific squashes. Broccoli, brussels sprouts and cabbage have the tendency to produce a gassy guinea pig, so limit these to once each week rather of daily or frequently. Squash, red and green bell peppers and zucchini are acceptable sources of vitamin C on a daily basis.
Fruits
Fruits are an exceptional source of vitamin C for humans and guinea pigs alike. While the vitamin C is high, nevertheless, so is the sugar. Fruits should be a frequent treat in small amounts, but too much can lead to problems, such as obesity, too much acid or high blood sugar levels. Strawberries, orange peel, mango and kiwi are all exceptional sources of vitamin C. Kiwi and mango are extremely high in sugar, nevertheless, and ought to be fed sparingly, such as when each week.
Pellets
When shopping for guinea pig food, search for a pellet formula that has included vitamin C. Lots of food producers now add this vitamin to their solutions for enhanced guinea pig health. The pellets should also be the base of your pig’s diet, so the added vitamin C can go a long way.
How Much Food?
Your pig ought to eat around 1/8 to 1/4 cup of pellets per day divided into a morning and evening feeding. When feeding veggies, try to provide your pig three portions every day of various, healthy veggies. Examples of servings consist of one floret and stem of broccoli, 2 inches of celery, six large dandelions with greens or one slice of green or red bell pepper. Fruits ought to be served more sparingly, about once or twice weekly. Provide around 1 cubic inch of fruit in a serving.
Vitamin C Supplements
Guinea pigs are unique among other little mammals in their dietary requirements, because they require Vitamin C. Like human beings, they are missing out on an enzyme that is required for the body to make Vitamin C. Therefore, they need additional Vitamin C in their diet.
Vitamin C Deficiency
Signs of a Vitamin C shortage in guinea pigs can develop rather rapidly (within weeks) if they are being fed a lacking diet. These signs include:
- Loss of appetite
- Depression
- Ruffled fur
- Weight loss
- Swollen and painful joints and ribs; lameness
- Poor bone and teeth advancement and a painful mouth
- Nasal discharge
- Bleeding gums and hemorrhages under the skin and into the joints
- Infections
If identified prior to the guinea pig ends up being too ill, the Vitamin C deficiency can be corrected and the guinea pig will recover, although Vitamin C injections and force feeding may be necessary if the guinea pig has a reduced appetite. Vitamin C injections are frequently essential for any ill guinea pig, given that it will generally eat less and therefore not take in enough Vitamin C.
