Vitamin C and Guinea Pigs

Like humans, guinea pigs cannot make their own Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and must get in through their diet. Vitamin C is essential for many things in the body, especially collagen production.

​If a guinea pig doesn’t get enough Vitamin C, they will get the disease called Scurvy. Yes, this is the same disease sailors and pirates used to get. 

Symptoms of Scurvy include lethargy, weakness, difficulty moving, painful or stiff joints, anorexia and weight loss, diarrhea, discharge from the eyes and/or nose, cough, or poor skin and fur condition. Vitamin C is water-soluble, so any excess will be excreted into the urine, so it is very hard to give your pig too much Vitamin C. We do NOT recommend using the Vitamin C drops the pet stores sell to put in the water, as Vitamin C degrades quickly in the light. Instead, we recommend supplementing Vitamin C with fruits and vegetables. Go to this website to determine which fruits and vegetables are the best to feed your pig: https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952750.
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As always, if you have any questions about your guinea pig, please call us, and we can help!