What do we have in common with guinea pigs? Like humans, these furry creatures need their daily dose of vitamin C! This means that in order to live long and healthy lives, guinea pig owners need to make sure that their pet’s diet is supplied with enough vitamin C.
Humans, guinea pigs, some fruit bats, and nonhuman primates are some of the few animals that can’t naturally produce the vitamin in their bodies, thanks to a certain type of protein that they lack. So, when guinea pigs (and humans!), don’t get enough vitamin C through their food, problems can arise. Hundreds of years ago, British sailors developed scurvy when they spent long months at sea without any access to fresh fruits. Your guinea pig can also develop scurvy if a vitamin deficiency is present in their diet. So, how can you tell if your furry pet is not getting his vitamins? Some common signs are:
- Weakness or not moving around
- Difficulty walking and stiff joints
- No appetite
- Deteriorating skin and hair coat
- Runny discharge from the nose or eyes
- Pain when you touch it
It’s pretty simple to avoid these problems for your pet guinea pig. All you have to do is make sure that its diet is fortified with plenty of vitamin C! The good news is that the vitamin is not difficult to find. Some excellent sources of vitamin C—for both guinea pigs and humans—include:
- Leafy greens
- Broccoli
- Kale
- Peas
- Tomatoes
- Oranges
As far as vitamin C is concerned, the general rule of thumb is that the darker green vegetables are better treats for your guinea pig. For example, romaine lettuce is generally more nutritious than its iceberg lettuce counterpart because the latter is almost pure water and doesn’t contain as many nutrients.
Before you start giving your guinea pig tons of foods with vitamin C, check the label on your pet food. Some guinea pig food pellets are fortified with the vitamin, but the quality and quantity of the vitamin C in the food depends on how long it’s been sitting on the shelf. As always, ask your veterinarian about the best way to make sure that your furry friend gets a healthy dose of vitamins!
