Acerola?

House MD · Jul 3, 2009

Hi, forumers! I'm new here.

I have a question:

I have been reading about Guinea Pig nutrition a lot in the last few days since I bought Pluton (my male piggy).

Since this is my first Guinea Pig, I don't know a whole lot about them.

The one thing I have seen on all websites that give advice about their nutrition is a consensus that Piggies usually don't get enough vitamin C in their diet.

So, I was wandering, could you please tell me your opinion on adding acerola to Pluton's daily diet?

sophiew (EAGPR) · Jul 3, 2009

Hi and welcome to the forum!

As long as guineas are getting a good and varied diet with lots of daily veg (see the shopping list at the top of this section for ideas, including which are high in vit C) there is no need for any supplements. It's true that guineas can't make their own vitamin C like other animals, but I've only ever seen one case of Vit C deficiency in the hundreds of pigs that have come through here and that was a case of real neglect and lack of nutrition.

Peppers are rich in Vit c and I think a quarter of a pepper is enough Vit C for the day for one piggy... so it's not hard to get enough in to them. Also avoid supplements that go in drinking water, as it's important guineas have fresh water and supplements can put them off drinking.

Sophie
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sophiew (EAGPR) · Jul 3, 2009

Just to add, here's the list:

http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=42

And Acerola is on it, so is safe to feed but it would be worth trying to feed a variety of things

Sophie
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House MD · Jul 3, 2009

Thanks for the answer and the link!

I'll take your advice on trying variety.

lindsecm · Jul 3, 2009

Most guinea pig pellets have Vitamin C in it (like Cavy Cuisine).

House MD · Jul 3, 2009

Yes, but vitamin C is very perishable, especially when exposed to the daylight.

So, there is a big difference in vitamin C amount between newly bought products and those few days and few weeks old.

pelicano · Jul 3, 2009

I know you're not from the UK, but I thought you might be interested to see that Galens Garden sell Acerola extract for guinea pigs:

http://www.galensgarden.co.uk/shop/products.php?cat=8

House MD · Jul 3, 2009

I guess acerola is more popular than I imagined.

Great!

lindsecm · Jul 3, 2009

House MD said:
Yes, but vitamin C is very perishable, especially when exposed to the daylight.

So, there is a big difference in vitamin C amount between newly bought products and those few days and few weeks old.

That is why Cavy Cuisine is in maroon bags to keep the light out.

I am not exactly sure what the shelf life is (my vet claims 3 month, but I don't know that I believe its that long), but I don't have to worry about it because a 10lb bag doesn't last more than a month in my house!