Emergency! How many vitamin C or vitamin C drop for guniea pigs?

[Xiaoxiao]

Hello, guys. I recently took one of my guniea pig to the pet hospital to see the URI issue. I usually give him vitamin drop into his water bottle. I add 6-7 drops daily. Also, I give him two vitamin C cookies which are natural science mixed. I am curious how many vitamin C for him? Should I add if he is ill right now? If so, how many vitamin C drop for adult guniea pigs and how many for senior guniea pigs? Is there a difference between the age? Thank you guys so much for help!

 

[Betsy]

I have never given my piggies any vitamin C drops or Cookies. I just give them a good mix of veggies and loads of hay.

 

[Reenie]

If they're getting a balanced diet there's no need for drops as @Betsy says. They get as much as they need from their hay, veg, and pellets. It can actually make them drink less if they're not keen on the taste, so no need to worry.

 

[DMS260820]

Red bell pepper, green bell pepper, coriandor all good vit c veg without worrying about high calcium levels

 

[Xiaoxiao]

I have never given my piggies any vitamin C drops or Cookies. I just give them a good mix of veggies and loads of hay.

But they cannot produce vitamin C by their own. How could you mix vaggies and loads of hay?

 

[Xiaoxiao]

Sorry about the late response everyone. I did not see the notice yesterday .

 

[Xiaoxiao]

If they're getting a balanced diet there's no need for drops as @Betsy says. They get as much as they need from their hay, veg, and pellets. It can actually make them drink less if they're not keen on the taste, so no need to worry.

Can a mix of vaggies, and pellet, and hay make them produce vitamin C?

 

[Xiaoxiao]

Do I give them too much vitamin C?

 

[Betsy]

A good mix of veggies and hay has vitamin C in them so they don't "Produce" vitamin C it's just in the veg and hay.

 

[Xiaoxiao]

A good mix of veggies and hay has vitamin C in them so they don't "Produce" vitamin C it's just in the veg and hay.

But giving them 6-7 drops and two tablets daily is too much or ?

 

[Betsy]

I have never given mine vitamin drops or Vit C tablets just a mixture of veg, hay and good quality pellets as mentioned before.

 

[DMS260820]

But giving them 6-7 drops and two tablets daily is too much or ?

Don't know if I'm missing a reply or not, but there is no need to give vitamic c drops, unless you have a sick guinea pig that won't or cannot eat properly or at all. It's all there fresh in the veg and is also in good pellet brands

 

[DMS260820]

HIGH Vitamin C foods

Guinea pig pellets (no dry mixes/mueslis) with stabilized vitamin C:
- alfalfa based for youngsters up to max. 4 months, pregnant & nursing sows, slim or sick pigs;
- timothy based for healthy, grown, chubby pigs

- Parsley - curly or plain (high in calcium)
- Coriander / Cilantro / Chinese Parsley
- Celery leaves

- Collard greens
- Mustard greens / Leaf Mustard
- Water Cress
- Garden Cress
- Swiss Chard, Red Chard
- Beet greens
- Spinach (feed in moderation, linked to formation of kidney & bladder stones)
- Carrot tops / leaves
- Mangetout snow peas, pea Shoots (not dried)

- Dandelion greens
- Grass - wheat, winter rye (grown in pots from seed)

- Kale and Cavolo Nero - curly or plain
- Broccoli, Broccolini (stems are liked better than flowers)
- Broccoli Rabe / Rabe / Rapini
- Cauliflower / Broccoflower
- Brussels Sprouts
- Savoy, white/green and red Cabbage
- Kohlrabi leaves

- Bell or Sweet Peppers - any colour (not hot or chile)

All fruit (inlcuding tomato) counting together no more than once or twice a week to prevent potentially fatal lip sores (cheilitis) caused by the acidity in these foods.
- Tomato (greens are poisonous)
- Tamarillo (leaves poisonous)
- Orange
- Tangerine / Mandarin
- Grapefruit
- Lemon, Lime (home-grown best, otherwise feed cautiously)
- Currants - yellow, red or black (leaves also edible)
- Gooseberries
- Strawberries
- Kiwi Fruit
- Mango
- Guava
- Feijoa / Pineapple Guava
- Papaya / Paw Paw / Tree Melon
- Persimmon - american or oriental
- Rosehip

- Cantaloupe and Honeydew melon (don't come under the fruit rule)

 

[DMS260820]

Do avoid high calcium veg everyday, can cause bladder issues

 

[Reenie]

Can a mix of vaggies, and pellet, and hay make them produce vitamin C?

No, piggies are like humans, they can't produce their own - the veg, hay and pellets all contain vitamin C in varying amounts, so they get enough from that. Peppers and leafy greens are especially good sources of vitamin C, and pellets have it added. Hay also contains a small amount.

 

[DMS260820]

I didn't know that hay had any vit c. I learnt something new from this thread

 

[Reenie]

It's fairly negligible @SkyPipDotBernie .

 

[Xiaoxiao]

Me too! Thank you so much!

 

[Xiaoxiao]

It's fairly negligible @SkyPipDotBernie .

It's fairly negligible @SkyPipDotBernie .

Sorry about the late response. So I usually give them carrots and pellets and Hays and water which adds vitamin drops for a day. Is it a good diet?

 

[Xiaoxiao]

Because last time I had a piggie who dies from the dehydration. But they don’t drink water that much. Is it high vitamin C?

 

[Xiaoxiao]

In the other word, is the vitamin C having too much vitamin C inside water?

 

[Swissgreys]

If they eat a balanced diet they do not need extra Vitamin C or Vitamin C drops.
Definitely do not put Vitamin C drops in their water as this might put them off drinking it if they don't like the taste.
Please read this thread to see what a balanced guinea pig diet looks like:

Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

 

[Reenie]

there is a good example of a good diet if you go onto the forum tab at the top of the page. I wouldn't give carrots every day, try to have a good mix of veggies.