Like people, guinea pigs are also unable to make vitamin C on their own. If they don't get enough with their diet, they can develop a deficiency and get sick; their requirement is equal to 20 mg / day for each kilo of body weight and up to 60 mg / day for each kilo of weight during pregnancy. There are several ways to supplement your little friend's diet with an adequate dose of vitamin C.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Get Vitamin C into your Diet
Step 1. Don't base your diet on hay and grass alone
Although Timothy, other types of hay, grass and alfalfa form the foundation of his diet, they are actually low in vitamin C; it is therefore necessary to add some types of supplements.
- Make sure your pet guinea pig has constant access to hay, no matter what kind of supplements you decide to give her.
- If she is pregnant, you can add alfalfa to provide more protein and calcium.
Step 2. Choose a specific pellet enriched with vitamin C
The premium quality one designed specifically for guinea pigs contains this valuable substance, which is added during the manufacturing process.
- Do not store food for more than a month, as vitamin C degrades over time; although under normal conditions it can last up to three months, it can disperse faster in a warm or humid environment.
- Give the pet food according to the instructions on the package; in general, the guinea pig should eat about 30 g of pellets per day, with the addition of hay and vegetables.
Step 3. Incorporate some leafy vegetables into your diet
Those with dark green leaves, such as savoy cabbage, parsley, kale, spinach, chicory, common flour and dandelion, are excellent sources of vitamin C; If you feed your little rodent dandelion or farinello, be careful not to harvest vegetables from soils that have been treated with pesticides, fertilizers, or herbicides.
Leafy vegetables should be the main vegetables that complement your diet; make sure he eats about 50g per day
Step 4. Treat fruit and other vegetables as delicious treats to give him occasionally
Peppers, guava, broccoli, cauliflower, strawberries, peas, tomatoes, and kiwifruit are all excellent sources of vitamin C for this rodent.
You can offer them these foods a few times a week; since fruit has a high sugar content, you should give it more sparingly
Step 5. Never give him toxic food
Common fruits and vegetables can harm the guinea pig and be dangerous to its health, in particular: cereals, wheat, nuts, corn, beans, onions, potatoes, beets, rhubarb and pickles. Pay attention to the amount of spinach you offer him; although they are a safe and healthy food for him, an overdose can provide too much calcium, with the consequent risk of stones. If your pet doesn't seem to be feeling well after eating a delicious treat, stop giving it.
Method 2 of 3: Administer Vitamin C Supplements
Step 1. Give her Vitamin C tablets made specifically for guinea pigs
These are supplements that are produced to be palatable to these rodents. Check the expiration date and avoid giving your pet expired ones, as they no longer contain enough active vitamin C at that point.
Step 2. Offer him vitamin C in tablet or liquid form in pediatric format
Be careful not to overdo the quantity. Domestic guinea pigs need a much lower dose than children and their requirement is only 20-25 mg per day. Although vitamin C does not stay in the body for very long, it is not recommended to give the small rodent too many foods rich in sugar or other additives that may be present in products made for babies.
- You can add the supplement to a leafy vegetable or other treats to encourage your pet to eat it.
- You can also give it in liquid form with a dropper or syringe, but get someone to help if the guinea pig resists.
- Do not give him the specific multivitamin supplements for adults; they probably contain other substances that are not needed by the domestic guinea pig and which could indeed be harmful in large quantities.
Step 3. Don't rely on vitamin C added to water
These supplements can alter the taste and cause the pet to not drink enough, resulting in dehydration that is added to hypovitaminosis. Additionally, vitamin C degrades rapidly when exposed to light and water; after eight hours its availability in a bottle of water may not exceed 20% of the amount originally added.
Method 3 of 3: Manage Vitamin C Deficiency
Step 1. Recognize the symptoms of a vitamin C deficiency in guinea pigs
An insufficient amount of this valuable substance can cause discomfort within two weeks. Typical signs are:
- Poor appetite and weight loss;
- Bleeding gums and tooth pain
- Stiffness of the joints;
- Nasal secretions
- Coarse coat;
- Propensity to infections and difficulty in healing wounds.
Step 2. Contact your vet
If you are concerned that your guinea pig is not getting adequate amounts of vitamin C or is showing symptoms of a vitamin C deficiency, make an appointment with your doctor. he is able to assess his health conditions.
Always consult your vet if you think she is pregnant. Often these animals have problems during childbirth, so medical supervision throughout the process is essential
Step 3. Use a dropper or syringe to administer vitamin C to the guinea pig if it is sick
When he feels unwell, even due to vitamin deficiency, he may be reluctant to take vitamin C-rich treats or supplements. using one of these two tools.
