Too much Vitamin C?

[Mo & Stubbins & Vani]

Hi!
How do I know if my piggies are getting too much Vitamin C?
As of right now, I am trying to slowly reintroduce veggies but am still giving them the Vitamin C supplement recommended by the vet. Their food has 250 mg of Vitamin C (per kg), and their supplement has 25 mg.
I feel a bit lost and am worried I am doing everything wrong.
Edit-
Their food and supplement are both Oxbow brand.

 

[squigpopwinchoc]

My vet has said guinea pigs cant actually ‘overdose’ on vitamin C- it’s so good for them. My guinea pigs get a dissolvable vitamin C tablet in their water as well as bell peppers. Hope this helps, not as educated at people who have been on here for ages so just see what they say aswell!

 

[Piggies&buns]

My vet has said guinea pigs cant actually ‘overdose’ on vitamin C- it’s so good for them. My guinea pigs get a dissolvable vitamin C tablet in their water as well as bell peppers. Hope this helps, not as educated at people who have been on here for ages so just see what they say aswell!

Too much vitamin c is bad for piggies and they can overdose on it. Excess Vit c is excreted in the urine, so short term, giving excess is simply waste as it simply comes straight back out. Long term overdoing of vit c can cause their bodies to become used to higher levels, which if that level then drops, even if the drop would still be within normal limits for any other piggy, it can cause scurvy.
A healthy piggy with a good balanced diet does not need vitamin c supplements. Vit c is present in hay and grass as well as vegetables and their limited amount of pellets. Its only recommended to supplement Vit c as a short term boost to the immune system in poorly piggies.

It is also not recommended to add anything into their drinking water. It can cause them to reduce their water intake as they can taste anything added into it (they have a lot more taste buds), i believe it also degrades in water rendering it pretty much pointless.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Given the issues you’ve had, I would speak to the vet before you change things. In reality, they are still getting Vit c in their hay and pellets anyway, but once you are able to get veg into them again, then they should be getting enough Vit c.
Which veggies are you trying first? It can be best to start with herbs as they are milder - coriander/cilantro is a good one and contains Vit c

 

[Mo & Stubbins & Vani]

Hi!
Thank you so much for your help!
I started with bell pepper and kale and am now moving on to cilantro. I gave them pepper two weeks ago and waited to see if they reacted. I then gave them kale using the same process. Neither seemed to bother them!
Are they at risk for an overdose?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Hi!
Thank you so much for your help!
I started with bell pepper and kale and am now moving on to cilantro. I gave them pepper two weeks ago and waited to see if they reacted. I then gave them kale using the same process. Neither seemed to bother them!
Are they at risk for an overdose?

That's good - I'm glad adding the veg back in is going well.
As I said, I would speak to the vet about when to take them off of the vit c supplements - If they are getting plenty of hay, some pellets and now getting veg back in, they probably dont need the supplements anymore