Vitamin C

[PennyCopper]

I honestly thought through diet I was giving enough C to my piggies. However the vet said even the best veggies cant give the guinea's enough C. He recommended this. I ordered it BUT it contains fructose. WTH? I dont want to give the animals fructose. What do you all do for supplemental vitamin C? I wonder how Guinea Pigs in the wild get enough C.

 

[Betsy]

If a piggy has a good enough diet, they don't need extra vitamins. I've had piggies for over 6 years and never supplemented their diet with Vitamin C and they are very healthy.

 

[PennyCopper]

If a piggy has a good enough diet, they don't need extra vitamins. I've had piggies for over 6 years and never supplemented their diet with Vitamin C and they are very healthy.

Thank you. I really appreciate your experience.

 

[PigglePuggle]

No need for supplementary vitamin C in piggies who are eating normally, especially not something full of fructose.
I've never given any vit C supplements to my lot either, a slice of pepper and a few stems of coriander contains plenty vit C for piggies- also grass, even hay, and pellets always have added vit C, there's no need to add more!

 

[poggle]

It's not standard practice to supplement Vitamin C in the UK, in my experience, and the forum generally doesn't recommend it because the majority of cases of scurvy seen are actually in pigs receiving supplements (the body gets used to a higher baseline and you get symptoms if levels drop below it). I've been keeping guinea pigs for years and never needed to supplement, just a varied diet Particularly with the sugar, I'd be giving that product a miss, personally.

 

[PigglePuggle]

If you were especially worried about vit C deficiency, Oxbow do a hay biscuit with added vit C that is more appropriate for guinea pigs, but even then I wouldnt feed it more than once a week as a treat. If you arent worried yourself, please trust your instincts and dont let this vet worry you- a healthy balance of veggies is all that is needed!

 

[Piggies&buns]

I can only agree with the advice you’ve received above
The hay and grass based diet, with a variety of veg and fortified pellets provides all the vitamin c piggies need. They don’t need supplements.

 

[PennyCopper]

No need for supplementary vitamin C in piggies who are eating normally, especially not something full of fructose.
I've never given any vit C supplements to my lot either, a slice of pepper and a few stems of coriander contains plenty vit C for piggies- also grass, even hay, and pellets always have added vit C, there's no need to add more!

Yes! Yes, I believe I have been taking good care in their diet knowing the importance of C. Thank you for confirming with your experiences.

 

[PennyCopper]

It's not standard practice to supplement Vitamin C in the UK, in my experience, and the forum generally doesn't recommend it because the majority of cases of scurvy seen are actually in pigs receiving supplements (the body gets used to a higher baseline and you get symptoms if levels drop below it). I've been keeping guinea pigs for years and never needed to supplement, just a varied diet Particularly with the sugar, I'd be giving that product a miss, personally.

I appreciate the experience and information you shared. Now I am bothered a vet would recommend me to do this. I guess he does not have a lot of experience or knowledge with GP's.

 

[PennyCopper]

If you were especially worried about vit C deficiency, Oxbow do a hay biscuit with added vit C that is more appropriate for guinea pigs, but even then I wouldnt feed it more than once a week as a treat. If you arent worried yourself, please trust your instincts and dont let this vet worry you- a healthy balance of veggies is all that is needed!

Thank you for that encouragement. I have seen the Oxbow tablets you mention but at this time I feel confident in our diet choices to supply what the piggies need. My little poopies are doing great, I have had them 4 years, lol. Thanks again.

 

[PennyCopper]

I can only agree with the advice you’ve received above
The hay and grass based diet, with a variety of veg and fortified pellets provides all the vitamin c piggies need. They don’t need supplements.

Ok, thank you for the feedback. I am on board with all the advice too. We have had Penny four years now and Cowboy three years. No problems so far about lack of C.