What is Hypovitaminosis C (also known as Vitamin C Deficiency)

Hypovitaminosis C, also known as Vitamin C deficiency, is a very common condition amongst guinea pigs caused by a lack of vitamin C, which in turn has many implications on normal bodily functions.  Most animals have the ability to synthesize their own vitamin C through different processes of the body, however guinea pigs, primates and even humans have developed a genetic mutation that prevents this conversion in the body from happening. This means that these species must obtain all of their vitamin C requirements through an external source – their diet.  

What happens if guinea pigs don’t get enough vitamin C through their diet?

Vitamin C is technically known as Ascorbic Acid which plays an essential role in the pathway of collagen formation in the body. Collagen is responsible for the formation of healthy skin, tendons, bones, dentin (teeth), and blood vessels, just to name a few. If the body does not have enough vitamin C, this leads to defective collagen which in turn predisposes to dental disease (loose teeth, rotation of teeth and overgrowth), poor skin quality and delayed wound healing, and fragile blood vessels. Hypovitaminosis C also leads to several metabolic abnormalities related to fat transport and vitamin absorption in the intestinal tract.

Some signs that guinea pigs may have a vitamin C deficiency include lethargy, reduced appetite, painful chewing or grinding teeth, increased vocalisation, rough hair coat, poor wound healing, increased susceptibility to infections, lameness, swollen joints, poor weight gain, stunted growth, diarrhoea and in severe cases, death.

How can I ensure my Guinea pigs are getting enough Vitamin C?

As a general rule, healthy adult guinea pigs require approximately 10mg of vitamin C in their diet per day. Pregnant or young growing animals have a higher requirement for Vitamin C and should have approximately 30mg per kg each day.

The best way to ensure your guinea pigs are meeting their daily requirements is providing them with a good quality pelleted diet with high levels of fortified vitamin C, and a variety of fresh vegetables rich in vitamin C.  You can also purchase Vitamin C treats that are a great daily snack for your piggies (and also good for them!). Guinea Pigs Australia only stocks healthy and veterinary recommended pelleted diets that contain high levels of vitamin C - Shop online today: https://guineapigsaustralia.com.au/collections/hay-food-and-snacks 

Can I add Vitamin C supplements to my guinea pigs water? 

You can, and there are definitely products on the market advertised for this, however as a rule we generally DO NOT recommend adding vitamin C to their water. This is for two main reasons:

#1: Vitamin C is a very fragile vitamin and quickly degrades when exposed to light, heat and moisture, so even when adding high concentrations to the water, a lot will degrade before your guinea pig will ingest it, meaning they are not actually receiving as much useful vitamin as we would think. For this reason, the water also needs to be changed regularly with new vitamin C added to ensure it stays at suitable concentrations to meet daily requirements.

#2: Guinea pigs can be very fussy when something changes in their environment – including the taste of their water! If you have a fussy piggy they may opt to avoid the strange tasting water, which can result in dehydration and a magnitude of other health conditions.

How to choose the best pellets for my Guinea Pigs

When choosing a pellet for your guinea pigs it is important to pick one of HIGH QUALITY that has  a vitamin C guarantee. Many types of pellets are advertised to ‘contain vitamin C’ however the actual concentration is not always known. It is also best to avoid ‘mixes’ as your guinea pig will often pick and choose, selectively feeding on the tastier parts which may not always contain great vitamin C content. As vitamin C is so fragile, it is also important to ensure your pellets are stored correctly as they will lose potency over time – it is recommended to store your pellets in a cool, dry environment and used within 90 days.

READ MORE ABOUT CHOOSING THE BEST PELLETS HERE:

VISIT THE PELLET STORE: Guinea Pigs Australia only stocks healthy and veterinary recommended pelleted diets that meet the optimal nutritional requirements. Burgess Excel is one of the leading small animal pellet brands and recommended by veterinarians all over the world!

 It is important to feed your guinea pigs a variety of different vegetables each day, not only to meet their nutritional needs, but to also provide some fun and enrichment. See our Veggie-table (ha ha - get it?) below outlining some safe vegetables for guinea pigs to eat, as well as those rich in Vitamin C!