How Much Vitamin C Do Guinea Pigs Need? Daily Guide by Age
Guinea pigs can’t make their own vitamin C — it’s the single most important daily dietary fact about them, and scurvy in guinea pigs is entirely preventable.
Daily targets
| Guinea pig | Vitamin C per day |
|---|---|
| Adult maintenance | 10–15 mg |
| Pregnant or nursing sows | 30–40 mg |
| Growing pups (under 6 months) | 15–25 mg |
| Ill or recovering pigs | 30–50 mg (vet-directed) |
Best food sources, ranked
- Bell peppers: the champion — a quarter of a red pepper covers an adult’s day.
- Parsley and coriander: high C, feed in rotation.
- Kale and spring greens: good but goitrogen-heavy if daily.
- Supplement drops in water: unreliable — vitamin C degrades in light and water within hours, and many pigs refuse the taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can guinea pigs die from vitamin C deficiency?
Yes — untreated scurvy causes joint pain, lethargy, dental problems and death. The good news: it’s fully preventable with daily peppers or supplements.
Do guinea pig pellets contain enough vitamin C?
Pellets lose vitamin C steadily from milling — a bag three months old may have lost most of it. Pellets should be a supplement to fresh vegetables, never the C source.
How do I know if my guinea pig lacks vitamin C?
Watch for reluctance to move, a hunched posture, rough coat, swollen joints and eating less. Any of these deserves a same-week vet visit.
Is too much vitamin C harmful?
Excess is excreted in urine — guinea pigs tolerate generous oversupply well. Under-dosing is the real risk.
Keep Reading
These are all experiences I've gained from keeping guinea pigs, hope they help you~ Feel free to leave a comment if you have questions, I reply to all messages!