GUINEA PIGS: FEEDING, INCLUDING INFO ON VITAMIN C

YVCipedia GUINEA PIGS
FEEDING (INCLUDING INFO ON VITAMIN C)

• Non-alfalfa fresh hay available all the time; this is the most important part of the diet
• Two tablespoons of guinea pig pellets that contain vitamin C per day; vitamin C breaks down quickly in pellets, so a fresh supply should be started at least monthly
• Fresh vegetables that provide 25 to 50 mg vitamin C per day (see the chart below); a rule of thumb is a mound of fresh vegetables roughly equal to the size of the guinea pig
• Dried or fresh fruits offered in small quantities, only occasionally, for example, every other day
• Oats, cereal and cereal-based treats have very low nutritional value and should not be fed
• GPs have very sensitive digestive tracts and appetites; sometimes as little as changing brands of pellets can cause them to stop eating; they can sometimes become seriously ill if they do not eat for a few days

VITAMIN C SOURCES
    FOOD (CHOPPED)            AMOUNT TO PROVIDE 25 MG VITAMIN C
                EXCELLENT SOURCES
    guava                    1.1 tbsp
    red peppers            2.1 tbsp
    kale                       1/3 cup
    parsley                   1/3 cup
    broccoli                  1/3 cup
    broccoli flowerets    1/3 to 1/2 cup
    broccoli leaves        2 tbsp
    broccoli stalks         2 tbsp
    cauliflower              4 flowerets
                GOOD SOURCES
    strawberry                        2.5 average-sized berries
    kiwi                                 2.5 tbsp
    green pepper                    3.5 tbsp
    mustard greens                1/2 to 3/4 cup
    cooked broccoli                1 cup
    cooked brussels sprouts    just over 1 cup
                FAIR SOURCES
    kohlrabi                    just over 1/2 cup
    papaya                    just under 1/3 cup
    snap peas                just under 1/2 cup
    turnip greens            just under 1/2 cup
    red cabbage             just under 1/2 cup
    orange                    1/4 to 1/2 average-sized orange
    cooked kale             1/2 cup
    peas                       1/2 cup
    clementines             1/2 average-sized clementine
    cantaloupe               1/4 to 1/2 cup
    pineapple                 1/3 cup
                POOR SOURCES
    dill weed                150 sprigs
    dried tarragon         4 tbsp
    dried basil              3 tbsp
    dried oregano          4 tbsp
    lemon                     3/4 average-sized lemon
    dried cilantro            2.5 tbsp
    bok choy                 more than 1/2 cup
    beet greens             over 2 cups
    starfruit                    over 1/2 average starfruit
    collard greens           2 cups
    watercress               1 1/2 cups
    grapefruit                  just under 1 average-sized grapefruit

Yarmouth Veterinary Center
2015