5 min read
Guinea Pig Scurvy: Signs of Vitamin C Deficiency
Guinea pigs cannot make vitamin C. Learn the signs of scurvy, how quickly it develops and how to prevent it with daily foods.
Why scurvy happens
Guinea pigs lack the enzyme to make their own vitamin C, so they need it from food every day. Without enough, signs of deficiency can appear within a few weeks.
Signs of scurvy
- Reduced appetite and weight loss.
- Rough coat and low energy.
- Swollen, painful joints and reluctance to move.
- Bleeding gums or slow wound healing.
Prevention
- A daily portion of vitamin C rich vegetables such as bell pepper.
- Fresh guinea pig pellets with stabilized vitamin C, used within the date.
- Avoid vitamin C in water, which degrades quickly and can reduce drinking.
Use the calculator
Our free Vitamin C Calculator estimates a daily range from your pig's weight and shows example vegetable portions.
When to call an exotic vet
This guide is general education, not veterinary advice. If your guinea pig stops eating, stops producing droppings, struggles to breathe, bleeds, or seems suddenly quiet, contact an exotic vet the same day. Guinea pigs hide illness, so small changes matter.