Free tool
Guinea Pig Vitamin C Calculator
Guinea pigs cannot make their own vitamin C, so they need it from food every day. Enter your pig's weight to see a daily range and how much of common vegetables would provide it.
Most adult guinea pigs weigh 700 to 1,200 grams.
Daily range
10 to 30 mg
Based on a commonly cited 10 to 30 mg per kg per day.
Example target
20 mg
Mid-range, used for the portions below.
Vegetable portions to reach 20 mg
Each row shows how much of that one vegetable alone would provide the target. In practice, mix several and remember fortified pellets add some vitamin C too.
| Vegetable | Vitamin C per 100 g | Grams needed | How often |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red bell pepper | 128 mg | 16 g | Daily, small portion |
| Green bell pepper | 80 mg | 25 g | Daily, small portion |
| Parsley | 133 mg | 15 g | A few times a week (high calcium) |
| Kale | 93 mg | 22 g | 1 to 2 times a week (calcium, oxalates) |
| Broccoli | 89 mg | 22 g | 1 to 2 times a week (can cause gas) |
| Cilantro | 27 mg | 74 g | Daily, small handful |
| Romaine lettuce | 4 mg | Not practical | Daily base green, low vitamin C |
Vitamin C values are approximate raw values from USDA FoodData Central. Content drops as vegetables age.
Important notes
- Pregnant, young, older or unwell guinea pigs may need more. Your exotic vet can advise a dose and whether a supplement is needed.
- Avoid adding vitamin C to drinking water; it breaks down quickly and can put pigs off drinking.
- Signs of deficiency include low appetite, a rough coat, stiff joints and bleeding gums. Read guinea pig scurvy signs.
This calculator is general education, not veterinary advice.
Check any food's vitamin C in seconds
Guinea Pig Identifier's Food Scanner shows whether a food is safe, its vitamin C and how often to serve it.