Polyphony, waiting impatiently for a treat
Guinea pigs are like people! Like humans (and especially pirates), guinea pigs cannot manufacture their own Vitamin C, which means they are susceptible to the disease called scurvy. A deficiency of ascorbic acid can lead to bone and joint problems, depression, bleeding gums and hemorrhages, and other equally terrible, painful conditions. It’s recommended that an adult human should get at least 60-90 mg of Vitamin C every day, while an adult Cavia porcellus requires about 25 mg.
When I fell in love with a little fluffball of a guinea pig several years ago, I had no idea that she had such specific dietary requirements. Feeding her is not as simple as filling up a bowl with green pellets. Soon I had read everything I could find on what to feed my new pig, whom I named Polyphony. (That’s supposed to be po-LIFF-uh-nee, but people have called her “Polly” her whole life.)
While commercial guinea pig foods usually add extra Vitamin C, your pig’s pellets can’t be counted on to supply all of her daily needs. Vitamin C breaks down fairly quickly, so it should be given from fresh sources like vegetables. Variety is great for your guinea pig! In addition to high-quality pellets, try:
- Romaine lettuce (never iceberg) and other dark, leafy greens
- Parsley (my pig’s personal favorite!)
- Carrots (no more than every other day)
- Tomatoes
- Spinach
- Green peppers
Fruits like bananas, oranges and strawberries can also be fed in small amounts. In the spring and summer, I scavenge the yard for dandelion greens, which Polly absolutely loves (of course, beware of pesticides and fertilizers when foraging for your pig).
You can also give your pig a Vitamin C supplement, like a chewable tablet. While I started out sharing a “people” supplement with Polly every day, they do make treats specifically for her, like Oxbow’s Daily C. Adding the Vitamin C to water is not usually recommended – again, it breaks down too fast, and is too dependent on how much or little your pig chooses to drink that day.
A great way to serve up your pig’s salad is in a wire feeder. I tear up the lettuce into palm-sized pieces and stuff the feeder full. An adult pig should get about a cup of fresh veggies and fruits a day, along with pellets and all the Timothy hay she can eat.
My Polyphony is now eight years old! That’s great for a guinea pig, whose normal lifespan is 5-7 years. Because a guinea pig’s nutritional requirements are so vital to her thriving, I know I can point to a good diet as part of the reason I’ve had her as a wheeking, popcorning part of my life for so long.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you so much for sharing your story about your Guinea Pig, Polyphony. In November my Guinea Pig Dickens, which I was fortunate enough to ‘live’ with for almost six years passed to his Heavenly home. I have just gotten my second Guinea Pig, Bambi, and think Guinea Pigs are one of the best pets and companions someone can be fortunate enough to have. I didn’t know that G.P.s could have all the variety of fresh veggies. Dickens loved carrots and that is the treat I stuck with for him. Bambi will get his variety thanks to your suggestions. Aren’t they grand? I just found this Pet Blog by Drs. Foster and Smith. I am planning to visit it often. Margie B.
I like the name “Dickens” a lot, Margie! Polyphony was my roommate when I moved out of the dorms in college, and she was fantastic company. She’s slowed down a lot in the last eight years, and we’re pretty sure she’s deaf now, but she will still snatch a piece of lettuce from your hand before you can blink, and purr for as long as you want to rub her chin. A great reference I’ve found for more cavy-healthy fruits and veggies is http://www.guinealynx.info/fave.html – check it out!
Margie B. here, Keri K. I haven’t been here as much as I would like. But I just read your January 4, 2010 note. Thank you for telling me you like the name “Dickens” a lot Keri. If you had met him in person, you would like it even more, as well as “Dickens” himself. Bambi’s name was changed just a few days after he came to live with us. It is quite a change because his name is now Indy J. If you are wondering why the change…well he is a very ‘happy’, frisky little guy and can run and pop corn more than I ever knew guinea pigs could. So Indy J. stuck because of the Indiana Jones movie…the actor was always going somewhere…and my little Indy J has learned to play peek a boo under his blanket and runs around under it until I pick it up and say: There you are! And then we start the game all over again. I’m sorry to hear that Polyphony might be deaf now…but living with you all these years, I am positive that she can understand what you are saying to her. I believe animals have a special sense when it comes to their ‘humans’ and know exactly how to communicate and listen. I’m a senior citizen and my Dickens is always in my heart…and now my Indy J has won my heart too. Give Polophony a piece of lettuce for me. The purring they make is such a comforting sound, isn’t it? Indy J. likes his nose rubbed for a long time. Thank you so very much for your reference for more cavy=healty fruits and veggies. I’ve checked it out and it is very good. Until next time…Margie B.
your right i didnt realize that untill i asked a veternarian about it.a good source of vitimain c for your pet gpig is a ssslice of orange everyday.it really works .one symtom is they have little spasms sorta like twitches.