Guinea Pigs Need Vitamin C in Diet

Unlike rabbits, guinea pigs cannot synthesize vitamin C, so they must ingest it in their food. (Scott Webb/Pexels)

Q: Next month, my daughter’s friend will move away and give us her guinea pig. Miss Piggy will be our first guinea pig, and we don’t know much about her care. For starters, should we continue to feed her the rabbit pellets she’s been eating?

A: Guinea pigs, also called cavies, are affectionate, communicative, and easy to care for. I’m sure you and your daughter will enjoy your new family member.

You should not feed Miss Piggy rabbit pellets because they don’t have enough vitamin C for guinea pigs. Unlike rabbits, guinea pigs cannot synthesize vitamin C, so they must ingest it in their food.

At least 80 percent of a cavy’s diet should be grass hay, which should be available at all times along with water. Supplement the hay daily with kale, spinach, parsley, mustard greens, broccoli, or bell pepper.

A few times a week, feed small amounts of kiwi, papaya, guava, pineapple, mango, strawberries, raspberries, or blackberries. Avoid commercial treats, which are high in calories and low in nutrients.

Guinea pig pellets contain vitamin C, but even under ideal conditions, it lasts only six to 12 weeks after the pellets are made. So buy small amounts of fresh pellets, and limit intake to prevent obesity.

Cavies are rodents, so their teeth grow continuously and they need to gnaw. Make sure Miss Piggy has a variety of chew toys, such as empty oatmeal containers and cardboard tubes stuffed with hay.

Provide a large cage with a solid floor lined with hay, processed paper bedding, or hardwood shavings. The cage should be well-ventilated but situated away from drafty windows and heating vents.

Furnish the cage with a box or tunnel for hiding. Guinea pigs have sensitive hearing, so find a quiet location for Miss Piggy’s cage.

My final piece of advice is to have a veterinarian who sees “pocket pets” examine Miss Piggy to be sure she’s healthy and to answer your daughter’s questions about her.

Q: Sadie, my 14-year-old dog, is nearing the end of her life. If she doesn’t die on her own, my veterinarian will help her pass. I know nothing of the procedure since I’ve never been through this before.

My vet is very kind, but I’m afraid that if I ask her about it, I'll be so distraught I won’t remember what she said. Please explain the process to help me prepare.

A: I’m very sorry for the sadness you are facing. Knowing what to expect should ease some of your discomfort.

The procedure is called euthanasia, Greek for “good death.” When a pet is dying slowly and no longer enjoys life, a peaceful death is a final gift of love.

The first thing to think about is whether you want Sadie euthanized at the animal hospital or in your home. If you prefer home euthanasia and your veterinarian doesn’t offer it, she can refer you to someone who does.

You'll be asked to sign paperwork granting permission for the euthanasia. You may also wish to clip some of Sadie’s hair to save in a locket or frame with her picture.

Most people choose to be with their pets during the procedure, but some, concerned that their crying will upset their pets, wait in another room.

To euthanize Sadie, your veterinarian may place an IV catheter and inject a sedative before she administers a lethal overdose of an anesthetic. The procedure is peaceful and painless.

Think about your wishes for Sadie’s body. Most people choose cremation with or without return of the pet’s ashes, or burial at home or in a pet cemetery.

My thoughts are with you and Sadie.