Is Your Guinea Pig Getting Enough Calcium? | Animal Hospital of Ludington (2024)

FAQs

Is Your Guinea Pig Getting Enough Calcium? | Animal Hospital of Ludington? ›

Dehydration, muscle spasms and tremors, loss of appetite, and depression are symptoms of calcium deficiency in guineas. Death can even occur suddenly if the deficiency isn't recognized and treated quickly enough. Take your pet to your Ludington veterinary hospital immediately if you see these symptoms being exhibited.

The average guinea pig needs around 8 g of calcium per kg (35.3 oz) of food. This doesn't mean you should feed it to them all at once! Try to distribute their calcium intake through their meals so they don't over consume the mineral.

Treatment: calcium supplementation, treat underlying cause, correct diet and husbandry. Prognosis: good if mild clinical signs; poor if severe, advanced underlying disease.

Presenting signs

Thick, white urine - bladder sludge. Dysuria if urolithiasis. Anorexia. Lethargy.

Contrary to what most people think, carrots really aren't very good for guinea pigs, or rabbits for that matter. They are very high in sugar content, but they are just as high with calcium. Parsley and Spinach are also very high in calcium. These items should be fed in moderation and with other fruits and vegetables.

The preferred basic diet for guinea pigs is unlimited amounts of timothy or other low-calcium hay, supplemented with smaller amounts of commercial, high-fiber, timothy-based guinea pig pellets. Vitamin C should be given each day (see below). Hay should be offered free-choice throughout the day.

High levels of calcium in the diet can predispose guinea pigs to bladder stones, which often require surgery to remove. The second most important part of a guinea pig diet is FRESH VEGETABLES. Vegetables are an excellent source of many vitamins and minerals, and also provide extra water for the gut.

Low calcium in the body can stunt pig growth and cause diseases such as rickets. Meat and bone meal are a good source of calcium. Limestone can be used to supplement calcium and is usually the cheapest way to boost calcium intake in pigs.

Lettuce also contains a pretty moderate amount of calcium. In a 100 g portion, romaine contains 33 mg, red leaf has 33 mg, butterhead contains 35 mg, and green leaf has 36 mg. Calcium is necessary in a guinea pig's diet, but in controlled amounts to minimize risks when it comes to their urinary tract.

The guinea pig is best known, from a nutritional standpoint, by its requirement for dietary vitamin C. This feature has made the guinea pig particularly useful in studies of collagen biosynthesis, wound healing, and bone growth.

How can I give my guinea pig calcium? ›

Guinea pigs need continuous access to hay to aid their digestion and limit the growth of their teeth. For guinea pigs over a year of age timothy or orchard hay are suitable, but for younger guinea pigs alfalfa hay provides more calcium for growing bones.

Unfortunately, there are some cons when it comes to including celery in your guinea pig's diet. Guinea pigs are prone to urinary tract problems, as well as bladder stones if too much calcium is consumed.

Vegetables. Your guinea pigs should have fresh, washed leafy greens or weeds each day, such as kale or broccoli, which are excellent sources of Vitamin C. Guinea pigs don't naturally eat fruit or root vegetables, but you can give them in small amounts as treats, such as small pieces of carrot or an apple quarter.

Grass or grass hay

Ensure that your guinea pigs have a constant supply of grass and/or grass hay (such as Timothy, Oaten, Barley, or grassy hay). Guinea pigs should not be fed Lucerne (alfalfa) or Clover hay, as these are too high in protein and calcium.

The amount of calcium that your guinea pig can have in a day heavily depends on what their urine output looks like! Cucumbers contain 14 mg of calcium in a 100 g serving. You need to watch out for calcium deposits, which look like tiny white granules.

For example, it contains potassium, which usually helps prevent bladder stones. However, there is also a large amount of calcium in kale. This means too much of it can cause the bladder stones instead. Another example of this phenomenon is the fact that overconsumption of Vitamin A can be toxic to our piggies too.

Lettuce also contains a pretty moderate amount of calcium. In a 100 g portion, romaine contains 33 mg, red leaf has 33 mg, butterhead contains 35 mg, and green leaf has 36 mg. Calcium is necessary in a guinea pig's diet, but in controlled amounts to minimize risks when it comes to their urinary tract.

The average guinea pig requires 10-20 mg of vitamin C every day. An unhealthy guinea pig may need 100 mg of vitamin C daily so temporarily increase the dose if you suspect your guinea pig is becoming sick. Guinea pigs cannot synthesize their own vitamin C.