Guinea pigs are herbivores that require unlimited hay (timothy or orchard grass), fresh vegetables, and a vitamin C supplement or vitamin C-rich foods daily. They cannot synthesize vitamin C and will develop scurvy without it.
Daily nutritional needs for adult guinea pigs — hover any bar to explore. Log scale.
Vitamin C is the single most important nutrient for guinea pigs. Unlike most mammals, guinea pigs cannot synthesize their own Vitamin C — they rely …
Fiber is the foundation of guinea pig health. Their digestive system is built for continuous processing of high-fiber plant material — without it, gut motility …
Calcium is essential for strong bones and teeth, but guinea pigs have a unique relationship with it. Unlike most mammals that absorb only what they …
Vitamin A supports vision, skin health, immune function, and reproductive health in guinea pigs. It comes primarily from beta-carotene in orange and dark green vegetables, …
Vitamin D helps guinea pigs absorb calcium and phosphorus for strong bones and teeth. Indoor guinea pigs are at particular risk of deficiency because they …
Protein supports muscle maintenance, fur growth, immune function, and tissue repair. Guinea pigs are herbivores — their protein comes entirely from plants, primarily hay, pellets, …
Phosphorus works alongside calcium for bone and tooth formation. The calcium-to-phosphorus ratio matters more than the absolute amount of either mineral — an imbalanced ratio …
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that protects cells from damage, supports immune function, and promotes healthy skin and coat. It works synergistically with Vitamin …
Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting. Without it, even minor injuries could lead to excessive bleeding. Guinea pigs obtain Vitamin K from dark leafy …
Potassium supports heart function, muscle contractions, nerve signaling, and fluid balance. It works alongside sodium to maintain proper cell function. Most vegetables and fruits provide …
Iron is essential for oxygen transport in the blood. It is a key component of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to every cell. Vitamin C significantly …
Magnesium supports bone health, muscle function, nerve transmission, and energy metabolism. It works closely with calcium and phosphorus — all three minerals need to be …
Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties that support skin health, coat quality, and joint comfort. They may also support cognitive function. Guinea pigs obtain omega-3s …
Zinc supports immune function, wound healing, skin integrity, and coat health. It plays a role in over 300 enzyme reactions in the body. Guinea pigs …
The B vitamin complex (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, folate, biotin) supports energy metabolism, nerve function, red blood cell production, and overall vitality. Guinea …
Fat is an essential macronutrient that provides concentrated energy, helps absorb fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K), and keeps your guinea pig's skin supple …
Omega-6 fatty acids, particularly linoleic acid, are essential fats that guinea pigs cannot produce on their own and must obtain from food. They form a …
Sodium is an essential electrolyte that helps regulate fluid balance, nerve signaling, and muscle contractions in your guinea pig's body. It works in concert with …
Copper is a trace mineral that plays a surprisingly important role in your guinea pig's health. It is essential for proper iron metabolism — without …
Water is the single most critical nutrient for any living creature, and guinea pigs are no exception. They need constant access to fresh, clean water …
Carbohydrates are the primary energy source in a guinea pig's diet, but the type of carbohydrate matters enormously. Complex carbohydrates — the structural fibers in …
Manganese is a trace mineral involved in bone development, cartilage formation, and the activation of enzymes that metabolize carbohydrates, amino acids, and cholesterol. It is …
Selenium is a trace mineral that works closely with Vitamin E as part of the glutathione peroxidase enzyme system — one of the body's most …
Iodine is essential for your guinea pig's thyroid gland to produce the hormones T3 and T4, which regulate metabolism, body temperature, growth rate, and energy …
Thiamine (Vitamin B1) is essential for converting carbohydrates into usable energy and for proper nerve function. It acts as a coenzyme in several metabolic pathways, …
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) is a key player in energy metabolism, working as a coenzyme in the flavoprotein enzyme systems that convert food into ATP — …
Niacin (Vitamin B3) is involved in over 400 enzyme reactions in the body, making it one of the most broadly important B vitamins. It plays …
Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) is a component of coenzyme A, one of the most important molecules in metabolism. It is essential for breaking down fats, …
Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) is involved in over 100 enzyme reactions, most of which relate to protein and amino acid metabolism. It is essential for producing …
Biotin (Vitamin B7) is particularly important for maintaining your guinea pig's coat, skin, and nails. It acts as a coenzyme for carboxylase enzymes that metabolize …
Folate (Vitamin B9) is essential for cell division and DNA synthesis, making it critically important during periods of rapid growth — in young guinea pigs, …
Vitamin B12 is unique among vitamins because it is produced exclusively by bacteria — no plant or animal can synthesize it independently. For guinea pigs, …
Choline is sometimes grouped with B vitamins, though it is technically a separate essential nutrient. It plays critical roles in liver function, fat transport and …
Chloride works alongside sodium and potassium as one of the three major electrolytes in the body. It is a key component of hydrochloric acid in …
Simple sugars (fructose, glucose, sucrose) are rapidly absorbed in the small intestine, providing quick energy but bypassing the cecal fermentation system that guinea pigs rely …
Carotenoids are a family of plant pigments — the compounds that make carrots orange, bell peppers red, and spinach dark green. The most well-known carotenoid, …
Lutein is a specific carotenoid that concentrates in the eyes, where it acts as a natural blue light filter and protects the retina from oxidative …
Your guinea pig's cecum — a large pouch at the junction of the small and large intestines — is home to billions of beneficial bacteria …
Taurine is an amino acid-like compound that plays roles in heart function, bile acid conjugation (important for fat digestion), and cell membrane stability. Unlike cats …
Lysine is an essential amino acid, meaning guinea pigs cannot produce it and must obtain it entirely from food. It is critical for growth, tissue …
Methionine is an essential sulfur-containing amino acid that guinea pigs must obtain from food. It serves as the starting amino acid for protein synthesis (every …
Flavonoids are a large family of plant compounds found in virtually all fruits, vegetables, and herbs. They include quercetin (in bell peppers and leafy greens), …
Glucosamine is a compound naturally produced in the body that helps form and maintain cartilage — the rubbery tissue that cushions joints. As guinea pigs …
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10, also called ubiquinone) is a naturally occurring compound found in every cell, concentrated in the mitochondria where it plays a central role …
Amino acids are the individual building blocks from which all proteins are assembled. Guinea pigs need 20 different amino acids, and about 10 of these …
