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, particularly those that break down glucose — making it critical for brain function, since the brain relies heavily on glucose.
Guinea pigs obtain thiamine from several sources: hay, fresh vegetables, quality pellets, and to some extent from cecal bacterial synthesis. Like rabbits, guinea pigs practice coprophagy (eating cecotropes), which provides some B vitamins produced by gut bacteria. However, guinea pigs should not rely solely on cecal production for thiamine — dietary sources are important.
Thiamine is water-soluble and not stored in the body, so guinea pigs need a daily supply. It is also heat-sensitive and degrades during storage, which is one reason fresh pellets and fresh vegetables matter more than stale food.
Guinea pigs require approximately 2 to 4mg of thiamine per kilogram of diet. This is met through a combination of hay, fresh vegetables, and quality pellets. Always store pellets in a cool, dry place to preserve thiamine content.
0.01% of daily nutrient intake
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) makes up 0.01% of your guinea pig's total daily nutritional requirements by weight. That's a tiny amount — but it matters.
Loss of appetite, weight loss, neurological symptoms (head tilt, unsteady gait, circling), muscle weakness, and in severe cases, convulsions. Thiamine deficiency can develop within weeks on a deficient diet.
Thiamine is water-soluble and excess is readily excreted in urine. Toxicity from food sources is not a practical concern.
| Life Stage | Size | Min | Max | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | — | 2 | 4 | mg/kg diet | Per kilogram of diet dry matter. Store pellets properly — thiamine degrades with heat and time. |
Source: NRC 1995, general veterinary consensus
