Nutrition and husbandry · Updated 2026-09-29
Scurvy in guinea pigs
Vitamin C deficiency — guinea pigs, like people, cannot make their own — causing painful joints, poor healing and bleeding gums.
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Signs to watch for
- Rough, poor coat
- Reluctance to move or a hopping gait
- Swollen, painful joints
- Bleeding or inflamed gums
- Poor appetite
- Slow wound healing
Causes and risk factors
Insufficient dietary vitamin C, old or poorly stored dry food (vitamin C degrades within weeks of manufacture), and illness increasing demand.
How veterinarians diagnose it
History and examination are usually enough; radiographs may show joint changes in chronic cases.
Treatment and management
Vet-directed vitamin C supplementation, pain relief and correction of the diet. Improvement is often visible within days.
Prevention
Feed fresh vegetables daily (peppers and leafy greens are excellent sources), use in-date guinea-pig-specific pellets and never rely on vitamin C added to water bottles, where it degrades in light.
Outlook
Excellent with prompt treatment; severe joint damage may persist in long-standing cases.
Common questions
- What are the signs of scurvy in guinea pigs?
- Rough, poor coat; Reluctance to move or a hopping gait; Swollen, painful joints; Bleeding or inflamed gums; Poor appetite; Slow wound healing.
- What causes scurvy in guinea pigs?
- Insufficient dietary vitamin C, old or poorly stored dry food (vitamin C degrades within weeks of manufacture), and illness increasing demand.
- How is scurvy in guinea pigs diagnosed?
- History and examination are usually enough; radiographs may show joint changes in chronic cases.
- How is scurvy in guinea pigs treated?
- Vet-directed vitamin C supplementation, pain relief and correction of the diet. Improvement is often visible within days.
- Can scurvy in guinea pigs be prevented?
- Feed fresh vegetables daily (peppers and leafy greens are excellent sources), use in-date guinea-pig-specific pellets and never rely on vitamin C added to water bottles, where it degrades in light.
- When should I contact a veterinarian?
- A guinea pig that stops eating needs same-day exotic-vet care whatever the cause.
Preparing for a scurvy in guinea pigs consultation
- Record when these signs began and how they changed: Rough, poor coat; Reluctance to move or a hopping gait; Swollen, painful joints. Record appetite, water intake, toileting and any medicines or supplements.
- The listed urgency is prompt; worsening breathing, collapse, seizures or severe pain can make any situation an emergency. Ask the clinic rather than relying only on this category.
- Ask what else could explain the signs, which tests would change the plan and how discomfort will be managed. Symptoms alone cannot confirm this condition.
- Before going home, agree what to monitor, when to recheck and which signs mean calling sooner. Follow the individual treatment plan; do not copy another pet's prescription.
Educational reference, not an individual diagnosis or a verified professional review. Read our editorial policy.
Sources on this topic
Pages on this specific subject from recognised organisations. They are cited for further reading and do not mean the organisation has reviewed this page.
- Nutritional Problems of Guinea Pigs — Merck Veterinary Manual
- Noninfectious Diseases of Guinea Pigs (hypovitaminosis C) — Merck Veterinary Manual
Guidance libraries and further reading
These organisations publish relevant guidance. Their links are further reading, not evidence that they have reviewed this page.