Just like a human, a guinea pig also needs to get enough vitamins to function properly. Two of the vitamins a guinea pig needs are vitamin A and vitamin B. Vitamin B is a complex of different vitamins, each of which has a different function in your guinea pig’s body.
Vitamin A.
Vitamin A is also called retinol. Vitamin A can be found in green plant parts, fruit and various animal products. Kale, grass, carrots, clover and corn are rich in vitamin A. Sometimes vitamin A occurs in the form of a carotene, this is a provitamin A. Vitamin A is important for the skin, the epithelial tissue in the mouth, the nose and throat, the trachea, the intestinal wall, the eye sockets and the fallopian tubes. In addition, vitamin A is also important for reproduction and growth, the vitamin strengthens the immune system. When a guinea pig has a lack of vitamin A, you will notice this by slowed growth, various eye diseases and paralysis. Too much vitamin A can cause poisoning, fortunately this almost never happens. In most types of guinea pig food there is sufficient vitamin A present. So you do not have to supplement vitamin A by means of tablets.
Vitamin B.
Vitamin B is a complex of different vitamins such as B1, B2, B6 and B12. These vitamins are found in green food and legumes, among other things. Vitamin B is also produced by bacteria in the intestines. The vitamin B that is produced in the intestines is absorbed into the body by eating night droppings. These are different droppings than normal, they are softer and lighter in color, for a guinea pig it is part of eating them. Eating droppings is also called coprophagy. You have to make sure that your guinea pig does get enough vitamin B when it suffers from diarrhea. It is sometimes an option to supplement with vitamin B tablets, these are available at almost any drugstore. Getting enough vitamin B is very important for guinea pigs.
Vitamin B1
Vitamin B1 is also called thiamine. Vitamin B1 is present in many different grains. This vitamin is important for energy metabolism and contributes to appetite. This vitamin also ensures that the heart of your guinea pig continues to function properly. Sufficient vitamin B1 will ensure that a guinea pig is less likely to suffer from nerve disorders. With a sufficiently varied diet, a guinea pig will normally always get enough vitamin B1. In guinea pigs there are no known consequences of a surplus of vitamin B1, it is assumed that this will not cause any problems.
Vitamin B2
Vitamin B2 is also called riboflavin. This vitamin is mainly found in green vegetables and wheat germ. Vitamin B2 ensures a good enzymatic functioning of the metabolism. This vitamin is also very important for the smooth running of the pregnancy. A lack of this vitamin can cause nerve damage and paralysis.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is also called pyridoxine. This vitamin promotes the metabolism of guinea pigs. The main role of vitamin B6 is the processing of carbohydrates. This vitamin is often produced in the intestines.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is also called cobalamin. This vitamin is important because of its close association with other vitamins and amino acids. This vitamin is very important for good growth. Vitamin B12 also stimulates the appetite in guinea pigs. It prevents guinea pigs from anemia. With a lack of vitamin B12, a guinea pig can become very restless and irritable, abnormalities will develop in the gastrointestinal system, the embryos of a guinea pig will no longer develop properly and paralysis will sometimes occur.