Oxbow Natural Science Vitamin C Supplement For Small Animals (60 ct)

Essential Vitamin C Support for Small Pet Immune Health

Product Description

Oxbow Natural Science Vitamin C is a hay-based tablet with stabilized L-ascorbyl-2-monophosphate for rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, rats, and other small pets. Essential for guinea pigs (who can’t synthesize vitamin C), it supports immunity, collagen/wound healing, antioxidant defense, and stress resilience. Timothy-hay base aids digestion; no artificial ingredients.

Benefits

• Prevents scurvy (guinea pigs): Helps avoid lethargy, gum/joint issues.
• Immune support: Aids normal defense functions.
• Collagen & healing: Supports connective tissue and wound repair.
• Antioxidant protection: Helps neutralize oxidative stress.
• Stress resilience: Supports balanced response during change/illness.
• Stabilized vitamin C: Maintains potency through storage/digestion.
• High-fiber base: Timothy hay supports healthy digestion.

Ingredients

Active Ingredient (per tablet): L-Ascorbyl-2-Monophosphate (Stabilized Vitamin C): Minimum 25 mg per tablet

Inactive Ingredients: Timothy Grass, Barley Flour, Oat Groat Flour, Cane Molasses, Flax Seed Meal, Brewer's Dried Yeast, Guar Gum (xanthan gum), Mixed Tocopherols (natural preservative), Rosemary Extract.

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein: 10% minimum
Crude Fat: 4% minimum
Crude Fiber: 9%-13%
Moisture: 10% maximum
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C): 25 mg minimum per tablet
Calcium: 0.60%-1.10%
Phosphorus: 0.50% minimum
Copper: 6 mg/kg minimum

How to Use

Tablets are designed to be given whole or can be crushed and mixed with food, depending on the pet's preference and species. Most small pets readily accept the natural molasses flavor. Tablets can be administered directly in the mouth, crushed and mixed into pellets or hay, or offered as a treat. Vitamin C requirements increase during stress, illness, or recovery; consult a veterinarian regarding increased dosing during these periods.

Recommended-Dosage Chart

Disclaimer: This dosage information is provided by the manufacturer. Always consult your veterinarian before administering or adjusting any supplement for your pet, particularly during illness or stress.

Dosage & Administration Instructions

• Daily: 1 tablet (or fraction per species chart) once daily with food/treat; crush into pellets if needed.
• Consistency: Give daily for immune/collagen support.
• Stress/illness: Needs may rise 2-3× – ask your vet; continue slightly elevated post-illness if advised.
• Storage: Keep original container sealed, cool/dry, away from light/heat (stabilized form holds potency but still store properly).
• Diet freshness: Pelleted diets lose vitamin C over time; tablets ensure guaranteed intake.

Additional Information

Precautions

• Not for growing, pregnant, or lactating animals (safety unestablished).
• Avoid if allergic to ingredients.
• Consult a vet if on meds or with kidney disease/hypercalcemia.
• Don’t exceed >10× recommended dose (may raise urinary oxalate in susceptible pets).
• High doses may interact with anticoagulants/antibiotics or acidifying drugs.
• Store out of reach; keep container tightly sealed.

Possible Side Effects

• Generally safe: Water-soluble; overdose toxicity is rare.
• Urine color: Orange/acidic tint can occur – harmless, improves with hydration.
• Palatability: Most accept molasses flavor; some need repeated exposure.
• Rare GI upset: Mild, short-lived gastroenteritis at start.
• Overall: Excellent safety when used as directed.

Shipping & Return

We offer ground, express, priority, and international delivery; see our shipping policy for details.

For return instructions or product concerns, please refer to our detailed refund policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Why do guinea pigs need vitamin C supplementation?

Ans: Guinea pigs cannot produce vitamin C, and scurvy (vitamin C deficiency) is fatal if untreated. Dietary supplementation is essential to prevent deficiency symptoms, including joint swelling, bleeding gums, loose teeth, lethargy, and poor wound healing.

Q2: What is stabilized vitamin C, and why does it matter?

Ans: L-Ascorbyl-2-monophosphate resists degradation in storage and digestion, delivering more bioavailable vitamin C than unstabilized forms. Stabilization protects vitamin C from phosphatases in the digestive tract for superior absorption.

Q3: How much vitamin C does my guinea pig need daily?

Ans: One tablet daily provides 25 mg minimum vitamin C – adequate for guinea pig prevention of scurvy. During stress or illness, requirements increase; consult a veterinarian for adjusted dosing recommendations.

Q4: Can I just feed my guinea pig fresh vegetables for vitamin C?

Ans: Fresh vegetables contain vitamin C, but the potency degrades during storage and cooking. Tablet supplementation ensures consistent, guaranteed vitamin C intake independent of food degradation over time.

Q5: What are the signs of vitamin C deficiency (scurvy) in guinea pigs?

Ans: Early signs include lethargy, poor appetite, joint swelling, bleeding gums, loose teeth, and sensitivity to touch. Without treatment, scurvy progresses to severe pain, mobility loss, and potentially death within weeks.

Q6: Can rabbits and chinchillas also get scurvy?

Ans: While rabbits and chinchillas can synthesize some vitamin C, supplementation supports immune function and collagen synthesis during stress or illness. Vitamin C is safe and beneficial for all small species at appropriate doses.

Q7: Should I increase vitamin C during stress or illness?

Ans: Yes, vitamin C requirements increase 2-3 fold during environmental stress, medical treatment, or illness. Consult a veterinarian for appropriate increased dosing recommendations during these periods for enhanced immune support.

Q8: Is it possible to give too much vitamin C to small pets?

Ans: Vitamin C is water-soluble and excess is excreted; toxicity is extremely rare. Follow recommended dosing; excessive supplementation (10+ times the recommended dose) theoretically could increase urinary oxalates in susceptible animals.

Q9: How does vitamin C support wound healing and recovery?

Ans: Vitamin C is an essential cofactor for collagen synthesis and cross-linking. It enhances immune cell function, reduces oxidative stress after injury, and accelerates epithelialization – critical for post-surgical and wound healing recovery.

Q10: Can guinea pigs on antibiotic treatment benefit from increased vitamin C?

Ans: Yes, antibiotics can suppress immune function and increase vitamin C requirements. Increased vitamin C during and after antibiotic treatment supports immune recovery and collagen healing; consult vet for dosing adjustments.