Cedar Tea? (Vitamin C) - Paw Talk

BlackRose · #1 10-08-2007, 10:16 AM

Hey guys! I still don't have my guinea pigs yet, but I think I might be adopting quite soon.
So, in history, I learnt that boiling the bark of a Cedar, Pine or Spruce tree, will make tea with enough Vitamin C to cure scurvy in a human, in less than 4 hours. I was wondering if this would be suitable for guinea pigs, and if you think they'd actually drink it?

Thanks in advance!
Manda

mulder · #2 10-08-2007, 11:19 AM

well, i've had pine tea before and it's not great tasting, but you are right, it's healthy. it just tasted like bark LOL i'd LOVE to see if gp's will drink it lol

Jennicat · #3 10-08-2007, 04:44 PM

I'd recommend against it, they get all the vitamin C they need from their daily veggies, and it could cause them gastric upset.

leplake · #4 10-08-2007, 11:53 PM

That sounds like it could work, though I'm not sure how much effort you'll want to put into fixing water for your pigs. I buy a liquid C at the pet store, and it works great to just add to the water. Also, it's difficult to get too much vitamin C, most of the time any of the unused vitamin just gets peed out.

pinkie1205 · #5 10-09-2007, 12:05 AM

I would say that it might upset the digestive tract. yea yea I know that vitamin C is waterbased or something and gets peed out....although when I was on tons of iron (about 1500mgs a day) I took vitamin C so I could actually go to the bathroom...it doesn't just affect your pee.

Jennicat · #6 10-09-2007, 06:45 AM

Vitamin C is also extremely sensitive to light. Once you put either that tea or the drops in their water, the vitamin C starts deactivating. Those drops are the best moneymaking ripoff I"ve ever seen.

BlackRose · #7 10-09-2007, 10:20 PM

Alright. I think I will try it at least once, just to see if they like it, but I'll make sure not to overdo it.

I'm getting them this weekend!!!! There's one pair in a foster home, so I've offer to adopt them. All I know now is that they are a male pair, but I'm still talking to someone about them. I'm so excited right now. I did all my research over the summer, but I'm gunna go look stuff over before this weekend.
does anyone have a list of veggies high in Vitamin C and possibly how much one piggy should get each day that they can give me?

You guys have been great! Thank you!!!

Skratikans · #8 10-10-2007, 02:00 PM

i dont think the tea would harm the pigs...vit c has a half life of 30 min or so...and its excess is water soluble so the body gets rid of it very quickly..therefore really its best to take as less volatile form...perhaps a pill? either way..try it out..

Jennicat · #9 10-11-2007, 05:49 AM

My real concerns would be that evergreens aren't typically consumed by herbivores, so there's really not a gauge as to how safe or dangerous this is. Cedar tea websites caution not to give the tea to pregnant women or those with weak kidneys. I'd be concerned about the effects of such a tea on such a small animal.

Mygala · #10 10-11-2007, 06:42 AM

My question is why you would want to do this? Just because it sounds cool, or you can?

A good diet should provide plenty of C, supplements shouldn't be necessary. If you feel you need to supplement, there are plenty of inexpensive, measured, safe options out there.

Why do you feel the need to experiment with the health and safety of your pets? Doesn't sound right to me.

bob

BlackRose · #11 10-11-2007, 06:52 AM

I guess I didn't realized it would be hazardous. I figure if they liked it, it could be a treat as well as a supplement, but I guess I won't try, since it may be dangerous to them.
You guys have been so helpful! Thank you!