Vitamin C Content of Foods

[Jade]

It's been noted that chins with added Vitamin C in their diet seem to have less tooth problems, so I thought we chinnie lovers would benefit from this list as well!

http://www.paw-talk.net/forums/showt...threadid=11181

I know the dandelion greens are very popular among chins!

[Sassy]

Where would we find dandelion greens? I have been unable to find them here.

Hey guys,
I am a chins owner from Hong Kong.
Nice to meet you all!

Hi Jade,
Would you tell me what is dandelion greens?
Is it the small wild bright-yellow flower whose seeds travel long distances on the wind?
What does it use in fact?
How can I get it and how much to feed my chins daily?

[DirtySouthChins]

Quote: Where would we find dandelion greens? I have been unable to find them here.

I am with Sassy I haven't been able to find them here either, as I've looked for my piggies

[Denise]

Kim,

I would look at Whole Foods Market or a health store.

[Jade]

Do you get dandelions in your yard? I'm sure you could plant some of those inside and let them grow!!

(provided you don't use pesticides, etc!)

[Jade]

Re: Barcode

Hey there,
Welcome!!

You're right on as far as the dandelion greens! The greens are the leaves that grow on the plant, and are good for cleansing a chinchilla's liver and digestive system out, as well as a great source for Vitamin C!

I'd give a leaf per chin every few days - most see it as a treat! I'm not sure how you'd get it in Hong Kong at all ... you may want to run some searches online and see if you can come up with any!

[PokeyPokey]

Wait a sec....Chins can have everything on that list?? Including strawberries? Oranges and rasberries? Looks like my chins and I are having a feast!

[Jade]

I didn't say that!! Those are just good sources of Vitamin C! That's why it's in the guinea pig section!

ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS check with your vet on what to feed your animals.

The greens listed are I think pretty safe - I'd stay away from the strawberries, oranges, cabbage (gassy) etc.

[PokeyPokey]

ohh ok darn. I thought it didn't sound right. Thanks!

[chinhappy]

If you can't find dandelion greens chins adore kale as well. Kale is loaded with vitamins, its inexpensive and is high in vitamin-c.
I have skylights in my chin building and I find my chins basking in the sun when it shines through. Chinchillas manufacture vitamin c in their bodys by the sunshine too!!

Thank you for telling me Jade.
I will try to look for it in health store.
In fact, I never heard the chins owner in HK talk about how to use herb as chins supplement.

[chinkeep]

A good alternative to dandelion greens is dandelion root. You can usually find capsules at a WalMart, Target, or something like that, or even a health food store, though more expensive. Just pop the capsule open and sprinkle some on their food, or on a little yogurt as a treat! I've used this to treat a chin who had been down with coccidiosis and after a month, he put on weight and was much healthier. BTW, though not clinically proven, the dandelion is not only a good source of vit C, but it supposedly cleanses/detoxifies the liver and helps the flow of gastric juices during digestion.

For those of us who can pick dandelion greens out of the yard, it is best to pick them BEFORE the flower opens. This presents the best source of nutrition. Once the flower has opened up, it saps the nutrients from the leaves and the root.

Happy feeding!