What Can Guinea Pigs Eat?

I get asked so many times from people what can Guinea pigs eat? …and I have to say there is a hint in the name “Pig” they tend to eat most things including the hutch, sawdust, paper, and anything else they can get their teeth in to. 

So, what can they eat …well "variety is the spice of life" as poet William Cowper once said, and this is true with the diet of your lovely fluffy pets, it is always nice to offer them a variety of fruit and veg but like us humans too much of the same thing can be boring and they might miss out on vitamins that will help keep them fit and healthy?  I will add below a list of fruit, herbs, and vegetables that I have found which forms a good diet for keeping a happy and healthy guinea pig. 

Guinea pigs are herbivores, so their diet should be one based on high-quality guinea pig hay, pelleted guinea pig food and limited amounts of fresh vegetables and fresh fruit. An imbalance in nutrition can cause chronic diarrhea, obesity and diseases of the heart, liver or kidneys. Gradually introduce new foods to your guinea pig's diet as abrupt or significant dietary changes can cause problems (such as diarrhea).

Guinea pigs will overeat if given the chance, so, to prevent obesity, remove pelleted food that is left uneaten after one hour and discard fresh fruits or vegetables that are left uneaten after 24 hours. Never add new food, including hay, before cleaning out the old food.

Fresh, filtered, chlorine-free water must be constantly available, especially during warmer weather, as guinea pigs are susceptible to heat stroke. Their water intake should be at least five ounces daily. Rinse your guinea pig's water bottle out daily and clean with hot water and a bottle brush weekly.

• Coriander also known as Cilantro
•  Parsley 
•  Spinach 
•  Mint 
•  Basil 

1. Coriander also known as Cilantro – is a green fragrant herb that is safe for guinea pigs to eat it contains some of essential nutrients including calcium, phosphorus and Vitamin C that can be helpful in keeping your cavy healthy. This combined with the fact that coriander is also very low in sugar makes it an excellent herb to feed your guinea pigs on a regular basis.

2. Parsley – Parsley is known as a nutritional powerhouse as it is rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin B, vitamin c, Iron, Potassium, and Flavonoids. Guinea pigs can eat parsley for sure. Parsley contains a lot of Vitamin C and other essential nutrients needed by our guinea pigs. However, we should only serve it sparsely by mixing it with other vegetables. Overfeeding parsley can lead to the formation of bladder stones and other gastrointestinal diseases among guinea pigs.

3. Spinach - Guinea pigs can eat spinach which includes baby spinach and the larger leaves too but there is something called oxalates or oxalic acid in spinach that can cause a problem for guinea pigs so you need to be careful with how much spinach they are fed. Foods that are high in oxalates can cause problems with bladder stones which is a common issue among guinea pigs. Bladder stones can cause serious pain to guinea pigs and often require an operation that involves removing the stone. Spinach is one of those vegetables that is very high in oxalates. So, like Parsley take care to only give them small amounts now and then and make sure you feed it alongside a good variety of other veggies. 

4. Mint – Mint is safe to give guinea pigs. However, because it is packed with calcium and contains only modest amounts of Vitamin C, you should not feed it to your pet very often. A few small leaves once or twice a week should represent the maximum.

5.  Basil – Guinea pigs can eat 1-2 leaves of basil per serving. Make sure you serve them sparsely and mix it with other healthy vegetables to create a well-balanced diet. Also, serve basil 2-3 times a week only.

• Carrots
•  Broccoli  
•  Cucumber  
•  Kale  
•  Peppers - Green, Yellow, Orange and Red
•  Tomatoes 
•  Cauliflower  
•  Lettuce 
•  Cabbage
•  Green Beans 
•  Sugar Snaps  
•  Corn on the Cob  
•  Turnips/ Parsnips 
• Celery

1. Carrots – Carrots are a rich source of vitamin A, and both the carrot and the carrot greens are safe for your guinea pig to munch on. Just make sure to feed them in moderation—too much vitamin A is not good for your pet, and carrots can be high in carbohydrates.

2. Broccoli - Broccoli: This contains vitamin C, however it also contains high amounts of vitamin A so should be fed occasionally. ... They also contain high amounts of vitamin A. Broccoli is very high in vitamin C with just over 89mg per 100g. As you may already know, this is a very important nutrient for guinea pigs as their bodies do not make vitamin C and they need to get it from their food. In fact, broccoli has more vitamin C than a green bell pepper. And broccoli has almost twice as much vitamin C as an orange. It is also very important that guinea pigs get plenty of fibre in their diet to keep their digestive systems healthy. Broccoli has a really good amount of fibre, more than lettuce or bell peppers. Broccoli also has a fair bit of Calcium and isn’t very high in sugar but can cause, however broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable which means this vegetable can cause gas and bloating if fed in excess. Guinea pigs can eat the stalks, leaves and florets so there is no need to waste any part of this vegetable.

3. Cucumber - Cucumber is the same for guinea pigs as it is for humans – it is hydrating, low in calories, low fat and contains a healthy dose of potassium and Vitamin C and B. So, yes, your guinea pig can eat cucumber! Guinea pigs can be fed with a couple of slices of cucumber a few times a week. Although ideally, it is better to feed only 1-2 slices of cucumber to our guinea pigs as too much cucumber does worse than good to our guinea pigs. It is safe to give them the skin/peel and seeds of the cucumber and this is often where the vitamins and minerals are more concentrated, and the skin is also the most fibrous part of the cucumber. These are very good reasons to feed this vegetable with the skin on because guinea pigs need plenty of fibre in their diet and the cucumber skin is good for them. I always suggest that when introducing a guinea pig to its new environment where it does not know where the water bottle is that cucumber and other watery fruit and veg be offered for the first week so that the guinea pig still gets the water it needs from the food it eats.  If the weather is very hot, cucumber can be a great veggie to feed your guinea pigs as it will help keep them hydrated. But never feed in large amounts even during a heatwave. 

4. Kale - Guinea pigs eat kale, in moderation, kale for guinea pigs can be a healthy snack. It offers vital nutrients like fibre, vitamin A, vitamin K, and vitamin C. It is also very low in fat and sugar. A handful of kale each day can be great for cavies, but make sure to only feed your guinea pig kale as part of a balanced diet. These little pets need more than just kale to stay healthy. Only ever feed fresh kale to your cavy, and make sure it is always washed first to remove any trace of harmful chemicals. Make sure you serve only one or two small leaves of Kale to your guinea pigs in a day. Never feed Kale more than 3-4 times a week to your guinea pigs. Ideally, you should add it 2-3 times a week only. Also, remember the staple part of the guineapig's diet is hay.

5. Peppers -  Peppers are very tasty for guinea pigs and they come with many health benefits for them as well. The nutrients in peppers improve their overall health but they also have some nutrients like sugar, which are not so beneficial for the guinea pigs. Now, let us see all the benefits regarding bell peppers as food for guinea pigs. Green bell peppers have the least amount of sugar, so they are the most recommendable for the guinea pigs. The red peppers have more sugar, so they are given rarely as a treat. It is the same with the yellow and orange peppers. This means that the green bell pepper is the best option for guinea pigs. Peppers are low in calories and exceptionally rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants, making them an excellent addition to any healthy diet. Vitamin A in peppers will “hunt down” the free radicals in the guinea pig’s body and prevent further damage. Also, there will be less risk of different diseases and the immunity will be kept in good shape. The pantothenic acid in the peppers helps with creating red blood cells, and the iron helps the organism to fight off anemia. The deficit of iron shows through fatigue, anemia, bad immunity, and loss of appetite. The B6 vitamin can prevent anemia, but also it reduces stress, helps in producing more serotonin (happiness hormone), and it can help improve the guinea pigs sleep. One slice of a whole pepper, given daily, remove seeds. My favorite fresh food for guinea pigs and is loved by most guinea pigs.

6. Tomatoes - Tomatoes are safe for your guinea pig but you need to understand what you can and cannot feed your piggy. They should not eat green tomatoes (even if you enjoy them). Ripe tomatoes are an orange-red hue and may provide your pooch with nutrients that could help him live longer. The deeper red the tomato is, the safer it should be for your cavy to eat! Tomatoes (even ripe ones) should never be given to a guinea pig in excess. Remember, everything in moderation! If you are going to offer your guinea pig some tomatoes do so slowly and with very small pieces. Nutrients in foods like Tomatoes contribute to the well-being and overall healthiness of your guinea pig. So it is you need to add Tomato on your pet’s diet. Here are some of those nutrients:

· Beta-carotene: As a powerful antioxidant, Beta-carotene fights free radicals which damage cells, and it helps to promote health in the eyes, and upkeep a healthy skin, and coat.

· Vitamin C: Most importantly there is some vitamin C in grape tomatoes, which is crucial for guinea pigs. If they are in a deficit of vitamin C, they are prone to a disease called scurvy and that’s dangerous. It leads to swellings in joints, internal bleeding, loose stool, rough fur… Lastly, there is also iron which is important for healthy blood. Iron is vital for curing anemia and other blood-related issues in guinea pigs.

· Lycopene: Protecting cells in the lungs, heart, blood, muscles, nerves, and organs, Lycopene also helps fight off free radicals.

· Vitamin K: An important fat-soluble vitamin, vitamin K helps clot the blood.

· Tomatoes are very low in sugar, which is good since guinea pigs tend to gain weight if they are given too much. This often happens when overfeeding on fruits like bananas, which are high in sugar. The low sugar content is great because it allows you to feed your guinea pigs tomatoes rather often.

Tomatoes are part of the nightshade family of vegetables. These plants, including peppers, eggplant, and potatoes, contain potentially toxic elements but still bear edible parts. That means that while tomato fruits do contain many health benefits for your guinea pig and can be given as an occasional treat, the rest of the plant can be toxic. Some parts of the tomato plant are safe for guinea pigs and some are not safe. Here are the parts you should NEVER let your guinea pig eat:

Stems, Leaves, Roots, and Immature GREEN tomatoes

The reason your guinea pig must not eat these parts of the tomato plant is because they contain high amounts of a toxic substance called tomatine. The stems, leaves, roots and immature green tomatoes can each contain up to 5 percent concentration of tomatine. Five percent concentration is quite a lot! When offering your guinea pig tomatoes, you will want to look for mature, ripe, red tomatoes (cherry tomatoes and other varieties are also fine) that have all the stems, leaves, and vines completely removed. While many people prefer their tomatoes salted, these types of additives can be harmful to your guinea pig, so small pieces of a plain, thoroughly washed tomato are always the safest way to serve them to your pet.

Conclusion - So, can guinea pigs eat tomatoes? Of course, they can! Tomatoes are a treasure trove of vitamins, minerals, and organic compounds that contribute to our guinea pig’s health. But like a double-edged sword, there are advantages and disadvantages to tomatoes. The long and short of it is that tomatoes are beneficial to our guinea pig’s health, if we serve the actual fruit. You should never give an unripe green tomato to your guinea pig because of the nightmarish compounds it contains. The signs of tomatine poisoning are an upset stomach and diarrhea, loss of coordination and signs of muscle weakness.

7. Cauliflower - Yes, guinea pigs can eat cauliflower as it is an excellent source of vitamin C, Vitamin K, and other minerals. However, cauliflower contains a high amount of Calcium and potassium, which can cause bloating and bladder stones in guinea pigs. Still, serving a small portion is beneficial for them. Cauliflower is an excellent source of Vitamin C as it contains over 80% of Vitamin C in it. Vitamin C is crucial for guinea pigs as they cannot synthesize their own Vitamin C. Guinea pigs need at least 10-30 mg of vitamin C daily. A lack of Vitamin C in guinea pig’s diet can be a possible life threat for them as it can lead to scurvy and other diseases. Cauliflower also contains sulforaphane, which lowers the risk of developing cancer in them. It is also rich in lots of other minerals, which will be beneficial for our guinea pigs. Risk of bladder stone: Cauliflower also contains a decent amount of calcium in it. Calcium is needed for the development of healthy bones and teeth. Please be aware that there is a flip side and if fed to much does have some side effects. Cauliflower has a surplus amount of calcium in the daily diet of guinea pigs can pose a threat of Bladder stones in guinea pigs. Calcium binds well with other minerals to form bladder stones, which can be painful for your guinea pigs. Diarrhea  and Bloating: Cauliflower also contains some trace amounts of sulphur in it. Although it does not harm in small quantities, but if served a little extra, it can lead to bloating and diarrhea in guinea pigs. Diarrhea can be fatal for guinea pig’s health if we do not notice it and treat it on time. Pregnancy discomfort: Cauliflower is rich in Vitamins, Calcium, and other minerals, which is essential during that phase. However, an excess of cauliflower can lead to discomfort in pregnant guinea pigs.

8. Lettuce - Lettuce is a favorite food of guinea pigs and you will find that when you put it in your pet's cage, it will probably disappear quickly before anything else. Crispy, fresh, and nutrients rich; Lettuce is a super food that is packed with tonnes of beneficial nutrients which makes it a perfect choice for a salad, and other culinary preparations. But how good is lettuce for our guinea pigs? Can guinea pigs eat lettuce? Let us find out! Guinea pigs can definitely eat lettuce. It is rich in vitamin c, Vitamin A, and low in calcium and oxalates. Which makes them an excellent choice for our guinea pig’s daily diet. As lettuces containing a sedative you should be careful not to give huge amounts, but these salad vegetables can contribute to a good amount of your guinea pig's regular diet. As with any fruit or vegetable, you should always give a good rinse through with clean tap water to remove any potential chemicals that have been used on the plant. Romaine, Cos and Little Gem lettuces all belong to the same lettuce variety and can all be eaten by Guinea Pigs. In fact, these varieties are the most nutritional lettuces and contain 6 times more vitamin C than the Butterhead lettuces (Boston and Bibb). Lettuce does contain the right amount of calcium and phosphorous in it. Although the content is not extremely high; caution is required while serving it to our guinea pigs. Although, it might be an excellent addition for young guinea pig’s diet as they do need high calcium to keep up with their growing body. Also, if you are introducing lettuce in your guinea pig’s diet, then you must be very cautious. Guinea pigs have a very sensitive digestive system, which means any changes in their diet need to be brought in very slowly. If you change their diet drastically, they might have their digestive system off-balanced, ultimately causing a lot of diseases in them.

However not all lettuces are good for your guinea pig - Iceberg lettuce is really bad for your guinea pigs. You should not be serving your guinea pigs with iceberg lettuce at all. This lettuce contains excessive amounts of lactucarium that is toxic for our guinea pigs. Also, they do not add any nutritional value to your guinea pig’s diet. However, the high fiber and lactucarium content make it very difficult for our guinea pigs to digest. It can lead to diseases like diarrhea, bloating, etc. What happens if your guinea pig eats iceberg lettuce? Serving your guinea pigs with some iceberg lettuce will not harm it or have a significant effect on them, but it will not do any good either.  Overfeeding Iceberg lettuce can result in bad health of our guinea pigs. So, it is best if you avoid them and serve other lettuce like romaine lettuce, radicchio lettuce, Green leaf lettuce, etc.

9. Cabbage - Can guinea pigs eat cabbage? Yes, guinea pigs can eat cabbage. In fact, they love it, and cabbage is a very nutritious vegetable that contains phytochemicals. It also has other necessary vitamins and minerals that will keep your guinea pig healthy. Cabbage is like cauliflower; they are extremely rich in vitamin C (44%) and vitamin K (72%). These vitamins protect your guinea pigs against many diseases. Just like cauliflower, cabbage is extremely low in fat and contains a high number of vitamins and minerals. You must know how important vitamin C is in the body of a guinea pig. Guinea pigs can’t produce this vitamin themselves. Yet, they especially need it when they are young to grow and to function properly. Cabbage is also rich in antioxidants which can be beneficial to guinea pigs during pregnancy. The combination of vitamins C, A and D can help your guinea pig have a longer life span. These vitamins have anti-aging effects and keep their cells from damage. In addition to this, they also have the power to heal. If provided in a reasonable quantity, it can effectively heal things like rashes, insect bites, and wounds. The sulphur, calcium, magnesium and iron can also help stimulate the growth of soft and healthy hair. In short words, they prevent hair loss. Cabbage also contains a high volume of vitamin C that boosts the immune system of your cavy. Cabbage has an excellent level of amino acids, that prevents inflammation. The beta-carotene contents help to keep their eye sharp all the time. The intake of cabbage can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease in guinea pigs, due to the presence of glutamine and vitamin K in it. Cabbage can also help your guinea pig to aid digestion and provide relief from constipation. If properly administered to them, it provides the necessary relief from sore muscles. With the presence of calcium and vitamin K in cabbage, it can keep their bones and teeth strong. Guinea pig’s teeth always grow and the cabbage can be useful in maintaining the sizes of their teeth. Cabbage is very rich in carbohydrates; this will make your guinea pig more agile and mentally active. The calcium and vitamin K contents also help your piggy to build strong bones and teeth. It is extremely low in cholesterol and saturated fat. Cabbage is also a good source of sinigrin, which has gained special attention in the research against cancer. It has a special antioxidant called cyanidins. This helps guinea pigs by providing for them a kind of “premium” protection against cardiovascular diseases. It contains 20 flavonoids and 15 phenols (namely, caffeic acid, benzoic acid, hydroxycinnamic acid, coumaric acid dimethyl benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, vanillic acid, gallic acid, hydroxybenzoic acid, phenylacetic acid, rosmarinic acid, syringic acid, and trimethyl benzoic acid). They all function as antioxidants, which aids in fighting against several diseases. There are different types of cabbage, but only four types are very common. First, the purple cabbage. It contains more vitamin C than the others. Second, the savoy cabbage, which also contains more iron, calcium, potassium, and Vitamin A. And lastly the green cabbage. This is the commonest one. It contains the same nutrients but in lesser and reasonable quantities.

10. Green Beans - Guinea pigs can eat green beans. Green beans are rich in Vitamin C, fibre, and other essential nutrients, which is vital for our guinea pigs. However, we should serve it moderately as it is high in Oxalic acid and Calcium, which can lead to several health diseases in guinea pigs.

11. Sugar Snaps - Sugar snap peas have a high-water content, a hint of salt, quite a bit of phosphorus, a little calcium and sugar, and a lot of acidic content. This means it should only be given to guinea pigs in small portions; one to two pods per piggy is more than enough.

12. Corn on the Cob - Corn on the cob can be a great treat for guinea pigs but is has high starch content. Always feed corn on the cob fresh, not cooked. In most cases, your guinea pigs will eat the corn and not the cob. They may chew on and even digest the actual cob if you leave it in their cage long enough. Do not be alarmed if this happens but do not let them do it regularly. There is no nutritional content in the cob itself. Corn silk from corn on the cob is a great daily treat for your guinea pigs too. Not only do they love it, but it is beneficial for their bladders. Just like with the corn husks, make sure the corn silk is free of chemicals. If the corn silk is from corn bought from a store, you must wash the corn silk thoroughly to remove any pesticides. Before feeding corn silk to your guinea pigs, it must be completely dry. Never feed damp or wilted corn husks or corn silk to your guinea pig as it can make them sick. Baby corn is also okay if it is fresh and fed as part of a standard diet of hay, pellets, and fresh water. You may think that since guinea pigs can eat fresh corn, canned sweet corn is okay too, but this is not the case at all. Canned sweet corn has an awful lot of salt in it which is not good for your guinea pigs. 

13. Turnips - We are only going to talk about the bottom part of the turnip (its root), turnip greens (top part – leaves) can also be fed to our guinea pigs. Yes, guinea pigs can eat turnips. Turnips are very nutritious for the guinea pigs, but they should be administered only occasionally. The reason for this is because they are high in oxalic acid and sugar. Around once or twice in a week will be good for the guinea pig. Serving size of turnips for the guinea pigs is half a cup or a handful of turnips, carefully sliced into small cubes. Feed them turnips one or two times per week. There are numerous benefits found in turnips, especially for guinea pigs. The following are some of the advantages of feeding your pet turnips: Helps with digestion – digestion is a critical metabolic process in a guinea pig. Your pet does not have the best digestive system, and that is why it depends on the food it eats for help. Turnips have sufficient dietary fibre that helps with digesting food and absorbing nutrients into the bloodstream. The fibre also aids in alleviating stomach related complications such as constipation and diarrhea. Reduces inflammation –swelling/inflammation is normal until it turns chronic. It is a body’s reaction to diseases and injury and it usually ends on its own after a while. When inflammation becomes chronic, it can lead to conditions such as cancer and diabetes. Turnips help to prevent these using antioxidants. Also, fibre helps to reduce internal inflammation of organs. Lowers blood pressure – high blood pressure is deadly, and it needs to be reduced if present in your guinea pigs. High blood pressure can be toned down by nitrates that are present in turnips. Nitrates have positive effects on vascular health, including lowering blood pressure. This helps to keep the guinea pig healthy and stable. Aids in weight loss – turnips have low amounts of calories which can help with weight loss. Besides, this veggie has dietary fibre which induces satiety or fullness in a guinea pig. When the guinea pig is feeling full it will not eat too much, and that is how it reduces the intake of calories (weight regulation). You should note that obesity in your guinea pig is a risk factor and can be fatal for guinea pig’s life. Boosts immune function – guinea pigs naturally have a weak immune system, and to improve it they need to eat nutritious foods. Vitamin C, found in turnips, is one of the nutrients crucial to the life of a guinea pig. Note that guinea pigs are unable to create nor store this vitamin by themselves naturally, they depend on different food as a source of vitamin C. This vitamin protects the body from different diseases and infections. Also, vitamin C helps in iron absorption and with several other vital body functions. Helps in the development of strong bones and teeth – calcium is one essential mineral found in turnips that helps with the formation, growth, and development of strong bones and teeth in cavies. This amount of calcium is not dangerous for your guinea pig. 

14. Celery -  Yes, piggies can eat celery and it also contains vitamin C. You should be cautious though as it's got a stringy texture that could present a choking hazard. I tend to de-string the celery when i feed them this vegetable and chop it up which they love but does take ages to do.

• Apples
• Pear
• Oranges
• Grapes
• Watermelon
• Banana
• Strawberries/ Raspberries
• Cherries
• Mango

I have decided when possible to create and and make some fun houses and play things to go inside hutches or in outdoor runs. These will be available to order from 2021 and will be created for your guinea pig from someone that understands what they want and understanding what owners need to makes life easy for us in keeping and caring for them.