Providing your guinea pig with additional fresh forages is an excellent way to help maintain optimum health and should be included in any diet regime.

They are a source of fibre, nutrients and minerals, that, replicate a natural eating habit. Include forages along with freshly hand picked grass. However always ensure you identify, analyse and ensure all forages are safe for consumption.

Identification 
Due to numerous factors relating to the safe identification and analysis of the area from which you harvest, it is imperative that you are certain forages are: Identified CorrectlyFree from herbicides and pesticidesHarvested away from RoadsidesHealthy, fresh and free from mold, mildew or fungiHarvested away from livestock  or where other species defecate or urinate

Herbicides, soil fertilizers and pesticides can be used on store bought herbs, forages and plants, hence it is vitally important that you wash and re pot plants before offering to your cavy. Identifying plants can also be difficult as many lists offer incomplete data and information is yet to be continued.

However if researched thoroughly and harvested correctly, many owners can effectively collect edible forages.

Edible Forages

The below list has been compiled to offer a brief list of safe forages commonly found in Australia. Please be aware that you must properly identify and ensure the forage you are offering your cavy are correct.

Guinea Pigs Australia takes no responsibility for incorrect analysis and the effects that may result. Plants are listed by common name only.

See below edible forages for guinea pigs and rabbits

A
Anise
Apple - Fruit and Branches (no seeds/core)
Agrimony
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B

Basil - LeavesBlackberry - Fruit & LeavesBorage - Leaves (use sparingly)

Brocolli - Leaves & Stem
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C

Calendula - Leaves & Flowers

Caraway

Chamomile

Chickweed - Leaves Chicory - Leaves

Cleavers

Clover, white - Flowers & Leaves (High in Calcium)

Clover, red - Flowers & Leaves (High in Calcium)

Coltsfoot - Use Sparingly

Comfrey -  Leaves, best dried (use sparingly)

Cornsilk

Corriander

Cowberry - Fruit & Leaves (use sparingly)
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D

Dandelion - Flowers & Stalk (Use sparingly)

Duckweed

DogRose
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F

Fennel
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G

Grapes - Fruit

Grass

Groundsel
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L

Lavender (use sparingly)

Lemon Balm/Mint

Lime - Flowers

Lucerne
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M

Mint - Leaves

Meadowsweet
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N

Nettle - Dried only
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P

Plantain

Parsley

Peppermint
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R

Raspberry - Berries & Leaves

Rosehip - Shells only
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S

Sage - Leaves (use sparingly)

Shepherd’s Purse

Strawberry Fragaria vesca (etc.) Above ground parts

Snow Pea - Sprouts

Spearmint
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V

Violet, field
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Y

Yarrow