Vegetables, Fruits & Herbs
What Foods Are Best?
Variety is the spice of life!
Some veggies can be fed daily, while fruit, herbs and certain vegetables are best in moderation due to their higher sugar, calcium, acidity or 'bloat' content (check out our lists below for the ones to look out for! 👇).
A good variety of piggy-friendly options ensure your piggies' digestive system maintains sufficient gut movement, and gives them the necessary vitamins and minerals they need.
How much should I feed?
Guinea pigs require one cup of vegetables a day (fed once daily, or half the amount twice daily). Fruits can be fed once or twice per week, as they are higher in sugar and can lead to obesity issues if fed too often! Herbs are also best in moderation. Always provide vegetables that include a good source of vitamin C.
You'll find each of your guinea pigs have their likes and dislikes! Some piggies will inhale broccoli while others won't be interested at all. This is normal! Like humans, guinea pigs have individual tastes, so it may take some trial and error before you work out your piggies' favourites!
VEGETABLES
🟢 Feed Frequently (Daily)
These vegetables are safe and healthy for daily consumption:
- Capsicum (all colors, seeds included, high in Vitamin C)
- Choko (high in Vitamin C)
- Cucumbers
- Lettuce - All types except Iceberg
- Zucchini
🟠 Feed in Moderation (2-3 times a week)
These vegetables are nutritious but should be limited to a couple of times a week:
- Asian greens (boy choy, pak choy, choy sum)
- Asparagus
- Broccoli (may cause gas)
- Brussel Spouts (may cause bloating)
- Carrots (tops included)
- Cabbage (can cause bloating)
- Cauliflower (can cause bloating)
- Celery (stalks and tops)
- Chard (can cause bloating)
- Chicory/Endive (high in Vitamin C)
- Corn (kernels, leaves and silk)
- Green beans (can cause bloating)
- Pumpkin
- Radishes
- Tomatoes (do not feed stems or leaves)
🟡 Feed Sparingly (Once a week or less)
These vegetables are high in sugar, oxalates, or calcium, so they should only be fed as special treats:
- Beets (the leaves to be fed very sparingly)
- Kale (high in calcium)
- Parlsey (high in calcium)
- Pumpkin
- Silverbeet (high in calcium)
- Spinach (high in calcium)
- Sweet Potato (and never normal potatoes!)
- Turnip (both vegetable and stalks high in oxalades)
👉 NOTE:
- Always wash vegetables thoroughly before feeding them to your guinea pigs.
- Introduce new vegetables slowly to monitor for any digestive issues.
🔴 Do NOT Feed
These vegetables are unsafe and can be fatal for guinea pigs to eat, do not feed any of these!
❌ Potatoes
❌ Onions
❌ Chives
❌ Spring onions
❌ Rhubarb
❌ Garlic
❌ Mushrooms
❌ Honey
❌ Rice
❌ Tomato stems and leaves
❌ Nuts
❌ Iceberg lettuce (can cause diarrhea)
FRUITS
Fruits should be limited to being fed a couple of times per week due to their high sugar content. Some fruits also have high acidity which can cause tummy upset and mouth sores, so just remember, any of these options are in moderation!
Here is a list of safe fruits you can try with your piggies:
Apple (without seeds)
Banana (Can cause constipation if overfed)
Blueberries (High in antioxidants; can cause loose stool if overfed)
Cherries (High in Vitamin C; messy!! Remove pit)
Cranberries (High in Vitamin C; can cause loose stool if overfed)
Grapes
Kiwi (High Vitamin C; high acidity, can cause mouth sores)
Mango
Orange & Mandarin (High in Vitamin C; high acidity, can cause mouth sores)
Papaya/PawPaw (Rich in Vitamin C)
Stone Fruits (Remove pits)
Pear (Remove seeds)
Pineapple (Remove core; high acidity, can cause mouth sores)
Raspberries (High in antioxidants)
Rockmelon & Honeydew (Remove seeds and rind; high water content, can cause bloating)
Strawberries (High in Vitamin C)
Watermelon (Remove seeds; high water content, can cause bloating)
👉 NOTE:
- Always wash fruits thoroughly before feeding them to your guinea pigs.
- Introduce new fruits slowly to monitor for any digestive issues.
HERBS
Herbs are also another thing you can have in your piggies' diet to provide variety!
Note, all herbs should be fed in moderation, once a week in small serves is fine!
Basil
Cilantro/Coriander (Rich in Vitamin C)
Dill (Feed in moderation, as it has a strong flavor)
Mint (Can cause digestive upset if overfed)
Oregano (Strong flavor, feed in small amounts)
Parsley (High in calcium)
Rosemary (Strong flavor, feed in small amounts)
Sage (Strong flavor, feed in small amounts)
Thyme (High in calcium)
Wash herbs thoroughly before feeding them to your guinea pigs.
