Foods That Are Safe For Your Guinea Pig
![guinea pig mother and baby](images/guinea_pig_eating_apple.jpg)
Overview
Guinea pigs can eat a large variety of fresh fruit and veggies but it can be hard to determine what is and isn't safe, how often they can eat a certain thing, and what parts they can eat. This isn't a complete list of what they can eat but it covers the majority of things that you might think to feed them. As a note, more sour fruit should be fed only as a rare treat because it can cause mouth sores. If you let your guinea pig forage for itself outside, just be sure that pesticides/herbicides haven't been put down and that the area is clean of anything else that may harm your guinea pig.
Food | Feeding Frequency | Special Notes |
---|---|---|
Alfalfa | Hay Replacement | Only suitable for young or pregnant guinea pigs |
Apple | a few times a week | can eat everything but core and seeds, seeds are poisonous |
Apricot | a few times a week | |
Argula Lettuce | a few times a week | |
Asparagus | a few times a week | may cause bloating |
Banana | a few times a month | may cause constipation |
Beets/Beet Greens | a few times a month | |
Blueberries/Blackberries | a few times a month | feed in moderation |
Broccoli | a few times a week | |
Brussels Sprouts | a few times a week | may cause bloating |
Cabbage | a few times a week | feed in moderation |
Carrots/Baby Carrots | daily | feed in moderation |
Cauliflower | a few times a month | |
Celery | a few times a week | remove veins as they pose a choking hazard |
Sweet Cherries (without pits) | a few times a week | |
Cilantro | daily | feed in moderation |
Cranberries | a few times a week | feed in moderation |
Cucumber With Peel | a few times a week | |
Dandelion Greens | a few times a week | |
Grapes | a few times a week | |
Lawn Grass | unlimited | just be sure the area is clean |
Lettuce (butterhead, boston, bibb, romaine, red leaf) | daily | NEVER feed your guinea pig iceberg lettuce |
Orange | a few times a month | feed in small amounts |
Mango | a few times a week | |
Melon (all types) | a few times a month | feed in very small amounts |
Parsley | a few times a week | |
Peach | a few times a week | |
Peas | a few times a week | |
Pears | a few times a week | |
Peppermint | a few times a week | |
Peppers (sweet) | daily | may cause bloating |
Pineapple | a few times a week | may cause mouth sores |
Pumpkin/Pumpkin Leaves | a few times a month | |
Raspberry Leaves | daily | |
Spinach | a few times a week | |
Squash | a few times a week | |
Strawberries | daily | feed in moderation |
Tomato (all types) | a few times a week | |
Turnip Greens | a few times a week | |
Watermelon/Watermelon Rind | a few times a month | |
Zucchini | daily |