Fruits That Guinea Pigs Can Eat – Complete List (And What To Avoid)

Skylar and Skittles sharing a watermelon slice.

There are so many fruits you can feed your guinea pig. In this article, I’ll be covering all the safe fruits you can give your guinea pig, which ones are best, how often you can feed them, and which fruits you should avoid feeding your piggy.

Most fruit is high in sugar and is best fed as a treat rather than every day. However, many fruits are very nutrient-rich and make a great addition to your furry potato’s diet.

Fruit is also generally low in calcium, which is crucial for adult guinea pigs to prevent issues like bladder stones.

Many types of fruit also contain significant levels of Vitamin C, which is essential for piggies as they need to get this nutrient exclusively through their diet.

So without further ado, let’s get started with a list of safe fruits that you can feed your guinea pig.

You can also check out the Guinea Pig Food Chart for an alphabetical list of everything your piggy can eat and how often they can have it, along with calcium and Vitamin C levels for each food.

*Important Note: The quantity of fruit shown in the photos is for visual purposes only and not indicative of the correct amount to feed your guinea pig in one serving.

Safe Fruits for Guinea Pigs: Complete List

This is a quick reference list of all the fruits you can safely feed guinea pigs.

You can find more details on how much and what parts of the fruit you can feed when you scroll further down this page.

  • Strawberries
  • Blueberries
  • Raspberries
  • Blackberries
  • Cranberries
  • Watermelon
  • Honeydew Melon
  • Cantaloupe (Rockmelon)
  • Bananas
  • Bell Peppers
  • Zucchini
  • Cucumbers
  • Butternut Squash
  • Tomatoes (cherry and regular are fine)
  • Apples
  • Pears
  • Grapes
  • Oranges
  • Grapefruit
  • Guava
  • Apricots
  • Cherries (sweet and sour)
  • Peaches
  • Nectarines
  • Plums
  • Kiwi
  • Mango
  • Starfruit
  • Papaya
  • Pomegranate
  • Pineapple
  • Eggplant
  • Okra
  • Pumpkin
Guinea pigs often love blueberries!
Baby Skittles with some strawberries.

You can also find a complete list of all the foods (fruits, veggies, and herbs!) your guinea pig can eat here: Complete Guinea Pig Safe Foods List.

Fruit You Should NOT Feed Your Guinea Pig

The following list is some fruits or parts of fruits that are potentially dangerous or harmful in other ways.

  • Avocado – most parts are poisonous.
  • Some Citrus – Lemon and Lime – are too acidic and can cause mouth sores.
  • All spicy peppers.
  • Rhubarb – all parts are poisonous to guinea pigs.
  • Tomato stems and leaves – always remove greenery before feeding – also, never feed unripe tomatoes!
  • Apple seeds – the seeds contain amygdalin, which produces cyanide when chewed – this is very poisonous to guinea pigs! Always remove apple seeds before feeding.
  • Fruit pits – many contain cyanide, a poisonous compound.
  • Dried fruit – including raisins – while not poisonous, they are high in sugar and stick to your guinea pig’s teeth.

Related45 Foods Your Guinea Pig Shouldn’t Eat

Safe Fruits for Guinea Pigs – How Much and How Often to Feed

The following is a thorough list of safe fruits to feed to your guinea pig. Under each item, you’ll find more information, including the nutritional benefits and how often to offer each food.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Strawberries?

Strawberries are an excellent fruit to offer your guinea pig as an occasional treat.

These sweet red berries contain countless nutrients, including Vitamin C. Since they contain some sugar, it’s best to feed no more than one strawberry once a week.

Guinea pigs can also eat the strawberry tops (in many cases, they like them even more!) If you grow your own strawberry plants, guinea pigs can even eat the leaves of the plant.

Skylar absolutely loves her strawberries. These sweet berries make a delicious and healthy treat for piggies!

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Blueberries?

Blueberries are rich in vitamins and antioxidants for guinea pigs.

Blueberries are healthy and full of antioxidants. They are safe to feed guinea pigs and offer many nutritional benefits.

They are a great source of antioxidants, manganese, Vitamin K, and Vitamin C, which are crucial for guinea pigs.

They are also low in calcium and a very popular favorite food of many guinea pigs. All 13 of my piggies get super excited when I have blueberries and eat them eagerly.

However, due to the sugar content, it’s best to feed a couple of blueberries at a time, once or twice a week.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Raspberries?

Raspberries are safe to feed, and many guinea pigs love them! They are rich in antioxidants, fiber, potassium, and Vitamin C, which is great for piggies.

They contain some sugar, so it’s best to feed them occasionally. A couple of berries a week makes a perfect treat for guinea pigs.

If you grow your own raspberry plants (they are very easy perennials to grow in the garden!), your guinea pigs can also eat the raspberry leaves off the plant.

Red raspberries make a delicious occasional treat for guinea pigs.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Blackberries?

Guinea pigs can eat both raspberries and blackberries alike. Blackberries contain many great antioxidants, fiber, and Vitamin C.

Like raspberries, these sweet berries should be fed in limited quantities due to their sugar content. You can offer your piggies a couple of berries per week as an occasional healthy treat.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cranberries?

Cranberries are safe to feed guinea pigs, and they have some great health benefits. They are high in Vitamin C, manganese, and fiber.

Cranberries also have high levels of antioxidants proanthocyanidins (PACs), which discourage bacteria from sticking around and growing in the bladder. Because of this, cranberries can be beneficial for guinea pigs that are prone to UTIs or other bladder problems.

It’s best to feed cranberries in small amounts only, once or twice a week, if your guinea pig likes the flavor. Only one of my little potatoes was keen to gobble up cranberries (luckily, he was the only one with bladder problems that needed them!)

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Watermelon?

Daisy loves her watermelon!

Watermelon is a popular and delicious fruit that guinea pigs often love. It is not high in calcium, so there’s no real concern about feeding it besides the sugar content. It also does not contain a lot of Vitamin C, but it’s high in potassium, which regulates fluid in the body.

Guinea pigs can eat the flesh and the watermelon rind. The rind and white part of the flesh is lower in sugar, so it’s best for chunky piggies. Be sure to rinse thoroughly and remove seeds before offering your guinea pig a piece.

Because of the sugar in watermelon, it’s best to feed it as an occasional snack once a week or so.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Honeydew Melon?

Honeydew melon is high in sugar and water, but many guinea pigs love it. Like watermelon, guinea pigs can eat both the flesh and the rind. Rinds are lower in sugar but not as tasty as the lime green flesh.

Be sure to remove seeds before giving anything to your piggy. Honeydew melon is best fed as an occasional treat, in small amounts every week or so.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cantaloupe? (Rockmelon)

Cantaloupe (also known as rockmelon) is high in Vitamin C and makes a great treat for your guinea pigs. This fruit also contains sugar and phosphorus, so feed it sparingly.

Cantaloupe is also very popular with piggies! I had a high success rate with my herd, and nearly all the guinea pigs gobbled it up on the first try.

You can feed a small cube or slice of the rockmelon flesh weekly. Be sure to remove the seeds and rind first, as the seeds pose a choking risk, and the rind is tough for guinea pigs to chew and digest.

Cantaloupe is yummy and very popular with guinea pigs!

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Bananas?

You can safely feed bananas to your guinea pig in moderation. Bananas contain some Vitamin C and lots of potassium, which help regulate fluid in the body.

Bananas are incredibly high in sugar, though, so offer your cavy no more than a few bites once a week.

Skylar nibbling on a banana.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Bell Peppers?

Guinea pigs can eat all colors of sweet bell peppers.

Sweet bell peppers are commonly treated as a vegetable, but did you know that they are technically defined as a fruit?

Regardless of their classification, bell peppers are one of the healthiest foods you can feed your guinea pig.

They are much lower in sugar than most fruit, so it’s safe to feed them every day. Bell peppers are also an excellent source of Vitamin C, making them a perfect choice for piggies.

1/8 to 1/4 of pepper is a good amount to feed daily. A single thick slice of bell pepper can generally fulfill your guinea pig’s daily Vitamin C requirements.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Zucchini?

Zucchini (also known as courgette) is another fruit commonly disguised as a vegetable.

Zucchini contains lots of fiber and some Vitamin C. It is also low in sugar, making it an excellent staple food to give your guinea pig regularly.

Guinea pigs can eat zucchini with the skin on or off. It’s best to feed them with the skin intact, as that is where many of the beneficial antioxidants are found. You can feed 1-2 slices of zucchini daily to your guinea pig if they like it.

Pansy trying out some zucchini.
Poppy and Pansy love their cucumber.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cucumbers?

Cucumbers grow in a very similar way to zucchini, making them a type of fruit as well.

Cucumbers have high water content, and they are lower in nutrients than zucchini. They are very low in sugar and calcium too, which is good for guinea pigs.

Cucumbers are good for guinea pigs that don’t drink very much water. You can feed a couple of slices of this food a few times a week or one thin slice daily.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Butternut Squash?

Butternut squash is an orange fruit that is rich in antioxidants and contains a variety of vitamins and minerals. Like zucchini, butternut squash is often prepared as a vegetable.

This hardy squash is especially rich in Vitamin A, and it contains some potassium, magnesium, Vitamin C, and other nutrients as well. It contains a small amount of sugar, however, it is quite low in comparison to other fruits.

Guinea pigs can eat a small cube or slice of butternut squash once or twice a week.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Tomatoes?

Tomatoes are another common fruit that is widely treated as a vegetable. They contain many nutrients, including some Vitamin C. Guinea pigs can eat small cherry tomatoes and regular full-size tomatoes.

When feeding this fruit, ensure that all green parts are removed, as tomato stems and leaves are highly poisonous to guinea pigs. Also, never feed unripe green tomatoes, as these also contain the same toxic compound.

Guinea pigs can eat tomatoes 3-4 times a week. Feed about one cherry tomato or the equivalent amount of a larger tomato at a time. Tomatoes are a bit acidic and can cause mouth sores or digestive upsets if fed too much.

TJ and Willow eating a sliced tomato. Tomatoes are a great source of nutrients, but be sure to remove any green parts!

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Apples?

TJ with some sliced gala apples.

There’s no doubt that apples are a healthy fruit for people, but guinea pigs can enjoy the health benefits too.

They are not overly high in Vitamin C, but they are rich in other nutrients. Many guinea pigs love apples as well.

Because of the sugar, it’s best to feed apples to your guinea pig in moderation. A thin slice once a week is a good amount.

You can feed them with the skin on or off, but wash them thoroughly first. Also, don’t forget to remove the seeds! Apple seeds contain a poisonous compound that can harm your guinea pig.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Pears?

Pears are safe to feed to guinea pigs, and many piggies love this fruit’s sweet taste and texture.

Pears contain great antioxidants, potassium, and Vitamins C and K. They are also high in fiber and water, which is great for guinea pigs that don’t drink a lot.

Like apples, you can feed a thin slice once a week. Pears can be offered with the skin peeled or intact. Seeds can be a choking hazard, so remove those and wash the fruit thoroughly first.

Pears are a great source of vitamins and antioxidants. They make an excellent weekly treat for guinea pigs.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Grapes?

Red and purple grapes contain higher concentrations of antioxidants than green grapes.

Red and green grapes can be fed to guinea pigs occasionally as a snack. They are relatively high in sugar and don’t contain much Vitamin C, so they are best offered in small amounts if your guinea pig loves them.

If your guinea pigs are anything like mine and try to swallow them whole, you may want to cut them in half first. It’s also a good idea to thoroughly rinse them off and remove seeds if there are any.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Oranges?

Oranges are a beloved favorite citrus fruit for people and guinea pigs alike.

Oranges are a good source of Vitamin C, but they should be fed sparingly due to their acidity, sugar, and calcium content. You can safely provide a slice of this fruit once a week or so.

Orange peels are also safe to feed, and these contain even more Vitamin C than the oranges themselves! However, make sure the oranges are organic because the peels often contain many pesticides.

Guinea pigs can also safely eat different varieties of oranges, such as tangerines and clementines.

Oranges are a good source of Vitamin C for piggies.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Grapefruit?

Grapefruit is safe to feed your guinea pig, and it contains many great health benefits. It contains Vitamin C, potassium, fiber, Vitamin A, and beta-carotene. Guinea pigs can also eat grapefruit peels, but it’s best to buy organic as the skins are often treated with pesticides.

This citrus fruit is acidic and high in sugar, which can cause mouth sores or weight gain if fed too much. However, as an occasional treat, grapefruit is a healthy option. It’s best to limit this food to a small slice once every couple of weeks.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Guava?

Guava is an underestimated fruit for guinea pigs! This food contains four times the Vitamin C as an orange. It’s safe to say that this food is a great weekly snack to share with your guinea pigs.

Guava is safe to eat with the skin peeled or intact. However, if the fruit is not organic, it may be best to peel the skin. You can feed a small slice of this juicy fruit to your guinea pig once a week due to the acidity and sugar content.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Apricots?

Apricots are safe to feed guinea pigs, and they are plentiful in vitamins and minerals. They are rich in Vitamin A, beta-carotene, and potassium. They also contain some fiber, Vitamin C, and sugar.

Apricots provide your guinea pig with a healthy nutrient boost, but they’re best fed occasionally due to the sugar content. A thin slice once or twice a week is sufficient for piggies.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cherries?

Guinea pigs can eat cherries as an occasional treat. Cherries contain great nutrients like Vitamin C, fiber, potassium, magnesium, Vitamin K, and more.

Guinea pigs can eat both sweet and sour cherries, but be sure to remove the pit first. The leaves, stem, and pit contain traces of cyanide acid, which is poisonous to guinea pigs. Feed a maximum of one cherry a week, as these delicious fruits are pretty high in sugar.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Peaches?

Peaches are safe for guinea pigs, and they contain copious amounts of excellent nutrients.

They are high in antioxidants and contain potassium, zinc, manganese, magnesium, and Vitamins E, K, and C.

Peaches are high in sugar and a bit acidic, so it’s best to limit it to a thin slice once a week. Guinea pigs can eat the fuzzy peach skins, but be sure to rinse them thoroughly to remove any traces of pesticides.

Guinea pigs can also eat nectarines, as they are a hairless variety of the traditional fuzzy peach.

Poppy eating a peach slice.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Plums?

Guinea pigs can safely eat plums, but moderation is vital, as they are high in sugar. Plums are rich in antioxidants, fiber, Vitamin C, and other minerals, making them a healthy snack.

Be sure to wash them thoroughly and remove the pit before feeding. The skin can be left intact, as it contains several great nutrients. You can offer a small piece of plum to your guinea pig once a week.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Kiwi?

Guinea pigs can eat kiwi, but you should feed it in small amounts due to the high sugar levels in this fruit. Kiwi also contains some calcium and phosphorus, which can lead to bladder stone formation.

However, they are an excellent source of Vitamin C and also offer a boost of Vitamins A, E, and K. Peel off the fuzzy brown skin, and you can feed a thin slice of this fruit once every week or so.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Mango?

Mango is an excellent fruit for your guinea pig in small amounts. It contains a reasonable amount of Vitamin C, as well as Vitamins A and B6.

Like many fruits, mango is high in sugar and should be fed as an occasional snack. Remove the skin and the pit, and you can offer a small slice or cube of mango once a week to your piggy.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Starfruit?

You can feed your guinea pigs starfruit safely in moderation. Starfruit is an excellent source of Vitamin C and other nutrients. However, as an acidic fruit, it can cause mouth sores or digestive upset if you feed too much. It also contains sugar, like most other fruits.

As such, it’s best to feed starfruit in small quantities. A small slice once a week is more than adequate for guinea pigs.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Papaya?

Guinea pigs can eat papaya as an occasional treat. It is high in Vitamin C, Vitamin A, potassium, and fiber, but it contains a lot of natural sugar. For this reason, it’s best to feed no more than one thin slice of papaya once a week.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Pomegranate?

Pomegranate is a fruit that is made up of many little red bubbles, each one containing a small seed. These little seed pouches are safe to feed guinea pigs, but it’s a good idea to monitor your piggy to ensure they don’t choke on any of the seeds.

Pomegranates are healthy in moderation and contain many great nutrients. However, it’s best to limit this treat to a small spoonful a few times a month.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Pineapple?

Pineapple is safe for guinea pigs to eat, and it contains many beneficial vitamins and minerals. Some nutrients include Vitamin C, beta-carotene, magnesium, and Vitamin K.

Guinea pigs should eat fresh sliced pineapple rather than canned. Tinned pineapple often contains preservatives that can be harmful to guinea pigs. Also, avoid feeding the prickly skin, leaves, or rigid core of fresh pineapple. Guinea pigs can safely eat a small piece of fresh pineapple once or twice a week.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Eggplant?

Did you know that eggplant is technically classified as a berry? This spongy fruit is not high in nutrients, so it’s best to feed it very occasionally to your guinea pig.

Eggplant is in the nightshade family, so you must be careful when feeding it. Any green parts of eggplant contain solanine, which is highly poisonous.

Never feed your guinea pig leaves or stems from eggplant, and ensure that the eggplant itself is entirely ripe. Any traces of green on the inside can also contain this poisonous compound.

As long as leaves are removed and the eggplant is 100% ripe, it is safe for guinea pigs to eat, and many like the spongy texture.

However, it is not high in Vitamin C or other nutrients that piggies need, so it’s best to feed a small chunk once a week at the most.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Okra?

This fruit is another that is commonly disguised as a vegetable. Okra is high in Vitamin C, but it contains some calcium and oxalic acid, which can lead to stone development.

However, as long as it’s not fed in excess, this is not a problem for most healthy piggies. You can offer a small chunk of okra once or twice a week if your guinea pig likes it.

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Pumpkin?

Ace with a tiny pumpkin.

Guinea pigs can eat pumpkin, but it’s crucial to feed it in small amounts. Pumpkin contains nutrients such as Vitamin A, beta carotene, potassium, and fiber.

It contains some Vitamin C and sugar as well. Beta carotene is great for eyesight, but too much Vitamin A can cause liver damage.

Because pumpkin is so high in Vitamin A and guinea pigs are small in comparison, we need to be cautious of this.

Feed pumpkin in minimal amounts as an occasional snack. It’s best to limit the feeding to once every few weeks.

Guinea pigs can eat the flesh and the rind, but be sure to remove the seeds first.

Best Fruits for Guinea Pigs

The best fruits you can feed your guinea pigs are foods high in nutrients, especially Vitamin C. These include the following:

Peach and Daisy with an assortment of bell peppers.
  • Strawberries
  • Blueberries
  • Bell Peppers
  • Zucchini
  • Tomatoes
  • Apples
  • Peaches
  • Oranges
  • Guava

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Dried Fruit?

Dried fruit is not poisonous to guinea pigs. However, you should avoid feeding your guinea pig any dried fruit, including raisins. Dried fruit is very sticky and can get caught in your guinea pig’s teeth or pose a choking hazard.

Dried fruit is also higher in sugar than fresh fruit, which can cause fast and unnecessary weight gain. A guinea pig’s digestive system also cannot handle large amounts of sugar, and therefore, it can cause an upset stomach for your piggy.

What Fruit Can Guinea Pigs Eat Every Day?

Peach and Daisy with their beloved bell peppers.

Most fruits are too high in sugar to feed your guinea pig daily.

However, bell peppers, zucchini, and cucumber are technically a fruit, and these can be fed to your guinea pig daily.

All other traditional types of fruit, such as strawberries, blueberries, apples, grapes, oranges, and watermelon, should only be fed in small amounts once or twice a week.

How to Feed Your Guinea Pig Fruit

When introducing a new fruit to your guinea pig, do so slowly to avoid an upset stomach. Offer a couple of bites the first day, and then try a bit more a few days later. If your guinea pig doesn’t want to try a new food right away, that’s totally normal!

Guinea pigs can be cautious of new foods at first. Try leaving it in the cage for a while to give them time to inspect it at their own pace. You may need to do this for a few days until your piggy decides to give it a taste. Remember to remove any uneaten food after a couple of hours so it doesn’t rot.

Most fruit is pretty high in sugar and should be fed in small quantities. Too much sugar can cause gut problems, diarrhea, or weight gain, so we want to avoid that.

Offer fruit no more than once or twice a week at most. A good amount is a thin slice, small cube, or equivalent size. You can feed one strawberry or 3-4 smaller berries at a time, such as blueberries.

If the fruit has any noticeable seeds or pits, remove them before feeding it to your guinea pig. Seeds can pose a choking risk, and apple seeds, for example, can even be poisonous. Tiny seeds in berries and soft seeds like those in bell peppers and cucumbers are safe for guinea pigs.

Finally, remember to thoroughly rinse any fruit before feeding it to your piggy. If you can buy organic, that’s even better! Avoid frozen or canned fruits, as these lose some nutritional value and contain preservatives that are not good for guinea pigs.

Final Thoughts

Fruits make a great treat for guinea pigs, and many contain fantastic nutrients that are beneficial to your guinea pig’s diet.

However, they are best fed occasionally and not as a substitute for high-quality grass hay or staple leafy green vegetables.

Bell peppers are a great fruit to feed regularly, along with other high-nutrient foods that are abundant in Vitamin C.

For a list of great vegetables to offer your guinea pig, check out this list of 17 foods for guinea pigs that are high in Vitamin C.

Lettuce and bell peppers make great staple foods in your guinea pig’s diet.

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