What Can Guinea Pigs Eat? (Safe Foods List)

Have you ever wandered through a grocery store and wondered if a particular food was safe for your guinea pig to eat? This comprehensive list will tell you exactly what you can feed your guinea pig, as well as some important notes on precautions, quantities, and frequency that you can give each food.

What Should Guinea Pigs Eat Daily?

While this is a list of fruits and vegetables that guinea pigs can eat, remember that the bulk of your guinea pig’s diet should be 80% grass hay. Timothy or orchard hay are both excellent choices. Guinea pigs should also have free access to clean, fresh water at all times. Be sure to supplement their diet with 1/8 cup of high-quality pellets to ensure they get the minerals they need daily.

Oxalates or oxalic acid should also be restricted in your guinea pig’s diet as much as possible. Too much of this can lead to stone development and many other health conditions. It’s best not to feed multiple veggies that are rich in oxalates at the same time.

While some of the following foods are safe to feed daily, it’s best to serve up a rotation of different veggies every day so your guinea pig gets a variety of nutrients from different sources. Check out our guinea pig food chart for an easy reference sheet on how often you can offer each food.

Of course, all guinea pigs will have different tastes, and you’ll discover their various likes and dislikes as you introduce new foods. You can check out this list of favorite foods that nearly all guinea pigs love to get you started.

Complete List of Vegetables That Guinea Pigs Can Eat

Arugula/Rocket Salad

Asparagus

• Contains some vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
• This cruciferous veggie can cause bloating if fed too much
• High in oxalic acid
• Introduce into the diet slowly
• You can feed a small chunk of a stalk (1-2 inch piece) once a week

Beet Greens

• Less sugar and more vitamin-rich than beets
• Higher in calcium and oxalates
• You can feed a leaf a couple of times a month

Beetroot

• Source of fiber and other nutrients
• High in sugar, calcium, and phosphorus, so best fed sparingly
• You can feed a slice of beetroot 1-2 times a week

Bok Choy

• High in Vitamin C and other nutrients
• This cruciferous vegetable can cause gas and bloating if fed in excess
• Introduce to the diet slowly
• Can feed a leaf 1-2 times a week

Broccoli

Broccoli Raab/Rabe/Rapini

• Incredibly high in Vitamin A – can cause liver damage and other issues if fed in excess
• Also high in calcium.
• Best to feed in small amounts very occasionally, 1-2 times a month

Brussels Sprouts

Cabbage

Cauliflower

• Guinea pigs can eat the floret, leaves, and stalk
• Cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable and can cause gas and bloat if fed in excess.
• Introduce into the diet slowly
• Feed small amounts once a week

Celery

Chicory Greens

• Quite acidic and relatively high in calcium
• High in Vitamin C
• Feed in small amounts once a week

Collard Greens

Endive/Escarole

Green Beans

• Contain a variety of vitamins and minerals
• Never feed cooked green beans to guinea pigs
• They can eat 1-2 raw green beans up to 2-3 times a week.

Kale

Kohlrabi

• Rich in Vitamin C
• Guinea pigs can eat the leaves and the bulb
• It can cause gas and bloating if fed in excess – introduce it into the diet slowly.
• Can feed 1 medium leaf 1-2 times a week
• A small chunk of bulb can be fed up to once a week

Mustard Greens

• High in Vitamin C and other great nutrients
• Contains a lot of calcium
• Best fed in moderation, small amounts 1-2 times a week

Parsnips

• Contains a variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
• Also contains some sugar and oxalates
• Do not feed parsnip greens
• You can feed a couple of slices of parsnip 2-3 times a week

Peas in Pod

• High in phosphorus
• The best types to feed are snow peas and sugar snap peas
• You can feed 1-2 pea pods once a week

Radicchio

Spinach

Sweet Potato/Yam

• Do not feed russet, white, or red potatoes – these are toxic to piggies!
• Sweet potato leaves are safe to feed
• You can feed a small cube or a little slice of sweet potato about once a week.

Swiss Chard

Turnip Greens

• Guinea pigs can eat turnips and the greens
• Very high in calcium and oxalates, so feed sparingly
• Offer a leaf or two once a week + feed along with low calcium foods

Watercress

• Leaves and stems are safe for guinea pigs
• Good source of Vitamin C and rich in many nutrients
• Contains some oxalates
• Feed up to 5-10 sprigs 1-2 times a week

Wheatgrass

• Wheatgrass (also known as cat grass) is safe to feed your guinea pigs
• Easy to grow on your windowsill
• You can offer a small handful 3-4 times a week

Complete List of Herbs That Guinea Pigs Can Eat

The following is a thorough list of herbs that are safe for guinea pigs to eat. Herbs are a rich source of nutrients, but most are very high in calcium. For this reason, it’s best to feed them in moderation.

You can find more information on feeding herbs here: Complete List of Herbs That Guinea Pigs Can Eat (+ Dangerous Herbs to Avoid)

Clover

• High in calcium
• Feed sparingly, no more than once a week
• Pick clover from a pesticide-free yard that has not been exposed to car exhaust or animal urine.

Dandelion

Dill

• High in Vitamin C
• High in calcium
• Feed a stem or two 1-2 times a week

Fennel

• Safe to feed the leaves (fronds) and bulbs
• Feathery fronds are high in calcium
• Feed sparingly 1-2 times a week

Lavender

• Known for calming properties
• Contains some Vitamin C
• High in calcium
• Heavy in essential oils, which can be harmful to guinea pigs in large quantities
• Can feed lavender leaves in small quantities 1-2 times a month

Mint Leaves

• Peppermint and spearmint leaves are safe
• Contains some Vitamin C
• Very high in calcium
• Feed a couple of leaves once a week

Complete List of Fruit That Guinea Pigs Can Eat

The following is a thorough list of all the fruits that guinea pigs can eat. Fruit is often rich in antioxidants and minerals, but many traditional fruits are high in sugar. For this reason, it’s best to offer them sparingly to your guinea pig as a treat.

You can find more information on feeding fruit here: List of Fruits That Guinea Pigs Can Eat (And What to Avoid)

Banana

Blueberries

Butternut Squash

• High in oxalic acid
• Contains some Vitamin C but not a significant amount
• Best fed sparingly due to the oxalates
• Offer a small slice a couple of times a month

Cantaloupe/Rock Melon

Cherries

• Safe to feed sweet and sour varieties
• Great source of nutrients
• Remove the pit first
• Do not feed leaves or stems as these contain poisonous compounds
• Offer a maximum of one cherry a week

Cranberries

• High in Vitamin C, manganese, and other great nutrients
• Beneficial for guinea pigs with urinary problems
• You can feed 1-2 cranberries once or twice a week

Elderberries

• Good source of Vitamin C
• High in sugar, phosphorus, and a bit acidic
• Small amounts are fine, however large amounts of these berries can have a toxic effect.
• Do not feed leaves or stem
• You can feed 5-6 berries once a week at most

Grapefruit

• Great source of Vitamin C, potassium, beta carotene, and other nutrients
• Guinea pigs can also eat the peels if they are organic
• Acidic and high in sugar, so feed in moderation
• You can feed a small slice a few times a month

Grapes

Guava

• This fruit is high in Vitamin C – it contains 4 times the amount as an orange!
• Acidic and high in sugar
• Guinea pigs can also eat the peel if it is organic
• You can feed a thin slice up to once a week

Honeydew Melon

• High in sugar and water
• Guinea pigs can eat the flesh and rind
• Remove seeds first
• You can feed a small chunk once a week

Kiwi

• Excellent source of Vitamin C and other nutrients
• High in sugar
• Contains some calcium and phosphorus
• Feed a thin slice once a week at most

Mango

• Contains some Vitamin C, A, B6, and other nutrients
• High in sugar and should be offered sparingly
• Remove the skin and pit
• You can feed a thin slice or cube to your guinea pig once a week

Muskmelon

• Good source of Vitamin C
• High in sugar
• Remove seeds before feeding
• You can offer a small chunk once a week

Nectarine

• Hairless variety of traditional peaches
• High in nutrients and antioxidants
• Safe to feed with skin
• Offer a thin slice up to once a week

Okra

• High in Vitamin C
• Contains some calcium and oxalic acid, which can lead to stone development if fed in excess
• Offer a small chunk once or twice a week

Passionfruit

• Good source of Vitamin C
• High in phosphorus, sugar, and acidity
• You can feed small amounts once or twice a month

Peaches

• Rich in nutrients, including Vitamins C, K, E, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and antioxidants
• Safe to feed with the skin on
• You can feed a thin slice up to once a week

Pear

Pineapple

• Contains nutrients like Vitamins C & K, beta carotene, and magnesium
• Avoid canned pineapples due to added sodium and preservatives
• Also, avoid giving the prickly skin, leaves, or core
• A small piece of fresh pineapple flesh can be fed once or twice a week

Plum

• Rich in antioxidants, Vitamin C, fiber, and more
• High in sugar, so moderation is vital
• Skin is safe, but remove the pit
• You can feed a small piece of plum once a week to your piggy

Raspberries

Starfruit

• Excellent source of Vitamin C and other nutrients
• Quite acidic and high in sugar, so best fed sparingly
• You can feed a small slice once every week or two

Strawberries

Tomato

Watermelon

Introducing New Foods to Your Guinea Pig

Unsafe Foods For Guinea Pigs