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What are some flowers that I could buy during spring time to grow in a pot, such as pansies, marigolds, etc. that I can feed my guinea pigs? I see them and they are so pretty and wonder if my Cinnamon could safely enjoy any of them? Any advice is appreciated!
– Nicole and Cinnamon via email
P.S. – Enclosed is a photo of my guinea pig Cinnamon. Enjoy! 😀
Hi, Nicole and Cinnamon!
Thanks for the photo of Cinnamon! What a cutie!
With springtime upon us, very soon guinea pig keepers from all over the Northern Hemisphere will begin to prepare their gardens, plan new runs, and start thinking about which plants to grow this year.
Fortunately, there are plenty of wild plants and forages that guinea pigs can eat during the spring and summer months. But, as with any new plant you feed your guinea pig, start off feeding small bits and pieces just once or twice a week.
Only Feed Chemical Free Plants
You must be careful, because flowers are often sprayed with chemicals and pesticides. Any flowers you get from a florist or boutique are dangerous, as are flowers picked in yards that are chemically treated.
Only feed flowers that you’ve grown yourself that are pesticide free or that come from the edible flowers section of the produce department of your local grocer.
And remember: Feed in very small amounts, and when in doubt, don’t! 😀
 Chamomile flower |
 Dandelion flower |
 Squash blossoms |
 Nasturtium |
Feeding Flowers: Important Considerations
Any kind of flower fed to your guinea pig should be a treat!
Flowers vary by nutritional composition and mineral content. Feed only small bits of any flowers until your guinea pig acclimates to a new treat.
The Guinea Pig Safe Flowers List
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KEY:
Yellow highlight = Calcium and other nutritional information could not be found. All figures given as average amount in 100 grams (g). |
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| FLOWER | Calcium | Vitamin C | ||
| Anise (Pimpinella anisum) | ||||
| Astilbe | ||||
| Aubretia | ||||
| Bee Balm (Monarda) | ||||
| Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) | ||||
| Carnation (non-dyed or sprayed) – petals | ||||
| Chrysanthemum (leaves) | 117.000 mg | 1.400 mg | ||
| Clover (Trifollium repens or Trifolium pratense) | ||||
| Dandelion (Teraxacum officinale) – leaves, stems, flowers, feed only once or twice per week | 187.000 mg | 35.000 mg | ||
| Daylilies | ||||
| Field Violet / Wild Pansy (Viola tricolor) | ||||
| Hedge mustard (Sisymbrium officinale) | ||||
| Lavender | 215.000 mg | 12.000 mg | ||
| Linden / Lime Tree (Tilia cordata or Tilia platyphyllos) | ||||
| Marigold (caneldula; Calendula officinalis) – leaves and flowers | ||||
| Nasturtiums | ||||
| Pansies – petals | ||||
| Petunias | ||||
| Phlox | ||||
| Roses | ||||
| Rose hips – wild | 169.000 mg | 426.000 mg | ||
| Speedwell | ||||
| Squash blossoms – petals | ||||
| Sweet violet | ||||
| Vetch (Vicia x) | ||||
| Viola | ||||
| Yarrow (Achllea millefolium) | ||||
| Wild Chamomile (Matricaria chammomilla) | ||||
Got Something to Say? Comment!
Does your guinea pig have a favorite flower?
Have a suggestion for a flower to add?
Let us know in the comment section below!
Hello, I have just started coming to you’d site recently and I am thankful for your wealth of knowledge. Our two newest additionTwinkle an Sam are glad to have parents that haven’t such a helpful website! I was wondering a few things actually one being can they have rose hips from any roses or just certain ones? Also can they be dried? 2. What treats can they have besides fruits, vegetables,and flowers? And 3. Can they have raisins? Thanks so much!!
*have!
Thanks for stopping by, glad you’re finding some info to help you along the way 🙂 Not sure which types of rose varieties are unsafe, but I do know acceptable varieties are Dortmund, Hansa, Old Blush, Rosa Canina, and Rosa Rugosa Rubra.
As for other types of acceptable treats, a guinea pig’s ideal diet consists of fresh grass hay, water, and grass hay pellets; veg on occasion, fruits in moderation, and flowers rarely (if your piggie even likes flowers). There’s enough veg and fruit to satisfy a cavy for a lifetime!
Have you seen our list Safe Vegetables for Guinea Pigs and Dark Green Lettuce for Your Guinea Pig? Those articles may help you find other yummy treats for your guinea pigs. Hope this helps!
Do you think an adult is like 3 and up? My guinea pig is 2 in a half any suggestions if pellets would be a good idea or hold off?
Can guinea pigs eat Lavender? My piggy swiped some from me and ate it before I could take it away. I know she liked it cause she begged for more. She hasn’t had any more, but if its okay for her to eat it I’d like to give her some.
Yep, lavender is safe for guinea pigs, but go easy since it’s got a lot of calcium. 🙂
can guinea pigs eat dandilions
Yes, dandelions are on the list 🙂
What is lavender?
Hey hammy first timer here so my question is how much can my piggy daisy eat of dandylions
Lavandula (common name lavender) is an aromatic purple flowering plant usually used as an herb. The lavender we are referring to is Lavandula angustifolia.
We feed dandelions rarely, about 1 stem and 1 flower only one day each week for each pig. But you can probably get away with 2 stems and 2 flowers for each pig.
Hello, thank you for making this info’ available. It is great. I have been looking for it and you have it all in one place. Thank you.
hi hammy i dont have a piggy (yet) im 11 and im trying to convince my dad to get me one can your owenr typ me back on what to do thx
ps im mAKING MY OWN CAGE WHAT IS THE BEST MATERAL ?
My two piggies LOVE my roses. As soon as I bring them into the room and they smell them, they practically climb the wall of their cage trying to get to them…lol.
thanks that is awesome to know!:)
Is the flower called a Firecracker safe to eat because my guineapig ate one 🙁
I bought some edible flowers from a health food store, Sprouts. And im not sure what type of flowers they are. We are thinking marigolds but not for sure. I couldn’t get much help from the store staff. I’ve also read marigolds are poisonous to piggies. Before I looked more into that issue we were feeding 1 flower everyday as a treat to our boys… And they loved them as did our bearded dragons. So marigolds ????
Thank you,
Becca
Hi, Becca! Marigolds — as long as they are not treated with pesticides or other chemicals — are safe for guinea pigs to eat. However, marigolds are safe as an occasional treat. So, cut down the feeding from one flower a day to one flower a week. 🙂
Thank you !
hey I have 1 guinea pig his name is Pippen he is around 2 years old. and I’d like to grow a little garden in his hutch (it’s outdoor) what flowers are safe for him to eat on a daily or when ever he feels like it?
Can guinea pigs have tacoma (yellow bells)? I know they are non-toxic because we use them for browse for other animals. Just wondering if it would be safe for my guinea pig.
I feed mine all the time the go crazy for them