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Photo courtesy of HappyCavy fan pyza*
Guinea pigs are always eating. Whether it’s pellets, grass hay, daily greens, or the occasional fruit snack, it may often seem like your guinea pig is born to eat (and create magic beans).
With an insatiable diet comes the responsibility to learn what constitutes a proper guinea pig diet. Choosing guinea pig safe foods can be a bit of a challenge. There are so many types of fruits, vegetables, and herbs that guinea pigs can eat.
So what should you be feeding your guinea pig?
What fruits and ? What fruits can guinea pigs eat?? And herbs? What about those?
- What can guinea pigs eat?
- Which vegetables, fruits, and herbs are safe to feed your guinea pig?
- Are the foods you have been giving your cavy “guinea pig safe“?
- Besides water, high-quality hay, and pellets, what else can your guinea pig eat?
→ Jump to the Guinea Pig Safe Food List
First, let’s take a look at the basics of a guinea pig diet or jump to What The Happy Cavy Herd Eats for a general guide on the daily dietary requirements of guinea pigs.
A guinea pig’s diet should consist of the following:
#1. Water
A constant fresh source of fresh (preferably filtered but NOT distilled) clean, room-temperature water is an absolute must.
Water bottles should be emptied, rinsed, and re-filled each day.
#2. Grass Hay
High-quality grass hay (such as timothy hay) should be available at all times for your guinea pig. Hay delivers the fiber that that is essential for your guinea pig to be able to properly digest and proces food and nutrients. Without a constant intake of fresh hay, guinea pigs’ digestive tracks can shut down. Plus, hay helps guinea pigs keep their teeth clean prevents their teeth from growing too long.
How do you know if hay is high-quality? High-quality hay should be green with pliable stalks, free of mold and foreign particulates, and fragrant (not dusty or void of smell). Cheap, store-bought hay is no substitute for fresh, high-quality yummy goodness.
Most hay purchased at “big box” stores (PetCo, etc.) is NOT high-quality hay. Farm-to-cage is ideal and special caution should be taken when providing the most important food of your guinea pig’s diet: high-quality, pesticide(?) free hay.
NOTE: An alfalfa hay mix (1/2 timothy, 1/2 alfalfa) should be primarily fed to young guinea pigs under the age of 4 months and pregnant or nursing cavies. Because alfalfa hay is high in calcium, it should NOT be fed to healthy, adult cavies. Healthy, adult guinea pigs should be fed lower-calcium hays such as timothy hay or orchard grass hay.
#3. Pellets
Provide your guinea pig with about 1/4 – 1/8 cup of plain, corn- and seed-free guinea pig pellets for eating each day. Pellets are less important than a constant supply of fresh grass hay, though pellets can provide additional vitamins and nutrients that your guinea pig isn’t getting from hay alone, especially if the pellets are fortified in Vitamin C.
Guinea pig pellets should consist of only high-quality hay and should be served in a ceramic bowl, which is large enough to not tip over.
NOTE: Pellets alone are NOT a substitute for hay! High-quality grass hay is a must for proper guinea pig health.
Vitamin C
Like Humans, guinea pigs cannot manufacture their own vitamin C. To prevent survy and other health issues, each guinea pig should get 10 to 30 milligrams of Vitamin C each day; young, ill, nursing and/or pregnant animals require extra Vitamin C. While many guinea pigs will get an adequate serving of Vitamin C from vegetables and pellets, you may wish to supplement your cavy’s diet with a small amount of Vitamin C, either in power or tablet form.
NOTE: It is NOT recommended that you use water-soluable drops for supplementing Vitamin C. Watch How to Give Vitamin C to Your Guinea Pig (video) to see how HappyCavies get their Vitamin C.
Vegetables, Herbs, & Other Foods
Guinea should be fed only up to 1 cup (240 mL) each (adults) of vegetables per day. However, it is ideal for you to limit their intake of vegetables. Just because they CAN have up to 1 cup doesn’t mean they need it. Please remember that your guinea pig’s food supply should NOT be mainly vegetables. And watch their calcium intake! Foods high in calcium can lead to the formation of bladder stones and other health issues.
To help you find which vegetables, herbs, and fruits are safe to feed your guinea pig, please refer to the Guinea Pig Food List below.
NOTE: Always introduce new foods to your guinea pig slowly and patiently. Begin introducing new foods by providing a small piece or two during the “first try”. Then, portions of a particular guinea pig safe food may be increased slightly with each subsequent serving. The way that you introduce nutrients is as important as a healthy diet. Guinea pigs have a sensitive digestive system which is easily upset.
Help Us Maintain The Food List!
There are so many foods a guinea pig can eat. If you know of a food that is not included in this list which you think we should add, please let us know!
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Guinea Pig “Safe Food List”
Updated: February 14, 2024
Click a letter to view that vegetable and refer to the “Notes” for cautionary advice.
Information on this chart is derived from the USDA FoodData Central. Information may have changed since the publication of this chart.
This chart takes into consideration several factors to arrive at our feeding frequency suggestions: sugar, calcium, phosphorous, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, oxalic acid content, and calcium to phosphorous (Ca:P) ratio. Not all fields are displayed due to space requirements. Chemical composition can be referenced at the USDA FoodData Central.
IMPORTANT: There are other important nutritional factors not represented in this chart. Please use GuineaLynx’s Vegetable/Fruit resource for additional information such as Calcium/Phosphorus Ratios and Oxalic Acid information: http://www.guinealynx.info/diet_ratio.html
CHART KEY
Almost daily
Frequently: 2-4 times per week
Occasionally: 1-2 times per week
Rarely: 1-2 times per month
DO NOT copy or distribute this list it without express permission from HappyCavy.com. Contact us if you wish to use this list on your website.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M |
| N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |
Recommended Feeding Frequency:
Almost daily
Frequently: 2-4 times per week
Occasionally: 1-2 times per week
Rarely: 1-2 times per month
| VEGETABLE / FRUIT (fresh & raw) |
VITAMIN C in mg (per 100g) |
CALCIUM in mg (per 100g) |
Notes |
| Alfalfa – pellets | 0 | 2200 | Alfalfa pellets are suitable for young, growing and/or pregnant guinea pigs (under 1 year of age). Ref. Pellets: Alfalfa vs Timothy. |
| Apple | 4.60 | 6.00 | Apple seeds are poisonous |
| Apricot | 10.00 | 13.00 | |
| Arugula lettuce | 15.00 | 160.00 | |
| Asparagus | 17.69 | 28.14 | May cause gas or bloating. |
| Banana | 9.10 | 6.00 | Can cause constipation. |
| Basil | 4.5 | 38.0 | Can cause constipation. |
| Beet greens/leaves (beetroot greens/leaves) |
30.00 | 117.00 | |
| Beets (beetroot) | 4.90 | 16.00 | |
| Bell pepper | See Peppers (capscium) | ||
| Blackberries | 21.00 | 32.00 | |
| Blueberries | 9.7 | 6.00 | Feed in moderation. |
| Broccoli raab, rabe, rapini | 93.00 | 48.00 | May cause gas or bloating. |
| Broccolini | 93.00 | 48.00 | Stems are liked better than flowers |
| Brussels sprouts | 85.00 | 42.00 | May cause gas or bloating. |
| Cabbage, green | 51.00 | 47.00 | May cause gas or bloating. |
| Cabbage, red | 57.00 | 51.00 | May cause gas or bloating. |
| Cabbage, Chinese pak-choi | 45.00 | 74.00 | May cause gas or bloating. |
| Cabbage, Savoy | 31.00 | 35.00 | Feed in moderation. May cause gas or bloating. |
| Cantaloupe (rock melon) | — | — | See Melon – Cantaloupe (rock melon) |
| Carrots | 5.9 | 33.00 | High Vitamin A. Feed in moderation. |
| Carrots, baby | 2.60 | 32.00 | High Vitamin A. Feed in moderation. |
| Carrots, top greens | unknown | unknown | Unknown nutrient makeup. Feed sparingly. |
| Cauliflower / Broccoflower | 46.40 | 22.00 | |
| Celery | 7.00 | 40.00 | Choking hazard. Remove the celery “veins” to prevent hazard. |
| Cherimoya | 9.00 | 23.00 | Very in very small amounts. |
| Cherries (without pits) – sour | 10.00 | 16.00 | |
| Cherries (without pits) – sweet | 7.00 | 13.00 | |
| Chicory, greens | 24.00 | 100.00 | |
| Chicory, witloof | 2.80 | 19.00 | |
| **Cilantro (corriander) | 27.00 | 67.00 | Feed in moderation. |
| **Collards | 35.30 | 145.00 | May cause gas or bloating. |
| Corn on the cob (1 med ear) | 6.10 | 2.00 | May cause gas or bloating. |
| Cranberries | 13.50 | 7.00 | Feed in moderation. |
| Cress, garden | 69.00 | 81.00 | |
| Cucumber with peel | 5.30 | 14.00 | |
| Dandelion Greens | 35.00 | 187.00 | |
| Dill | 85.00 | 208.00 | |
| Eggplant | 6.5 | 6.5 | |
| Elderberries | 36.00 | 38.00 | Feed in small amounts. |
| Endive (escarole) | 6.50 | 52.00 | |
| Fennel, fronds & leaves | not recorded specially for fronds & leaves | not recorded specially for fronds & leaves | Feed rarely. |
| Grapefruit, white | 37.00 | 15.00 | Sour foods can cause mouth sores. |
| Grapes | 4.00 | 14.00 | |
| Grass (lawn) | — | — | See Hay |
| Green beans, snap | 12.20 | 37.00 | |
| Hay | varies by type | varies by type | IMPORTANT: Read Selecting Hay. |
| Honeydew | 120.00 | 135.00 | See Melon – honeydew |
| Kale | 120.00 | 135.00 | |
| Kiwifruit, fuzzy (kiwi or kiwi fruit) | 92.70 | 34.00 | Remove brown, fuzzy skin. |
| Kohlrabi | 62.00 | 24.00 | Feed in moderation. |
| Kumquat | 37.40 | 44.00 | |
| Lavender | 12.00 | 215.00 | |
| Lettuce – butterhead, boston, bibb |
3.70 | 35.00 | |
| Lettuce – romaine (cos lettuce) |
4.00 | 33.00 | |
| Lettuce – red leaf |
3.70 | 33.00 | |
| Mammy-apple (mamey) | 14.00 | 11.00 | |
| Mandarin orange (or tangerine) | 30.80 | 14.00 | Feed in small amounts. |
| Mango | 27.70 | 10.00 | |
| Melon – Cantaloupe (rock melon) | 36.70 | 9.00 | Feed in small amounts. |
| Melon – casaba | 16.00 | 5.00 | |
| Melon – honeydew | 24.80 | 6.00 | |
| Melon – watermelon | 9.60 | 8.00 | |
| Mint (peppermint) | 31.80 | 243.00 | |
| Mustard greens | 70.00 | 103.00 | May cause gas or bloating. |
| Nectarine | 5.40 | 5.00 | |
| **Okra | 21.10 | 81.00 | |
| Orange | 53.20 | 40.00 | Citrus can cause mouth sores. |
| Oregano | 2.30 | 1597.00 | Feed in very small amounts. |
| Papaya | 61.80 | 24.00 | |
| **Parsley (curly or flat) | 133.00 | 138.00 | |
| Parsnip | 17.00 | 36.00 | |
| Passionfruit, purple | 30.00 | 12.00 | |
| Peach | 6.60 | 5.00 | |
| Peas, edible-podded | 40.00 | 25.00 | |
| Pears – Asian | 3.80 | 4.00 | |
| Pears – European | 6.60 | 18.15 | |
| Peppermint | 31.8 | 243.00 | |
| Peppers (capscium), sweet green | 80.40 | 10.00 | May cause gas or bloating. |
| Peppers (capscium), sweet orange | 146.7 | 0.00 | May cause gas or bloating. |
| Peppers (capscium), sweet red | 127.70 | 7.00 | May cause gas or bloating. |
| Peppers (capscium), sweet yellow | 183.50 | 11.00 | May cause gas or bloating. |
| Persimmon | 66.00 | 27.00 | Feed in very small amounts. |
| Pineapple | 15.40 | 7.00 | Citrus can cause mouth sores. |
| Plum | 9.50 | 4.00 | |
| Pumpkin | 11.00 | 39.00 | High in Vitamin A. |
| Pumpkin Leaves | 11.00 | 39.00 | High in Vitamin A. |
| Quince | 15.00 | 11.00 | |
| Radicchio | 8.00 | 19.00 | |
| Radishes | 14.80 | 25.00 | |
| Raspberries | 26.00 | 25.00 | |
| Raspberry leaves (from raspberry plant) | 25.00 | 22.00 | |
| Spearmint | 13.3 | 199.00 | Feed in very small amounts |
| **Spinach | 28.10 | 99.00 | May cause gas or bloating. Contains high levels of oxalic acid. |
| Squash, summer | 17.00 | 15.00 | |
| Squash, winter | 12.30 | 28.00 | |
| Starfruit | 34.40 | 3.00 | |
| Strawberries | 56.70 | 14.00 | Feed in moderation. |
| Sweet potato | 22.70 | 22.00 | |
| Sweet potato leaves | 11.00 | 37.00 | |
| **Swiss Chard | 30.00 | 51.00 | Feed in moderation. May cause diarrhea. |
| Taro leaves | 52.00 | 107.00 | |
| Thyme | 160.01 | 405.00 | Feed in moderation. |
| #Tomato, red, cherry tomatoes | 19.10 | 5.00 | Avoid leaves and stems (poisonous) – See Dangerous Food List |
| Turnip greens | 60.00 | 190.00 | |
| Watercress | 43.00 | 120.00 | |
| Watermelon | — | — | See Melon – watermelon |
| Watermelon rind | — | — | Vitamin & mineral content unknown. Watermelon rind is safe. |
| Wheatgrass | ~4.00 | ~28.00 | Fresh grasses may cause gut upsets. |
| Zucchini (courgette) | 28.00 | 1.00 |
# Vitamin C values for tomatoes differ depending on variety and season.
** Contains oxalic acid which may contribute to the formation of bladder stones.
Please email website[at]happycavy.com to make additions to this list.
Congrats on the new fuzzy friends! 😀 You ask a good question.
First, “very little” sounds like “a food that contains certain properties which may pose a health risk if fed frequently or in large quantities” to me. It’s in the wording, but it matters. Here’s why: with any food item highlighted Red or Orange on the list above, we generally avoid all together. It’s doesn’t work like you can only feed pears AND melon 1-2 times per week, so it’s safe to give them BOTH once or twice a week. The types of food matter. Fruits and vegetables high in sugar and calcium cannot be fed regularly. And, unfortunately, these items seem to be the answer you’re looking for. Maybe? I don’t know.
Here’s what my Humans think: guinea pigs will go just as crazy over carrot as they will dark green lettuce. Since you plan on using the treat during bonding time, in our opinion a veggie like dark greens it your best bet It’s safe as long as you ensure that each healthy guinea pig eats no more than 1 cup a day, especially since it isn’t a necessary part of their diet. Hope that long reply helps! 🙂
This list is fantastic, thank you so much. Have just adopted a guinea pig again after being without one for a couple of years and this was brilliant at jogging my memory about what to feed him and how often!
My Guinea don’t like to be touched much but I want to handle him and pick him up more, what can I do to help with his socialness?
Hi, a quick question, they can eat lettuce (iceberg) ?
They CAN, but they SHOULDN’T. Iceberg lettuce contains no nutritional value; it’s high water content can cause gut upset and other types of gastrointestinal distress. If you want to feed leafy vegetables, stick with a few pieces of dark green lettuce 🙂
Can I give my cavies the lawn (includes clover) in the backyard daily like hay? I never use pesticides or any chemicals for lawncare. Or can I keep what’s in the lawn mower’s basket and sun-dry them, will it be a good hay?
This page definitely deserves 5 stars!!! It helped a LOT and my boy Bowe will love his new foods! I never gave him anything other than apples once in a while, because I never knew for sure what was good and what was not! I would never want my little guy to get sick! Thank you SO MUCH!!! 🙂
Thanks, Summer! So happy to hear you found this list useful 😀
Hello Ive adopted two boys sid and silky. I generally just stick to the basics hay and pellets but ive noticed they really love dandelions. The stem is like crème de la crème and the flower too. What is very odd is both their behavior for about 20 minutes after a stem. Their eyes get really big and they cannot stop searching for a possible dropped piece. If I don’t feed them each one at the same time they will immediately tug o war. Im very serious when I say they act like they’re on crack cocaine. They will move very slow motion like with bugged eyes and BEG FOR MORE. I cant help but think it has an effect like catnip has on cats. Has anyone else seen this with dandelions and pigs? btw they have had many veggies but only dandelions turn them into crackheads.
Your comment is hysterical, Human named Jennifer! So tempted to share this on our Facebook. We certainly go nuts over dandelion, but our Humans have never thought if it may have a “catnip” like attraction for guinea pigs. Hoping someone here may have some insight 🙂
Hello Hammy, Twister, Carmel and Oreo just wanted to let you know that they had a great annual vet check up last week. Just a little tooth trim was all they needed. They are happy it is spring now and have an abundant supply of dandelion flowers and greens and the broad leaf grass to munch on. Twister loves his watermelon treats and Oreo favorite is peaches Carmel loves to bury in the grass and eat her way out.. They have learned to ring a bell for treats as well as wheeking loudly when the fridge door is opens and the crisper drawer is pulled out. They are glad their mama found your site.
Hi, Twister, Carmel and Oreo! You are so adorable! So happy to hear you have such a good life. Just remember: go easy on those flowers & fruits. But it sounds like you have your Humans trained perfectly as-is 🙂 *wheeks!* to each of you!
Charlie says thank you! He loves strawberries.
I just brought a guinea pig yesterday and I asked the person who worked at the pet shop what fruits and vegetables they can eat he couldn’t even tell me. This site is awesome thank you so much for posting this. I’m a first time guinea pig owner so this list was beyond helpful.
Hi I have a baby guniea pig his names alfie I have been concerned with his drinking as he hasn’t looked right at first I thought it may be to heat but he has a cover on his hutch usually when I go into hutch to check him he darts around the hutch but just lately he’s been letting me stroke him and pick him up any advice would be appreciated
It sounds like dehydration. He could not be drinking water due to an illness, as well. Do the water trick: make a mark on the water bottle so that at the end of the day you can measure how much Alfie has consumed. Ultimately, you should schedule an appointment with a guinea pig vet in your area (vet directory at http://wheek.it/vets) so that a doctor can check if there is anything wrong.
can guinea pig have small pieces of bread
No, absolutely no bread products.
My boys ( I Have two handsome, spunky skinny pigs! ) freak out if I cook anything with cloves (they really want them) But I can’t find anything anywhere that says if their safe or not .
Cloves? Like garlic? Do you know the scientific name?
Like the herbs you put in a ham when you cook it lol
Syzygium aromaticum
It’s used in like ham apple cider pumpkin pie… Etc
The vitamin and mineral profile of syzygium aromaticum appears to have no nutritional benefit for guinea pigs. So it isn’t appropriate for guinea pigs consumption.
Guinea pigs will wheek for anything. Just like plastic bags, cloves may not be what we actually enjoy (just the sound/smell). 😀
Can caves have water chestnut?
My piggy loves sugar snap peas. 🙂
read threw the list on foods they can eat and cannot eat but can they eat marrows or not as does not say anything about this veg at all
Hey guys! These two here are Loki and Thor, my lovely little pigs who I’ve had for about 4 month now. Both of these boys absolutely love cherry tomatoes, as soon as I introduce them, they are gone! Same for kale and dill. Such a range of treat options on this list, much thanks for putting it online 🙂
Marrow is a specific term to the UK, it seems it’s in the pumpkin/gourd family. It’s referred to on Wikipedia as Cucurbita, and links to pumpkin on the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference. There is also a thread at The Guinea Pig Forum UK which indicates “marrow” or what is assumed to be “pumpkin” may be safe for them to eat.
Remember: This vegetable may be high in calcium, or may have a water content, which is generally not nutritionally valuable for your guinea pig. Feed very sparingly 🙂
Hi, Loki & Thor! Friendly nose bumps, you’re so cute 🙂
We have a Snickers Piggie too! Her favorite treats are lettuce and apples!
This is so helpful! A friend of mine just brought me a guinea pig that was found in the oil field yard. Apparently it had been dumped. Not sure if it’s male or female, but it’s so sweet. I just gave it a little bit of apple and it was sooo happy. It’s definately a new experience. I’ve had a mouse, but never a guinea.
Glad you found this helpful! Nose bumps to your new fuzzy friend! 😀
I went to an exotic vet hospital, do not feed your pigs strawberries, cucumbers, anything berries. It makes them extremely gasy I use to give my pigs small amounts once a day not knowing my pig was gasy till I saw the x ray. Lot’s of greens and carrots. Low on the pellet food too cup a day. Lots of hay! Also do not feed the grapes its bad for them!
Hi, Ashley! Curious as to how much you were feeding and what the X-ray showed. Did your guinea pig get bloat, or a gassy belly? Curious! And your suggestions of limiting pellets and focusing on lots of hay is great.
Does anyone know as far as green bean leaves if my pig can eat them he does seem to really love those?
Yep, they can. Just follow the same guidelines as green beans in the chart above 🙂
My Guinea Jennifer is kinda shy, but not around the people she likes. I feed her regularly. Her favorites are Grapes, Lettuce, and Carrots. I was looking into things she might like and her newly favorites are Apples and Tomatoes. Unfortunately, she gets hungry when I get up and get me something to eat; Especially when I’m in the kitchen cooking. I give her some treats so she won’t go off on a squeak fest. She maybe shy but she is sassy. I think she got it from me. I’ve learned to give her a selection of 2 grapes and 2 small chunks of Apples while Listening to some of her favorite Music Artist or let her watch T.V. (She likes The Real World and The Challenge / Stargate Sg-1 / What I like About You (She likes Gary’s Voice) and Dora. ) Whilst I cook.
One time we let her out on the floor and gave her an obstacle course. Of course she didn’t follow it. But she had fun nosing her ball around.
Our guineas absolutely love corn husks too!
Hi! I recently just adopted a guinea pig, named her Autumn. I’m very worried that she won’t eat carrots. She loves her romaine lettuce and apples but she puts her little piggy nose up to carrots. Am I doing something wrong? Please help:(
Hi, Dana! Autumn is a pretty name 🙂 Please remember that, as this page states, these foods are optional. No guinea pig NEEDS vegetables or fruits for nutrition purposes. Guinea pigs are made to live ONLY on fresh grass hay (usually timothy), hay based pellets, and fresh water.
If Autumn doesn’t like carrots: fine! Carrots have higher sugar content than most vegetables, anyway, so it’s probably better she doesn’t like it. Please be very sparing with apple, like just a slice or two 1-2 times per week MAX. Otherwise, don’t sweat the carrot. Some pigs are just fussy! 😀
I think my guinea pig is sick, possibly a URI, but my parents won’t let me take him to the vet. What do you suggest I do? He isn’t eating much (his poop is a lot smaller), his eyes are really watery and he sneezes occasionally.
Also he is about 5 years old.
I think you may get a better answer by visiting the Guinea Lynx Medical Forum: http://www.guinealynx.info/forums/viewforum.php?f=2 🙂
My boys love celery- their favourite! This list is so helpful, thank you! I know spinach is orange on the list but I’m a bit worried it could be harmful?
Thank you so much this helped a lot =D
Hi were new on the Guinea pigs business…Lol My two kids have two…Cloe and Speedy….were learning about them…my daughter and my son love them…
Hello, I was wondering if the “Classic Mix” from Living World is safe to feed my little piggies?
Absolutely NO nuts!
My little Macaroni Absolutly loves fruits and veggies, not fond of peppers thou. Aswell as when I go to pull her outa her pen she air runs (runs while I pick her up) to get away from me am I doing something wrong? She loves lovings and lap time just not fond of being picked up. Am I doing something wrong?
This is Chippy. He is quite picky with food. I just tried some apples today. He usually waits till I leave the room and the eats it. He did like Organic a Cucumbers. And suggestions for ultimate favorite foods they like?