What Food Can Guinea Pigs Eat? | 150+ Food List (Must Read!)

Unfortunately, it is so incredibly hard to find a full list of the food that guinea pigs can eat on the Internet. That’s why our article will become a real savior for the thousands and thousands of owners out there.

What food can guinea pigs eat? Guinea pigs need to consume pellets, hay, and fresh vegetables and fruits. They require vitamin C-rich foods in their daily diet. Some of the specific food that they can eat are apples, fresh bananas, alfalfa hay, raw broccoli, and so on.

The fact that your guinea pig can eat a particular food does not mean that it would necessarily want to eat that food. Guinea pigs have strong personal tastes, so make sure to take them into consideration. Read on to learn more.

What Food Can Guinea Pigs Eat? | 150+ Food List

We have made a full list of what food can guinea pigs eat (150+ food lists). With the help of this full guinea pig food list, you will find out whether the guinea pig can eat a specific kind of food or not. Moreover, we are going to describe the main effects that every type of food might have on your fluffy ball of happiness.

Note: These lists provide health benefits, risks, and nutritional facts that these foods can provide guinea pigs along with some fun facts about these foods. There are links to our articles that correspond to the food’s name under the category “Name of the Food.”

Name of the Food	Can Guinea Pig Eat It?	What Are the Pros and Cons?
Acorn squash	Yes	Guinea pigs can eat only the raw orange parts of the squash. Don’t give them seeds, stems, and the skin.
Alfalfa hay	Yes	Alfalfa hay is recommended to baby guinea pigs, pregnant, and nursing sows as a source of protein and calcium. Unfortunately, alfalfa contains too many calories that can lead to obesity in an adult guinea pig.
Almonds	No	Almonds are high in fat and can cause a severe allergic reaction in your guinea pig.
Apples	Yes	Apples are high in fiber which is great for the cavy’s digestion. However, there is a lot of sugar in apples, so you should give them in moderation.
Apple tree leaves	Yes	Simply remember to wash the leaves thoroughly and make sure that there are no sharp bits (if you decide to give a whole stick).
Apricots	Yes	You can give apricots as a treat once or twice a week (a small slice).
Arugula (rocket)	Yes	Arugula has vitamin C, calcium, and phosphorus. You can mix the thing with other vegetables and leaves and give it a few times a week.
Asparagus	Yes	Asparagus has vitamin C that is vital for guinea pigs. But bear in mind that the vegetable has to be introduced into the diet slowly and carefully.
Aubergine (eggplants)	Yes (however, the leaves are poisonous	You can give aubergine (eggplant) as a rare treat to your cavy as the little fellows tend to love the vegetable. But the thing won’t really do the guinea pig any good.
Avocado	The skin is toxic. The inside can be eaten but is not beneficial.	Avocado is extremely high in fats and does not contain any essential fibers. Moreover, guinea pigs tend to hate the taste.
Bananas	Yes (only fresh bananas)	This fruit is a great sweet treat and guinea pigs love it. Moreover, they can become an additional source of vitamin C. But bananas are high in sugar, so moderation is key.
Basil	Yes	Give this herb to your guinea pig as an occasional treat and a source of vitamin C.
Bean sprouts	Yes	Bean sprouts are a great additional source of vitamin C.
Beetroot	Yes	Beetroot also contains vitamin C. As well as calcium and phosphorus that have to be given only occasionally.
Blueberries	Yes	Blueberries are high in vitamin C and, unfortunately, sugar. So, the berries have to be given in moderation.
Bok choy (Chinese cabbage)	Yes	Guinea pigs tend to love bok choy but it’s a gassy type of food, so don’t give your beloved pets too much of it.
Bread	No	Bread would certainly not kill your pet. But soft bread can stick to its teeth. Moreover, too much bread can make your guinea pig bloated. As this product has no nutritional benefits for the animal, vets don’t recommend including it in the diet.
Broccoli	Yes (only raw)	Moreover, cavies can even eat the stems and leaves. But make sure to introduce this product into your pet’s diet slowly. Broccoli has high levels of vitamin C, A, and B5.
Brussels sprout	Yes	You can feed Brussels sprout to your cavy a maximum of a few times a week as this product can cause gas and bloat. It is packed with vitamin C. But Brussels sprout also has a lot of oxalic acids.
Butternut squash	Yes	Can be given a few times a week but not more often as butternut squash has high levels of oxalic acid and calcium.
Cabbage	Yes	It is better to feed your guinea pig with red cabbage, though green cabbage can be given once a week as well. This vegetable is a source of vitamin C but can cause bloating.
Carrots	Yes	Even though you might think that carrots are the number one vegetable for guinea pigs, it’s not quite true. They should also be given in moderation, as carrots have a lot of natural sugar.
Carrot tops	Yes	Remember to wash the tops thoroughly. Bear in mind that they are high in calcium.
Cauliflower	Yes (leaves), do not feed the flower itself	Cauliflower leaves can become an additional source of vitamin C. Give the vegetable in moderation.
Celery	Yes (leaves and stalks), do not give the peel from the stalks	Celery can be given to your cavy from time to time but bear in mind that this vegetable has a lot of water in it. Moreover, it can cause gas and bloat.
Cherries	Yes	Cherries can be given as a rare treat as they are high in sugar.
Cheerios	No	Give your guinea pig only natural products.
Cilantro	Yes	Guinea pigs can eat the leaves, stems, and floral parts. Make sure to cut the vegetable into medium pieces. Cilantro has vitamin C, as well as calcium and phosphorus. That’s why it has to be fed in moderation.
Courgette (zucchini)	Yes	Courgette is high in vitamin C. Moreover, the vegetable has a low level of oxalic acid and a great calcium-to-phosphorus ratio.
Crackers	No	Your cavy will not die if it accidentally has a bite. But crackers are certainly not healthy for the little guy.
Cucumber	Yes	Cucumbers can become a great treat for your cavy. Don’t forget to thoroughly wash the skin or simply peel it off.
Daisies	Yes	However, there are different types of daises. Some can be poisonous. If you’re not sure if the flower in front of you is a common daisy or not – do not feed it to the guinea pig.
Dandelions	Yes	Guinea pigs can eat both, dandelion greens and flowers. But make sure that they are not sprayed with chemicals.
Dandelion flowers	Yes	Try to introduce dandelions into your guinea pig’s diet slowly.
Dandelion greens	Yes	Don’t overfeed dandelions as they can cause a variety of side effects. For example, bloating, vomiting and diarrhea.
Dandelion leaves	Yes	Make sure to wash the leaves thoroughly.
Dates	No	Dates are bad for the cavy’s digestion. Moreover, they will most definitely get stuck in the teeth of the poor fellows.
Dill	Yes	Dill can be occasionally fed to guinea pigs but be careful as it has high levels of calcium.
Dried apricots	No	It’s better not to give your guinea pig any dried fruits as they are extremely high in sugar.
Dried bananas	No	Dried fruits have a lot of natural sugar in them. Moreover, they can contain different additives that are bad for a cavy.
Eggs	No	You should not give any animal products to your beloved pet.
Eggplant	Yes (but the leaves are poisonous)	A lot of guinea pigs love the taste of eggplants but the thing doesn’t really have any nutritional value and can only cause some side effects if not fed in moderation.
Endive	Yes	You can even give this vegetable daily in small amounts. It has low levels of sugar and phosphorus and is rich in minerals and vitamins.
Escarole	Yes	Endive is sometimes called ‘escarole’. As we already know, it is great for cavies. By the way, it’s a source of fiber.
Fennel	Yes	Fennel can be rarely fed to guinea pigs.
Ferns	No	Little is known about how ferns can affect the health of a guinea pig. However, the majority of these plants are toxic to humans.
Figs	Yes	Figs can be given to guinea pigs only once a week and a small piece at a time as they contain a lot of sugar.
Fruit	Only certain types	The diet of a cavy has to include fresh fruits and vegetables. However, there are some fruits that have to be avoided.
Flowers	Only certain types	Guinea pigs can eat dandelions, marigolds, roses, and chamomiles. Make sure that the flowers weren’t sprayed with chemicals.
French fries	No	Do not give your cavy processed or fried food.
Frozen peas	Yes	You can give your guinea pig frozen peas. However, those will have less nutritional value than fresh peas.
Garlic	No	Garlic might cause a strong allergic reaction and it’s high in oxalic acid.
Ginger	No	Raw ginger would be too harsh on the guinea pig’s gently digestive system. Pickled ginger is not alright as well as cavies can’t have anything pickled.
Grapes	Yes	However, make sure that your beloved guinea pig is not allergic to grapes. They are a great source of vitamin C but if your cavy eats too many grapes it might have health problems.
Grape tomatoes	Yes	In fact, any type of tomato is great for your cavy. Though grape and cherry tomatoes are considered to be a bit better. These are a great source of vitamin C but are quite acidic, so do feed tomatoes in moderation
Grass	Yes	One of the foods that guinea pigs can have every day. The grass is great for the cavy’s digestive system.
Greens	Yes	Such greens as cabbage, spinach, and broccoli are absolutely safe for your pet
Green apples	Yes	Bear in mind that the apple should not be sour. Don’t give your cavy any apple seeds as the poor thing might choke on them. Moreover, seeds contain a chemical that is poisonous to guinea pigs.
Green beans	Yes (raw)	Another source of vitamin C. But green beans have to be fed in moderation as they contain phosphorus and calcium.
Green onions	Yes (the green tops)	The chances are high that your cavy might not like the taste. However, green onion tops can be fed a couple of times a week.
Green peppers	Yes	By the way, green peppers do not have as much sugar as orange and red ones.
Hamster food	Only certain types	Guinea pigs need food that has vitamin C. Moreover, hamster food usually contains seeds, nuts, and artificially colored bits that can be dangerous for the cavy’s health.
Hay	Yes	Hay should be present in the cage at all times. Timothy hay is the best option for an adult guinea pig.
Haylage	Yes	The thing is not bad for your cavy. But make sure to check if it’s fresh and that there’s no mold. Can be added to timothy hay as a supplement.
Herbs	Only certain types	Thyme, coriander, parsley, endive, dill, mint, fennel, basil, and rocket can be fed to the guinea pig.
Honey	No	Honey contains too much sugar. Moreover, it is sticky.
Honeydew (melon)	Yes	Cavies can eat both, the green flesh and the rind. Make sure to get rid of the seeds. Give honeydew only occasionally as it contains a lot of sugar.
Horse hay	Yes	Simply make sure that the hay doesn’t have any mold, is fresh, and is not full of plat parts that can be dangerous for the guinea pig.
Iceberg lettuce	No	This food has no nutritional value and can cause diarrhea.
Ice cream	No	Guinea pigs should not eat dairy and anything that contains too much sugar.
Italian parsley	Yes	Bear in mind that Italian parsley is a little higher in calcium, so you wouldn’t want to give too much of it.
Kale	Yes	Kale is packed with vitamins and fiber. Moreover, it is low in sugar. That’s why some owners tend to give small portions of kale on a daily basis.
Kiwi	Yes	Kiwi can be given as an occasional treat and as a source of vitamin C. But the thing is high in sugar.
Lambs lettuce	Yes	Bear in mind that lambs lettuce is high in calcium, so it should be fed in moderation.
Lavender	Yes	Lavender has the power to calm your pet if it’s in a state of stress. However, the taste is extremely specific, so make sure to check if your piggy likes it or not.
Leaves	Only certain types	Rhubarb, beetroot, and spinach leaves should not be given to a guinea pig. Apple, willow, and pear tree leaves are ok.
Leeks	No	This food is part of the garlic family and contains sulfides that can be harmful to the health of your piggy.
Lemons	Yes	You can occasionally feed the inside part and the rind (a few times per month). But the chances are high that your cavy won’t eat the lemon.
Lettuce	Yes	Red lettuce, Boston, and Romaine lettuce can be included in the guinea pig’s diet. However, don’t give too much of those, as lettuce can cause diarrhea.
Limes	No	Limes are just too sour and your guinea pig won’t like them.
Little gem lettuce	Yes	Any type of lettuce is ok for your guinea pig. But don’t give too much of this product as it might act as a sedative.
Mango	Yes	Don’t give the skin or pit to your cavy. The inside of the mango can be given once or twice a week as a treat.
Mange tout	Yes	Make sure to not overfeed your guinea pig as mange tout might cause gas and bloat.
Mango skin	No	Mango skin might contain a lot of chemicals. It’s better to give your cavy only the flesh.
Marigolds	Yes	Cavies seem to like fresh marigolds more than dried ones. Can be fed as an occasional treat. Remember to rinse the flowers.
Meat	No	Guinea pigs are herbivores and their body is not designed to consume meat.
Melon	Yes	Melon can be occasionally given to your piggy as a treat and a source of vitamin C.
Mint	Yes	Mint can occasionally be given to your guinea pig. Bear in mind that your pet would either love it or hate it.
Mushrooms	Only certain types	Wild mushrooms can be dangerous for the animal’s health, while others simply won’t do any good.
Mustard greens	Yes	You can give mustard greens to your cavy once or twice a week. However, too much might cause gas and bloat.
Nectarines	Yes	Bear in mind that the pit has to be removed. Guinea pigs can have nectarines as a treat due to their high sugar content.
Nuts	No	Nuts might cause a severe allergic reaction or get stuck in the guinea pig’s teeth. Moreover, the majority of nuts contain a lot of fat.
Oats	No	Guinea pigs don’t need grains.
Oatmeal	No	Sometimes a tiny amount of oatmeal might be recommended by the vet to help your guinea pig gain weight.
Okra	Yes	You can occasionally give raw okra without seeds. The thing can become an additional source of vitamin C.
Olives	No	Olives are high in water, sodium, and fat.
Onions	No	Onions contain disulfide which can be dangerous for the guinea pig’s health.
Oranges	Yes	Oranges are an amazing source of vitamin C.
Orange peels	Yes	Orange peels have a lot of vitamin C but make sure to wash the skin thoroughly as it might contain chemicals.
Orange peppers	Yes	You can give orange peppers to your cavy as a treat and as a source of vitamin C. But bear in mind that this vegetable has high sugar levels.
Oregano	Yes	The taste is quite strong, so bear in mind that your cavy might not like the herb.
Papaya	Yes	Papaya can be a great source of vitamin C. Make sure to take all the seeds out and feed them to your cavy only one or two times per week.
Parsley	Yes	But parsley is high in oxalic acid, so be careful.
Parsnips	Yes	Parsnips can be fed once or twice a week. However, the majority of guinea pigs don’t seem to like the taste.
Peanuts	No	Peanuts are high in fat, acidic and they can present a choking hazard for a guinea pig.
Pears	Yes	You can give your guinea pig a small slice once in a while. Unfortunately, pears are high in sugar and quite acidic.
Peppers	Yes	Cavies can eat all bell peppers. However, green ones contain less sugar.
Pineapple	Yes	Pineapples can be given as a treat but they are high in sugar.
Pumpkin	Yes	Bear in mind that pumpkin seeds are dangerous. However, the flesh of the pumpkin can be given to guinea pigs once in a while. It is high in vitamins C and A.
Popcorn	No	Cavies should not be given any processed food. Moreover, popcorn bits can be dangerous for cavy’s digestive tract.
Potatoes	No	Potatoes might contain toxins that are dangerous for the health of the cavy.
Pumpkin	Yes	Bear in mind that pumpkin seeds are dangerous. However, the flesh of the pumpkin can be given to guinea pigs once in a while. It is high in vitamins C and A.
Quaker oats	No	In general, guinea pigs do not need oats. But your vet might tell you to give the cavy a little if it needs to put on some weight.
Rabbit food	No	Guinea pigs need an additional source of vitamin C. Moreover, rabbit food might contain some bits that are dangerous for the cavy’s digestive tract.
Raisins	No	Raisins contain too much sugar and are sticky which is terrible for the guinea pig’s teeth.
Raspberries	Yes	Raspberries are rich in vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. But just like any berries, they have quite a lot of sugar.
Red cabbage	Yes	Cavies can have red cabbage several times a week as it has a lot of vitamin C. At the same time, it’s low in fat, sugar, and calcium.
Red peppers	Yes	You can give red pepper as a treat to your cavy as it contains sugar.
Rocket	Yes	But bear in mind that the thing is high in calcium. Feed rocket to your cavy 2 or 3 times per week.
Romaine lettuce	Yes	Romaine lettuce can be fed to guinea pigs nearly every day.
Rosemary	Yes	Bear in mind that rosemary is high in calcium, so you can only give it to your cavy once or twice a week.
Runner beans	No	Runner beans are poisonous to guinea pigs.
Savoy cabbage	Yes	This vegetable can be fed up to 4 times per week but in small quantities as savoy cabbage leads to gas and bloating.
Strawberries	Yes	But just like all the other berries, strawberries have a lot of sugar in them. Moderation is key.
Spinach	Yes	Spinach can be fed to cavies once or twice a week. It’s high in vitamin C and low in sugar. However, it does contain a lot of oxalic acids.
Sprouts	Yes	Guinea pigs can eat raw sprouts in moderation as it is a gassy food.
Squash	Yes	Squash can become one of the sources of vitamin C but it has to be given in moderation.
Sunflower seeds	No	Seeds can get stuck in the guinea pig’s teeth and gums or even become a choking hazard.
Swede	Yes	Swede can be an occasional treat as it’s high in sugar and phosphorus.
Sweet potato	Yes	Sweet potatoes can become an occasional treat for your cavy as they contain oxalic acid and starch. But they also have low levels of fat and phosphorus.
Tangerines	Yes	Tangerines are an amazing source of vitamin C. However, they are acidic and contain sugar.
Thyme	Yes	Cavies can have the stems and the leaves once or twice a week. Bear in mind that your piggy might not like the taste.
Toast	No	Guinea pigs will not get poisoned by a slice of bread. But it simply won’t be able to do any good to them.
Tomato leaves	No	Tomato leaves are poisonous for guinea pigs.
Tortillas	No	Do not feed your cavy processed food.
Turnip	Yes	Turnips can be given once or twice a week as they are high in oxalic acid and sugar.
Turnip greens	Yes	Guinea pigs can have turnip greens up to two times per week. They are yummy but, unfortunately, high in calcium.
Walnuts	No	Walnuts may cause an allergic reaction and the sharp bits might cut the cavy’s digestive tract.
Watercress	Yes	Another great source of vitamin C. But give watercress in moderation as it can cause bloating and vomiting.
Watermelon	Yes	Guinea pigs can eat both, the flesh and the rind. But bear in mind that the flesh contains a lot of sugar.
Watermelon rind	Yes	The rind is even better than the flesh as it has less sugar. But make sure to wash the rind thoroughly.
Weeds	Only certain types	Some weeds are poisonous for guinea pigs. However, they can have chickweed, cleavers, oxalis, white clover, yarrow, plantain, and nutgrass.
Weetabix	No	Don’t feed your guinea pigs with processed foods.
Wheatgrass	Yes	Wheatgrass is yummy and will provide your guinea pigs with a lot of minerals and vitamins.
White cabbage	Yes	White cabbage should be given in moderation as it can cause gas and bloating. The vegetable is a source of vitamin C.
Yogurt	No	Guinea pigs are lactose intolerant.
Yams	Yes	Yams can become a source of vitamin C. Can be fed up to two times per week.
Yellow bell peppers	Yes	Bell peppers are high in vitamin C. But yellow peppers are also high in sugar, so make sure to give them to your guinea pig once or twice a week.
Yellow squash	Yes	Squash is high in vitamin A and C. Do remember to feed it in moderation.
Yogurt	No	Guinea pigs are lactose intolerant.
Zucchini	Yes	Zucchini is not only a great vitamin C source but is also low in sugar, sulfur, and salt.

Summary

If you are not sure what to give them but believe your little piggies deserve some great treats, please check our Helpful Guide to the Best Guinea Pig Treats to get some ideas.

Be sure to also check our recommended products page for everything you will ever need to assure a happy life for your guinea pigs. Hope this information was helpful and you have found the answer you were looking for.

List of Sources

Vitamin C Requirements of the Guinea-Pig

Nutrient Requirements of the Guinea Pig

Dietary Requirements of the Guinea Pig with Reference to the Need for a Special Factor