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Can Guinea Pigs Eat Apples

Yes, guinea pigs can eat apples occasionally as a treat. Offer only a small slice once or twice a week, as apples are high in sugar and should never replace daily leafy greens and vegetables.


Benefits of Apples for Guinea Pigs

  • Tasty and refreshing โ€” Most guinea pigs enjoy the sweet, juicy flavour of apples.
  • Encourages variety โ€” Adds a change of texture and taste to their regular diet.
  • Fibre content โ€” Supports digestion.
  • Contains vitamin C โ€” Guinea pigs need this vitamin daily as they canโ€™t make their own, but apples are a modest source compared to strawberries.


๐Ÿ How to Safely Feed Apples to Guinea Pigs

  • Frequency: Once or twice a week (variety is important).
  • Quantity: A small slice or cube per guinea pig.
  • Preparation: Wash thoroughly and serve raw, with the skin on if possible.
  • Avoid: Cooked, dried, or tinned apples, and any form of applesauce.
  • Best Types: Red or green sweet eating apples such as Gala, Braeburn or Fuji. Avoid sour cooking apples like Bramley due to acidity.

Note: It is sometimes thought that too much apple can cause a guinea pigโ€™s mouth to become sore. However, a sore mouth is usually caused by bacteria or fungus rather than apple itself. If your guinea pig already has mouth sores, avoid acidic fruits like apple until fully healed.

Guinea pig being offered a small piece of apple as a treat
A piece of apple makes a good treat for guinea pigs

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Apple Skin, Cores, and Seeds?

  • Skin: Yes โ€” full of fibre and nutrients. Wash well and choose unwaxed or organic if possible.
  • Core: Safe to eat and contains additional fibre.
  • Seeds: Contain trace cyanide (amygdalin). A seed or two wonโ€™t harm, but donโ€™t feed them deliberately.

Note about apple seeds: Apple seeds contain a natural compound called amygdalin, which can release tiny amounts of cyanide when chewed. The quantity in one or two seeds is far too small to cause harm, so thereโ€™s no need to worry if your guinea pig eats one accidentally. However, donโ€™t give apple seeds on purpose or offer large amounts of core containing many seeds.


Can Guinea Pigs Eat Apple Tree Leaves and Sticks?

  • Leaves: Yes โ€” nutritious and low in sugar.
  • Sticks/Twigs: Great for chewing. Ensure theyโ€™re clean and pesticide-free before giving them to your guinea pigs.

โš ๏ธ Avoid These

  • Cooking apples (too acidic)
  • Cooked or baked apple products
  • Applesauce or purรฉes
  • Sweetened dried apple pieces
  • Tinned or frozen apples

Do Guinea Pigs Like Apples?

Most guinea pigs love apples, but some may prefer other fruits. In owner polls, around 80% of guinea pigs enjoy apple as a treat.

Poll results for "do guinea pigs like apple"
To take part in our polls, go to the community tab on our youtube channel

Guinea Pig Food Charts in Full Colour showing what vegetables, fruit and herbs guinea pigs can safely eat and how often, plus meal planner. Available to purchase.

Nutrition Information

Nutrition ๐ŸŽmg per 100g
Vitamin C5
Calcium4
Sugar10.5
Water84.9
Fibre2.5
Phosphorous8

Safe Fruits

Full information on safe fruit for guinea pigs and feeding guide โ€บ

๐ŸŽ Apple โ†’Read the Apple guide โ€บ
๐ŸŒ Banana โ†’Read the Banana guide โ€บ
๐Ÿซ Blueberries โ†’Read the Blueberries guide โ€บ
๐Ÿ‡ Grapes โ†’Read the Grape guide โ€บ
๐Ÿˆ Melon โ†’Read the Melon guide โ€บ
๐Ÿ“ Strawberries โ†’Read the Strawberry guide โ€บ
๐Ÿ‰ Watermelon โ†’Read the Watermelon guide โ€บ

Safe Vegetables

Full information on safe vegetables for guinea pigs including feeding guide โ€บ

๐Ÿซ‘ Bell Peppers โ†’ Read the Bell Pepper guide โ€บ
๐Ÿฅฌ Bok Choy โ†’ Read the Bok Choy (Pak Choi / Chinese Leaf) guide โ€บ
๐Ÿฅฆ Broccoli โ†’ Read the Broccoli guide โ€บ
๐Ÿฅ• Carrots โ†’ Read the Carrot guide โ€บ
๐ŸŒฑ Celeriacโ†’ Read the Celeriac guide โ€บ
๐ŸŒฑ Celery โ†’ Read the Celery guide โ€บ
๐Ÿฅฌ Collard Greens โ†’ Read the Collard Greens guide โ€บ
๐ŸŒพ Corn on the Cob โ†’ Read the Corn guide โ€บ
๐Ÿฅ’ Cucumber โ†’ Read the Cucumber guide โ€บ
๐ŸŒผ Dandelion โ†’ Read the Dandelion guide โ€บ
๐ŸŒฟ Fennel โ†’ Read the Fennel guide โ€บ
๐ŸŒฟ French Beans (Fine Green Beans) โ†’ Read the French Beans guide โ€บ
๐Ÿฅฌ Kale โ†’ Read the Kale guide โ€บ
๐Ÿฅฌ Lettuce โ†’ Read the Lettuce guide โ€บ
๐ŸŒฟ Spinach โ†’ Read the Spinach guide โ€บ
๐Ÿ… Tomatoโ†’ Read the Tomato guide โ€บ
๐Ÿƒ Watercressโ†’ Read the Watercress guide โ€บ

Safe Herbs

Full information on safe herbs for guinea pigs and feeding guide โ€บ

๐ŸŒฟ Basil โ†’ Read the Basil guide โ€บ
๐ŸŒฑ Coriander (Cilantro) โ†’ Read the Coriander guide โ€บ
๐ŸŒฟ Dill โ†’ Read the Dill guide โ€บ
๐ŸŒฑ Mint โ†’ Read the Mint guide โ€บ
๐ŸŒฟ Parsley โ†’ Read the Parsley guide โ€บ

Monique Hanford

Monique Hanford

Monique Hanford is a trusted guinea pig expert and founder of Guinea Piggles, one of the UKโ€™s leading resources on guinea pig welfare. With nearly a decade of hands-on experience and research into guinea pig care, she provides practical, evidence-based guidance to help owners give their pets the best possible lives. Find out more...View Author posts