Guinea pigs love the sweet taste of fruit, but unlike vegetables, fruit isn’t an essential part of their diet and should only be fed as an occasional treat. Most fruits are naturally high in sugar, which can lead to diarrhoea, weight gain, or selective eating habits if given too often.
The best fruits for guinea pigs are those that provide vitamin C, hydration, and enrichment without adding too much sugar to their diet.
How Much Fruit Can Guinea Pigs Eat?
A safe guideline is to offer fruit 3–5 times per week in small portions — around a 2 cm (1 inch) cube per guinea pig.
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Make feeding simple with my Printable Food Charts Pack — includes a meal planner, safe food charts, and nutrition tables.
🍓 Best Fruits for Guinea Pigs (Safe in Small Quantities)
Here are some of the safest and most popular fruits for guinea pigs, which can be given occasionally as part of a balanced diet:
- 🍎 Apple – A favourite – can eat cores.
- 🍌 Banana – Sweet and starchy; a small chunk occasionally is enough.
- 🫐 Blueberries – Antioxidant-rich; limit to 1–2 berries per serving.
- 🍇 Grapes – Very high in sugar; 1-2 grapes as an occasional treat.
- 🥝 Kiwi Fruit – Very rich in vitamin C; a good treat occasionally.
- 🍈 Melon – Sweet and juicy; just a small chunk.
- 🍍 Papaya (Pawpaw) – Rich in vitamin C; keep as a treat.
- 🍓 Strawberries – A guinea pig favourite, rich in vitamin C; one small fruit occasionally
- 🍉 Watermelon – Hydrating summer treat; remove seeds and offer a small piece.
⚠️ Fruits to Limit or Avoid
Not all fruits are suitable for guinea pigs, and some should only be given very rarely:
- Dried fruits (raisins, sultanas, dates, banana chips, etc.) – Too concentrated in sugar.
- Citrus (orange, grapefruit, lemon, lime) – Too acidic although small amounts. of orange can be fed.
☠️ Fruits That Look Safe but Aren’t for Guinea Pigs ☠️
Some fruits may seem harmless but are actually toxic:
❌ Avocado – toxic to guinea pigs.
❌ Rhubarb (stalks & leaves) – highly toxic.
👉 See the full Unsafe Foods Guide for Guinea Pigs ›
✅ Guinea Pig Safe Fruits List: Nutrition & Feeding Notes
Although fruit should only be given as an occasional treat, it can still provide valuable nutrients. The table below shows the approximate vitamin C, calcium, and sugar content of safe fruits for guinea pigs.
All values are per 100 g of fresh fruit. As a guideline, offer around a 2 cm (1-inch) cube per guinea pig, 3–5 times a week, to prevent excess sugar intake.
| Fruit | Vitamin C (mg per 100g) | Calcium (mg per 100g) | Sugar (g per 100g) | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | 5 | 4 | 10.5 | Peel and core edible |
| Apricot | 3.1 | 12 | 6.25 | Skin edible, remove stone |
| Banana | 12.3 | 5 | 15.8 | Skin edible (preferably organic) |
| Blackberries | 15.4 | 15 | 6.52 | High in fibre |
| Blueberries | 15.4 | 12 | 9.36 | Rich in anti-oxidants |
| Cherries | 10.4 | 12 | 13.9 | Remove stone |
| Grapes (Red) | 3.3 | 10 | 17.3 | High sugar, remove pip |
| Grapes (White) | 3 | 10 | 16.1 | High sugar, remove pip |
| Kiwi Fruit | 58.8 | 24 | 8.56 | Rich in vitamin C |
| Mango | 25.5 | 12 | 10.7 | Skin edible |
| Melon (Cantaloupe) | 10.9 | 9 | 7.88 | Remove seeds |
| Melon (Honeydew) | 15.7 | 7 | 7.03 | Remove seeds |
| Nectarine | 2.9 | 2 | 7.89 | Remove stone |
| Orange | 59.1 | 43 | 8.57 | High in vitamin C. Remove pips |
| Papaya (PawPaw) | 27.6 | 10 | 14.1 | High sugar |
| Peach | 4.1 | 4 | 8.39 | Skin edible, remove stone |
| Pear | 4.4 | 8 | 9.69 | Core and skin edible |
| Plum | 1.8 | 4 | 7.96 | Skin edible, remove stone |
| Raspberries | 23 | 16 | 2.68 | High fibre, lower sugar fruit |
| Strawberries | 59.6 | 17 | 4.86 | Rich in vitamin C |
| Watermelon | 4 | 5 | 7 | Refreshing in summer |
📖 Sources: USDA FoodData Central; AFCD – Australian Food Composition Database. Nutrition values may vary between sources.
👉 Want an Easy Reference?
Make feeding simple with my Printable Food Charts Pack — includes a meal planner, safe food charts, and nutrition tables.
Individual Fruit Information
For detailed information on fruits that are most popular with guinea pigs, see the full guide to each below.
🍎 Apple →Read the Apple guide ›
🍌 Banana →Read the Banana guide ›
🫐 Blueberries →Read the Blueberries guide ›
🍇 Grapes →Read the Grape guide ›
🍈 Melon →Read the Melon guide ›
🍓 Strawberries →Read the Strawberry guide ›
🍉 Watermelon →Read the Watermelon guide ›
Frequently Asked Questions About Fruits for Guinea Pigs
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Fruit Every Day?
Yes—small amounts daily are okay, but treats 3–5 times a week are best.
What Fruit is Best for Guinea Pigs?
Strawberries for vitamin C, blueberries for antioxidants, and apples are a favourite treat.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Frozen Fruit?
No—frozen or thawed fruit can upset their tummy.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Lemons?
No, lemons are too acidic for guinea pigs.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Pineapple?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat pineapple but only very occasionally and in tiny amounts due to the high sugar levels.
📖 Meal Planning & Printable Charts
Fruit should be seen as an occasional enrichment food rather than a daily staple. A good weekly meal plan might include up to 5 fruit servings alongside a daily mix of vegetables and herbs.
👉 Want a ready-to-use template? My Printable Food Charts Pack includes safe fruits, vegetables, and herbs with clear frequency guidelines, nutrition tables, and a weekly meal planner template. Download the pack here.
Safe Vegetables
Full information on safe vegetables for guinea pigs including feeding guide ›
🫑 Bell Peppers → Read the Bell Pepper guide ›
🥬 Bok Choy → Read the Bok Choy (Pak Choi / Chinese Leaf) guide ›
🥦 Broccoli → Read the Broccoli guide ›
🥕 Carrots → Read the Carrot guide ›
🌱 Celeriac→ Read the Celeriac guide ›
🌱 Celery → Read the Celery guide ›
🥬 Collard Greens → Read the Collard Greens guide ›
🌾 Corn on the Cob → Read the Corn guide ›
🥒 Cucumber → Read the Cucumber guide ›
🌼 Dandelion → Read the Dandelion guide ›
🌿 Fennel → Read the Fennel guide ›
🌿 French Beans (Fine Green Beans) → Read the French Beans guide ›
🥬 Kale → Read the Kale guide ›
🥬 Lettuce → Read the Lettuce guide ›
🌿 Spinach → Read the Spinach guide ›
🍅 Tomato→ Read the Tomato guide ›
🍃 Watercress→ Read the Watercress guide ›
Safe Herbs
Full information on safe herbs for guinea pigs and feeding guide ›
🌿 Basil → Read the Basil guide ›
🌱 Coriander (Cilantro) → Read the Coriander guide ›
🌿 Dill → Read the Dill guide ›
🌱 Mint → Read the Mint guide ›
🌿 Parsley → Read the Parsley guide ›
