To keep your guinea pigs healthy, they need to eat a balanced daily diet that includes unlimited access to fresh hay, a variety of vegetables, and specially formulated, high-quality pellet food.
Each guinea pig should receive a daily serving of one cup of vegetables and approximately two tablespoons of pellets.
- Vegetables, Fruits & Herbs Guinea Pigs Can Eat
- Guinea Pig Food Charts
- Guinea Pig Safe Food List: Vegetables & Herbs
- Guinea Pig Safe Food List: Fruit
- Best Hay for Guinea Pigs
- Best Pellets for Guinea Pigs
Vegetables, Fruit & Herbs Guinea Pigs Can Eat
Fresh food is a vital part of your guinea pig’s daily diet. As herbivores, guinea pigs can enjoy a wide range of vegetables, fruits, and herbs.
Vegetables
There are many types of vegetables that guinea pigs can eat, with leafy greens being the most important.
Some of their favourites include kale, sweet peppers, romaine lettuce, carrots, celery, cucumber, and spring greens. Be cautious with cruciferous vegetables like cabbage and broccoli, as they can cause bloating; these should be fed in moderation.
Herbs
Guinea pigs also love fresh herbs, which are packed with nutrition. Some favourite herbs include parsley, coriander (cilantro), mint, basil, and dill.
Fruit
In addition, certain fruits like apples, strawberries, blueberries, and bananas can be offered, but they should be fed in moderation and regarded as occasional treats due to their high sugar content. Eating too much fruit can lead to diarrhoea.
Your guinea pigs can also enjoy occasional healthy treats. To find safe and tasty treat options for your guinea pigs, please check out my Treats Page for more information.
Tips on Feeding Vegetables & Fruit
- A cupful or so of vegetables is a good daily portion size for each guinea pig.
- Avoid overfeeding any single food item, as guinea pigs can become picky and may refuse to eat it for a time. In my experience, this is particularly true with herbs.
- Use a non-tip bowl—one for each guinea pig, unless you have a larger vessel.
- Always provide fresh, raw food in good condition.
- Thoroughly wash all produce before serving.
Many wild plants and weeds are safe for guinea pigs and can be included in their vegetable portion or offered as an alternative. You can learn more about how to identify safe wild plants on my foraging page.
Guinea Pig Food Charts
You can purchase my illustrated printable PDF food pack for guinea pigs, which is a handy reference for meal planning. It includes food charts featuring safe fruits and vegetables, a fillable weekly meal planner, and a nutrition table for fruits and vegetables. This pack is designed to help you organise and plan nutritious meals for your guinea pigs. Full details here…
Safe Food Lists
My safe food lists outline the main vegetables, herbs, and fruits that are safe for your guinea pigs to eat, along with guidelines on how often they can be given. This is a rough guide to help you provide the best nutrition and variety for your guinea pigs.
Safe Vegetables and Herbs
| Vegetable / Herb | How Often? |
|---|---|
| Basil | Few times a week |
| Beet Greens | Occasionally |
| Beetroot | Occasionally |
| Bok Choy (Pak Choi) | A few times a week |
| Broccoli | Occasionally – can cause gas |
| Brussels Sprouts | Occasionally – can cause gas |
| Butternut Squash | Occasionally |
| Cabbage (red/white/Savoy) | Occasionally – can cause gas |
| Carrots | A few times a week |
| Cauliflower and stalk | Occasionally – can cause gas |
| Cauliflower leaves | A few times a week |
| Celeriac | A few times a week |
| Celery Stalks (and leaves) | A few times a week |
| Collard Greens | A few times a week |
| Coriander / Cilantro | A few times a week |
| Cress (garden cress) | A few times a week |
| Cucumber | A few times a week |
| Dandelion Leaves (greens) & Flowers | A few times a week |
| Dill | A few times a week |
| Fennel | Occasionally |
| Green beans (french beans) | A few times a week |
| Kale | A few times a week |
| Kohlrabi | Occasionally |
| Lambs Lettuce | A few times a week |
| Lettuce (Romaine/Cos/Butterhead/Red/Green Leaf | A few times a week |
| Mint | A few times a week |
| Parsley | A few times a week |
| Parsnip | Occasionally |
| Peas | Occasionally |
| Peppers (Sweet Bell – all colours) | A few times a week |
| Pumpkin | Occasionally |
| Radichio | A few times a week |
| Radish | Occasionally |
| Rocket Salad / Arugula | A few times a week |
| Spinach | Occasionally |
| Swede / Rutabagas | Occasionally |
| Swiss Chard | Occasionally |
| Thyme | Occasionally |
| Tomato | Occasionally |
| Turnip | Occasionally |
| Turnip Greens | Occasionally |
| Watercress | A few times a week |
| Buy and Download the Colourful Illustrated Food Chart… |
Safe Fruits
| Fruit Name | How Often? |
|---|---|
| Apple | Occasionally |
| Apricot | Occasionally |
| Blueberries | Occasionally |
| Cherries | Occasionally |
| Grapes (white/red) | Occasionally |
| Mango | Occasionally |
| Melon (all varieties) | Occasionally |
| Nectarine | Occasionally |
| Oranges | Occasionally |
| Papaya | Occasionally |
| Peach | Occasionally |
| Pear | Occasionally |
| Raspberries | Occasionally |
| Strawberries | Occasionally |
| Buy and Download the Colourful Illustrated Food Chart… |
Best Hay for Guinea Pigs
The best kind of hay for your guinea pigs is Timothy Hay, as it provides an excellent balance of nutrients to keep them healthy and is also delicious. Good quality Timothy Hay can be purchased online from Small Pet Select.
Guinea pigs can also eat Meadow Hay or Orchard Hay; however, you should avoid Alfalfa hay unless you’re feeding baby or nursing guinea pigs, as it is too rich in calcium for adult guinea pigs.
Hay should make up about 80% of your guinea pig’s daily diet and must always be readily available. They eat a lot of hay, so provide them with a generous pile and replenish it throughout the day as needed.
Helpful Hay Tips
Buy Quality Hay: Choose high-quality green hay with long stems and a fresh smell. Avoid hay that appears brown, dusty, or bitty. Store hay in a way that keeps it fresh and dry, as damp or mouldy hay will make your guinea pigs ill.
Discard Dirty Hay: Guinea pigs won’t eat dirty hay, so remove any soiled hay from the cage each day.
Hay Feeders: Use a safe hay feeder, such as the Small Pet Select Hay Manger or the Trixie Log Feeder, to keep the hay clean. Avoid wire ball feeders, as they pose serious safety risks to your pet, and do not choose hay feeders that make accessing the hay difficult.
Bulk Buying: Buying in bulk can be more cost-effective, but purchase from a reputable supplier like Small Pet Select online or direct from a farm to ensure quality.
Save Money: When shopping at Small Pet Select, use my coupon code REFER-GPIGGLEUK at checkout to receive a 15% discount on your purchase.
Why Do Guinea Pigs Need Hay?
There are several reasons why hay is such an important part of your guinea pig’s diet.
- Hay provides essential nutrition with high levels of vitamin C and plenty of fibre.
- The abrasiveness of the hay stalks helps keep your guinea pig’s teeth filed down; without hay, their teeth can overgrow, leading to serious health complications.
- Long-stemmed hay is also crucial for maintaining a healthy digestive system.
While guinea pigs love grass, it’s still important for them to have unlimited access to hay.
Best Guinea Pig Pellet Food
Small Pet Select Premium Guinea Pig Food is among the best pellet options available. It contains high-quality ingredients specifically formulated to provide optimal nutrition for your guinea pigs, helping them stay healthy and happy. Burgess is another reputable brand known for its quality.
Feeding Guidelines for Pellets
Guinea pigs need only a small amount of pellets each day – about an eighth of a cup (2 tablespoons). Although this may seem like very little, pellets serve as a supplement to their diet of hay and vegetables and should not be the main focus.
Serve your guinea pig pellets in a non-tip bowl, such as the Haypigs mini food bowl, which holds the right amount of pellets for two guinea pigs.
Other Pellets & Mueslis
While you may come across cheaper pellets, be cautious, as these often contain lower-quality or less suitable ingredients. Additionally, many muesli blends sold for guinea pigs may not be ideal, as some contain sugar, artificial colourings, or other unhealthy additives.
When buying your guinea pig food, always check the ingredients to ensure that grass hay or Timothy hay is the first item listed. The ingredients listed first are the primary components of the pellets.
It’s also vital to purchase pellets specifically formulated for guinea pigs. They should never eat rabbit pellets or food designed for other animals, as their nutritional needs differ significantly.
Guinea Pig Nutritional Requirements
Understanding the nutritional needs of your guinea pig is crucial to ensure they receive the necessary vitamins and minerals.
Fibre and protein
The main components of a guinea pig’s diet are fibre and protein, with fibre making up most of their intake. Fibre ensures the proper movement of food through the gut. Their diet should be low in sugars, carbohydrates, and fats.
Calcium and other minerals
Calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus are vital minerals for guinea pigs. These nutrients are abundant in fresh vegetables, forage, and high-quality pellet food.
Many believe avoiding calcium or providing a low-calcium diet will prevent bladder stone formation, a common problem in these pets. This is not the case. You can learn more about this on my page about urinary stones in guinea pigs.
Vitamin C
Guinea pigs require around 10-30 mg of vitamin C every day since their bodies can’t produce it like some other animals. A deficiency can lead to scurvy, a serious health condition. Therefore, it’s vital to provide them with food that contains vitamin C.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, strengthening bones. Since guinea pigs have a plant-based diet, sunlight is the best source of vitamin D. Allowing them safe outdoor time with access to shade will help meet their vitamin D needs and support overall bone health.
FAQs
How Should I Introduce My Guinea Pig to New Food?
Introduce new foods, including fresh vegetables, foraged food, or dry pellet food, gradually and in small quantities. Guinea pigs may initially resist new tastes but they usually adapt over time.
How Often Should You Feed a Guinea Pig?
Feeding guinea pigs once a day in the morning is ideal and convenient for most owners. Alternatively, you could offer fresh food in the morning and pellets in the evening, or vice versa. However, always ensure that hay is available and replenished regularly.
My Guinea Pig Has Stopped Eating. What Should I Do?
If your guinea pig has stopped eating, particularly if they are not consuming hay, it may indicate a serious problem. Contact your vet immediately for advice. In the meantime, syringe-feeding ground pellets mixed with warm water or a special powdered food called “Critical Care” can serve as a temporary solution to prevent weight loss and digestive issues. However, this will not address the underlying problem.
Always prioritise a visit to the vet to determine the cause of the loss of appetite and ensure your guinea pig receives the appropriate care.
Should I Put My Overweight Guinea Pig On a Diet
You should not put your guinea pig on a diet, as restrictive diets are unsuitable for these small pets. First, consult with a vet to confirm whether your guinea pig is overweight. If they are, ensure you are providing high-quality pellet food in the correct portions. Consider reducing the amount of pellets and eliminating fruit from their daily meals.
How Long Can Guinea Pigs Go Without Food?
Guinea pigs cannot and should not be left without food. They need constant access to food, particularly hay, to prevent dental and digestive issues. If you’re away, make sure a reliable person can provide daily care, including plenty of food and fresh water.
Why Is My Guinea Pig Eating His Poop?
Eating poop is a natural behaviour for guinea pigs. They consume softer caecotrophs, which are rich in essential nutrients like protein and vitamins, directly from their bodies. This behaviour helps them replenish vital nutrients.
What Is The Best Guinea Pig Food Brand?
The best guinea pig food brand I recommend is Small Pet Select, known for its natural ingredients and ethical practices. Use code REFER-GPIGGLEUK for a 15% discount on your total order. Other reputable brands include The Little Hay Co for hay and Burgess for pellet food.