Guinea pigs are natural herbivores and eat a diet rich in plant-based foods. In the wild, they eat a variety of grasses and wild plants. It’s important to replicate this diet as closely as possible to keep your guinea pig fit and healthy. Guinea pigs need three types of food every day:
- Hay: Must be available at all times
- Fresh Vegetables & Fruit: About a cupful
- Pellet Food: 2 tablespoons per guinea pig
This article gives detailed information on exactly what to feed your guinea pig, how much to give them, plus lists of safe vegetables and fruit. It also has useful nutrition information to help you provide the best food for your guinea pigs.
1. Guinea Pig Hay
Hay is the most important part of your guinea pig’s diet, forming approximately 80% of their daily food intake.
- What Is the Best Hay For Guinea Pigs?
- How Much Hay Do Guinea Pigs Eat?
- Why Do Guinea Pigs Need Hay?
- How to Give Hay to Guinea Pigs
- Can Guinea Pigs Eat Fresh Grass Instead of Hay
What Is The Best Hay For Guinea Pigs?
The best type of hay for guinea pigs is grass hay, particularly Timothy hay, meadow hay and orchard hay. For specific dietary needs, babies and nursing mothers can eat alfalfa hay, which is richer in calcium.
The hay should be fresh and green with long stems and a low dust content. Guinea pigs prefer fresh hay and gain more nutritional benefits from it.
As they consume large quantities of hay, purchasing high quality hay in bulk from reputable suppliers like Small Pet Select can be more cost-effective than purchasing small bags of low-quality hay from the pet shops. If you use our discount code REFER-GPIGGLEUK at checkout, you will receive a 15% reduction on your purchase.
How Much Hay Should Guinea Pigs Eat?
You must provide good quality hay in unlimited quantities, and it should be available for your guinea pigs at all times, as they will graze on it throughout the day. Give them a generous pile of hay at feeding time and replenish it during the day if necessary.
Why Do Guinea Pigs Need Hay?
Guinea pigs need hay for many reasons. Apart from the overall nutrition it contains, it also provides vitamin C and fibre.
The long hay stems aid digestion and provide the fibre that keeps your guinea pig’s digestive system moving smoothly. This is especially important for these small pets because of how their digestive system works.
Your guinea pig’s teeth are constantly growing, and the abrasiveness of the hay on their teeth keeps them filed down and prevents them from overgrowing, which can cause serious health problems.
How to Give Hay to Guinea Pigs
While you can place some of the hay directly on the cage floor, using a feeder like the Small Pet Select Hay Manger or the Trixie Log Feeder is recommended to keep the hay fresh and clean. Guinea pigs will not eat hay if it becomes soiled. Avoid wire ball feeders, as they pose serious safety risks to your pet.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Fresh Grass Instead of Hay
Grass cannot replace hay in your guinea pig’s diet. Hay’s rough and fibrous texture is essential for healthy teeth and proper digestion.
However, fresh grass is good for your guinea pigs and can be given daily. You can pick it for them, or they can eat directly from a lawn free from toxic weeds or plants. The grass must be uncontaminated by pesticides, weed killers, pet waste, or urine. Guinea pigs should never be fed lawnmower clippings.
2. Fresh Vegetables, Leafy Greens, Herbs and Fruit
Fresh foods are the second most important part of your guinea pig’s daily diet. Choose fresh produce that is not mouldy or wilted to provide the best nutrition for your guinea pigs and prevent illness. It is important to provide variety in their meals.
- How Much Fresh Food Should Guinea Pigs Eat?
- What Vegetables Can Guinea Pigs Eat?
- Guinea Pig Vegetable List
- Guinea Pig Food Chart – Printable PDF
- Can Guinea Pigs Eat Fruit?
- Guinea Pig Fruit List
- Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cooked, Canned or Frozen Fruit and Veggies?
How Much Fresh Food Should Guinea Pigs Eat?
A daily serving should be about a cupful and consist mainly of leafy greens plus a mix of other vegetables, herbs, and an optional small portion of fruit. This provides a good balance of essential vitamins, minerals, fibre and variety to their meals. Our popular food charts, meal planner and nutrition guide will help you organise weekly meals.
Be careful not to give excessive amounts of any single food as they can become bored with the taste and refuse to eat it for a significant period.
Fresh food can be served in a non-tip bowl like this one from Haypigs.
What Vegetables and Herbs Can Guinea Pigs Eat?
Guinea pigs can eat many different vegetables and herbs. Some of their favourites are basil, carrots, celery, cucumber, dandelion leaves, kale, mint, parsley, sweet peppers, Romaine lettuce and spring greens. Please refer to the table below for a more comprehensive list of safe vegetables and herbs for guinea pigs.
We also have full colour downloadable PDF food charts with a meal planner & nutrition guide that many guinea pig owners have found very helpful.
Guinea Pig Vegetable List
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 |
Brussels Sprouts | Occasionally |
Butternut Squash | Occasionally |
Cabbage (red/white/Savoy) | Occasionally |
Carrots | A few times a week |
Cauliflower and stalk | Occasionally |
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 Food Chart > |
Guinea Pig Food Charts: Fruit & Veg Printable PDF
Colourful food charts featuring safe fruit and vegetables, a meal planner, and a nutrition chart to ensure a healthy, balanced diet for your guinea pig.
Food Chart Details
- Cover with adorable guinea pig illustration
- Five food charts with safe fruits and vegetables
- Daily food planner
- Guinea pig illustrations on every food sheet and meal planner.
- Nutritional information table for fruits and vegetables (in black and white), covering vitamin C, calcium, fibre, etc.
- Downloadable, printable PDF in full colour on A4 and US Letter.
Price: £4.99 or see the huge money-saving bundle of Guinea Piggles PDFs
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Fruit?
Guinea pigs can eat fruit, but you should feed it in moderation because it has a high sugar content. Too much fruit can cause diarrhoea or other health issues. Some of the best fruits they enjoy are apple, strawberries, blueberries and melon. Please see the table below for a more comprehensive list of safe fruits for guinea pigs:
Guinea Pig Fruit List
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 Food Chart > |
During the spring, summer and autumn months, you can find lots of wild food suitable for your guinea pigs. Find out more about foraging for your guinea pigs here >
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cooked, Canned or Frozen Fruits and Vegetables?
Guinea pigs can not eat cooked, canned or frozen vegetables or fruit, as this will likely lead to digestive problems. Vegetables and fruit must be served fresh and raw.
3. Guinea Pig Pellet Food
Guinea pig pellets are the least important of all three foods, but good quality nuggets are formulated to include essential vitamins that keep your guinea pigs healthy.
- How Much Pellets to Feed a Guinea Pig
- What Pellet Food is Best for Guinea Pigs?
- Can Guinea Pigs Have Alfalfa Pellets?
- Can Guinea Pigs Have Rabbit Food?
How Much Pellets to Feed a Guinea Pig
Guinea pigs should have about an eighth of a cup (2 tablespoons) of pellet food each day. While this may not seem like a lot, it is plenty for them. The Haypigs mini food bowl takes about the right amount of pellets for two guinea pigs.
You should never feed them a diet of just pellet food, as this will cause serious health problems.
What Pellet Food is Best for Guinea Pigs?
High-quality nuggets such as Small Pet Select Food are some of the best pellets for guinea pigs. Timothy hay or grass hay will display first on the ingredients list, meaning it is the main ingredient. Though visually appealing, mueslis and pellets with added pieces often lack nutritional value, so it is best to choose plain brown pellets.
Can Guinea Pigs Have Alfalfa Pellets?
Alfalfa pellets are suitable for specific life stages: pregnant or nursing guinea pigs and babies under six months. For all others, standard adult guinea pig pellets are recommended to ensure a balanced diet.
Can Guinea Pigs Have Rabbit Food?
Guinea pigs can not eat rabbit food as it does not contain the vital nutrients your guinea pig needs. They should not eat any other small pet food besides those specially made for them.
Guinea Pig Nutritional Requirements
Understanding the nutritional needs of your guinea pig is helpful to ensure they receive the necessary vitamins and minerals.
Fibre and protein
The main parts of a guinea pig’s diet are fibre and protein, with fibre making up most of their intake. The role of fibre is to ensure 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 good-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 our page about urinary stones in guinea pigs.
Vitamin C
Guinea pigs require around 10-30 mg of vitamin C every day as their bodies can’t produce it like other animals, such as rabbits. 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, making bones stronger. 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, supporting overall bone health.
Our full colour food charts and meal planner will help you organise meals and provide optimum nutrition for your guinea pigs. Many guinea pig owners have found these invaluable.
FAQs
- How should I introduce my guinea pig to new food?
- How often should you feed a guinea pig?
- My guinea pig has stopped eating. What should I do?
- Should I put my overweight guinea pig on a diet?
- How long can guinea pigs go without food?
- Why is my guinea pig eating his poop?
- What is the best guinea pig food brand?
How Should I Introduce My Guinea Pig to New Food?
Gradually and in small quantities, introduce new foods, including fresh vegetables, foraged food, or dry pellet food. Guinea pigs might initially resist new tastes but 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 feed fresh food in the morning and pellets in the evening or vice versa. However, ensure hay is always available and replenished regularly.
My Guinea Pig Has Stopped Eating. What Should I Do?
A guinea pig not eating indicates a serious problem, particularly if they are not consuming hay. 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” mixed with water can be a temporary solution to prevent weight loss and digestive issues, but this won’t solve the underlying problem.
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. Firstly, confirm with a vet whether your guinea pig is overweight. If so, check you are feeding good quality pellet food and that your portions are correct. Consider reducing the amount of pellets and eliminating fruit from their daily meals.
How Long Can Guinea Pigs Go Without Food?
Guinea pigs can not 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, ensure someone reliable can provide daily care, including ample food and water.
Why Is My Guinea Pig Eating His Poop?
Eating poop is part of a guinea pig’s natural behaviour. They consume softer caecotrophs, rich in essential nutrients like protein and vitamins, directly from their body. This behaviour is a natural way to replenish vital nutrients.
What Is The Best Guinea Pig Food Brand?
The best guinea pig food brand that I recommend is Small Pet Select for their 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.