Guinea pigs should not eat any non-plant-based foods, as they are strict herbivores with digestive systems unsuited to other types of food. Many foods are toxic to guinea pigs, including certain plants and vegetables. It’s vital to know which foods are unsafe for guinea pigs to avoid serious health issues.
Vegetables Guinea Pigs Cannot Eat
Although many vegetables are safe for guinea pigs, there are several they must not eat, including:
- Avocado
- Chilli peppers (sweet bell peppers are safe)
- Chives
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Leeks
- Onion
- Potato and potato leaves
- Shallots
- Spring onions
- Tomato plant leaves and vine (tomato fruit is safe)
- Wild garlic leaves
For a list of vegetables that are safe for guinea pigs, see my detailed guide here.
Fruit Guinea Pigs Cannot Eat
There are many types of fruit that are safe for guinea pigs to eat but the following fruits are not suitable and must be avoided:
- Coconut
- Grapefruit
- Limes
- Lemons
- Rhubarb and rhubarb leaves (poisonous)
- Sultanas and most other dried fruit
Even safe fruit should only be an occasional treat for your guinea pigs. Please see my list of safe fruits here.
Flowers, Plants and Leaves Guinea Pigs Cannot Eat
Many flowers, plants, and leaves are toxic or unsafe for guinea pigs to eat. All flowers that grow from bulbs are generally toxic, but there are other flowers that should also be avoided such as daisies and buttercups. There are also many plants, shrubs, weeds and leaves, including evergreens, that are poisonous:
- Acacia
- Aconite (also known as Monkshood, Wolf’s Bane, Leopard’s Bane, Devil’s Helmet, Blue Rocket)
- Anemone
- Arum
- Autumn crocus
- Bindweed (convolvulus)
- Black nightshade
- Bluebell
- Boxwood
- Bracken
- Bryony
- Buttercup
- Celandine
- Christmas Rose
- Clematis
- Columbine
- Corn cockle (a wildflower)
- Daffodil
- Daisy
- Deadly nightshade (Belladonna)
- Dock when seeding and after seeding
- Dog mercury
- Elder
- Figwort
- Fool’s parsley
- Foxglove
- Gypsophila
- Hemlock
- Henbane
- Honeysuckle
- Horse chestnut
- Horsetails
- Hyacinth
- Iris/flag
- Ivy (including berries)
- Laburnum
- Larkspur (or delphinium)
- Laurel
- Lenten rose
- Lily of the valley
- Lobelia
- Lords and ladies (also known as Devils and Angels, Adam and Eve, Cuckoo Pint or Snakes Head)
- Love in a mist (also known as bird’s nest or Nigellas)
- Lupins
- Mares tails
- Oak
- Poppies
- Privet
- Ragwort
- Rhododendron
- Rhubarb leaves and stalk
- Scarlet pimpernel (mostly found growing by chickweed)
- Scarlet runner foliage
- Snowdrop
- Sorrel
- Speedwell
- Spurge
- Toadflax (also known as common toadflax, yellow toadflax, bread and butter, butter and eggs)
- Travellers joy (old man’s beard)
- Wood anemone
- Yew
If foraging for leaves, plants, and weeds, make sure you check out my foraging page, which provides comprehensive guidance on finding safe foods, including a helpful foraging guide available for purchase.
If you think your guinea pig has eaten a poisonous plant, please see my advice on my “Guinea Pig Poisoning Symptoms” page.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Grass Clippings?
Guinea pigs cannot eat grass clippings that have been mowed. It is not safe for guinea pigs to eat for several reasons.
- If you use a petrol or diesel lawnmower, the clippings can be polluted by fumes, which can make your guinea pigs very ill.
- Mowed grass can contain a toxic mix of other plants, such as daisies, buttercups, and small poisonous weeds that might be growing in your lawn.
- Grass clippings ferment quickly, and guinea pigs tend to eat them rapidly, leading to fermentation in their gut, which can cause bloat. Bloat can be fatal if not treated urgently.
If feeding grass, pick it by hand or place your guinea pigs in their run on a safe patch of grass.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Nuts and Seeds
Although nuts are plant-based, guinea pigs cannot eat them, as they are high in fat and not part of their natural diet. Some seeds can become stuck in their teeth and should not be given. Here is a list of some of the nuts and seeds that guinea pigs should not eat:
- Almonds
- Brazil nuts
- Cashews
- Hazelnuts
- Macadamias
- Peanuts
- Pistachios
- Pumpkin seeds
- Sunflower seeds
Some seeds found in vegetables such as tomato and cucumber are safe for guinea pigs, but hard seeds in fruit, such as those in watermelon, should be removed.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Bread?
Guinea pigs cannot eat bread. Although bread is made from wheat, it also contains yeast, salt, dairy, and other unsuitable ingredients. Feeding your guinea pigs bread or toast can cause digestive issues, so make sure you stick to their natural diet.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cereal?
Guinea pigs cannot eat cereal. Although cereals such as Cheerios, Cornflakes, and Weetabix are made with plant ingredients like wheat, oats, and corn, they contain many other ingredients that are not suitable for a guinea pig’s digestive system or health. Most cereals are high in sugar and/or salt and may also contain dairy, which is not appropriate for guinea pigs.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Ice or Frozen Food
Guinea pigs cannot eat ice and should not be fed any form of frozen food, including frozen vegetables and fruit. While it might be tempting to give them something cool in the summer, there are safer alternatives to keep them comfortable.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Meat
Guinea pigs cannot meat in any form, including chicken and sausage. Some people might be tempted to give their pets meat scraps from their own meals, but guinea pigs lack the necessary digestive enzymes to process meat efficiently.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Dairy
Guinea pigs cannot eat dairy foods. They are not good for a guinea pig’s digestive system and are not a natural part of their diet. Take care and check ingredients when buying guinea pig snacks, as some low-quality brands may include dairy in them. Here are some common dairy products to avoid:
- Cheese
- Eggs
- Milk
- Yogurt or yogurt drops
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Human Food and Snacks?
As well as all the other food mentioned above, guinea pigs should not eat snacks or foods made for humans, such as crisps, chocolate, biscuits, and popcorn. These foods contain ingredients that are unsuitable for guinea pigs and can have a detrimental impact on their health.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Other Pet Foods?
Guinea pigs should only eat food that is made specifically for them. Rabbit, hamster, cat, or dog food is formulated with the dietary requirements of those animals in mind and will contain ingredients that guinea pigs cannot safely eat. To ensure your guinea pig’s health and well-being, always provide them with a diet designed for their specific nutritional needs.