Yes, guinea pigs can enjoy eating a wide range of fruits and veggies; however, most vegetables should only be given in small amounts as they contain high concentrations of sugars and starches that could harm them.
An ideal food combination for your pet would include Timothy pellets, hay and fresh veggies and fruit as this will provide a balanced diet as well as providing ample vitamin C sources.
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Leafy Greens
Guinea pigs are herbivores and require plenty of fresh, leafy greens in their diet to support digestive health and maintain optimal performance. These nutritious low calorie foods contain vitamins A and C as well as fiber and other essential elements.
Your guinea pig’s diet should consist of various leafy greens such as romaine lettuce (not iceberg), kale, collard greens, bok choy, turnip greens, chard and spinach. Avoid cabbage, rhubarb mustard greens or onions as these can cause digestive upset in guinea pigs.
Guinea pigs should receive a wide variety of vegetables in addition to leafy greens, such as peppers, beans, cucumbers and sweetheart cabbage. Rotating their diet so they get all essential vitamins is important as well. You should provide vitamin C-rich foods like berries and broccoli as they don’t produce their own and not getting enough can lead to scurvy.
Root Vegetables
Root vegetables are an ideal addition to a guinea pig’s diet, offering fiber, vitamins A and C, potassium magnesium and other trace minerals. Just remember to feed them occasionally as some varieties can contain excessively high levels of sugar which could cause digestive issues in your pet.
These include kale, cabbage, sweet peppers (remove the seeds first), carrots, beetroot (but avoid its juice as this can lead to red urine), squash and zucchini; however be wary if providing too much squash or zucchini as they contain high levels of oxalates that could potentially lead to calcium stones forming in their system.
As with other fruits and vegetables, cut your pet’s veggies into bite-size chunks to prevent choking hazards. Also keep in mind that certain fruits and veggies contain high concentrations of Vitamin C; an essential nutrient for guinea pigs who cannot produce their own supply and a lack of it can lead to scurvy. These foods include oranges, kiwis and strawberries (though small quantities only). Celeriac contains more Vitamin C than sweet peppers, parsley or kale though.
Fruits
Fruit is high in sugar and should only be given occasionally to your guinea pig, to prevent obesity and sores in their mouth. Some fruits may even be poisonous to cavies if consumed, for instance apricot seeds contain amygdalin which converts into cyanide when consumed by cavies.
Citrus fruits such as satsumas, tangerines, and clementines should be safe for your guinea pig, provided you remove their pip. Berries may be another treat to offer your pet, although too much sugary goodness could harm their teeth.
Mangoes, papayas and melons offer refreshing refreshments; Kiwi fruit is another delicious and nutritious fruit to add to your pet’s diet; just remember to remove its fuzzy seedy skin first before feeding to them! Furthermore, tropical fruits such as these contain Vitamin C which your guinea pig cannot produce naturally themselves – essential dietary needs that must be fulfilled for proper growth.
Treats
As herbs contain many health-promoting nutrients, guinea pigs enjoy treating themselves to various herbs from time to time as treats. But as their stomachs can only handle so much at one time.
Guinea Pigs love treats made of fresh timothy grass hay; it provides them with essential fiber that keeps their gut healthy.
Guinea Pigs do not produce their own Vitamin C, and so should receive food sources high in this essential nutrient. Without enough Vitamin C, guineas can develop scurvy. Signs include poor immune system function, abnormal bone and tooth development and delayed wound healing. Vitamin C supplements can be purchased from pet stores; most are liquid forms sweetened to make them more palatable to your guineas – these make them easier to administer using an oral syringe, although this should not become their sole source of Vitamin C intake either!
