Guinea pigs can safely eat many plants, including grass, dandelion, cilantro, basil and mint, but several common garden and houseplants are toxic. Before letting your guinea pig nibble anything, identify it with certainty and make sure it has not been treated with chemicals.
Plants that are generally safe in small amounts
- Grass and clover from an untreated lawn.
- Dandelion leaves and flowers, picked away from roads and pesticides.
- Herbs such as cilantro, basil, dill, mint and parsley. Parsley is high in calcium, so serve it in moderation.
- Plantain (the weed, not the banana) and chickweed.
- Marigold and chamomile flowers.
Introduce any new plant one at a time in a small amount and watch the droppings for a day.
Plants that are toxic or unsafe
These should never be offered or left within reach:
- Buttercup, foxglove, hemlock and nightshade.
- Lily of the valley, daffodil, tulip and hyacinth, especially the bulbs.
- Ivy, holly, mistletoe and oleander.
- Azalea and rhododendron.
- Rhubarb leaves and the leaves of tomato and potato plants.
- Onion, garlic, leek and chive plants.
This is not a complete list. If you are not sure whether a plant is safe, do not feed it.
How to forage safely
- Only pick from places you know have never been sprayed.
- Avoid roadsides, where plants collect exhaust and dirt.
- Wash everything and serve it fresh.
- Keep houseplants and bouquets out of floor-level play areas.
Bottom Line
A small amount of safe, fresh forage is a nice addition to hay, pellets and vegetables, but never gamble on an unknown plant. See also our guides to grass for guinea pigs and toxic foods for guinea pigs.
General information, not veterinary advice. If your guinea pig eats a plant you think is toxic, call your vet or a pet poison hotline right away.
