Do you know the answer to what fruits guinea pigs can eat? Most new guinea pig owners are confused about which fruits are safe for their piggies. Even veteran guinea pig owners are guilty of feeding their guinea pigs the same fruits repeatedly. Variety is the spice of life for your guinea pig! A bored guinea pig can become unwell quickly!
This is the first article in our ultimate guide on what food guinea pigs can eat. We are on a mission to add some new, exciting and most importantly safe foods to your guinea pigs’ diet!
Find Out More:
- Guinea Pig Fruit Guide – At A Glance
- Can Guinea Pigs Eat Apple?
- Can Guinea Pigs Eat Apricots?
- Can Guinea Pigs Eat Bananas?
- Can Guinea Pigs Eat Blackberries?
- Can Guinea Pigs Eat Blueberries?
- Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cantaloupe?
- Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cherries?
- Can Guinea Pigs Eat Grapes?
- Can Guinea Pigs Eat Grapefruit?
- Can Guinea Pigs Eat Honeydew Melon?
- Can Guinea Pigs Eat Kiwi?
- Can Guinea Pigs Eat Lemon?
- Can Guinea Pigs Eat Lime?
- Can Guinea Pigs Eat Mango?
- Can Guinea Pigs Eat Nectarine?
- Can Guinea Pigs Eat Oranges?
- Can Guinea Pigs Eat Papaya?
- Can Guinea Pigs Eat Peaches?
- Can Guinea Pigs Eat Persimmon?
- Can Guinea Pigs Eat Pineapple?
- Can Guinea Pigs Eat Plums?
- Can Guinea Pigs Eat Raisins?
- Can Guinea Pigs Eat Raspberries?
- Can Guinea Pigs Eat Strawberries?
- Can Guinea Pigs Eat Tangerines?
- Can Guinea Pigs Eat Watermelon?
- Disclaimer
Guinea Pig Fruit Guide
Most guinea pig owners wish there was a complete and comprehensive list of all the fruits that clearly define what is safe and not safe. Wish no longer as we have created one and best of all it’s completely free! We don’t believe in charging for information that should be freely available!
So feel free to download the below free guinea pig fruit chart!
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Apple?
Guinea pigs can indeed eat apples. Apples are full of vitamin C that guinea pigs are unable to make themselves. Ensure that you only give your guinea pigs the flesh as apple seeds can make your piggie seriously unwell. In extreme cases, apple seeds can be fatal.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Apricots?
Yes, your guinea pigs can eat Apricots. Apricots contain a variety of vitamins such as calcium, potassium and vitamin C. It’s important to remember that apricots do contain a lot of sugar which can be harmful to your piggie.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Bananas?
Bananas are very high in sugar and while yes guinea pigs can eat bananas, we personally prefer to feed them some other fruit that is lower in sugar!
Our decision is based on the fact that bananas can cause bloating and cramping after being eaten by your guinea pig.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Blackberries?
Yes, guinea pigs can enjoy blackberries. Blackberries are very sweet and also full of vitamins and minerals. One berry once or twice a week is plenty.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Blueberries?
Guinea pigs can eat blueberries. They are only suitable to be fed once a week maximum and they should never eat more than one or two blueberries each.
Blueberries can cause digestive issues along with oral sores. Ensure you wash the blueberries thoroughly before serving them to your guinea pig.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cantaloupe?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat cantaloupe. It is full of vitamin A, and calcium. Plus it is packed full of water making it excellent to be enjoyed in the hot weather! We prefer to place it in a sturdy bowl to ensure it doesn’t get soiled or make the cage wet.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cherries?
Guinea pigs love cherries and lucky for them it is a safe fruit! Cherries are full of vitamins A and C which are great for your piggy’s health.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Grapes?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat grapes. They make an excellent treat when fed in moderation. One to two grapes, once a week is the preferred serving.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Grapefruit?
Whilst guinea pigs can eat grapefruit, I know my piggies do not like sour things! Grapefruit is best to be served in moderation – At most no more than 2 times per week. It’s also important to only serve a small chunk.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Honeydew Melon?
Yes! Guinea pigs can eat Honeydew melon. In fact, all types of melon are suited for your guinea pigs. Providing your guinea pig with a 1-inch cube makes a great treat for them. Especially in the summer or after they have been groomed!
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Kiwi?
Kiwi fruit packs a huge Vitamin C punch! This is great for your guinea pig since they are unable to produce their own Vitamin C. Ensure to remove the black seeds and the hairy skin before feeding. We find the easier way to serve up some kiwi to your guinea pig is by cutting the kiwi in half and then scooping out a teaspoon 1 tsp per guinea pig). Next, we hand-pick out the seeds and let our piggie eat them straight out of our hands during laptime!
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Lemon?
This one is a definite no! Given the choice, most humans would not want to chomp on a lemon and your guinea pig is no different. Guinea pigs naturally love sweet things (like us humans!). They also tend to avoid eating sour foods.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Lime?
As described above with lemons, guinea pigs can’t eat limes. They are far too sour for their little mouths to handle.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Mango?
Yes, guinea pigs love a nice cube of mango! Be prepared as it can get messy!
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Nectarine?
Nectarines are suitable for guinea pigs to eat. They are nice and sweet plus pack a pure punch of healthy vitamins!
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Oranges?
Another fabulous fruit to get some goodness into your guinea pigs. 1 wedge twice a week is plenty. Our guinea pigs don’t like the skin though so we have to peel ours – pampered piggies!
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Papaya?
Papaya is wonderfully tropical and makes a great treat for your guinea pig when it’s hot outside!
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Peaches?
Peaches make a sweet treat any time of the year. Our guinea pigs don’t like the skin so we usually peel a 1-inch wedge for them.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Persimmon?
Whilst persimmon isn’t poisonous to guinea pigs, we avoid feeding it to yours and do not recommend it. It is extremely high in sugar and even a small amount has a huge amount of sugar in it. Yes, it can be fed, but should it? Probably not.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Pineapple?
Pineapple much like mango is a truly tropical treat for your piggy, especially in the hot summer months. It is completely safe for your guinea pig.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Plums?
Plums are safe to be fed to your guinea pig. They are great for vitamin C.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Raisins?
Whilst raisins are safe for your guinea pig, these are one of the foods we often wonder why someone would. Fresh fruit is more beneficial for your guinea pig. If you choose to feed your guinea pig raisins then 1 raisin, once a month is more than enough.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Raspberries?
Raspberries are safe for your guinea pig and great for vitamins and minerals.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Strawberries?
Strawberries are great for your guinea pig. Once whole berry including leaf top is a great treat once a month. Our guinea pig Chocolate demolishes the whole thing whereas Orange leaves the entire top of the fruit!
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Tangerines?
Tangerines like oranges are a great source of Vitamin C for your guinea pigs.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Watermelon?
Watermelon makes a fabulous treat for your guinea pig in the summer. It’s also packed with water so can encourage a dehydrated guinea pig to drink. When it’s hot outside we leave a watermelon slice next to the water bottle.
Disclaimer
Always monitor anything new that your guinea pigs are given to eat. The best way to know what your guinea pigs like and dislike is by keeping a close watch over how they behave.
Be mindful of changes to their droppings, urine and behaviour in order to discover what fruits your guinea pigs really like! Check out the RSPCA’s guide on introducing new foods to your guinea pigs diet.
If in doubt always contact your vet for advice.
