You may have noticed the influx of diet blogs we've been posting! The fruits (or veggies) of our labor is here: The Guinea Pig Vegetable Master List.
Watch this short video for a summary!
Of course, this vegetables list doesn't include every vegetable that exists on planet Earth, but it does include the common ones that you are likely to find at your local grocery store! As guinea pig parents, it's important for us to know which foods are safe for our piggies to eat, as well as how often and how much we should be serving. A carefully balanced diet is the cornerstone of health and well-being for your guinea pigs!
Guinea pigs need about one cup of fresh fruits and vegetables daily to supplement their regular diet of hay and pellets, so it's important to include a balanced variety to make sure they're getting all the vitamins and minerals they need.
In the vegetable list below, we've included links to each vegetable's individual blog post for more in-depth reading, along with some quick nutrition facts and serving suggestions. Each blog provides an in-depth discussion of the vitamins and other nutrients found in each vegetable, and the benefits or concerns they present to guinea pig's health. We recommend doing all your reading and homework here on anything you may be considering adding to your guinea pig's diet!
We've also taken the liberty of including the Ca:P (calcium to phosphorus) ratio, so you can quickly gauge which veggie combos work for your guinea pig! All of these nutrient amounts are for 100 g portions.
Check out our Fruit Master List too!
Click on each blog to learn more about nutritional benefits of each individual vegetable for guinea pigs.
| THE GUINEA PIG VEGETABLE MASTER LIST |
| Vegetable Name | Vitamin C |
Ca:P |
Suggested Serving Amount | When | Yes or No? |
| Asparagus | 5.6 mg | 0.5:1 |
2-3 half in. slices |
1-2x/week | Yes, they're spears of deliciousness. |
| Beets | 4.9 mg | 0.4:1 |
1-2 quarter in. slices
|
1-2x/week | Is this going to stain? Maybe a little! Can they eat it? Yes! |
| Bell Peppers |
Green 80.4 mg, Red 127.7 mg |
Green 0.5:1, Red 0.5:1 |
2 half in. slices |
2-3x/week | Your piggy's favorite colorful snack. Yes! |
| Bok Choy | 45mg | 0.35:1 | 1 stalk | 2-3x/week | Yes, and it's sooo good for them! |
| Broccoli | 89.2 mg | 0.7:1 | 1 in. floret | 1-2x/week | Can the piggies eat these mini trees? Yes, in moderation. |
| Brussels Sprouts | 85 mg | 0.6:1 | 3-4 leaves | 1-2x/week | They look like tiny cabbages, but should your piggy eat them? Yes, very sparingly! |
| Cabbage | 36.6 mg | 2:1 | 1 leaf | 2-3x/week | Yes! Cabbage is healthy and your piggy will love the crunch. |
| Carrots | 5.9 mg | 0.6:1 |
1-2 one in. slices |
2-3x/week | Are they as good for your guinea pigs as they are crunchy? Yes! |
| Cauliflower | 48.2 mg | 0.5:1 | 1 half in. floret | 1-2x/week | The mini trees part two! Only a little bit though. |
| Celery | 3.1 mg | 1.6:1 |
2-3 one in. slices |
2-3x/week | Crunchy water...is it good for them? Yes! |
| Cilantro | 27 mg | 1.4:1 | 10-20 stems | 1-2x/week | It may taste like soap to you, but what about your guinea pig? Yes, they can have it! |
| Corn | 5 mg | 0:02:1 | 2-3 kernels | 1x/week | Not that great for them, but they can have it occasionally! |
| Cucumbers | 2.8 mg | 0.7:1 |
1-2 one in. slices |
2-3x/week | Crunchy water part two! (And yes, they can have it.) |
| Green Beans | 16.3 mg | 1:1 |
1-2 full beans |
2-3x/week | Guinea pigs are the cutest beans, but are green beans good for them? Yes! |
| Kale | 93.4 mg | 2.4:1 | 1-2 leaves | 1-2x/week | Super food, but is it super good for your guinea pigs? Only in small amounts! |
| Lettuce | 1.9 mg | 0.8:1 | 1 leaf | almost daily | There's different kinds...better read up on 'em all! |
| Okra | 23 mg | 1.3:1 | 1 full piece | 1-2x/week | Crunchy and tasty. (And yes, they can have them) |
| Pumpkin | 9 mg | 0.5:1 |
2-3 half in. cubes |
1x/month | Are they good for your guinea pigs or are they spooky and bad? Kinda spooky, kinda good. Only have a little! |
| Rosemary | 21.8 mg | 0.2:1 | 2-3 leaves | 1x.week | Only in very small emounts! |
| Spinach | 28.1 mg | 2:1 | 4 leaves | 1-2x/week | Yes, the Popeye effect is imminent! |
| Sweet Potatoes | 2.4 mg | 0.8:1 | 1 half in. cube | 1x/month | Yes, but never give them regular potatoes though! |
| Tomatoes | 13.7 mg | 0.2 | 1 in. cube | 1x/week | Is this technically a fruit? Yes. Did we include it here anyway? Also yes. Can they eat it? Also yes. |
| Turnips | 21 mg | 1.1:1 |
1 half in. cube |
1-2x/week | Yes, crunchy munchy and so good to your piggy. |
| Watercress | 14.6 mg | 2:1 |
2-3 stalks with leaves |
1-2x/week | Yes! Water-rich and great for hydration. |
| Zucchini | 17.9 mg | 0.4:1 | 1-2 in. slice | almost daily | Just as tasty as it is good for them! |
We hope this will be a useful guide for you to refer to as questions arise, but at the end of the day, the best thing to do when figuring out what's best for your guinea pigs' diets is to carefully monitor them and their bodies' reactions! If there are changes in their behavior, their urine, or their poops, then it's a sign to either reduce the amount of something you're giving them, or stop altogether!
19 comments
I know that actual results may vary, but is there a source that lists how much a pig can have daily in grams? Things like “1 leaf” and “2–3 stalks with leaves” isn’t as clear as “50 g of romaine lettuce.”
What does the ca:p mean on this chart????
What do the Guinea pigs vegetable do they like the best?
Hi MJ MCGANN-PAGNONI, It’s recommended to provide about one cup of fresh vegetables per guinea pig per day, along with a constant supply of fresh hay. Ideally, you should introduce a mix of leafy greens like kale, spinach, cilantro, and dandelion greens, along with other safe vegetables such as bell peppers, cucumbers, and carrots. When it comes to vegetables, it’s crucial to offer a diverse range to ensure they receive all the necessary nutrients. Romaine lettuce is generally safe for guinea pigs, but it should be given as a part of a varied vegetable selection rather than as the sole vegetable.
I’ve been giving my two piggies 2 cups of Romaine lettuce at night regardless plus a little bit of others. Is that too much for two guinea pigs?