Have you heard that guinea pigs should eat a variety of fresh vegetables every day? This vague advice can be difficult to put into practice if you don’t know which vegetables are safe to feed or how often your guinea pigs can eat them.
We’re here to make feeding your guinea pig a little less complicated. Let’s talk about root vegetables and more for guinea pigs!
What Do Guinea Pigs Eat?
In addition to unlimited amounts of fresh grass hay and a small amount of timothy-based guinea pig pellets, guinea pigs should eat around a cup of fresh vegetables.
Their daily vegetable mix or “salad” should consist of 85-90% leafy greens. The other 10-15% can include root vegetables or other veggies such as cucumber or bell pepper.
Let’s discuss these vegetables in more detail below! We’ll talk about the nutrients in each veggie, how often you should feed it to your guinea pigs, and more.
Root Vegetables (and More!) for Guinea Pigs
Below are 10 vegetables you can feed your guinea pigs in addition to their leafy greens. Remember that many of these can be fed as treats in small amounts, but not all can be fed daily. We’ll start with root vegetables and then move on to some miscellaneous veggies that are good for guinea pigs.
1. Carrot
Carrots are a popular choice for guinea pig owners because they’re familiar and easy to access. They’re a rich source of vitamin A, which supports good eyesight and a healthy immune system. Carrots also contain vitamins C and K, potassium, fiber, calcium, and iron.
However, carrot roots are also high in sugar and should be fed in low quantities a few times a week. Carrot tops are lower in sugar, so they can be fed in greater amounts.
2. Parsnip
Parsnips contain many important vitamins and nutrients, including vitamins B6, B9, C, E, and K. They also contain magnesium, thiamine, phosphorus, and zinc.
Like carrots, parsnips are too sugary to be a regular part of your guinea pig’s diet and should be fed in moderation a few times a week at most.
3. Beetroot
Another good occasional treat for guinea pigs is beetroot. These roots are high in vitamins B9 and C, fiber, manganese, potassium, and iron.
Guinea pigs who eat too much beetroot may experience health issues, including bladder stones. Feed it in small amounts as a treat, and consider avoiding it altogether if your guinea pig has a history of urinary problems.
4. Sweet Potato
For a sweet treat, consider feeding a small piece of raw sweet potato to your guinea pig. Avoid cooked sweet potatoes as guinea pigs struggle to digest them.
Sweet potatoes contain vitamins B6 and C, potassium, iron, magnesium, and calcium. However, they’re also high in carbs and sugar, so they shouldn’t be fed too frequently. Feeding your guinea pigs too much sweet potato may cause obesity or digestive issues.
5. Fennel
Fennel is high in vitamin C and fiber, which makes it a great choice for guinea pigs. Its high sugar content means it should be fed in moderation only, not as a daily treat.
6. Broccoli
Broccoli is a popular recommendation for guinea pigs as it contains high amounts of vitamin C. It also contains vitamin B6, calcium, magnesium, and iron.
How often to feed broccoli depends on who you ask. Some professionals say that guinea pigs can eat broccoli daily, while others believe it contributes to gas or even deadly bloat and should be fed infrequently. We recommend feeding it in moderation to be safe.
7. Squash
Another one to feed in small quantities is squash, which contains vitamins A and C, magnesium, iron, calcium, and more.
Guinea pigs can eat various types of squash, including butternut squash, pumpkin, zucchini, and more. Make sure to remove the stem and hard rind from the squash and feed only the soft, fleshy part that you would eat yourself.
8. Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are another good source of vitamin C. They also contain vitamin B6, iron, magnesium, and calcium.
Another controversial choice, too many Brussels sprouts may cause gas or bloating in guinea pigs. This controversy likely exists because we don’t have much scientific research into what causes bloat in guinea pigs.
9. Cucumber
Cucumbers contain vitamins C and K, potassium, magnesium, and manganese. They’re also a good source of hydration for guinea pigs on long car rides or in other situations where their water bottle is unavailable.
Guinea pigs can eat cucumber flesh, seeds, and skin. Unfortunately, eating too much cucumber can cause soft poops, diarrhea, and other digestive issues. So, this vegetable should be fed in moderation.
10. Bell Pepper
Lastly, bell pepper is a great source of daily vitamin C for guinea pigs. It’s high in vitamin C and fiber and low in sugar–especially the green variety. Guinea pigs can have a thin slice of bell pepper daily in any color.
Adding Vegetables to Your Guinea Pig’s Diet
Please remember to slowly add new foods to your guinea pig’s diet. While your eventual goal should be to feed a wide variety of vegetables, changing their diet too quickly has its risks.
The first risk is digestive issues. Your guinea pig may experience stomach upset, pain, or diarrhea if their diet is changed too quickly.
The second risk is if your guinea pig reacts poorly to one of its new vegetables. You won’t know which one caused the problem, which makes it more difficult to determine what it can safely eat.
Instead of adding new vegetables all at once, try one to two new veggies each week. It can be a fun bonding experience as you watch their reactions and discover what your guinea pigs like and dislike. You can even try some new veggies alongside them if you want!
In Conclusion
Since guinea pigs require a variety of vegetables, it can be difficult to find the right diet for them. We hope this article has helped you learn which root vegetables are safe for your guinea pigs and how much they can eat.
