Healthy diets

What Fruits and Vegetables are Good for Guinea Pigs? Complete List

 
Josie F. Turner
By Josie F. Turner, Journalist specialized in Animal Welfare. September 21, 2016
What Fruits and Vegetables are Good for Guinea Pigs? Complete List

Guinea pigs should eat varied fruits and vegetables to ensure their diet is properly balanced. Eating the same fruits and vegetables day after day can cause intestinal problems; for instance, eating to much lettuce can cause diarrhea.

As such, you must make sure that you offer your guinea pig small daily servings of different fruits and vegetables so that they receive the required vitamins. In this AnimalWised article, we'll walk you through the complete list of fruit and vegetables that are good for guinea pigs.

Best fruits for guinea pigs

Fruits are a fantastic dietary supplement thanks to their high vitamin content. It's important to point out that vitamin C needs to be incorporated into the diet of your guinea pig. You should provide your pet with small portions of clean, fresh fruit three to four times a week. Remember to remove seeds or stones of some fruits, such as cherries.

  • Kiwi
  • Pineapple
  • Cherry
  • Strawberries
  • Watermelon
  • Papaya
  • Apricots
  • Banana
  • Apple
  • Blueberries
  • Mango
  • Tangerines
  • Peach
  • Loquat
  • Pear
  • Plum
  • Oranges
  • Nectarine
  • Melon

Useful information about fruits for guinea pigs:

Kiwis contain laxative properties, which are ideal if your guinea pig suffers from constipation. You must also know that it's a fairly acidic fruit, so you shouldn't give it to it too regularly. Apples are another good option for constipation and diarrhea, since they are great at regulating intestinal flora.

Tangerines and oranges are also fairly acidic, but they are high in vitamin C which is very good for your guinea pig. Melon and watermelon, meanwhile, are perfect for properly hydrating older guinea pigs as a result of their high water content. Pineapple helps to improve the digestive system of guinea pigs that are suffering from excess gas.

Finally, we add that bananas are a very good option owing to their high levels of potassium, sugar and hydrates. However, this fruit should be given occasionally and never in excess.

What Fruits and Vegetables are Good for Guinea Pigs? Complete List - Best fruits for guinea pigs

Best vegetables for guinea pigs

Vegetables are another source of vitamins and, in general, you can give them to your pet more regularly than fruits. Three to five servings a week will ensure your guinea pig is happy and well fed. We recommend:

  • Lettuce
  • Endive
  • Rocket
  • Courgette
  • Cauliflower
  • Cucumber
  • Corn salad
  • Aubergine
  • Spinach
  • Red pepper
  • Green pepper
  • Brussel sprouts
  • Green cabbage
  • Tomato
  • Alfalfa sprouts
  • Chicories
  • Celery
  • Carrots
  • Pumpkin
  • Broccoli (leaves and stalk)
  • Artichoke
  • Chard
  • Green beans

Useful information about some vegetables:

Carrots are ideal for preventing constipation and diarrhea, although you shouldn't give it excessively. It's best to offer it two to three times a week.

Peppers, rocket and corn salad are all vegetables which are high in vitamin C. Meanwhile, celery and artichoke (besides their moisturizing capacity) work as diuretics.

We point out the chard for ill guinea pigs, which works wonders for improving kidney issues or urinary tract problems. The artichoke, meanwhile, is good for the guinea pig's liver.

Overweight guinea pigs can increase consumption of aubergine, courgette and cucumber. On the other hand, guinea pigs who need to put on weight can make the most of vegetables such as chicories or pumpkin.

What Fruits and Vegetables are Good for Guinea Pigs? Complete List - Best vegetables for guinea pigs

Make sure you read our article on the forbidden foods for guinea pigs so that you avoid giving your pet anything that can make it sick.

If you want to read similar articles to What Fruits and Vegetables are Good for Guinea Pigs? Complete List, we recommend you visit our Healthy diets category.

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What Fruits and Vegetables are Good for Guinea Pigs? Complete List