What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat?

Reviewed by Natasha Diehl

Guinea pigs are herbivorous rodents, which means they naturally eat plants. In the wild, guinea pigs eat fresh grasses and other plant material found in their native home of South America but as pets, they primarily eat dried grass hays. Guinea pigs can eat a variety of different fruits, but fruit should not make up more than 2 percent of your guinea pig's diet. Grass hays, leafy green vegetables, and guinea pig pellets fortified with vitamin C should be your guinea pig's daily diet, and fruit should be offered as a healthy treat. Too much fruit can result in digestive issues including ileus, a life threatening problem.

If you want to give your guinea pig some fruit as a treat, start by offering very small amounts. You can slowly offer more fruit over time, but monitor your guinea pig closely to see how their digestive system responds to the new foods. If you notice that your guinea pig starts eating less, is less active, gets watery stools, or has any other changes in behavior, stop giving the fruit and contact your veterinarian.

The following fruits are safe for guinea pigs when you want to offer them a treat.

Apples

A slice of apple can be offered to your guinea pig as a treat. Some people recommend peeling the apple first to avoid potential stomach issues while others note that the peel has good components that could benefit your cavy. Monitor how your guinea pig reacts to apples and decide from there to leave the skin on or take it off.

Bananas

A small piece of peeled, ripened banana makes a soft and sweet treat for a guinea pig.

Berries

According to botanists, not all of the following fruits are considered to be true berries, but your guinea pig doesn't care how they are classified and will enjoy the following:

• Blackberries

• Blueberries

• Boysenberries

• Cranberries

• Gooseberries

• Loganberries

• Mulberries

• Raspberries

• Strawberries

Melons

Melons are refreshing in the summer for both you and your guinea pig. Small pieces of the following melons can be offered as a treat:

• Cantaloupe melon

• Honeydew melon

• Watermelon

Citrus

Be sure to peel them first, but otherwise a slice of these citrus fruits are safe to give to your cavy:

• Grapefruit

• Oranges

• Tangerines

Grapes

Both red and green grapes are okay to offer to your guinea pig as a treat. Just one or two grapes will make your pig a happy one.

Guava

If you're looking for a new treat to offer your guinea pig, try a piece of guava. This tropical fruit should always have the rind cut off before eating.

Kiwi

Fuzzy on the outside, slimy with seeds on the inside, the kiwi fruit is a tasty treat. Thankfully it's safe to share this fruit with your guinea pig.

Mango

Mangoes are delicious fruits you can share with your guinea pig. Be sure to peel this vibrant fruit before giving a slice to your pet.

Passion fruit

Only the inside of this fruit should be given to your guinea pig. The unique seedy interior can make for a fun treat experience.

Pineapple

Some for you, some for your guinea pig. Pineapples come with plenty of fruit inside for you to share, just avoid feeding the core and spiky outer skin.

Plums

Softer than an apple but firmer than a peach, the plum might just be that in between treat your guinea pig is looking for.

Prickly Pear

You might not think that a cactus has fruit, but the prickly pear cactus does. Try giving your guinea pig a piece of this desert fruit for a change as long as you remove the skin and spikes first.

Starfruit

Arguably the prettiest shape that a fruit slice naturally comes in, the star fruit is also a tasty treat you can give your guinea pig.

Tomatoes

Technically a fruit but often considered a vegetable, tomatoes are a tasty treat for guinea pigs.

Peaches

The fuzzy skin on these fruits is edible, but your guinea pig may prefer the sweet interior flesh.