[Gpdd] [HEALTH] What veggies can guineapigs eat

[Penny Charlesworth]

Erin,

With the exception of potato and the onion family, guinea pigs enjoy just 
about all the veggies that we can eat ourselves. Avoid iceberg lettuce as it 
has no nutritional value, being mostly water.

My herd has cucumbers ( the all time favourite ), carrots and the leafy 
tops, celery, including the leaves, dark green leafy veg, their favourite 
being cauliflower leaves ( but not the curd ) and they also have kale and 
spring greens. Broccoli is loved by all, also cos lettuce, which I think you 
call romaine in the US and green beans. Many like chicory leaves and 
everypig loves parsley and cilantro. Beetroot and its leaves are well liked 
here but be aware that it turns the urine red, which looks a bit scary when 
you are not used to it. Corn on the cob with its husks are liked by a few of 
my piggies, likewise tomatoes. Many people feed their piggies bell peppers 
but none of mine like them.

Not all pigs like all veg ( just like us ) but you can introduce a new one 
each day and see who likes what. When they are used to one veg, try another 
one the next day. You want to choose veggies that are high in Vitamin C but 
low in calcium as this is said to cause bladder stones.

GuineaLynx has a chart listing most veggies with their nutritional value. 
Here is the link.

http://www.guinealynx.info/diet_vegs.html

Mine also have fruits, their favourite being any kind of melon with its 
rind, small slices of apple ( cut it up small as the acid in the fruit can 
cause mouth sores in susceptible pigs ). A few like banana, skin and all.

I grow many of their veggies myself but, unless you are sure of their 
origin, wash them first to remove any pesticides that may be present.

It is not a vegetable as such but all piggies love freshly picked grass from 
a safe, clean source.

Penny and the Piggyfriends in England.