Unsafe Foods

Foods that should never be fed to your guinea pig, and why.

Hazard

Food	Why It's Unsafe
Alfalfa High Oxalates	Extremely high in calcium oxalates, which are strongly linked to bladder stones. Not appropriate for guinea pigs older than 6 months. May be useful for pregnant or nursing females and for young guinea pigs under 6 months, who need the extra calcium and protein.
Apple Seeds Choking Hazard Poisonous	Seeds contain amygdalin, which produces cyanide when it comes into contact with stomach acid. Whole seeds are also a choking hazard that can lodge in the throat.
Apricot Pits Choking Hazard Poisonous	Pits contain amygdalin, which produces cyanide when crushed or chewed. Pits are also a choking and blockage hazard that can lodge in the throat, and can crack or break teeth.
Avocado High Fat Poisonous	Skin, pit, and leaves contain persin, which causes severe diarrhea and digestive upset in guinea pigs. Flesh is extremely high in fat, which triggers gastric stasis.
Beans Indigestible	Beans are indigestible to guinea pigs, which can lead to blockages. They also cause severe bloating and gas that can be fatal.
Bread Inappropriate Nutrition	Not a natural part of a guinea pig's diet. Provides no fiber or vitamin C and displaces the hay they need to survive.
Cereal Inappropriate Nutrition	High in sugar and offers no real nutrition. Guinea pigs require hay and fortified pellets, not cereal.
Cherry Pits Choking Hazard Poisonous	Pits contain amygdalin, which produces cyanide when crushed or chewed. Pits are also a choking and blockage hazard that can lodge in the throat, and can crack or break teeth.
Chives Poisonous	Contains thiosulfates that destroy red blood cells and cause anemia. Any amount is toxic to guinea pigs.
Coconut High Fat	Extremely high in fat, which triggers gastric stasis.
Crackers High Salt Inappropriate Nutrition	Offers no nutritional value and is typically loaded with salt, which can strain the kidneys and disrupt normal fluid balance.
Dairy (Milk, Yogurt, etc) Indigestible	Guinea pigs are herbivores with no ability to digest lactose. Dairy causes severe diarrhea and digestive upset.
Durian High Fat	Extremely high in fat, which triggers gastric stasis.
Eucalyptus Poisonous	—
Garlic Poisonous	Contains thiosulfates that destroy red blood cells and cause anemia. Any amount is toxic to guinea pigs.
Hot Peppers Inappropriate Nutrition	—
Iceberg Lettuce Inappropriate Nutrition	Almost entirely water with essentially no nutritional value; causes diarrhea and digestive upset.
Leeks Poisonous	Contains thiosulfates that destroy red blood cells and cause anemia. Any amount is toxic to guinea pigs.
Lentils Indigestible	Lentils are indigestible to guinea pigs, which can lead to blockages. They also cause severe bloating and gas that can be fatal.
Meat Indigestible	Guinea pigs are strict herbivores. Their digestive systems cannot process meat at all — it is impossible for them to digest, and attempting to do so can lead to blockages and severe digestive distress.
Mineral/Salt Licks High Salt	Guinea pigs get all the minerals they need from hay, pellets, and vegetables. Added salt can cause salt poisoning, straining the kidneys and disrupting normal fluid balance.
Mushrooms Inappropriate Nutrition Poisonous	Store-bought mushrooms provide no nutritional value, and many species are toxic.
Nectarine Pits Choking Hazard Poisonous	Pits contain amygdalin, which produces cyanide when crushed or chewed. Pits are also a choking and blockage hazard that can lodge in the throat, and can crack or break teeth.
Nuts (peanut, cashew, etc) High Fat	Extremely high in fat, which triggers gastric stasis.
Olives High Fat High Salt	High in fat and typically packed in salt or oil, both of which cause severe digestive upset. The added salt can also strain the kidneys and disrupt fluid balance.
Onion Poisonous	Contains thiosulfates that destroy red blood cells and cause anemia. Any amount is toxic to guinea pigs.
Peach Pits Choking Hazard Poisonous	Pits contain amygdalin, which produces cyanide when crushed or chewed. Pits are also a choking and blockage hazard that can lodge in the throat, and can crack or break teeth.
Pear Seeds Choking Hazard Poisonous	Seeds contain amygdalin, which produces cyanide when it comes into contact with stomach acid.
Pickled Foods High Salt Inappropriate Nutrition	Extremely high in salt and vinegar, offering little nutritional value and causing severe digestive upset. The salt content can strain the kidneys and disrupt fluid balance.
Plum Pits Choking Hazard Poisonous	Pits contain amygdalin, which produces cyanide when crushed or chewed. Pits are also a choking and blockage hazard that can lodge in the throat, and can crack or break teeth.
Raw Potatoes Poisonous	Contain glycoalkaloids (solanine), which are toxic. Only fully cooked potatoes are safe.
Rhubarb High Oxalates Poisonous	Leaves and stalks are extremely high in oxalic acid, which binds with calcium and can form painful bladder or kidney stones. They also contain additional toxins and glycosides that cause severe digestive distress, lethargy, and breathing trouble.
Scallions Poisonous	Contains thiosulfates that destroy red blood cells and cause anemia. Any amount is toxic to guinea pigs.
Seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, etc) High Fat	Extremely high in fat, which triggers gastric stasis.
Shallots Poisonous	Contains thiosulfates that destroy red blood cells and cause anemia. Any amount is toxic to guinea pigs.
Spudded, Soft or Green Potatoes Poisonous	Sprouting, soft, or green potatoes contain dangerously elevated levels of glycoalkaloids (solanine), which are toxic.
Tomato Stalks, Vines and Leaves Poisonous	Contain solanine, which is toxic to guinea pigs. Only the ripe tomato fruit is safe.

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Unsafe Foods