Many owners offer wild forage to add variety to their guinea pigs’ diet. In some situations—like regional shortages—wild forage may be the only readily available source of fresh foods. Below are examples of plants that can be safely foraged from the wild or grown in home gardens for guinea pigs.

Wild grasses and common forage

Wild herbs and leafy plants

Wildflowers

Leaves from edible trees and shrubs

Branches from edible trees and shrubs

Feeding Wild Forage

Introduce new forage gradually and feed it in small amounts, as part of a varied diet. The nutritional content of many wild plants is not well documented, so moderation is important. Avoid relying heavily on any single type of wild forage, and rotate different plants to provide variety. As with any new food, start with a small amount and monitor your guinea pig for any changes in their droppings or digestion.

A few plants also require special preparation or moderation:

• Stinging nettle must be dried before feeding. Fresh nettle can sting and should not be offered.
• Remove thorns and sharp parts. Check bramble, blackberry, rose, and other thorny plants carefully before feeding.
• Feed high-oxalate plants sparingly. Clover, sorrel and other plants naturally high in oxalates are best kept as occasional forage.

Before You Forage

Only pick plants you can confidently identify. Many safe plants have toxic lookalikes, and some poisonous plants can closely resemble edible species. If you are unsure what a plant is, do not pick or feed it.

Be mindful of where you forage. Avoid areas that may have been treated with pesticides, herbicides, or other chemicals. Public parks and roadside areas can be particularly difficult to assess.

Respect property boundaries. Do not trespass on private or protected land. Make sure you have permission to forage where required.

Forage Responsibly

Wild plants are part of their local ecosystem, so take care not to damage the areas where you forage. Never deliberately uproot wild plants. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is illegal to uproot any wild plant without permission from the landowner or occupier.

When harvesting, take only what you need and never strip an entire plant or patch. Leave plenty behind so the plants can continue to grow and reproduce, and forage only from large, well-established populations.

Plants to Avoid

Some plants are unsafe for guinea pigs and should not be offered as forage. The following table includes common wild plants, garden plants, trees, and shrubs that should be avoided.