Can Guinea Pigs Eat Strawberries?

As many guinea pig owners know, the squeaking begins once the refrigerator door opens. Your little friend looks on, inquisitively squealing — their not-so-subtle way to let you know they’d like a snack from the produce drawer. Guinea pigs love fresh veggies, but what about sweet treats like strawberries? Can guinea pigs eat strawberries and other sweet fruits? Let’s explore some guinea pig nutrition basics, what fruits are safe to share, and how much they can have.

Fast coverage. Fast claims. Happy pets.

• Get covered instantly.
• Fast claim approvals.
• Save up to 10% when you bundle.
• Live chat with pet health experts.

Get a Quote

On Lemonade's Website

Guinea pigs: a quick nutrition lesson

Known for their adorable looks, sweet, sociable personalities, and funny squeaks, guinea pigs, are popular in the “pocket pet” category. Guinea pigs are herbivores, which means they eat plants exclusively. Like rabbits, guinea pigs require unlimited access to high-fiber hay, like Timothy hay, which is needed for digestion and dental health. An optimal guinea pig diet includes about 80% hay and 20% specially formulated pellets and fresh vegetables. They should also have access to fresh water at all times.

Vitamin C for guinea pigs is an essential nutrient; they cannot make their own, so it must be supplemented. The best way to ensure your guinea pig gets adequate vitamin C is through daily tablets or drops at pet stores. Some pellets are fortified with vitamin C, and guinea pigs get some of this nutrient through fruits and vegetables, but consistent, daily supplementation is essential. Vitamin C deficiency in guinea pigs can lead to several health problems. Always talk to your veterinarian about your guinea pigs' health and diet.

Are strawberries safe for guinea pigs?

Strawberries are safe fruits for guinea pigs, but they should only be given occasionally due to their high sugar content. Ingesting too much sugar can cause gastrointestinal distress. Over time, a diet rich in sugary foods can also lead to obesity and rarely diabetes in guinea pigs. While many guinea pigs love strawberries as a sweet treat, it’s best to think of them like a slice of cake for us humans — moderation is vital.

Nutritional benefits of strawberries for guinea pigs

Strawberries are high in vitamin C and antioxidants, essential for a guinea pig's overall health and immune function. They also contain fiber, which is excellent for digestion, and have a high water content, which can help with hydration.

While strawberries can be healthy treats for guinea pigs overall, it’s important to note that if your guinea pig has any health issues, talk to your vet before feeding it. Some guinea pigs can be prone to urinary problems or bladder stones and need to avoid certain fruits and vegetables high in oxalates, which can include strawberries.

How much strawberry can a guinea pig eat?

To maintain a balanced diet, guinea pigs should be fed no more than one or two small strawberries a week. If it’s your guinea pig’s first time trying strawberries, it’s best to start with an even smaller amount, like a single slice, to see how they react. If they enjoy the strawberry and don’t have any signs of gastrointestinal upset afterward, like diarrhea, you can try a larger portion next time.

If your guinea pig is overweight, your vet may recommend reducing or eliminating high-sugar fruits. Healthy weights for guinea pigs can vary by breed, so it’s essential to research your breed, monitor their weight, and adjust their diet accordingly.

How to prepare strawberries for guinea pigs

When preparing strawberries for your guinea pig, it’s important to consider the following:

What about frozen, canned, or dried strawberries for guinea pigs?

While fresh strawberries are best, guinea pigs can have frozen strawberries, but only when they are fully defrosted. Guinea pigs should not be fed anything frozen, it can be a choking hazard.

Dried strawberries are also safe for guinea pigs, in moderation. While many guinea pig treats you’ll find in pet stores contain 100% dried strawberries, if feeding any other forms, it’s important to check for added ingredients. Guinea pigs should not be fed anything with added sugars, syrups, flavorings, or oils that might be found in human-grade dried fruit snacks.

Canned strawberries should also be avoided. These are commonly packed in a sugary syrup and contain preservatives that can upset your guinea pig's stomach.

Other fruits and vegetables guinea pigs can eat

In addition to hay and pellets, guinea pigs should be fed between a half and a full cup of fresh leafy greens daily, such as romaine lettuce, kale, red or green leaf lettuces, cilantro, parsley, and mustard greens. Moderate amounts (about a one- to two-inch slice) of fresh vegetables such as broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, and zucchini should also be offered throughout the week. Rotating items to ensure a varied diet is best. As a treat, guinea pigs can also enjoy small amounts of fruits such as apples, bananas, strawberries, blueberries, mangoes, kiwis, and oranges.

Never feed guinea pigs any iceberg lettuce, onions, garlic, chives, spicy peppers, avocados, or fruits with still intact seeds or pits. Guinea pigs should also never be given oats, seeds, nuts, or dry cereals, as carbohydrates can be too high.

Final tips on keeping your guinea pig healthy

While their pleading squeaks at the sound of the produce drawer can be hard to resist, it’s important not to overfeed your guinea pig. To keep your guinea pig healthy, feed them a balanced diet and keep an eye out for any signs of nutritional deficiencies or gastrointestinal upset. Like all pets, guinea pigs should also have a yearly health check-up with a veterinarian. For interested pet owners, you can now get pet insurance for your guinea pig to help cover medical expenses. Overall, there are many ways to help keep your piggie friend happy and healthy.