What Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Safely Eat?

By
Adrienne Kruzer
Adrienne Kruzer, RVT, LVT
Adrienne Kruzer
Adrienne Kruzer is a veterinary technician with more than 15 years of experience providing healthcare to domestic and exotic animals. She is trained as a Fear Free Certified Professional to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety, and stress in pets.
Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process
Updated on 09/30/25
Reviewed by
Natasha Diehl
Natasha Diehl
Reviewed by Natasha Diehl
Dr. Diehl is a passionate veterinarian pursuing specialty medicine with over 6 years' experience with exotic pets. She now works with a team of other experienced vets to provide the best advice and care for their clients' pets.
Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Veterinary Review Board
Guinea pig eating strawberries from a bowl.
Strawberries are a healthy treat for guinea pigs but should only be offered in moderation. Credit:

Getty Images/Alexandra Jursova

Key Takeaways

  • Guinea pigs can eat a variety of fruits, but fruit should not make up more than 2% of their diet to avoid digestive issues.
  • Safe fruits for guinea pigs include apples, bananas, berries, melons, citrus fruits, grapes, guava, kiwi, mango, passion fruit, pineapple, plums, prickly pear, starfruit, tomatoes, and peaches.
  • Always introduce new fruits in small amounts and monitor your guinea pig's reaction for potential digestive or behavioral changes.

Guinea pigs are herbivorous rodents that naturally consume plants. In the wild, they eat fresh grasses and plant material in their native South America. As pets, their diet primarily consists of dried grass hays. While guinea pigs can enjoy various fruits, these should comprise no more than 2% of their diet. Grass hays, leafy green vegetables, and vitamin C-fortified guinea pig pellets should form their daily diet. Offering fruits as treats is sufficient, as excessive fruit can lead to digestive issues like ileus, a life-threatening condition.

When giving your guinea pig fruit as a treat, start with small amounts. Gradually increase the portion while closely monitoring how their digestive system reacts. If your guinea pig eats less, becomes less active, develops watery stools, or shows any behavioral changes, discontinue the fruit and consult your veterinarian.

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

  • 01 of 16

    Apples

    Guinea pig sitting in a pile of whole apples.
    An apple slice can be given to your guinea pig. Credit:

    Getty Images/NATALIA ANDREEVA

    Offer your guinea pig a slice of apple as a treat. While some recommend peeling the apple to prevent stomach issues, others note that the peel contains beneficial components. Observe how your guinea pig reacts and decide whether to keep or remove the skin.

  • 02 of 16

    Bananas

    Guinea pig eating a peeled banana.
    Bananas are safe for guinea pigs to eat. Credit:

    Getty Images/Ariya Phanchana / FOAP

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

  • 03 of 16

    Berries

    Guinea pig with strawberries
    Strawberries are a popular treat for guinea pigs. Credit:

    Getty Images/GrashAlex

    While not all the following fruits are botanically true berries, your guinea pig will enjoy these tasty options:

    • Blackberries
    • Blueberries
    • Boysenberries
    • Cranberries
    • Gooseberries
    • Loganberries
    • Mulberries
    • Raspberries
    • Strawberries
  • 04 of 16

    Melons

    Skinny guinea pig with watermelon.
    Watermelon is a popular treat for guinea pigs. Credit:

    Getty Images/Alexandra Jursova

    Melons are a refreshing summer treat for you and your guinea pig. Offer small pieces of these melons:

    • Cantaloupe melon
    • Honeydew melon
    • Watermelon
    Continue to 5 of 16 below
  • 05 of 16

    Citrus

    Orange slice with a guinea pig.
    Oranges are safe for guinea pigs to eat. Credit:

    Getty Images/Steven White

    Peel these fruits first; a slice of the following citrus fruits is safe for your guinea pig:

    • Grapefruit
    • Oranges
    • Tangerines
  • 06 of 16

    Grapes

    Guinea pig with grapes in a bowl.
    A grape or two makes a fun treat for your guinea pig to roll around. Credit:

    Getty Images/danhughes

    Red and green grapes are suitable treats for your guinea pig. Just one or two grapes are enough to make them happy.

  • 07 of 16

    Guava

    Guava fruit sliced in half.
    Guava isn't an exotic fruit your guinea pig may love to eat. Credit:

    Getty Images/ ALEAIMAGE

    For a new treat, try offering your guinea pig a piece of guava. Always cut off the rind before serving this tropical fruit.

  • 08 of 16

    Kiwi

    Kiwi fruit sliced in half.
    Kiwi fruits are fuzzy on the outside but slimy on the inside. Credit:

    Getty Images/Antagain

    Fuzzy outside and seedy inside, kiwi is a tasty treat for your guinea pig, and it's safe to share.

    Continue to 9 of 16 below
  • 09 of 16

    Mango

    Mango with slices and leaves
    Mangoes are safe for guinea pigs to eat as treats. Credit:

    Getty Images/ALEAIMAGE

    Mangoes are delicious fruits for sharing with your guinea pig. Always peel this vibrant fruit before offering a slice.

  • 10 of 16

    Passion fruit

    Passion fruit cut in half with leaves.
    Passion fruits make for a unique treat for your guinea pig. Credit:

    Getty Images/RedHelga

    Offer only the inside of the passion fruit to your guinea pig. Its unique, seedy interior can provide an enjoyable treat experience.

  • 11 of 16

    Pineapple

    Pineapple on side with slices
    Pineapples are tart and sweet treats for guinea pigs. Credit:

    Getty Images/FuatKose

    Share some pineapple with your guinea pig while enjoying some yourself. Avoid the core and spiky outer skin when serving.

  • 12 of 16

    Plums

    Plum cut in half
    Plums are safe treats for guinea pigs. Credit:

    Getty Images/aluxum

    Softer than an apple yet firmer than a peach, plums might be the perfect in-between treat for your guinea pig.

    Continue to 13 of 16 below
  • 13 of 16

    Prickly Pear

    Prickly pear fruit
    If you're looking for a unique treat for your guinea pig, try offering a piece of prickly pear. Credit:

    Getty Images/loops7

    You might not expect cacti to bear fruit, but prickly pear cacti do. Offer your guinea pig a piece of this desert fruit after removing the skin and spikes.

  • 14 of 16

    Starfruit

    Starfruit
    Starfruit is an exotic fruit that is safe for guinea pigs. Credit:

    Getty Images/mikehillpics

    With its beautiful star shape, starfruit is a tasty treat you can offer your guinea pig.

  • 15 of 16

    Tomatoes

    Tomato slice and a guinea pig
    Tomatoes are a fun treat to offer guinea pigs. Credit:

    Getty Images/SarapulSar38

    Although technically a fruit, tomatoes are often considered a vegetable and are a tasty treat for guinea pigs.

  • 16 of 16

    Peaches

    Guinea pig with a whole peach.
    Peaches are safe for guinea pigs to eat. Credit:

    Getty Images/Kateryna Kutsevol

    The fuzzy skin of peaches is edible, yet your guinea pig might prefer the sweet flesh inside.

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