Being a great pet owner involves researching your pet’s diet and feeding them the best foods. Guinea pigs are herbivores and have specific dietary needs and restrictions.
When fall rolls around, you might be tempted to feed your pet pumpkin. While they certainly can’t have a pumpkin spice latte, some pumpkin products are safe for cavies.
It is important to educate yourself on proper care for your piggy. By feeding your pet a balanced diet, they will be more playful and healthier.
Your pet is part of your family, and the right diet can help them live a long life. I’ve broken down the different types of pumpkin and other foods you can safely feed to your pet.
Contents show
Nutrition
One cup of cooked pumpkin (245 grams) contains:
- Calories:49
- Fat:0.2 grams
- Protein:2 grams
- Carbs:12 grams
- Fiber:3 grams
- Vitamin A:245% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI)
- Vitamin C:19% of the RDI
- Potassium:16% of the RDI
- Copper:11% of the RDI
- Manganese:11% of the RDI
- Vitamin B2:11% of the RDI
- Vitamin E:10% of the RDI
- Iron:8% of the RDI
- Small amounts of magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, folate and several B vitamins.
Besides being packed with vitamins and minerals, pumpkin is also relatively low in calories, as it’s 94% water. In my premuim guide you will find a list of fruits and vegetables that guinea pigs can and can’t eat and you will have a better understanding of their likes/dislikes.
Can guinea pigs eat pumpkin?
Yes, you can safely feed your pet pumpkin. The majority of a cavy’s diet should consist of hay and pellets, but you can feed your pet small amounts of fruits and vegetables. If you’re making a pumpkin pie for your family, it is okay to feed your cavy small bites of raw pumpkin.
Your pet should only eat pumpkin once or twice a week. Too much pumpkin can cause health issues for your pig, including bloating and gas.
Offer a small amount of pumpkin to your cavy and see if they like it. If they take to it, you can feed them a little bit once a week as a treat. Just be sure to wash all fruits and vegetables before feeding them to your pig as I recommend in all my posts.
Can guinea pigs eat butternut pumpkin?
Butternut squash, or butternut pumpkin, is safe for guinea pigs. Many people think butternut squash is a vegetable, but It is really a fruit. You cavy can eat butternut pumpkin when it is ripe.
Never cook fruits or vegetables before feeding them to your pet. Guinea pigs have very sensitive stomachs and cannot digest cooked food properly.
Whether or not your pig eats squash is up to them. Not all cavies like butternut pumpkin.
If you try to feed it to your pet and they do not eat it, don’t be alarmed. Just remove the uneaten squash to prevent your pig from overeating later.
If you give your cavy butternut pumpkin, be sure to wash the food thoroughly. Fruits and vegetables from the store often have small amounts of pesticides or other chemicals that can harm your guinea pig’s stomach.
Also, butternut pumpkin should only be fed to cavies every once in a while. Butternut squash is high in oxalic acid, which can damage your pet’s stomach.
Are Pumpkins vegetables or Fruits?
Pumpkins are fruits, Pumpkins and squash are both types of gourd, a plant that grows on vines and produces large edible fruit. Other gourds include cucumbers, melons and zucchini. Pumpkins are actually a subspecies of squash, which makes them both fruits and vegetables!
What Makes Them Fruits?
The U.S. Department of Agriculture classifies pumpkins as fruits because they grow from flowers that produce seeds. The seeds can be planted to grow more pumpkins. People eat these seeds too — pumpkin seeds are an important part of many cuisines around the world.
Can guinea pigs eat pumpkin insides?
Your pet can safely eat pumpkin insides from a raw pumpkin. Cavies can also eat the pumpkin rinds or skin in small amounts.
Only feed your pig raw pumpkin because cooked food is not safe for cavies. Unfortunately, your pet cannot eat pumpkin pie this holiday season.
It is also not a good idea to give your pig pumpkin puree from a can because it contains sugar and preservatives that are not safe for your pet’s stomach.
Feed your guinea pig small bites of raw pumpkin, no more than one-inch in size. It is safe to leave the skin or rind on the pieces.
Giving your pet the “pulp” in the middle of the pumpkin might be messy, so it is usually best to stick to the hard part of the pumpkin closest to the rind.
Again, your pet may not like the pulp or harder insides of the pumpkin. If your pig does not eat the pumpkin, there is nothing wrong.
Give them time to smell and taste the food. If they still do not eat it, just remove the food from their crate and feed them something else.
Can guinea pigs eat pumpkin stems?
Yes, you can feed your cavy pumpkin stems. Be aware that pumpkin stems are very high in calcium, so you should only feed your pig small amounts.
Guinea pigs usually love too much on the leafy stems of pumpkins, and it can be a safe treat for your pet every once in a while.
Guinea pigs only need a small amount of calcium for a balanced diet. Feeding your pet too many pumpkin leaves or stems can cause serious health issues.
Your piggie may develop bladder stones or kidney stones. These problems are very painful for your cavy and can result in costly medical bills.
The safest way to feed your pet pumpkin stems is to only give them a few bites at a time. If you provide your pet with too many stems or leaves, they will overheat and make themselves sick.
Thoroughly wash the pumpkin stems and leaves and let your pig take a few bites. If they enjoy the food, it can be used as a small treat from time to time.
Are pumpkin seeds bad for guinea pigs?
Pumpkin seeds are not safe for cavies. Your pet can damage their teeth by chewing on pumpkin seeds, and the seeds can hurt their throats when they try to swallow.
While people love to roast pumpkin seeds, especially in the fall, this treat is not safe to feed to your pet.
You should read the ingredients of your guinea pig pellets very closely. Just because a product is sold in pet stores does not mean it is safe for your pig.
Nuts and seeds should not be feed to guinea pigs because their digestive systems cannot handle the food. There is also a lot of starch and sugar in some nuts, which can cause diarrhea, bloating, and other serious issues.
Pumpkin seeds are high in fat – another reason you should not feed them to cavies. Guinea pigs do not regulate themselves when they eat, so they often overeat which leads to weight problems.
Fatty foods can cause your pet to gain weight quickly. No matter what you feed your pet, it is important to track your pet’s weight. This will help you determine if your pig is gaining too much weight for their size or age.
Look this video how those guinea pigs eat a pumpkin!
What should guinea pigs eat?
At this point, you may be wondering what you can safely feed your guinea pig. If you are a new pet owner or looking to enrich your pet’s diet, it is important to research the proper diet for your pig. Also, check whether a food is safe for pigs before feeding it to your pet.
I wrote a guide for all what can a cavy eat and not eat that can help you.
The most important part of your cavy’s diet is vegetables. Your pig needs three servings of vegetables, including a leafy green, every day.
Review all ingredients in store-bought hay and pellets to ensure they are safe for your pet.
It is okay to serve them fruit once or twice a week as a treat. Your pig can eat small amounts of:
- Apples check my article, I wrote about: can guinea pig eat apples.
- Blueberries
- Bananas check my article, I wrote about: can guinea pigs eat bananas
- Oranges
- Melons
- Strawberries
- Other safe fruits
Cut the fruit up into tiny, bite-sized pieces and offer your pet a small amount to see if they enjoy it. Introducing new foods into your pig’s diet should always be done slowly.
Are there foods guinea pigs shouldn’t eat?
There are some foods you should never feed your cavy. Besides pumpkin seeds and other nuts, avoid giving your pet any “human treats.” You may be tempted to share your snacks with your pet, but this is usually a bad idea. Cavies have sensitive stomachs and cannot handle human food.
Never give your pet the following foods:
- Avocado
- Bread
- Candy
- Cereal
- Chocolate
- Crackers
- Onions
- Pasta
These are just some of the items that can cause serious health issues for your pig, and there are many more. Feeding your cavy something that is not safe can result in bloating, diarrhea, gas, or even death.
Conclusion
Foods that are high in fat and sugar are not safe for pigs either. These foods will only make your cavy eat too much and become overweight.
Monitor the levels of sugar and fat your pet eats each day to provide proper care for their diet. Caring for your pet means focusing on what they eat and making sure everything is safe for cavies.
Finally, cavies cannot handle cooked food or meat. Your piggy is an herbivore, meaning they do not eat meat or dairy products of any kind. Their stomachs cannot handle this food, and it is likely they won’t even enjoy eating it.
Cooked foods, including cooked vegetables, are not safe for your piggy. You release different nutrients and create different food textures when you cook food. Many vegetables are safe for cavies when they are raw, but they cannot be served cooked.
You love your pet, and you want to give them the most nutritious and delicious foods. What is good for humans is not always great for your pig. Your cavy can enjoy small amounts of pumpkin once a week, including the leaves and stems.
Avoid giving your pig pumpkin seeds or other foods that could harm their digestive system. If you feed your pet properly, they will be happy and healthy for a long time!
Lydia King
Lydia King is a huge animal lover and has always been fascinated with learning about the animal kingdom. She enjoys writing about anything animal related from scientific information about rare species to animal references in pop culture.
FAQs
Can cavies eat Pumpkin? ›
Yes, Pumpkin skin and flesh is perfectly edible by Guinea Pigs, however due to its relatively low nutritional value it is best kept as a treat.
What can I feed my cavy? ›The preferred basic diet for guinea pigs is unlimited amounts of Timothy or other low-calcium hay, supplemented with smaller amounts of a commercial, high-fiber, Timothy-hay based guinea pig pellets. Vitamin C (see below) should be given each day. Hay should be offered free-choice throughout the day.
What is the most poisonous food for guinea pigs? ›- Pet shop treats such as yoghurt drops, chew bars etc are very fattening and can contribute to poor dental health.
- Avocado.
- Buttercup leaves and flowers can cause extreme discomfort and in some cases be fatal.
- Foxglove.
- Ragwort.
- Ivy.
- Privet.
- Holly.
Pumpkin/squash - Great for autumn and winter feeding. Peppers - Good acceptance especially the white innards, rich in vitamin C with a high water content. The green stalk can occasionally be fed in a varied diet only in small amounts due to high amounts of solanine. Remove seeds.
Can guinea eat pumpkin? ›Fortunately, guinea pigs can eat both the rind and the flesh of the pumpkin! You just have to make sure that you thoroughly clean the outside to rid the rind of any dirt and germs that may be there. We've mentioned time and time again that pumpkin is fine as long as it is served in moderation.
What food do guinea pigs love most? ›Your pig will be perfectly happy with high quality pellets and hay and treats of fruits and vegetables. For a special snack, try mixing some rolled oats into your guinea pig's pellets or stuff a small cardboard tube with fresh hay.
What human snacks can guinea pigs eat? ›...
Good fresh foods to feed your guinea pig include:
- Bananas.
- Blueberries.
- Cantaloupe.
- Green peppers.
- Parsley.
- Green and red leaf lettuce.
- Strawberries.
- Tomatoes.
Unlike larger pets, guinea pigs have smaller and more sensitive respiratory systems. That's why it's not advisable to use scented candles, especially those with essential oils. Candles made with other materials can also release toxic elements such as benzene acetone.
Are bananas poisonous to guinea pigs? ›Overall, bananas can be a great treat every once in a while for healthy guinea pigs. They are great health benefits like potassium and vitamin C, both are vital for your pig's health.
What is a guinea pigs biggest predator? ›They are shy animals – and not without reason, as they have many natural enemies, including wild cats, coyotes, wolves, snakes, hawks, owls and humans.
Can guinea pigs eat tomatoes? ›
Tomatoes are safe for guinea pigs to eat. Tomatoes have many beneficial dietary benefits including: Great source of fibre - necessary for correct digestive health. High in Vitamin C - A necessary vitamin in their diet.
Can guinea pigs eat cucumber? ›Cucumber: Guinea Pigs can eat both the flesh, seeds (not too much) and the skin. Green beans:These contain vitamin C, and can be fed in a raw state. However, be cautious as they also contain calcium and phosphorus.
Can guinea pigs eat pineapple? ›Foods like carrots, kiwifruit, berries, and pineapple are also great as a source of Vitamin C and a tasty treat for your guinea pigs but only feed them a few times a week, not every day, as these foods have quite a high sugar content.
Can Guinea eat peanut butter? ›Aside from this, peanut butter also contains a lot of sodium, sugar and too many calories. Peanut butter also has a dangerous mechanical effect, it is a choking hazard for them! They have a small esophagus and can get stuck. Some of the symptoms of peanut butter toxicity are constipation and an upset stomach.
Can guinea pigs eat sweet potato and pumpkin? ›The short and sweet answer (pun intended), is yes! Sweet potatoes are considered a crazy-healthy food for humans, and they're just as safe for guinea pigs to eat.
Can guinea pigs eat corn? ›Overall, it is OK to feed your guinea pigs corn!
However, just remember that it should be regarded as a once-in-a-while treat! The starch can be harmful to your guinea pig, and it's important that we keep them safe and healthy.
Providing your guinea pigs with various toys and boredom bustsers is a great way to keep boredom at bay. Balls, tunnels, chew toys and tunnels that double as chew toys make a great addition to any hutch and run and provide your piggies with the stimulation they need for their physical and mental well-being.
What should you not put in a guinea pig cage? ›It is important that you only use paper! Guinea pigs like to chew on everything and if you use materials like metal or plastic, they can hurt their teeth or accidentally ingest it.
Can guinea pigs have a little bit of potato? ›Potatoes are high in carbohydrates, which serve no purpose for guinea pigs, especially if fed consistently over time. They are strict herbivores that graze on grasses and foliage in the wild.
What is a guinea pigs favorite thing? ›Most of them love carrots and broccoli, and some love nothing better than fresh grass nibbled from a lawn. Some owners swear by shop-bought treats, but these are not essential, and you should check the ingredients to make sure you're not feeding th GPs sugar and colorings!
What is a guinea pigs Favourite treat? ›
Each guinea pig is different, and most will have a specific favourite food or foods. Good bets are carrots and carrot tops, cucumber and dandelion leaves. If your guinea pigs don't have regular access to grass then a big juicy handful will elicit excited squeaks from most guinea pigs, young or old.
What do guinea pigs like to sleep in? ›Hay is the best bedding you can offer your guinea pig. It's nice and soft and makes up the largest part of their food. Guinea pigs like to burrow underneath bedding, so pop plenty in their cage to allow for this.
What helps calm guinea pigs? ›Reducing Stress in Your Guinea Pigs' Environment
House guinea pigs in a quiet area away from other pets or activity. Limit the number of animals in each enclosure to prevent overcrowding, and don't change their social groups too often. Follow a consistent routine for daily care.
Guinea pigs rarely violently struggle when they are being picked up but they sometimes make a “squeal of protest”, which sounds pig-like to many people. Nevertheless, great care should be taken not to injure them when picking them up.
Can my guinea pig eat cheese? ›Dairy products - dairy products such as milk, cheese, yoghurt etc are derived from animals and should not be fed to your Guinea Pig.
What are guinea pigs allowed to drink? ›Fresh, clean water with nothing added is the best drink for guinea pigs. But why can't guinea pigs have other drinks? It's unhealthy for guinea pigs to ingest high sugar, high salt, or high fat drinks. That eliminates soda, juice, dairy, sport drinks, and others.
How long can guinea pigs go without food? ›Guinea pigs should not go longer than 6-8 hours without food. Guinea pigs do not starve in that time, but their body can go into GI stasis. This is where the gastrointestinal tract slows down and stops digesting food and moving fluid throughout the body.
How often should you clean guinea pigs cage? ›In addition to cleaning your guinea pig's habitat & accessories completely once a week, spot cleaning should be done daily. Spot cleaning can be done by removing soiled litter and bedding with a small food or litter scoop.
Is guinea pig pee toxic? ›Guinea pig pee isn't particularly dangerous to humans. However, all pee can contain germs so we don't recommend getting too close to any urine or faeces if you can avoid it. The best way to do this is by cleaning regularly, wearing gloves and using products to remove bacteria.
Do guinea pigs stink up your house? ›As already mentioned, cavies are clean little critters and don't usually give off an unpleasant smell. But when a guinea pig's environment isn't maintained correctly, or they are fed the wrong foods, these pocket pets can quickly stink up the room.
Can guinea pigs have watermelon? ›
Overall, it is OK to feed your guinea pigs watermelon!
Just make sure that you're only feeding it to them once in a while—this can prevent any health issues associated with consuming watermelon too much! It's the best way to keep them happy and healthy.
Guinea pigs can eat raisins, but do they like it? Yes, because they're sweet!
Can guinea pigs have grapes? ›Guinea Pigs Can Eat Grapes as an Occasional Treat
Grapes are also rich in antioxidants, which balance free radicals, and resveratrol, a plant compound that has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Thanks to a high level of fructose (sugar), grapes are also very sweet and a favorite treat for most guinea pigs.
Guinea pigs can generalize their learning which means they may show fear in situations that remind them of prior trauma or pain. Fears of toys, people, and loud noises are the most common fears. There are many reasons why a guinea pig may develop fears of people.
What animals are guinea pigs scared of? ›Guinea pigs are a prey species and must be able to hide in a secure place away from things that scare them. There should be enough places for all your guinea pigs to hide at the same time, and they must be away from the sight and smell of predators such as foxes, cats, dogs, ferrets and birds of prey.
What is the friendliest guinea pig breed? ›The Teddy guinea pig breed gets its name from its fluffy coat, which almost gives the guinea pig the look of a living Teddy bear. Teddy guinea pigs tend to be smaller than other breeds and have a reputation for being friendly and cuddly.
Can guinea pigs have celery? ›How should you go about feeding your guinea pig celery? The first thing you should know is that all parts, from the celery roots and stalks to its leaves, all are safe for piggy consumption. However, you should limit the consumption of celery to only a few times per week, and treat it as a snack.
Can guinea pigs eat cabbage? ›The simple answer is yes! Guinea pigs can eat cabbage, and there are so many health benefits for them when they do. There are four main kinds of cabbage, and all are edible to your guinea pig. These varieties include green, napa, red/purple, and savoy!
Can guinea pigs eat avocado? ›Conclusion. All in all, Avocado should be avoided to be given to guinea pigs. Not only are some parts of the avocado poisonous due to its persin content, but the parts that are "safe" to give, are high in fat content, and is not an ideal type of food to give to guinea pigs.
Can guinea pigs eat pickles? ›You should not give pickles to your Guinea pigs, because that will increase their solidium content. And this is not good for the Guinea pigs because they can only proceed with fresh grass and veggies. If you try to feed your Guinea pig with pickles, it can lead to digestive problems which can be fatal for the pet.
Can guinea pigs have broccoli? ›
Guinea pigs can eat the any parts of the broccoli! The stem, florets, and the stalk are enjoyed by guinea pigs and will also help to maintain their dental health by helping them keep their teeth at a healthy length.
Do you have to peel cucumbers for guinea pigs? ›It is usually not necessary to peel a cucumber or remove the seeds if you plan to eat it raw. If the cucumber skin has been waxed (to make it look shiny) or if you plan to cook the cucumber, remove the skin with a vegetable peeler or sharp knife. Some large cucumbers have hard seeds.
Can guinea pigs have pizza? ›Here are a few foods to never feed a guinea pig: Processed foods, like pizza. Meat or cheese. Candy of any type.
Can guinea pigs eat ice? ›Guinea Pigs drink a lot of water in high temperatures but they don't like it ice cold as it can send them into shock, so don't add ice cubes to their containers.
Can a guinea pig have cantaloupe? ›Just as with most fruits, guinea pigs can eat cantaloupe, but in moderation because of their sugar content! It's important to carefully balance the amount of sugar they're consuming, and to learn about all the benefits and drawbacks of cantaloupe.
What animals Cannot eat pumpkins? ›Degus, chinchillas, hedgehogs and guinea pigs should not be fed any pumpkin or pumpkin seeds at all.
Who should not eat pumpkin? ›A. People allergic to pumpkin seeds should avoid consuming them. In addition, pregnant and lactating women, infants, people with hypoglycemia and hypotension should avoid eating pumpkin seeds. In addition, if you are on a low-calorie diet, you should limit its consumption as they are high in calories.
Is it safe for dogs to eat pumpkin? ›Plain, canned pumpkin is the healthiest choice for your dog. Both fresh and canned pumpkin are good sources of nutrients and fiber, but canned pumpkin contains a higher concentration of fiber and nutrients compared to fresh pumpkin. This is because fresh pumpkin has higher water content than canned pumpkin.
Can you feed chickens pumpkin? ›Can Chickens Eat Pumpkins? Yes! Chickens love pumpkins and they are a really good source of nutrients for your flock. When you get ready to carve jack-o-lanterns this year, keep all of the 'guts' of the pumpkin.
Are pumpkins poisonous to pigs? ›Pumpkins may be offered whole to swine. Sheep and goat owners can safely feed pumpkin to their animals, too.
Do pumpkins hurt animals? ›
“Feeding pumpkins, or any other food in the forest, to birds, foxes, badgers, deer, and boar can make them unwell and can spread disease. “Pumpkins are also often decorated and have things such as candles in them. Animals eating the pumpkins could then eat a foreign object and this could kill them.”
What can I do with old Halloween pumpkins? ›- Compost your pumpkins. Rotting pumpkins actually serve as great compost material. If you have a compost bin or know a friend that has one, consider composting it. ...
- Donate your pumpkins. Consider donating your pumpkins to local farmers. ...
- Smash your pumpkins. Admittedly, this is the most fun option.
The seeds of pumpkins and other vine crops contain the substance cucurbitacin, which has been shown to be a deworming compound. The study showed a significant reduction in average fecal egg counts over a 21-day period.
Is any part of a pumpkin poisonous? ›Raw pumpkin and its seeds may contain harmful bacteria that cause foodborne illness.
Does pumpkin affect kidneys? ›For those with kidney disease, it's important to note that pumpkin seeds are high in potassium and phosphorus and pumpkin puree is high in potassium. If you or your child need to limit these ingredients in your diet, check with your doctor or renal dietitian to see if pumpkin seeds and pumpkin purees are okay.
Can dogs eat 100% canned pumpkin? ›You can feed cooked or canned pumpkin to your dog—if it's 100% pumpkin with no added ingredients. Make sure you don't accidentally grab the canned pumpkin pie filling. That contains sugar, which isn't healthy for your pup, and usually nutmeg, which is toxic to dogs.
Can dogs eat cinnamon? ›Is Cinnamon Toxic to Dogs? The good news is that cinnamon is not toxic to dogs, though cinnamon essential oil can be toxic for pups. Your dog will not suffer fatal toxic effects from consuming too much cinnamon, but that does not necessarily mean you should be sprinkling it on kibble.
Can dogs eat peanut butter? ›Don't keep your pup in suspense any longer. Yes, dogs can eat peanut butter as long as it is fed in moderation and does not contain xylitol, so get out that pet-safe peanut butter jar and share the good news.
Does pumpkin deworm chickens? ›There is no evidence that pumpkin or pumpkin seeds act as a general dewormer in chickens. Let's look at the seed of truth that lies within this commonly parroted claim and understand why the claim is false. Innocent until proven guilty.
Can I give my chickens rotten pumpkin? ›The chickens can eat all of this. Use the jack-o'-lantern as usual, but after Halloween, you'll need to take another look. If the pumpkin is moldy or rotted, just throw it out or cut off the bad parts if they are small. The parts that are still in good shape can be broken into chunks and fed to the chickens.
Do birds eat pumpkin insides? ›
Feed the birds
After you've spooked the neighbours with your ghoulish gourd, you can hang up half the carved pumpkin as a temporary bird feeder, putting seeds and fat inside it. Birds will eat the pumpkin, too, so you can also just cut it up and put it out on your bird table.