There are few things that guinea pigs love more than treats. Treats are a great way to strengthen the bond with your furry friend or even train them to perform tricks.
Though with so many treat options out there, how can you tell if you’re giving your guinea pig the best ones?
Here is a list of some of the best guinea pig treats you can give to your furry friend:
Bell Peppers
Bell peppers — any kind — are a fun, colorful treat to give to your guinea pig.
They are also full of vitamin C and other good nutrients that can give your guinea pig’s immune system a boost. Feed your furry friend as many bell pepper slices as they want!
Romaine Lettuce
Romaine lettuce is another healthy treat option that you can feed a guinea pig often.
You can leave a leaf or two in their cage and your guinea pig will be as happy as a clam. Don’t be surprised if you turn around and find the leaves gone in less than five minutes!
You can also feed your guinea pig other types lettuce for treats as well, such as green or red leaf lettuce. These kinds should occasionally be rotated with other veggies though.
Alfalfa
Guinea pigs also like to snack on herbs. An herb that is especially good for them is alfalfa.
Alfalfa is a super herb, jam-packed with vitamins, proteins, and minerals. It’s hard finding a healthier herb to feed your guinea pig than alfalfa, or one that they like as much either.
It may be harder to find fresh alfalfa than some other fresh herbs that guinea pigs enjoy. In that case, it’s easier and cheaper to buy alfalfa hay cubes for your guinea pig from the pet store than search grocery stores for fresh alfalfa.
If you are giving them dried alfalfa, only give it to them once a week. Giving dried herbs to guinea pigs more than that can cause them digestive problems.
Fresh Grass
There is no limit to the amount of grass that your guinea pig can enjoy. Full of nutrients and vitamins, it’s a fantastic treat to give to your guinea pig. Plus, it’s free!
Be sure that you are using non-treated grass. The harmful chemicals in weed killers and pesticides could cause your furry friend to get sick. If you’re unsure about the grass, wash it thoroughly before giving it your guinea pig.
Dandelion Greens
Another great treat for guinea pigs are dandelion greens. They’re fresh, all natural, and have zero impact on your wallet.
Guinea pigs and humans can safely eat the stem, roots, and flower of the dandelion. You can just go out to your yard, grab a couple of dandelions, clean off the dirt, and your furry friend has a fun new treat.
Again, like fresh grass, be careful that you are using clean, non-treated dandelion greens. Be sure to wash them if you think they might have weed killer on them.
Apple Slices (Skin On, No Seeds)
While it is safe to give your guinea pig fruit, because fruit is acidic and has a lot of sugar, you shouldn’t feed them that much of it. All fruit treats should be treated like candy and only given to your furry friend on a few occasions.
That being said, one of the best fruit treats to give your guinea pig is apple slices.
They’re less messy than berries and their firmness makes them fun for the guinea pig to chew on. Because the apple seeds can be a choking hazard, be sure to remove them before feeding your furry friend the slices.
Be Selective with Processed Treats
In any pet store rodent aisle you’ll see a lot of guinea pig treats that claim they are healthy.
However, many of them are made from processed ingredients that in quantity can cause a lot of health problems for your furry friend.
To pick the best ones read the ingredients on the back. The less processed the better.
Try to avoid treats with made with seeds or yogurt. While it is safe for guinea pigs to eat these, they are not that healthy for them and can cause them to gain weight.
Instead, aim for treats made from hay or wood. They’re better for guinea pigs and are also great for them to gnaw on to help keep their teeth in check.
Hay blocks and edible wood logs were my top choices for my old pet guinea pig Cookie.
What Does Your Guinea Pig Treats Does Your Pet Like?
What’s your guinea pig’s favorite treat? Tell us in the comments section below!
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