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Can Guinea Pigs Eat Cabbage? Green, Red and Savoy
Guinea pigs can eat a little raw cabbage, but it can cause gas. Learn which types are fine, the right amount and how often to offer it.
The short answer
Yes, in small amounts. Green, red and savoy cabbage are suitable occasionally, but cabbage can cause gas.
Unlimited grass hay, fresh water, a measured amount of guinea pig pellets and a daily cup or so of mixed, suitable vegetables form the core diet. Any single vegetable or fruit is one part of that mix, never a replacement for hay.
What cabbage offers, and where it falls short
Cabbage adds crunch, fiber and some vitamin C. Red cabbage tends to offer a little more vitamin C than green.
It belongs to the brassica family and can cause bloating if fed in quantity or introduced too quickly.
How much and how often
- One small leaf or a few shreds for an adult.
- Once or twice a week.
- Avoid pairing it with broccoli or cauliflower the same day.
How to prepare it
- Remove outer leaves and wash.
- Shred into small pieces.
- Serve raw and fresh.
What to avoid
- Coleslaw, sauerkraut or cooked cabbage.
- Large servings.
- Feeding to a guinea pig with signs of bloating.
Introduce it slowly
Offer a small piece of cabbage on its own the first time, then watch droppings and appetite over the next day. Change one food at a time so you can tell what caused any upset. Wheeky apps can help you keep track of new foods, servings and vitamin C sources in one place.
If your guinea pig stops eating, has diarrhea, produces fewer droppings or seems bloated or quiet after a food change, contact an exotic vet promptly. This guide is general education, not veterinary advice.