Can Guinea Pigs Eat Zucchini? Skin, Flesh and Portions

The short answer

Yes. Raw zucchini, also called courgette, is a suitable low-calcium vegetable for guinea pigs.

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 zucchini offers, and where it falls short

Zucchini is mild, watery and low in calcium, which makes it an easy addition to the mix.

It is not high in vitamin C, so it works best alongside stronger vitamin C sources.

How much and how often

• •A few thin slices for an adult.
• •Two or three times a week.
• •The skin can stay on after washing.

How to prepare it

• •Wash well under running water.
• •Serve raw, cut into small bite-sized pieces.
• •Remove uneaten pieces after a few hours.

What to avoid

• •Cooked, canned, seasoned or buttered versions.
• •Large servings or several new vegetables at once.
• •Soft, moldy or spoiled pieces.

Introduce it slowly

Offer a small piece of zucchini 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.