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Would tacos be tacos without the spices? Not really. In the culinary world of guinea pigs, salad isn’t salad without the herbs!
Herbs bring the flavor in addition to vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They can also be anti-inflammatory. Getting fancy in the kitchen comes with some excellent health benefits!
You can spice up your hay pile as well!Herbal Blends are great hay toppers.
Let’s talk about what you should be throwing in the shopping cart and how to introduce these herbs to your guinea pig!
Guinea pigs should have leafy greens every day, with about a cup being the ideal portion. Herbs make a fantastic addition to their daily salad, offering extra antioxidants. These antioxidants help neutralize harmful free radicals and protect your guinea pig’s cells from damage.
An extra boost of nutrients!
These herbs and flowers are great for guinea pigs fresh or dried. Herbal Blend mixes often have edible flowers included. While many popular herbs for guinea pigs are found at the grocery store, others may be more convenient to get withHerbal Blends.
Many of the herbs you buy for your meals are great for your guinea pig too. Why not bond with your guinea pig by sharing some herbs together?
Parsley is a great starter herb as it has a milder flavor than many of the other herbs on our list. Some guinea pigs love fragrant herbs and others may be picky when it comes to stronger tastes and smells.
For those cavies, we have parsley!
Basil is popular in Italian dishes for us humans. If you love pesto then you can thank basil! Basil contains caffeic acid and salicylic acid which help prevent infections in guinea pigs and promote healthy fur and skin.
Cilantro, a key ingredient in many Mexican dishes, has a scent that attracts cavies. It's packed with phytochemicals that can support digestion and boost immune function!
There’s a bit of controversy in the human world about whether or not cilantro is delicious. Check and see which side your cavy is on!
Thyme is a nice homey herb. Excellent in human soups but for guinea pigs, you keep everything raw! Thyme contains caffeic acid and luteolin which have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Chamomile is calming, can stimulate your guinea pig’s appetite, and help maintain healthy digestion. It can be found in this Zen TranquillityHerbal Blend. It’s a flower in the daisy family!
Dill is found in our human potato salad recipes and it’s great for your cavy’s picnic too! It helps with digestive mobility which is so important for cavies. Digestive health is at the heart of a guinea pig’s general health.
Rosemary is a holiday spice! Guinea pigs like to celebrate with rosemary too. It contains rosmarinic acid which is anti-inflammatory, immune system boosting, and antimicrobial. Rosmarinic acid isn’t only found in rosemary, it’s also found in oregano, sage, thyme, peppermint, and lemon balm.
Lemon balm is a part of the mint family. It’s antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and can promote blood circulation. The mint family helps calm and soothe the digestive system. Lemon balm can have a strong citrus flavor and smell.
Try different herbs with your guinea pig. Some may be turned off by the strong smell or flavor of one herb but may enjoy another!
Dandelions are something guinea pig parents ask about a lot. I mean, if you’re like me, then you have a nice amount of them in your yard. Dandelions can be given to guinea pigsonly if you're sure they don’t have chemicals or pesticides on them. Lawns are often treated for pests or weeds and those products are very dangerous for guinea pigs.
If you have a large collection of dandelions then maybe you aren’t spraying for weeds!
Dandelions should be given in smaller quantities compared to other plants on this list.The high calcium content makes them more of a treat and not something to load on top of your guinea pig’s salad every day.
Guinea pigs can eat all parts of the dandelion plant. Dandelions are a great source of Vitamin C, iron, and potassium. All plants come with a nice spread of vitamins.
You’d benefit from more herbs in your life too!
One of (as you now know there are many) benefits of herbs is the variety they bring. These flavors are strong and interesting to explore.
Which makes them the perfect food to promote foraging! Small Pet Select creates blends with dried herbs and flowers that guinea pigs love to explore. Some havedried berries too.
Herbal Blends can be a great hay topper or given as treats. It’s an easy way to get a variety of herbs without needing to go on a scavenger hunt around your town. You’ll find herbs that you don’t find in other places easily included in a lot of theseHerbal Blends.
Let Small Pet Select do the scavenger hunt for you!
Shop ForHerbal Blends button
Foraging keeps your guinea pig’s brain at work. New tastes, smells, and textures keep them curious about their environment.
“Where did I taste this dandelion before? Wow, that’s got a bit of a zing to it! I smell mint again, where’s the mint at…”
Imagine your guinea pig searching the hay pile for the dried flowers they can smell. Foraging is a game for our domesticated cavies but it’s life for their wild counterparts!
When it comes to herbs or any hay topper, only add them to your cavy’s main food source once you know that your cavy likes them. Some picky guinea pigs may not appreciate the culinary excellence of herbs (or certain herbs) and the strong flavors or smells could make them less interested in their hay pile.
Remember, when it comes to your guinea pig’s diet, nothing is more important than hay. Hay gives them the roughage they need to wear down their ever-growing teeth. It also provides the perfect amount of fiber combined with a nutrient profile they thrive on.
When you want to try a new herb (or any new food) with your guinea pig, start with a small amount and make sure the new food agrees with your cavy before you add any other new foods. One new food every three days is okay.
Signs your guinea pig is having trouble digesting their food:
If you notice signs that your guinea pig is unwell, check with an exotic vet ASAP. A guinea pig’s digestive system is sensitive and if they aren’t feeling well, they’ll stop eating, and that slows down the whole fiber-moving system!
In general, herbs are a treat that doesn’t need to be given sparingly. They can be included in the leafy greens that you give your guinea pig every day!
However, you can give your guinea pig too many herbs if they lose interest in their hay pile. Remember, always protect the hay pile. Hay needs to be number one in your guinea pig’s heart.
Dried herbs will be given in much smaller portion sizes than fresh herbs, of course. Dried herbs are the fancy hay topper or the surprise you leave for them in their hideout.
Avoid giving any of these herbs to your guinea pig every day. It’s best to get a variety in your guinea pig’s diet so they aren’t getting too much of any one nutrient.
There are some plants that are toxic to guinea pigs that may initially seem harmless or even healthy! Not everything in the garden is fair game.
Don’t head out and collect wild plants that you aren’t 100 percent sure of what they are. It may seem natural but there are a lot of ways that can go wrong!
Onions and garlic are toxic to guinea pigs but a favorite for us humans. Keep that part of the garden to yourself.
Other plants that guinea pigs shouldn’t have are:
This isn’t a list of every plant a guinea pig shouldn’t have. If you have specific questions about plants for guinea pigs you can always check with your guinea pig-savvy vet!
One thing about herbs is, they’re very easy to grow, and they grow fast! You can grow your own herbs in a garden or in pots. You can also grow herbs inside by your window.
Not only does this give you an ongoing supply for your cavies but it also allows you to control the growing situation, eliminating pesticides or fertilizers.
Growing your own herbs is also often the cheaper option. Some herbs and especially mint, will spread quickly so if you don’t want an entire garden of mint, you might want to isolate it in a pot.
Herbs are the best way to treat your guinea pig because they have an exciting flavor without the sugar rush of other treats. Your guinea pig gets variety in their food experiences while keeping their diet high in fiber and low in sugar. Happy guts for happy guinea pigs!
Herbs also improve a guinea pig’s mental health by giving them something to think about and be curious about each day. When they’re bored, break out the herbs! Your day would be boring without spices too. A variety of tastes come with a variety of nutrients and antioxidants.
We love herbs! Now go spice up your cavy’s life.
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