Can Guinea Pigs Eat Bell Peppers?
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Bell peppers: They’re delicious in salad, perfect for stuffing with all sorts of savory fillings, and fantastic on their own.
We love them and it’s natural to consider sharing with our pets!
The question is, can guinea pigs eat bell peppers? If so, how much should they have? Do different-colored bell peppers have different nutritional profiles?
In case you’re searching for a quick answer, here it is: Guinea pigs can eat bell peppers!
In fact, this crunchy veg is one of the best natural treats you can give your little piggie. Hang in there though, because there’s a lot more to learn.
Get all the answers with our complete guide to bell peppers for guinea pigs!
Bell Pepper Nutrition Stats
Bell peppers are surprisingly low in calories and their delightful crunch is hard to beat.
In one medium-sized bell pepper, you’re likely to get:
- 37 calories
- 7 g carbohydrates
- 2 g fiber
- 1 g protein
Bell Pepper Nutritional Facts
We have some good news for you (and your guinea pig!) Bell peppers are a great source of vitamin C, with about 152 milligrams in a single pepper. That’s a little more than 250% of your recommended daily intake.
The same medium-sized bell pepper gives you:
- 3726 iu vitamin A
- 5 mg sodium
- 3 mg vitamin B6
- 8 mcg vitamin K
- 2 mg nicacin
- 7 mcg folate
- 1 mg thiamine
Here’s a little piece of trivia to keep in mind: Red bell peppers are ripest, with the sweetest flavor and the most nutrients.
It’s fine to give your guinea pig green, purple, yellow, and orange bell peppers, too!
Can Guinea Pigs Have Bell Peppers?
Guinea pigs everywhere are popcorning for joy, because the answer is yes, absolutely!
Bell peppers are great for guinea pigs. While you can give your cavy all the colorful bell peppers on occasion, green bell peppers are lowest in sugar, so they’re a good addition to your guinea pig’s regular diet.
Are Bell Peppers Good For Guinea Pigs?
Just how good are bell peppers for cavies? As it turns out, they’re one of the best veggies you can give your guinea pig. Part of the reason for this is that they are high in vitamin C – something your guinea pig needs lots of, since they can’t make their own.
Other vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in bell peppers benefit your guinea pig; for example, all that vitamin A is great for your piggie’s vision!
You will want to be careful about how often you feed colorful, sweet red, orange, and yellow bell peppers to your guinea pig since too much sugar can cause problems.
Do Guinea Pigs Like Bell Peppers?
Most guinea pigs go crazy for bell peppers once they’re familiar with this food!
It’s important to select bell peppers carefully when shopping for veggies you’ll be sharing with your guinea pig. Be sure that the peppers are firm and crisp, and get organic ones if you can!
Wash the peppers carefully before you and your guinea pig enjoy them, and be careful to remove the stems and any leaves. Remove the seeds and slice the bell peppers into long strips, rings, or other shapes for your pet (and you!) to enjoy.
How Much Bell Pepper Can A Guinea Pig Eat?
It depends on your pet’s age and the color of the pepper!
Here’s how much bell pepper a to feed your guinea pig:
| Age | Amount |
| Baby guinea pig | None |
| Adult guinea pig | 1/6th of a green bell pepper, ½ inch wide strip of yellow, red, purple, or striped bell pepper |
You aren’t likely to notice any problems when you give your guinea pig green bell pepper, but sweeter, more colorful varieties can sometimes lead to gas and bloating due to their higher sugar content.
The first time you give your guinea pig bell pepper, offer only about half the recommended serving size. Keep an eye out for signs of indigestion or diarrhea for the next 12 hours or so.
If everything is normal, it’s fine to offer your cavy a full serving of bell pepper next time it’s on the menu.
How Often Can A Guinea Pig Eat Bell Peppers?
The answer to this question all comes down to sugar content! Here’s the scoop:
Green bell peppers: Your guinea pig can have some every day as part of their “salad” if you like.
Sweet colorful bell peppers: Guinea pigs can have red, orange, and yellow bell peppers two to three times per week, but not at the same time as other sweet foods are offered. These peppers are good for your pet but remember, too many sweets can make guinea pigs sick.
The Correct Diet is Important
A guinea pig’s natural diet consists mostly of grass and leafy, low-lying plants.
Be sure to offer an unlimited supply of fresh Timothy hay, along with a few other essentials:
- Guinea pig pellets fortified with vitamin C. Since serving size varies by brand, you’ll want to check the label to see how much your guinea pig should eat.
- Approximately one cup of fresh food per day. It’s best to split this into two smaller servings and offer a variety of leafy greens and crunchy green veggies.
- Fresh water should be available at all times. It’s important to rinse and refill your guinea pig’s water bottle every day.
What Are Other Healthy Alternatives To Bell Peppers In A Guinea Pig’s Diet?
Guinea pigs can eat a wide variety of veggies and fruits, so you have lots of different options when deciding what to offer each day.
Here’s a list of some foods guinea pigs like most:
- asparagus
- artichoke
- basil
- cilantro
- mint
- parsley
- carrot
- carrot tops
- romaine
- beets
- beet tops
- arugula
- swiss chard
- spinach
- endive
- escarole
- cabbage
- butter lettuce
- buttercrunch lettuce
- bibb lettuce
- rocket
- cabbage
- green beans
- cucumber
- zucchini
- summer squash
- parsnip
- pumpkin
- sweet potato
- tomato
- broccoli
- broccolini
- cauliflower
- brussels sprouts
- bok choy
- yu choy
- watercress
Your guinea pig will enjoy life more when there are lots of different foods to keep things interesting!
Besides, a variety of fruits and veggies gives your guinea pig lots of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for good health.
Giving your guinea pig bell peppers is a great start – whichever color you choose!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are bell peppers safe for guinea pigs?
Yes! Guinea pigs can safely consume bell peppers of all colors.
Can bell peppers make my guinea pig sick?
While it isn’t likely, bell pepper might give your guinea pig diarrhea or an upset tummy – but only if they eat too much at once.
