You don’t need to be a kitchen connoisseur to whip up some healthy DIY guinea pig treats. If you want to bust out the apron, there are plenty of safe recipes for guinea pigs that offer more nutrition and less fillers and preservatives than many store-bought treats.
And the directions couldn’t be easier! Simply grind, grate, or chop your ingredients and combine in a mixing bowl. Add warm water as needed to blend. Squeeze out extra liquid as you mold into coin-sized shapes, grape-sized balls, or the shape of your choice. Bake in a low-heat oven (250-300 degrees) for 30 minutes to an hour, flipping after the first 20 minutes. Be sure to cool for at least 15 minutes before serving and store in the refrigerator.
Here are some of our favorites recipes for guinea pigs.
Cucumber-Melon Biscuits
½ cup Timothy guinea pig pellets, blitzed in a blender until crushed*
1 cucumber, blended
Melon (watermelon, honeydew, cantaloupe, etc.), blended
*If you don’t have a blender, you can soak pellets in a cup of water until softened.
Sweet & Sour Oat Balls
½ green apple, grated
2 large carrots, grated
1 ½ cups of rolled oats
½ cup Timothy guinea pig pellets, blitzed in a blender until crushed
Hay Crumbles
2/3 cup “leftover” bottom-of-the-box hay pieces (Orchard Medley is a popular favorite)
1/3 cup finely chopped parsley or dill
1/3 cup warm water
1/3 cup 100% fruit baby food (apple, pear, etc.)
Fruit & Veggie Delights
½ cup ground guinea pig pellets
½ cup mashed banana
¼ cup chopped cilantro
¼ cup spinach, finely chopped
Festive Cavy Cookies
1 can 100% canned pumpkin
Red, yellow, and green bell peppers, diced
Fresh grass or short pieces of hay
1 cup rolled oats
Treats aren't a necessary part of your guinea pig's diet, but they can make for a fun reward and bonding experience. Remember, the bulk of your piggie's diet should always be unlimited grass hay and nutritionally complete, healthy guinea pig food with stabilized vitamin C.
Short on time? We’ve got your back. Try offering some of our herbs and herbal blends for a tasty surprise or cut straight to the chase with Belinda’s favorite - healthy snackers.
