Guinea pigs are a hate’em or love’em sort of pet (and most people seem to love them, just like with herbs and basil!).
But, can guinea pigs eat basil? That is the real question here, so let’s get straight to it, below!
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Basil?
Guinea Pigs are a favorite fur buddy of kids and pet owners around the world, and, believe it or not, basil is one of their favorite foods to nibble on with their adorable fuzzy faces.
Guinea pigs can also eat other herbs, including:
- Cilantro
- Dandelion
- Dill
- Endive
- Fennel
- Mint
- Parsley
- Thyme
How Much Basil Can Guinea Pigs Eat?
Guinea pigs are relatively small creatures, the amount of basil that they should ingest each week is also small: just 1 or 2 full basil leaves every 5 to 7 days is all they need.
The basil is best distributed via a few nibbles every other day or so, or a special snack of 1 entire basil leaf once or twice each week. It is also best to avoid feeding your pet basil every single day.
What Herbs Are Poisonous to Guinea Pigs?
Stick to the bullet list of herbs listed above and you’ll be safe when it comes to feeding your guinea pig herbs aside from basil.
If you do stray from the suggested herbs, at least make sure to avoid the following ones (which are all poisonous to guinea pigs):
- Buttercups
- Deadly nightshade
- Foxglove
- Lily of the valley
- Rhododendrons
- Scarlet Pimpernel
- Tulips
- Any flower leaves that grow from bulbs
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Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!