Green Food for Small Pets

Energy from fruits and vegetables

The most natural food for rodents like rabbits, guinea pigs and co is fresh and juicy. Many types of fruits and vegetables are much-loved by most rodents and, in addition, they contain healthy vitamins and minerals!

Rodents love fruit and veg!

Rodents particularly enjoy carrots, peppers, cucumber and parsley. Parsley and peppers contain lots of vitamin C, cucumbers have a high water content so are particularly suitable during the warmer months of the year. Carrots are part of the typical diet for rabbits and can be given together with greens. They are, however, high in calories and should only be given in moderation. Radishes have a strongly distinctive flavour which most rodents enjoy.

Not everything that looks tasty is healthy

Avoid acidic fruits as these can often irritate your pet’s stomach. Fruits with a stone mostly can’t be tolerated by rodents and can lead to diarrhoea. The consumption of exotic fruits such as mango, papaya and pomegranate can also cause bad indigestion. Avocado can even be toxic! It is also necessary to be cautious with some types of vegetables, such as, spinach leaves and broccoli which contain oxalic acid and cabbage can often cause wind.

A meal plan

Guinea pigs love apples, bananas, strawberries, kiwis, melon, grapes, peppers, parsley, dandelion, coltsfoot and daisies.

Dwarf rabbits prefer apples, strawberries, raspberries, carrots, kohlrabi leaves (not the bulb), fennel, celery, soya beans, green peas, corncob and garden herbs such as parsley, dill, sage, dandelion, coltsfoot and ribwort.

Rat and mouse owners can give their pets apples, bananas, pears, strawberries, melon, grapes, carrots, peppers, tomatoes, lots of types of salad leaves (not lettuce as it contains nitrate), corn, cucumber, kohlrabi and cooked potatoes.

Hamsters enjoy apples, bananas, strawberries, corn, melon, salad, broccoli, courgette, celery, spinach, dandelion, sage and basil.

Chinchillas should only get fresh food as a treat. They can have a small piece of apple, a fig or a carrot.

You can find everything for your pet in our zooplus small pet shop! You can also find lots of information on roughage and hay for rodents in our rodent magazine!