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No, guinea pigs should not eat almonds. The Vet Desk says never to feed a guinea pig almonds or any other nut. Almonds are high in fat and calcium, both bad for a guinea pig's gut and bladder, and a whole almond can be swallowed and choke them. Bitter almonds contain cyanide compounds and are toxic. If yours has eaten some, watch closely and ring your vet.
| Safe? | No |
| How much | None |
| How often | Never |
| Best served | Not at all. Offer hay or fresh herbs instead |
| Watch out for | Bitter almonds, nut mixes, almond milk and marzipan |
Why can't guinea pigs eat almonds?
Guinea pigs need a high-fibre, low-fat diet built on hay, and almonds are the reverse. The Vet Desk lists four problems:
- Fat and carbohydrate: a guinea pig's sensitive stomach may not cope, leading to an upset that in bad cases causes dangerous dehydration. Burgess says all nuts cause extremely uncomfortable indigestion.
- Calcium: almonds are very high in calcium, and too much over time can feed painful bladder and kidney stones.
- Choking: a guinea pig may gnaw an almond but swallow it whole.
- Bitter almonds: these contain cyanide compounds and are toxic.
VCA backs this up, telling owners not to feed guinea pigs seeds or nuts because they are too high in carbohydrates and fat. Guinea Lynx says to avoid mixes and treats with nuts in them too.
Are any almond foods safe?
No. Raw, roasted, salted, flaked, ground and sugared almonds are all a no. So are almond butter, almond flour, marzipan, almond biscuits and almond milk. Guinea pigs only need fresh water to drink. Check treat mixes and chew sticks for nuts before you buy them.
My guinea pig ate an almond. What should I do?
- Remove the rest. Pick up any almonds or pieces left in the cage or play area.
- Check what kind. If there is any chance they were bitter almonds, or your guinea pig ate more than a nibble, ring your vet now.
- Keep hay and water topped up. Don't try home remedies or try to make your guinea pig sick.
- Watch for a day. The Vet Desk says to contact your vet if you see behaviour changes, loose droppings or diarrhoea after a new food. Also ring if your guinea pig eats less or droppings shrink.
Signs to ring a vet the same day: not eating, choking or struggling to breathe, runny droppings or no droppings. The PDSA says stomach upsets can quickly become very serious in guinea pigs, especially if they stop eating or drinking.
Who is most at risk?
Every guinea pig should avoid almonds. Babies, older guinea pigs, those with dental problems and any with a history of bladder stones are at most risk, so call your vet sooner if one of them has eaten some.
What to give instead
For a hand-fed treat, try a sprig of coriander (cilantro) or parsley, a slice of pepper or a piece of cucumber. Other nuts are also off the menu: see peanuts and walnuts. Our safe food list, guinea pig diet guide and guinea pig care guide cover the rest.
Almond questions
Are almonds poisonous to guinea pigs?
Ordinary sweet almonds are not poisonous, but they can still make a guinea pig very sick, says the Vet Desk, a vet-reviewed guide. Bitter almonds are different: they contain cyanide compounds and are toxic. Either way the answer is no, and Burgess advises against all nuts for guinea pigs.
Can guinea pigs drink almond milk?
Can guinea pigs eat almond skins or flaked almonds?
No. Flaked, ground, roasted, salted and sugared almonds all have the same fat and calcium problem as whole ones, and coatings add salt or sugar. Almond flour and marzipan are a no too. VCA says nuts are too high in fat and carbohydrates for guinea pigs.
Can guinea pigs chew almond tree branches?
Our sources don't cover almond wood, so we would not offer it. Stick to chews and branches that a guinea pig care source names as safe, plus plenty of hay, which wears the teeth down better than anything else.
