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Yes, guinea pigs can eat cabbage in small amounts. A piece of raw leaf about the size of your palm, two or three times a week, is plenty. Cabbage is a good source of vitamin C, and Burgess lists savoy cabbage and spring greens as safe vegetables, but the PDSA warns that large amounts can cause gas, so keep portions small.
| Safe? | Yes, in small amounts |
| How much | A palm-sized piece of leaf per guinea pig |
| How often | 2 or 3 times a week |
| Best served | Raw, washed, outer leaves removed |
| Watch out for | Gas, bloating, eating less |
Is cabbage good for guinea pigs?
In moderation, yes. Burgess puts savoy cabbage and spring greens on its list of safe vegetables, and cabbage is a useful vitamin C source for an animal that needs it from food every day. Worked out from the Guinea Lynx food chart, green cabbage has about 36 mg of vitamin C per 100 g (3.5 oz), red cabbage about 57 mg and savoy about 31 mg, all with only 2 to 4 g of sugar.
The catch is gas. Cabbage is a brassica, and the PDSA warns that large amounts of cabbage or broccoli can cause gas. Guinea Lynx goes further and suggests using brassicas sparingly. A bloated guinea pig is in pain, and bloat can become serious quickly.
Which cabbage is best for guinea pigs?
| Type | Vitamin C per 100 g | Calcium per 100 g | Our take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Savoy | About 31 mg | About 35 mg | On the Burgess safe list; a gentle choice |
| Spring greens | Not on the chart | Not on the chart | On the Burgess safe list |
| Green (white) cabbage | About 36 mg | About 40 mg | Fine in small amounts |
| Red cabbage | About 57 mg | About 45 mg | Most vitamin C; same limits |
| Pak choi (bok choy) | About 45 mg | About 105 mg | High calcium; once or twice a week |
Figures are worked out from the Guinea Lynx food chart, which lists foods by 10-calorie portions. Vitamin C fades after picking, so home figures will be lower.
How much cabbage can a guinea pig eat?
A palm-sized piece of leaf per guinea pig, two or three times a week, inside the PDSA guide of about one cup (a teacup-sized handful) of fresh veg a day. Don't serve cabbage on the same day as broccoli or kale.
How to prepare cabbage
- Start small. A piece the size of a coin first, then wait a day and check for gas.
- Remove the outer leaves. They are the most handled and sprayed.
- Wash and dry. Rinse well in cold water.
- Tear or shred. Small pieces are easy to eat and mix with other greens.
- Serve raw. Never cooked, pickled or dressed.
Who should avoid cabbage?
Skip it for guinea pigs that have had gas or bloat, have a sensitive stomach, or are very young. Go easy on pak choi for any with a history of bladder stones. If your guinea pig stops eating after cabbage, the PDSA advises ringing your vet promptly.
Gentler greens to rotate
Romaine lettuce and cucumber are low-gas everyday options, and our vitamin C guide lists the best sources. Other brassicas include broccoli and kale. For more, see what can guinea pigs eat, our guinea pig diet guide and the guinea pig care guide.
Cabbage questions
Can guinea pigs eat red cabbage?
Yes, in the same small amounts as green cabbage. Red cabbage is one of the richer kinds for vitamin C, at about 57 mg per 100 g (3.5 oz) worked out from the Guinea Lynx chart, but it is still a brassica that can cause gas. A small piece two or three times a week is plenty.
Can guinea pigs eat pak choi (bok choy)?
Yes, but sparingly. Worked out from the Guinea Lynx chart, pak choi has plenty of vitamin C, about 45 mg per 100 g (3.5 oz), but also much more calcium than other cabbages, at around 105 mg. We'd give a small leaf once or twice a week, and less for guinea pigs with a history of bladder stones.
Can guinea pigs eat cabbage every day?
We wouldn't. The PDSA warns that large amounts of cabbage can cause gas, and Guinea Lynx suggests using brassicas sparingly. Keep cabbage to two or three days a week and fill the other days with gentler greens such as romaine lettuce, cucumber and bell pepper.
Can guinea pigs eat coleslaw or sauerkraut?
No. Coleslaw is dressed in mayonnaise, which contains egg and oil, and often has onion. Sauerkraut is salted and fermented. The PDSA lists onion among foods guinea pigs must avoid. Only ever give plain raw cabbage.
