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Yes, guinea pigs can eat coriander (cilantro), and it is one of the best everyday herbs for them. VCA lists it among good fresh veg, and Burgess names it as a safe herb. Give a few sprigs per guinea pig, leaves and stalks, most days of the week, mixed with other greens. It brings vitamin C with very little sugar and less calcium than parsley.
| Safe? | Yes, a good everyday green |
| How much | A few sprigs, a loose small handful, per guinea pig |
| How often | Most days, with a day or two off each week |
| Best served | Fresh, washed, leaves and stalks |
| Watch out for | Soft droppings or bloating on first tries |
Is coriander good for guinea pigs?
Yes. Worked out from the Guinea Lynx food chart, fresh coriander has about 27 mg of vitamin C, about 68 mg of calcium and under 1 g of sugar per 100 g (3.5 oz). The Vet Desk gives the same vitamin C and calcium figures. VCA says guinea pigs need 10 to 50 mg of vitamin C a day, so coriander makes a steady contribution.
Its calcium is about half that of parsley, and its calcium to phosphorus ratio is a gentle 1.4 to 1 on the same chart. That is why it suits daily use better than high-calcium herbs. Read more in our guide to vitamin C for guinea pigs.
How much coriander can a guinea pig eat?
A few sprigs per guinea pig, about a loose small handful, as one part of the daily cup of veg the PDSA recommends. No source gives a gram figure, so the handful is our everyday measure. The Vet Desk says coriander can be fed almost daily in moderation, with a few days a week given over to other foods. We'd feed it five or so days a week, mixed with other greens, never as the whole bowl. Our guinea pig diet guide shows how veg fits around unlimited hay.
How to serve coriander
- Choose a fresh bunch. Bright, perky leaves. The Vet Desk notes older bunches have less goodness.
- Wash thoroughly. Rinse in cold water to remove soil and residue, then shake dry.
- Mix it in. Tear or chop a few sprigs into the greens, stalks and all.
- Start small. The first time, give one sprig and watch for loose droppings or bloating over the next day.
Coriander keeps longer standing in a glass of water in the fridge, loosely covered with a bag. It also grows easily on a sunny windowsill, which gives you unsprayed sprigs all summer.
Leaves, stalks, seeds and flowers
- Leaves and stalks: yes. The Vet Desk says all fresh parts are safe.
- Seeds and ground coriander (the spice): no.
- Flowers: our sources don't cover them, so we would stick to the leaves and stalks.
- Dried coriander: stick to fresh. Dried herbs are easy to overfeed.
Who should go easy on it?
Guinea pigs new to fresh greens, babies and those with a sensitive stomach should start with a single sprig. The Vet Desk says that if a guinea pig refuses food or has an upset stomach after eating coriander, see a vet promptly.
What to offer alongside it
Rotate it with parsley, which is higher in vitamin C, and add basil or mint now and then. Romaine lettuce and peppers complete a good bowl. See what guinea pigs can eat and our guinea pig care guide.
Coriander questions
Is coriander the same as cilantro?
Yes. Coriander is the UK name for the fresh leaves and stalks, and cilantro is the US name for the same plant. In the US, coriander usually means the dried seeds used as a spice. The leaves are the part that is great for guinea pigs; the spice seeds are not.
Can guinea pigs eat coriander stalks?
Yes. The Vet Desk, a vet-reviewed guide, says all parts of fresh coriander, stalks included, are safe for guinea pigs. Many prefer the juicy stalks to the leaves. Wash the whole bunch well, since guinea pigs chew every bit, and give leaves and stalks together.
Can guinea pigs eat coriander seeds or ground coriander?
No. Ground coriander and whole coriander seeds are a dried spice, not fresh greens. VCA advises against feeding seeds to guinea pigs because they are too high in fat and carbohydrates. Keep to the fresh leaves and stalks.
My guinea pig won't eat coriander. Is that normal?
Yes. Some guinea pigs love it at once, others need a few tries, and some never take to the strong smell. Offer a sprig mixed in with a favourite green a few times. If it is still ignored, use parsley or romaine instead. No single herb is essential.
