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Yes, guinea pigs can eat mango as an occasional treat. One cube of peeled mango, about 2.5 cm (1 in) across, once a week is plenty for an adult guinea pig. Mango has some vitamin C, but it is one of the most sugary fruits, so keep it small and rare, and never give the skin or the stone.
| Safe? | Yes, as a treat |
| How much | One cube about 2.5 cm (1 in), around 10 to 15 g (half an ounce) |
| How often | Once a week at most |
| Best served | Fresh, ripe, peeled, stone out |
| Watch out for | Sugar, skin, stone, dried mango |
Is mango good for guinea pigs?
As a treat, yes. The vet-reviewed guide at The Vet Desk says guinea pigs can eat mango, but only occasionally and never as part of the staple diet. Worked out from the Guinea Lynx food chart, mango has about 28 mg of vitamin C per 100 g (3.5 oz), but also about 15 g of sugar, more than oranges, pears or pineapple.
Guinea pigs are strict plant-eaters with a gut built for hay and leaves. The PDSA says fruit should be given in very small amounts because it is high in sugar, and a vet quoted by Burgess notes guinea pigs don't naturally eat fruit at all. Too much sugar can cause loose droppings, upset the gut bacteria and lead to weight gain.
How much mango can a guinea pig have?
One cube about 2.5 cm (1 in) across, which is roughly 10 to 15 g, per guinea pig, once a week. The Vet Desk suggests about one square inch of fruit and keeping all treats under 5% of the diet. The PDSA advises treats only once every week or two, and cutting back other food that day. If you have two guinea pigs, cut two cubes rather than sharing one, so neither guards it.
How to prepare mango
- Pick a ripe mango. It should give slightly when pressed. Avoid bruised or overripe fruit.
- Peel it. Wash, then remove all the skin.
- Cut around the stone. Slice the flesh off the large flat stone and throw the stone away.
- Cube it. Cut one cube about 2.5 cm (1 in) and offer it by hand or in the bowl.
- Clear up. Remove any sticky leftovers within an hour or two.
Skin, stone, dried and juice
- Fresh flesh: yes, a small piece.
- Skin: no.
- Stone (pit): no, it is a choking risk.
- Dried mango: no.
- Tinned mango in syrup, juice, smoothies: no.
- Frozen mango: no. Woodgreen lists canned and frozen fruit as unsuitable; use fresh.
Who should avoid mango?
Skip mango for overweight guinea pigs, those with soft droppings or a sensitive stomach, and young guinea pigs still settling onto greens. If yours has eaten a lot of mango, take fruit away, offer extra hay and water, and ring a vet if droppings stay loose for more than a day or your guinea pig stops eating. See our guinea pig health guide.
What to offer instead
Lower-sugar fruit treats include strawberries and kiwi. Other occasional fruits are pineapple, peaches and bananas, all to be kept small. See the safe food list, our guinea pig diet guide and the guinea pig care guide.
Mango questions
Can guinea pigs eat mango skin?
No. The vet-reviewed guide at The Vet Desk says to remove all the skin: it gives no benefit, may carry wax and spray residue, and is tough enough to be a choking risk. Peel it thickly so no skin is left on the cube.
Can guinea pigs eat dried mango?
No. Drying concentrates the sugar many times over, and dried mango is often sugared or sulphured as well. Guinea Lynx advises avoiding treats with dried fruit. Stick to a small piece of fresh mango, or skip it.
Can guinea pigs eat mango every day?
No. Mango is one of the sweetest fruits, with about 15 g of sugar per 100 g (3.5 oz), and too much sugar can cause loose droppings and weight gain. Once a week is plenty, and the PDSA suggests any treat only once every week or two.
Can guinea pigs drink mango juice or eat mango yoghurt?
No. Juice is concentrated sugar without the fibre, and yoghurt is dairy, which guinea pigs should never have. Woodgreen says to avoid treats with sugar, yoghurt or milk, as guinea pigs can't easily process them. Plain water and fresh hay are all guinea pigs need to drink and graze on.
