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Yes, guinea pigs can have a little nectarine as a treat. No charity names nectarines, but a nectarine is a smooth-skinned peach, and Penny & Wild rescue lists peaches as a guinea pig fruit, with pits removed. PDSA and Burgess list plum, another stone fruit. Give 1 to 2 teaspoons of flesh about once a week, and always take the stone out.
| Safe? | Yes, as a treat |
|---|---|
| How much | 1 to 2 teaspoons of flesh |
| How often | About once a week at most |
| Best served | Ripe, washed, stone out, chopped |
| Watch out for | The stone; tinned fruit in syrup; too much fruit |
Are nectarines safe for guinea pigs?
The flesh is, as a treat. None of the welfare sources we checked mention nectarines by name, so we have reasoned from the nearest fruits they do cover. Penny & Wild rescue includes peaches in its fruit list for guinea pigs, and a nectarine is a peach variety with smooth skin. PDSA and Burgess list plums, another stone fruit, as safe fruits. All of them say fruit is sugary and should be small and occasional.
How much nectarine can a guinea pig have?
| Source | Fruit advice for guinea pigs |
|---|---|
| PDSA | Fresh fruit, but in very small amounts because fruit is high in sugar |
| Burgess | Small amounts as an occasional treat |
| Penny & Wild rescue | 1 to 2 teaspoons of fruit, no more than once a week in total; remove seeds and pits |
So, a small chunk of flesh, about 1 to 2 teaspoons, about once a week, and no other fruit that week.
Flesh, skin and stone
| Part or form | OK? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ripe flesh | Yes, a treat | Chopped small |
| Skin | Yes | Wash well; it comes with the flesh |
| Stone (pit) | No | Penny & Wild lists fruit pits and seeds as never to feed |
| Tinned nectarines or peaches in syrup | No | Added sugar |
| Dried stone fruit | No | Guinea Lynx says avoid dried fruit |
Never leave a nectarine stone where a guinea pig can reach it. If one has got hold of a stone or a piece of one, take it away and ring your vet for advice.
Who should skip nectarines?
Overweight guinea pigs, pigs with soft droppings, and young guinea pigs still getting used to fresh food. Guinea Lynx warns that high sugar contributes to obesity and can affect the gut's bacterial balance.
How to give nectarine
- Wash and stone it. Cut the flesh away from the stone and bin the stone.
- Chop a small piece. About 1 to 2 teaspoons, shared fairly.
- Make it the week's fruit. Skip other fruit that week.
Guinea pigs need vitamin C every day, but a little fruit once a week does not supply it. Rely on leafy greens and peppers for that, and see our vitamin C guide.
Other fruit treats
See peaches, cherries and apples. See our guinea pig food list, the guinea pig diet guide and the guinea pig care hub.
Questions owners ask
Can guinea pigs eat nectarine skin?
Yes, once the fruit is washed well. The skin comes with the small piece of flesh.
Can guinea pigs eat nectarine stones?
No. Penny & Wild rescue lists fruit pits and seeds as never to feed. Remove the stone and keep it out of reach.
How often can guinea pigs eat nectarines?
About once a week at most, as the only fruit that week. Penny & Wild suggests fruit no more than once a week in total.
Are nectarines and peaches the same for guinea pigs?
A nectarine is a smooth-skinned peach, so we treat them the same: a small piece of flesh, stone out, as an occasional treat.
