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No, guinea pigs should not eat peanuts. Peanuts are packed with fat and protein, which a guinea pig's high-fibre gut is not built for, and Burgess says all nuts cause extremely uncomfortable indigestion. A whole peanut is also a choking risk, and the shells can carry a fungal toxin. One dropped peanut is rarely an emergency, but several, or any shells, mean a call to your vet.
| Safe? | No |
| How much | None |
| How often | Never |
| Best served | Not at all. Offer hay or a few herbs instead |
| Watch out for | Shells, peanut treats and mixes, peanut butter |
Why can't guinea pigs eat peanuts?
Guinea pigs are strict plant-eaters whose guts run on fibre: the PDSA says hay and grass should be 85 to 90% of the diet. Peanuts are the opposite. The Vet Desk gives 13.9 g of fat and 7.3 g of protein in just 28 g (1 oz) of peanuts, and no vitamin C at all. VCA tells owners not to feed guinea pigs seeds or nuts because they are too high in carbohydrates and fat.
- Gut upset: Burgess says nuts are high in fat, not fibre, and give guinea pigs extremely uncomfortable indigestion.
- Choking: the Vet Desk points out that a peanut is large compared with a guinea pig's throat.
- Toxins in shells: the Vet Desk says shells and husks often carry aflatoxin, a toxin made by a fungus.
- No benefit: nothing in a peanut does anything for a guinea pig that hay and veg don't do better.
Are any kinds of peanut safe?
No. Raw, roasted, boiled, salted, honey-roasted and dry-roasted peanuts are all a no, as are shells, peanut butter and peanut-flavoured snacks. Salted and coated versions add salt and sugar to the fat problem. Also check treat sticks and colourful mixes, which sometimes contain peanuts: Guinea Lynx says to avoid mixes and treats with nuts, seeds, dried fruit and dyed pieces.
My guinea pig ate a peanut. What should I do?
- Take away any more. Pick up every peanut and every bit of shell you can find.
- Work out what was eaten. One kernel is rarely an emergency, says the Vet Desk. Several peanuts, or any shells or husks, mean ringing your vet straight away, even if your guinea pig seems normal.
- Keep hay and water topped up. Hay keeps the gut moving. Don't try to make your guinea pig sick or give home remedies.
- Watch for a day. Check appetite and droppings. Ring your vet the same day if your guinea pig stops eating or droppings stop, and if droppings stay small or runny for more than a day.
A guinea pig that stops eating needs a vet the same day. The PDSA says to contact your vet as soon as possible if a guinea pig has stopped eating or has severe diarrhoea, because stomach upsets can quickly become very serious.
Who is most at risk?
Every guinea pig should avoid peanuts. Babies, older guinea pigs and any with dental problems or a sensitive stomach are at greater risk of choking or a serious upset, so ring your vet sooner if one of them has eaten some.
What to give instead
If you want a crunchy treat to hand-feed, use a strand of fresh hay, a sprig of parsley or coriander (cilantro), or a slice of pepper. Other nuts are a no too: see almonds, walnuts and peanut butter. Our safe food list, guinea pig diet guide and guinea pig care guide have the full picture.
Peanut questions
Are peanuts poisonous to guinea pigs?
Not poisonous as such, but still a firm no. The Vet Desk, a vet-reviewed guide, says peanuts are not toxic but can harm a guinea pig's sensitive digestive system and are a choking hazard. Burgess says all nuts are high in fat, not fibre, and cause extremely uncomfortable indigestion.
Can guinea pigs eat peanut shells?
No, and shells are the bigger worry. The Vet Desk says peanut shells and husks often carry aflatoxin, a toxin made by a type of fungus, and advises seeing a vet straight away if a guinea pig has eaten shells, even if it seems fine. Don't use peanut shells as bedding or chew toys either.
Can guinea pigs eat peanut butter?
No. Peanut butter has the same fat problem as peanuts, packed into a sticky paste that can coat the mouth, and many brands add salt, sugar or oil. The Vet Desk says it offers no benefit to guinea pigs. Our page on peanut butter covers it in more detail.
Can guinea pigs eat treats or mixes with peanuts in?
No. Guinea Lynx advises avoiding mixes or treats with nuts, seeds, dried fruit and dyed pieces, and the PDSA advises grass-based pellets rather than muesli-style mixes. If a food you have bought contains peanuts, swap it for plain pellets and give the rest away.
