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Yes, guinea pigs can eat a few fresh peas. Five or six raw peas, or a pod or two of mangetout (snow peas), once or twice a week is a good limit. Peas carry some vitamin C but are starchy and high in phosphorus, so the pods and pea leaves are the better part, and dried peas should be avoided.
| Safe? | Yes, in small amounts |
| How much | 5 or 6 peas, or 1 or 2 pods |
| How often | Once or twice a week |
| Best served | Raw and fresh; pods and leaves welcome |
| Watch out for | Starch, dried peas, tinned peas |
Are peas good for guinea pigs?
In small amounts, yes. Burgess lists peas, including the leaves and pods, among its safe vegetables, and RSPCA Australia includes peas in its vegetable list. Worked out from the Guinea Lynx food chart, green peas have about 41 mg of vitamin C per 100 g (3.5 oz), but also about 6 g of sugar, plenty of starch and about 110 mg of phosphorus, which is high for a guinea pig food.
Edible pods such as mangetout and sugar snaps come out better: about 60 mg of vitamin C, 4 g of sugar and half the phosphorus per 100 g. So a pod is a better treat than a spoonful of shelled peas. Woodgreen warns that dry mixes heavy in dried peas can lead to dental or urinary problems, so dried peas are a no.
How much peas can a guinea pig have?
Five or six fresh peas, about a teaspoon, or one or two pods per guinea pig, once or twice a week. The PDSA recommends about a cup of fresh veg a day per guinea pig, mostly leafy, so peas are a small extra on top of the greens, not a replacement.
How to prepare peas
- Pick fresh peas. Use fresh garden peas, mangetout or sugar snaps, not tinned or dried.
- Wash them. Rinse pods and peas under cold water.
- Cut the pods. Slice pods into short lengths, or pop a few peas out of the shell.
- Serve raw. Mix into the greens and clear up leftovers within a few hours.
Pods, shoots, frozen, tinned and dried peas
| Form | OK? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh peas | A few | Starchy, some vitamin C |
| Mangetout and sugar snap pods | Yes | More vitamin C, less sugar and phosphorus |
| Pea leaves and shoots | Yes | Leafy and low in starch |
| Frozen peas | No | Part cooked and softer; Woodgreen lists frozen veg as unsuitable |
| Tinned or mushy peas | No | Cooked, often salted and sugared |
| Dried peas, pea flakes, wasabi peas | No | Hard, starchy, choking risk |
| Sweet peas (the garden flower) | No | A different plant, not a vegetable |
Who should avoid peas?
Overweight guinea pigs, those with a sensitive stomach or bloat in the past, and guinea pigs with a history of bladder stones should have pods and shoots rather than shelled peas, or none. Young guinea pigs can try a pod once they are eating greens well.
What to offer instead
Bell peppers give more vitamin C with less starch. Other occasional extras include carrot, broccoli and sweetcorn husks. See the safe food list, our guinea pig diet guide and the guinea pig care guide.
Pea questions
Can guinea pigs eat pea pods?
Yes. Burgess lists peas, leaves and pods, among its safe vegetables. Pods are mostly fibre and water and lower in starch than the peas inside. A pod or two of fresh garden peas, mangetout (snow peas) or sugar snap peas, washed and cut up, makes a good crunchy treat.
Can guinea pigs eat frozen peas?
We wouldn't. Woodgreen lists canned and frozen vegetables as unsuitable for guinea pigs. Frozen peas are usually blanched, meaning briefly cooked, and are softer and starchier than fresh. Tinned peas are worse, often with added salt and sugar. Use fresh peas or pods instead.
Can guinea pigs eat dried peas or pea flakes?
No. Dried peas and pea flakes are hard, starchy and a choking risk, and Woodgreen warns that mixes made with lots of dried peas can lead to dental and urinary problems. Avoid muesli-style mixes and treat sticks that contain them.
Can guinea pigs eat pea shoots?
Yes, fresh pea shoots and pea leaves are fine. Burgess includes pea leaves in its safe list, and shoots are leafy and low in starch. Wash them and add a small handful to the day's greens a few times a week.
