Can Guinea Pigs Eat Basil? What You Didn’t Know

Yes, Guinea pigs can eat basil. Basil contains nutrients like Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Vitamin A which are needed for perfect health in guinea pigs. It’s best to be fed in moderation. 

 But, as basil contains high amounts of calcium and phosphorus, excessive amounts of intake can be harmful to your piggies. 

Let’s cover other aspects while we’re on the topic.

Is Basil Good for Guinea Pigs?

Yes, basil is good for your guinea pig’s health. It is beneficial against scurvy, helps in digestion, and provides antioxidants for your guinea pig.

 It is used as a remedy to cure different problems for guinea pigs.

If you notice your piggy bloating, you can feed it a small bit of basil, it also helps in heartburn, digestion problems, and even dehydration! 

Therefore it is recommended to only give your little friends basil as a form of treats to munch on.

It also provides the piggies with Vitamin C which they are not able to produce on their own unlike humans, Vitamin C is very beneficial for the prevention of scurvy. 

Basil also contains Zinc which is highly important for pregnant guinea pigs and even for their pups!

The antioxidants in basil help in improving their cardiovascular activities.

• Scurvy in Guinea pigs

Scurvy, in other words, is also known as Vitamin C deficiency. This is caused by a lack of Vitamin C in your piggy’s diet.                                                                               

Symptoms of scurvy include:

1. Rough coat
2. Lethargy/fatigue
3. No appetite
4. Stiff joints
5. Nose/ eye discharge     

To prevent scurvy, basil is very effective.

Maintain a proper diet and occasionally add basil in it too.

• Promotes digestion

Another benefit of adding basil to your guinea pig’s diet is that it helps improve the digestion of food.

Basil is known to have natural fibers and protein which helps in digestion and also gives them the energy to go on for a day.

• Supplies antioxidants

Vitamin A is an antioxidant found in basil and it helps boost the immune system in guinea pigs.

Basil also provides Vitamin K which helps in ensuring healthy bones and blood clotting in case of injuries.

Can Guinea Pigs eat Basil Flowers?

Yes, guinea pigs can eat basil flowers. They contain vitamins K and C which are needed for vitality. The consumption though should be less often than the leaves. 

There are various varieties of flowers and some can be toxic for guinea pigs so we advise thoroughly researching the topic before choosing which kind of flowers you want your piggies to eat. 

Basil flowers have a milder taste and some guinea pigs would actually prefer these over basil leaves!

Just be sure to give them fresh and well-washed flowers.

Can Guinea Pigs eat Basil Stalks/ Basil Stems?

Yes, guinea pigs can eat basil stalks or stems. Ensure sure to feed it in moderation as stalks have more fiber than the leaves and could be harmful. 

Be sure to not overdo it as the stalks are known to have more fiber than the leaves which if consumed in excess, could lead to severe stomach pain or more.

 However, you’ll see that your little friends will quite enjoy munching on the stems more than the leaves because of its crunchy texture and flavor. 

We suggest giving them the smaller and younger stems/stalks because they get bitter as they age and they would get too bitter for your piggy’s liking.

Can Guinea Pigs eat Cooked Basil?

No, it is suggested to not give cooked basil to your guinea pigs as it is harmful for them due to the usage of additives. 

Cooked basil contains additives like salt and spices which can be harmful, besides, cooking it can take away its natural nutrients which in turn would not really benefit your little friend.

It would be better to give them raw and fresh basil.

Types of Basil

Can Guinea Pigs eat  Mediterranean Basil?

Yes, guinea pigs can eat Mediterranean basil. It has Vitamin C and zinc, which are vital for perfect health in guinea pigs. 

This type of basil is also known as Italian basil.

It has delicate, broad, sleek leaves and is used in most of Europe.

Guinea pigs can have Mediterranean basil but be sure to give them in limited quantities.

Can Guinea Pigs eat Greek Basil?

Yes, guinea pigs can eat Greek basil. Greek basil is known for its peppery-like leaves and wonderful taste.

 It is one of the most favored types of basil because of its spicy taste.

Though as every guinea pig has a preference of its own you should only feed it in moderation.

Can Guinea Pigs eat Lemon Basil?

Yes, guinea pigs can eat Lemon basil, but be sure to feed it in moderation because of its strong taste. 

As its name suggests, this type of basil has a strong citrusy scent and taste.

Therefore it might be best to not give this to your piggies very often.

Can Guinea Pigs eat Thai Basil?

Yes, guinea pigs can eat Thai basil. This kind of basil is a good source of Vitamin C.

It is also packed with a strong and spicy aroma making it a favorite of some guinea pigs but the taste could be slightly overwhelming for them and due to its high calcium content it could lead to urinary problems.

So we don’t suggest including it in their diet, you could use it as a treat once in a while!

Can Guinea Pigs eat Purple Basil?

Yes, guinea pigs can eat Purple basil. It is enriched in Vitamin K which is vital for the clotting of blood if injured. 

This variety adorns darker purplish leaves.

Though it is not as sweet as most basil, it has a strong clove taste so it would be advised to give this kind to your little friends in minimum quantity.

Given the above information, we can note that though basil isn’t exactly harmful to your little rodent friends, it isn’t exactly healthy to be included in the main diet either. 

As we mentioned, basil contains high amounts of calcium and phosphorus, thus a high amount of intake can easily cause urinary problems, digestive problems, or even food allergies. 

Nutrients in Basil for Guinea Pigs

Below are the nutrients in a serving size of 3 oz. (100 g)

Energy: 23 kcal

Protein: 3.15 g

Total lipid (fat): 0.64 g

Carbs: 2.65 g

Dietary fiber: 1.6 g

Sugars: 0.3 g

Calcium: 177 mg

Iron: 3.17 mg

Magnesium: 64 mg

Phosphorus: 56 mg

Potassium: 295 mg

Sodium: 4 mg

Zinc: 0.81 mg

Copper: 0.385 mg

Selenium: 0.3 μg

Vitamin C: 18 mg

Vitamin B-6: 0.155 mg

Vitamin A: 264 μg 

Vitamin E: 0.8 mg

Vitamin K: 414.8 μg

Thiamin: 0.034 mg

Riboflavin: 0.076 mg

Niacin: 0.902 mg

Folates: 68 μg

Carotene, beta: 3142 μg

Lutein+zeaxanthin: 5650 μg

USDA -Nutrition in basil

Tips to keep in mind

As we mentioned before, excess use of basil in your guinea pig’s diet could cause severe harm to it.

That’s why we suggest keeping these tips in mind to avoid any fatality.

Only give your guinea pigs some basil two to three times per week and per serving, we suggest giving only two to three average-sized leaves.

Try to tear up the leaves into bite-sized pieces to avoid choking hazards. 

Do the same with the stalks/stems and be sure to always provide fresh and thoroughly washed vegetables or fruits. Discard any leftover food after an hour to avoid any contamination.

Don’t force your piggy to eat basil as animals have different preferences of food just like humans and would not prefer it.

Always give them fresh and clean basil, avoid giving them wilted or damaged food as that could jeopardize their health.

If it’s the first time you are going to feed your guinea pig some basil, note the health of your piggy before and after feeding some basil. 

Keep checking its health for a few days and if you notice any slight changes in its behavior or its health then immediately stop giving it any basil and clean its cage thoroughly including putting out fresh food and water, throwing away the previous ones.

Nursing guinea pigs can also munch on bits of basil but keep a close eye on their health.

If it’s possible, consider growing your own herbs, as that way, you could avoid giving herbs which have harmful pesticides sprayed onto them, besides herbs are very easy and convenient to grow in your own house!

If that’s not a possibility, try to buy organic herbs. 

Yes, organic herbs are more costly but trust us, it is totally worth it as you have your little friend in great health because of it! 

Other herbs like basil which our furry friends can consume without much of a problem are dill, parsley, dandelion, fennel.

 Always remember to never give dried or cooked herbs to your furry friends, always feed them fresh and raw herbs and vegetables.

It is important to ensure an abundant supply of freshwater.

Guinea pigs generally love green leaves and basil forms an excellent occasional treat for them.

Basil leaf is a highly nutritious food for guinea pigs.

Foods that contain excess calcium should be given in moderation as they can cause kidney stones and other health issues.

Some guinea pigs might be allergic to basil.

If they show any kind of allergic reaction, stop feeding basil immediately.

Fresh vegetables should also form a part of guinea pig’s varied diet.

Guinea pigs can also eat sweet basil and lemon basil.         

Random Facts on Basil

It is estimated that basil has about 150 species but not all are edible.

The origin of the name ‘basil’ comes from the Greek word ‘basileus’.

The translation of ‘basileus’ roughly means ‘king’ or ‘royal’.

Basil was widely used around the world in folk medicines, in fact, this tradition is still followed by different people.

It is said that basil originally originated from India.

Each type of basil is different in flavors and color because of the various uses of essential oils by cultivars.

 Basil is used for the preparation of holy water in some orthodox churches.

 Basil is an annual plant. 

 Basil easily repels insects and is found to be toxic to mosquitoes!

What are herbs?

But wait, here comes another question, what exactly are herbs? How are they different from regular plants?

The answer is quite simple, herb is a plant that does not produce resilient woody skin, unlike plants, instead they perish back at the end of the growing season, whereas plants stay pristine throughout winter.

Everything from basil, lettuce to spinach can come under the term ‘herbs’. 

What is basil?

Basil is a form of aromatic herb belonging to the mint family, native to tropical Asia. 

There are many different types of this unique plant, each kind very different in its own way.

Guinea pigs can easily eat every part of this aromatic herb!

Besides, basil contains various nutrients which are pretty beneficial for our little friends. 

Though it may be beneficial, again it is equally harmful too.

So always keep an eye on your piggy’s intake of basil and always research about the food you’re going to give your guinea pig beforehand. 

Other Food for Guinea Pigs

There are many vegetables and fruits that you should definitely add to your little friend’s diet.

• Cabbage 
• Tomato 
• Broccoli
• Artichoke
• Carrots
• Cilantro 
• Bananas
• Apples
• Grapes
• Strawberries

Conclusion

In conclusion, we can say with confidence that yes indeed, guinea pigs can eat basil but if the owner is careful of feeding it only two to three times a week.

And the serving size would be a few leaves for an average adult guinea pig. 

The basil flowers are also edible but not really preferred as they have a milder taste and most flowers are toxic for your piggy’s health. 

The stalks and stems, you could say are a fan favorite among our little furry friends!

Though again these shouldn’t be fed very often as well.

And keep in mind to feed them in the right way for easy consumption.