Top 7 Must-Try Thanksgiving Treats for Guinea Pigs (Spoil Your Piggies!)
I never want my Guinea Pigs to feel left out during Thanksgiving. That’s why I come up with ways for them to feel included and special during the holiday season. With that, I’ve rounded up my Top 7 must-try Thanksgiving treats for guinea pigs!
Our little piggies deserve to have a delicious feast of their own during this festive season, and what better way to spoil them than with some specially crafted treats?
From pumpkin cubes to cranberry delights, I've rounded up the most delectable and nutritious options for your furry friends. Imagine their tiny mouths watering at the thought of indulging in these delightful Thanksgiving morsels!
So, why not go the extra mile this holiday season and show your piggies some extra love? After all, it's only fair that they get to enjoy the flavors of Thanksgiving too.
Top Guinea Pig Holiday Treats
Thanksgiving is a time to gather with loved ones and indulge in delicious food. But why should our furry friends miss out on the festivities? This year, consider treating your guinea pig to some special Thanksgiving treats that are both safe and enjoyable for them.
Read on to discover the top Thanksgiving treats that will have your Guinea Pig squealing with joy.
Oh, and if you’re worried about any of these Guinea Pig “recipes” taking too long to make, don’t be! Each of these treats are 1-2 ingredients and take under 10 minutes to prepare.
1. Pumpkin Cubes
Pumpkin is not only a popular fall ingredient but also a nutritious treat for guinea pigs.
Ingredients:
Fresh Pumpkin
Directions:
Cut pumpkin into small, bite-sized cubes and serve to your piggies. It's important to remove the seeds and wash the outside skin before serving.
Pumpkin is packed with vitamins and fiber, making it a healthy and tasty addition to your guinea pig's diet.
Want to know more about feeding pumpkins to your piggies? Visit our blog ‘’Can Guinea Pigs Eat Pumpkin? What You Need To Know’’
2. Cranberry Delight
Cranberries are a staple of Thanksgiving and my favorite thing to top my turkey with! Luckily Guinea Pigs can also enjoy this deliciously tart and juicy fruit.
Ingredients:
Fresh Raw Cranberries
Directions:
Option 1: Blend fresh cranberries into a puree and serve as a tasty sauce to mix with your guinea pig's regular food.
Option 2: Wash fresh cranberries and give them straight to your piggies by hand. They’ll feel like it’s an extra special treat!
Just make sure to feed cranberries in moderation, as they're acidic and shouldn't be consumed in large quantities.
3. Sweet Potato “Fries”
Instead of sharing your sweet potato casserole, why not make some sweet potato “fries” for your guinea pig?
Ingredients:
¼ Fresh Raw Sweet Potato
Directions:
Wash the skin of the sweet potato, but don't peel it. The skin has lots of fiber, nutrients, and antioxidants!
Thinly slice the sweet potato into strips and serve the “fries” to your piggies! You can hand-feed them or you can mix it in with the rest of their veggies.
Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamins A and C, providing a great nutritional boost for your furry friend. Who says Thanksgiving has to be unhealthy?
4. Green Bean Medley
Green beans are a Thanksgiving classic, especially green bean casserole! Your Guinea Pigs can enjoy fresh raw green beans too. They’ll also benefit from their nutritional value.
Ingredients:
1 cup Fresh raw uncooked green beans.
Directions:
Wash green beans in cold water, pat dry, and serve to your hungry little piggies.
You can also mix them with other guinea pig-friendly veggies, such as bell peppers or carrots, to create a colorful and nutritious medley.
5. Apple “Pie” Slices
Apple Pie is my all-time favorite Thanksgiving dessert. But, Guinea Pigs can’t have all that sugar, so this “apple pie” is the raw pet-safe version. Apples are packed with fiber and vitamins, making them a delightful addition to your Guinea Pig's Thanksgiving feast.
Ingredients:
1 Fresh raw apple (any variety)
Directions:
Wash the apple first to remove any potential pesticides or chemicals.
Slice apples into thin pieces, making sure to remove the seeds and core, as they can be harmful to guinea pigs. Stack the thin slices into a round pie shape. Then, serve on your “fanciest serving dish” and watch them chow down.
Reminder: When introducing new foods to your guinea pig, it's important to do so gradually and in moderation. Monitor how they react to the treats and make adjustments as necessary. Always ensure that the treats are fresh, clean, and appropriate for Guinea Pig consumption.
6. Oatmeal “Cookies”
For a special Thanksgiving dessert, try making oatmeal “cookies” for your guinea pig.
Ingredients:
1 Tbs Uncooked Dry Rolled oats
1 Fresh Ripe Banana
Directions:
Mash ripe bananas.
Use a food processor or blender to gently pulse the dry rolled oats until they're fine and flour-like.
Add the ground oats to the mashed bananas until it creates a dough.
Roll the mixture into small balls and gently press them into cookie shapes.
Serve to your Guinea Pigs and watch them race to eat the very last “Oatmeal Cookie” on the plate.
Bananas are a sweet treat to be given in small quantities. This combination is sure to delight any Guinea Pig on Turkey Day!
Pro Tip: Rolled oats are a great source of fiber and can help regulate your guinea pig's digestion. They’re also given to Guinea Pigs who may need to put on some extra weight during or after an illness. Remember to always consult with your exotic veterinarian with any dietary questions.
7. Carrot “Cake” Bites
Carrots are a beloved snack for guinea pigs. Reese, my American Guinea Pig is especially fond of carrots. He’ll be the first to drag his carrot into a hidy hut to enjoy by himself. Stingy little fella.
My dog Rocco even likes to get in on the carrot action and begs for them whenever I’m feeding them to my herd of piggies. This Thanksgiving, you can turn raw carrots into carrot “cake” bites. This is a simple and nutritious treat that your guinea pigs will adore.
Ingredients:
1-2 Fresh Raw Carrots
1 Tbs Uncooked Dry Rolled Oats
1 tsp water (as needed)
Directions:
Wash Carrots. Use a food processor or cheese grater to grate the carrots.
Use a food processor or blender and pulse the oats a few times so they're fine and flour-like.
Add the ground oats to the grated carrots.
Add 1 tsp of water to help the oat and carrot mixture stick together. Add more water as needed.
Roll the mixture into small round cake shapes and serve to your piggies.
Holiday Food Hazards for Guinea Pigs
During the holiday season, it is important to be aware of potential hazards that can affect your Guinea Pig's health and well-being. Below are a few foods you should NEVER feed to your Guinea Pig as well as things to be careful of during the holidays.
Fatty Foods: Thanksgiving is often associated with indulgent feasts and fatty foods. As tempting as it might be to share your meal with your Guinea Pig, never give them any cooked or processed foods. It's crucial to remember that Guinea Pigs have sensitive digestive systems.
Fatty foods, such as turkey skin or rich gravies, can cause digestive upset and potentially lead to serious health issues like gastrointestinal upset or even blockage.
Chocolate and Sweets: The holiday season brings extra cookies, desserts, and sweets. Though tasty to us, chocolate and other sweet treats can be extremely toxic to Guinea Pigs. Theobromine, a compound found in chocolate, can be fatal for them.
It's essential to keep all chocolates and sweets out of their reach. Guinea Pigs are already “sweet” enough and don’t need any added sugar.
Onions and Garlic: Many holiday dishes contain these two staple ingredients: onions and garlic. But, they’re toxic to Guinea Pigs. Even a small amount can damage their red blood cells and lead to anemia. It's best to avoid feeding them anything that contains these ingredients.
Decorative Plants: Festive plants like poinsettias, holly, and mistletoe add charm to holiday decorations, but they can be poisonous to guinea pigs if ingested. It's essential to keep these plants out of reach and away from their cage to ensure they aren't nibbled on by curious pets.
Noisy Environments: Guinea pigs are sensitive to noise and sudden loud sounds. The holiday season often involves gatherings and fireworks, which can cause stress and anxiety in Guinea Pigs. So. it's important to provide them with a quiet and calm environment to avoid unnecessary distress.
Is your family extra noisy? You might be able to use your Guinea Pigs as “emotional support” animals during loud family gatherings by sneaking away to enjoy a quiet cuddle with your furry pal.
This Thanksgiving, treat your Guinea Pig to a festive and memorable feast with these must-try Thanksgiving treats. Not only will they provide a delightful experience for your furry friend, but they’ll also contribute to their overall health and happiness.
Enjoy the holiday season with your beloved Guinea Pig by incorporating these pet-friendly Thanksgiving treats into their diet. What are some of your favorite Thanksgiving foods and traditions? Please share them below in the comments – I'd love to know!
