FORAGES Providing your guinea pig with additional fresh forages is an excellent way to help maintain optimum health and should be included in any diet regime. They are a source of fibre, nutrients and minerals, that, replicate a natural eating habit. Include forages along with freshly hand picked grass. However always ensure you identify, analyse and ensure all forages are safe for consumption. Identification Due to numerous factors relating to the safe identification and analysis of the area from which you harvest, it is imperative that you are certain forages are: Identified Correctly Free from herbicides and pesticides Harvested away from Roadsides Healthy, fresh and free from mold, mildew or fungi Harvested away from livestock or where other species defecate or urinate Herbicides, soil fertilizers and pesticides can be used on store bought herbs, forages and plants, hence it is vitally important that you wash and re pot plants before offering to your cavy. Identifying plants can also be difficult as many lists offer incomplete data and information is yet to be continued. However if researched thoroughly and harvested correctly, many owners can effectively collect edible forages. Edible Forages The below list has been compiled to offer a brief list of safe forages commonly found in Australia. Please be aware that you must properly identify and ensure the forage you are offering your cavy are correct. Guinea Pigs Australia takes no responsibility for incorrect analysis and the effects that may result. Plants are listed by common name only. Click on a letter below to view. A B C D F G L M N P R S V Y A Anise Apple - Fruit and Branches (no seeds/core) Agrimony ___________________________________ B Basil - Leaves Blackberry - Fruit & Leaves Borage - Leaves (use sparingly) Brocolli - Leaves & Stem ___________________________________ C Calendula - Leaves & Flowers Caraway Chamomile Chickweed - Leaves Chicory - Leaves Cleavers Clover, white - Flowers & Leaves (High in Calcium) Clover, red - Flowers & Leaves (High in Calcium) Coltsfoot - Use Sparingly Comfrey - Leaves, best dried (use sparingly) Cornsilk Corriander Cowberry - Fruit & Leaves (use sparingly) ___________________________________ D Dandelion - Flowers & Stalk (Use sparingly) Duckweed Dog Rose ___________________________________ F Fennel ___________________________________ G Grapes - Fruit Grass Groundsel ___________________________________ L Lavender (use sparingly) Lemon Balm/Mint Lime - Flowers Lucerne ___________________________________ M Mint - Leaves Meadowsweet ___________________________________ N Nettle - Dried only ___________________________________ P Plantain Parsley Peppermint ___________________________________ R Raspberry - Berries & Leaves Rosehip - Shells only ___________________________________ S Sage - Leaves (use sparingly) Shepherd’s Purse s Strawberry Fragaria vesca (etc.) Above ground parts Snow Pea - Sprouts Spearmint ___________________________________ V Violet, field ___________________________________ Y Yarrow