Best Guinea Pig Food UK 2026
- Burgess Excel Nuggets with Mint is the best all-round guinea pig food in the UK for 2026
- Burgess Excel Indoor Nuggets is the best option for indoor guinea pigs with added calm formula
- Nuggets prevent selective feeding, muesli mixes encourage it - always choose nuggets over muesli
- Guinea pigs need added vitamin C in their food because they can't produce it themselves
- Unlimited hay is more important than pellets - pellets supplement hay, not replace it
Suggested reading: What Do Guinea Pigs Eat UK · Guinea Pig Care Beginners Guide
Quick Picks
Guinea pig food is not a afterthought. These little herbivores have specific nutritional requirements that most pet shop mixes get wrong. The biggest problem is muesli-style mixes, which let guinea pigs pick out the sugary, starchy bits and leave the high-fibre pieces behind. This selective feeding leads to obesity, dental disease and vitamin C deficiency.
The fix is simple: switch to nuggets (uniform pellets that look the same throughout) and make sure the food contains added vitamin C. We compared five guinea pig food options available in the UK, looking at fibre content, vitamin C levels, ingredient quality and value for money. Our comparison is based on Amazon purchaser reviews, manufacturer specifications and independent feedback.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Type | Fibre | Size | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burgess Excel Nuggets Mint | Nuggets | 36% | 2kg | All guinea pigs |
| Burgess Excel Indoor Nuggets | Nuggets | 36% | 1.5kg | Indoor guinea pigs |
| Burgess Excel Fruity Feasts | Treats | N/A | 60g | Occasional treats |
| Burgess Excel Herby Hearts | Treats | N/A | 60g | Bonding and enrichment |
| Burgess Excel Blackcurrant & Oregano | Nuggets | 36% | 2kg | Flavour variety |
In-Depth Reviews
1. Burgess Excel Guinea Pig Nuggets with Mint 2kg
Nuggets | 36% fibre | Vitamin C added | Prebiotic | 2kg bag
Burgess Excel is the most recommended guinea pig food by UK vets, and the mint nuggets are their flagship product. The 36% fibre content matches what guinea pigs need for healthy digestion and dental wear. The nuggets are uniform in shape and size, which prevents the selective feeding problem that muesli mixes cause.
Amazon reviewers consistently mention that their guinea pigs' coats improved and their droppings became more consistent after switching to Burgess Excel. The mint flavouring is well-accepted by most guinea pigs, though some fussy eaters prefer the blackcurrant and oregano variant. The 2kg bag lasts two guinea pigs about 6-8 weeks.
The formula includes vitamin C, which degrades over time, so check the best-before date and store in a cool, dry place. Burgess also adds a natural prebiotic (FOS) to support gut health. For UK guinea pig owners who want the most veterinarian-recommended, evidence-based food, this is the default choice.
- Veterinarian recommended
- 36% beneficial fibre
- Prevents selective feeding
- Added vitamin C and prebiotics
- Premium price compared to supermarket brands
- Some guinea pigs dislike mint flavour
- Vitamin C degrades over time
2. Burgess Excel Indoor Guinea Pig Nuggets 1.5kg
Nuggets | 36% fibre | Calm formula (L-tryptophan) | Vitamin C | 1.5kg
Burgess designed this formula specifically for guinea pigs kept indoors. The key difference is the added L-tryptophan, an amino acid that supports calm behaviour. Indoor guinea pigs don't get as much natural stimulation as outdoor ones, so the calm formula helps reduce stress-related behaviours like bar chewing and excessive squeaking.
Amazon reviewers note that their indoor guinea pigs seemed more settled after a few weeks on this food. The nugget format is the same as the standard Burgess Excel, so it still prevents selective feeding and provides 36% fibre. The 1.5kg bag is smaller than the standard 2kg, which suits owners who want to try it before committing.
The formula includes all the same vitamins, minerals and prebiotics as the standard Burgess Excel, plus the L-tryptophan. If your guinea pig lives indoors and seems anxious or restless, this is worth trying alongside environmental enrichment like tunnels and hideouts.
- Specifically for indoor guinea pigs
- Added L-tryptophan for calm behaviour
- Same high-fibre nugget format
- Good for anxious guinea pigs
- Smaller 1.5kg bag
- More expensive per kg than standard
- Calm formula effect varies between guinea pigs
3. Burgess Excel Fruity Feasts 60g
Treats | Fruit pieces | 60g bag | Occasional use | Vitamin C added
Burgess Excel Fruity Feasts are complementary treats, not a replacement for daily food. They contain small pieces of dried fruit mixed with the Burgess nugget base, making them useful for bonding, training and enrichment. The fruit content means they should be given sparingly, no more than a small handful per guinea pig per day.
Amazon reviewers use these primarily for hand-feeding and bonding with new guinea pigs. The small bag size (60g) reflects their status as occasional treats. Several reviewers mention using them to encourage guinea pigs to come out of their hideouts for health checks.
These are not a daily food. They're a tool for building trust and providing enrichment. If you're looking for a way to bond with a nervous guinea pig or reward good behaviour, Fruity Feasts work well. Just remember they're treats, not nutrition.
- Great for bonding and training
- Well-accepted by most guinea pigs
- Added vitamin C
- Small bag for occasional use
- Not a daily food - treats only
- Small 60g bag
- Higher sugar than nuggets
4. Burgess Excel Herby Hearts 60g
Treats | Herb pieces | 60g bag | Occasional use | Vitamin C added
Herby Hearts are the savoury counterpart to Fruity Feasts. They contain pieces of dried herbs (dandelion, marigold) mixed with the Burgess nugget base. The herb content makes them lower in sugar than the fruit variant, which some owners prefer for daily-adjacent use (a few pieces alongside regular food).
Amazon reviewers report that their guinea pigs go wild for these. The heart shape is appealing for hand-feeding and bonding. Several reviewers mention using them to encourage guinea pigs to eat after illness, when appetite is reduced. The dandelion and marigold content adds variety to the diet.
Like Fruity Feasts, these are complementary treats, not a daily food. But the lower sugar content means you can give slightly more without worrying about weight gain. For guinea pig owners who want to add variety and enrichment without the sugar of fruit treats, Herby Hearts are the better choice.
- Lower sugar than fruit treats
- Real herb pieces
- Great for bonding
- Encourages eating after illness
- Still treats, not daily food
- Small 60g bag
- Some guinea pigs prefer fruity flavours
5. Burgess Excel Blackcurrant & Oregano 2kg
Nuggets | 36% fibre | Vitamin C added | 2kg bag | Alternative flavour
If your guinea pigs turn their noses up at the mint-flavoured Burgess Excel, the blackcurrant and oregano variant uses the same base formula with a different flavour profile. The nutritional content is identical: 36% fibre, added vitamin C, natural prebiotics. It's the same food in a different flavour.
Amazon reviewers note that this flavour is particularly popular with fussy guinea pigs who reject the mint version. The blackcurrant and oregano combination is less common in guinea pig food, so it offers genuine variety if you're rotating flavours to keep mealtime interesting.
The 2kg bag size matches the mint version, so the price per kilogram is comparable. If you're buying Burgess Excel for the first time, consider starting with a small bag of each flavour to see which your guinea pigs prefer before committing to a large quantity.
- Same nutrition as mint version
- Good for fussy guinea pigs
- Blackcurrant and oregano flavour variety
- 2kg bag for value
- Same price as mint version
- Some guinea pigs prefer mint
- Newer product, fewer reviews
How to Choose Guinea Pig Food
Always choose nuggets over muesli. This is the single most important rule. Muesli-style mixes contain different shapes, colours and flavours, which lets guinea pigs pick out the tasty, starchy bits and leave the high-fibre pieces behind. This selective feeding leads to obesity, dental disease and nutritional deficiencies. Nuggets are uniform, so every bite provides the same nutrition.
Check for added vitamin C. Guinea pigs cannot produce their own vitamin C, just like humans. They need 10-30mg per day from their diet. A deficiency causes scurvy, which shows up as lethargy, rough coat, swollen joints and difficulty walking. Good guinea pig food contains added vitamin C, but it degrades over time. Store food in a cool, dry place and use it within the recommended timeframe.
Look for 30%+ fibre. Guinea pigs need high fibre for healthy digestion and dental wear. Their teeth grow continuously, and the grinding action of chewing high-fibre food keeps them at the right length. Food with less than 25% fibre won't provide enough dental wear. Burgess Excel's 36% fibre is at the high end of what's available in UK guinea pig food.
Supplement with unlimited hay. Pellets should make up no more than 10-15% of your guinea pig's daily diet. The bulk should be unlimited hay (meadow, timothy or orchard grass) and fresh vegetables. Hay provides the fibre, dental wear and digestive health that pellets alone can't match. If your guinea pig is eating more pellets than hay, reduce the pellet portion.
Transition slowly. When switching to a new food, mix increasing amounts over 7-14 days. Start with 25% new food and 75% old food, then gradually shift the ratio. Guinea pigs have sensitive digestive systems, and sudden changes can cause diarrhoea, which is dangerous for small herbivores.
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Verdict
For most UK guinea pig owners, Burgess Excel Nuggets with Mint is the best daily food. It's veterinarian recommended, provides 36% fibre, includes vitamin C, and the nugget format prevents selective feeding. It's the food most UK guinea pig rescues and veterinarians recommend.
If your guinea pig lives indoors and seems anxious, try the Burgess Excel Indoor Nuggets with the added calm formula. For treats and bonding, Fruity Feasts and Herby Hearts work well as occasional rewards.
Whatever you choose, remember that pellets are a supplement, not a replacement for hay. Unlimited hay should always be the foundation of your guinea pig's diet. If your guinea pig is eating more pellets than hay, reduce the pellet portion and increase the hay supply.
Affiliate Disclosure: WhoPets is supported by our readers. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. We compare products using Amazon purchaser reviews, manufacturer specifications and independent feedback. No physical testing is conducted. Prices and availability are accurate as of the date shown and may change.