Best Manganese-Rich Foods for Guinea Pigs

Ranked by manganese content among foods safe for guinea pigs in the Creature Feast catalog.

Timothy Hay per 100g dry: ~40-80mg manganese (varies with soil conditions) Timothy hay is a reliable source of manganese, with levels that vary depending on the soil where it was grown. As the bulk of a guinea pig's diet, hay contributes the most manganese overall even though its concentration per gram is not the highest. Quality hay from nutrient-rich soil provides adequate manganese without any supplementation.

Spinach per 100g raw: ~0.9mg manganese Spinach is one of the more concentrated vegetable sources of manganese available to guinea pigs. However, spinach is also high in oxalates, which means it should be offered in moderation — a few leaves two to three times per week maximum. Its manganese contribution is a nice bonus alongside its other nutrients.

Kale per 100g raw: ~0.66mg manganese Kale provides moderate manganese along with calcium, Vitamin C, and Vitamin K. A few torn leaves several times per week contribute to manganese intake while diversifying the vegetable rotation. Kale is slightly high in calcium, so balance it with low-calcium greens on other days.