# Can guinea pigs eat yarrow?

> Yes — no concerns. Verdict: safe. A few times a week · A few feathery leaves from unsprayed ground · fresh and raw only.

Photo: A yarrow flower cluster seen from above.

## Quick answer

Yes. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is on RVC's safe Wild Garden Herbs/Weeds/Flowers list, and the wild-plant sweep gave it a dedicated toxicology look: a PubMed search for Achillea toxicity in livestock returned two hits, both unrelated. Nothing in the register argues with the RVC listing.

The evidence stays single-source — one A-grade list, no contrary signal, and no feeding study of yarrow in guinea pigs exists. Our recommendation: yarrow is a safe rotation herb in small sprigs, and the flag on the page states the evidence limit rather than hiding it.

## Is yarrow good for guinea pigs?

Yarrow is the feathery, strong-smelling meadow herb with flat-topped flower clusters, and its registered role is the same as the other wild herbs: variety inside the fresh 10–15% of the diet, with grass hay making up the bulk of every day.

The register holds no vitamin C or mineral figures for yarrow, so it does not count toward the 10–30 mg of vitamin C guinea pigs need daily. Aromatic herbs like this one are flavor and foraging interest, not nutrient delivery.

## How to feed yarrow

Pick a few feathery leaves from unsprayed ground, rinse, and serve fresh and raw. The strong scent is the plant's signature, not a defect — most guinea pigs either take to it immediately or ignore it, and both responses are normal.

Small first serving, droppings checked the next day, then rotation as usual. Because yarrow is aromatic, it mixes best with mild greens rather than replacing them.

## Who stands behind this verdict

Written by [Patrick Li](/authors/patrick-li/). Editorially reviewed 2026-09-12 · Evidence checked 2026-09-12.

Evidence: One source · Evidence from this species.

No veterinarian has reviewed this page. It is educational guidance checked by the author against the cited sources — for health decisions, talk to your vet.

## Wondering about these too?

| Food | Verdict | How often |
|---|---|---|
| [Avens](/guinea-pigs/can-guinea-pigs-eat-avens/) | safe | A few times a week |
| [Burnet](/guinea-pigs/can-guinea-pigs-eat-burnet/) | safe | A few times a week |
| [Calendula](/guinea-pigs/can-guinea-pigs-eat-calendula/) | safe | A few times a week |

**See also:** the [Food Checker](/guinea-pigs/what-can-guinea-pigs-eat/) photo wall covers every reviewed food with its verdict badge.

## Related tools

- [Guinea Pig Vitamin C Calculator](/guinea-pigs/vitamin-c-calculator/): Guinea pigs need 10–30 mg of vitamin C every day because they cannot make or store it. Converts the daily vitamin C target into food and supplement portions by life stage.

## Frequently asked questions

**Q: Can guinea pigs eat yarrow leaves and flowers?**

The RVC listing covers the plant with no part qualification, so both sit inside the safe listing. Most keepers pick the feathery leaves; the flower clusters are fine in the same small, rotated portion.

**Q: Is yarrow poisonous to livestock or guinea pigs?**

The sweep checked: a PubMed search for Achillea toxicity in livestock found no relevant hits, and no guinea-pig case or study exists in the register. The verdict rests on the RVC safe list plus the absence of contrary evidence — and the page says so.

**Q: Can guinea pigs eat dried yarrow?**

Dried forage herbs are an extension of the same slot, and yarrow keeps its scent well when dried. Feed it like any dried herb — a pinch in the rotation, not a substitute for fresh variety.

**Q: How much yarrow can a guinea pig have?**

A few sprigs at a time, a few times a week, swapped with other herbs. Strong-aromatic plants work best as accents in the fresh portion; the mild staples carry the volume.

## Safety notes

Introduce any new food gradually: a small taste at first, building up over a week or so, and keep every serving fresh and raw. Hay stays the main event at around 80% of the day's eating, with fresh vegetables as the supplement.

**When to contact your vet**: Guinea pigs hide illness well. Contact your vet promptly if your guinea pig stops eating or passes fewer droppings, seems lethargic or in pain, has diarrhea, or shows any sudden change in behavior — small pets go downhill fast, and same-day advice is always the safe call.

## The sources behind this verdict

1. [RVC Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital: Feeding Your Guinea Pig (factsheet PDF)](https://www.rvc.ac.uk/Media/Default/Beaumont%20Sainsbury%20Animal%20Hospital/EXOTICS/Animal%20Care%20Factsheets/Guinea-pig-feeding-guidelines-and-advice-Dec-2022-NS.pdf) (grade A, 2022-12). Scope: Wild Garden Herbs/Weeds/Flowers safe list. Excerpt: "Yarrow"

Grades rate the source, not the claim: S veterinary manuals · A research & university clinics · B welfare organizations · C practitioner education · D not cited. Methodology: /methodology/.

Written by Patrick Li. This guide is informational and not a substitute for veterinary care.
Canonical page: https://petguidecalc.com/guinea-pigs/can-guinea-pigs-eat-yarrow/