The rutabaga (from Swedish dialectal word rotabagge), swede (from Swedish turnip, being introduced from Sweden), or neep (from its Latin name Brassica napobrassica) is a root vegetable that originated as a cross between the cabbage and the turnip.

The roots are prepared for human consumption in a variety of ways, and the leaves can be eaten as a leaf vegetable.

The roots and tops are also used as winter feed for livestock, when they may be fed directly, or by allowing the animals to forage the plants in the field.

Various European countries have a tradition of carving them into lanterns at halloween.

Can guinea pigs eat rutabagas?

Let’s take a look at their nutritional data and find out more.

In particular, their acidic, water, sugar, fat, salt, calcium, and phosphorus data is of particular interest as far as guinea pigs are concerned.

Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy 157 kJ (38 kcal)
Carbohydrates
8.62 g
Sugars 4.46 g
Dietary fiber 2.3 g
Fat
0.16 g
Protein
1.08 g
Vitamins
Thiamine (B1) (8%) 0.09 mg
Riboflavin (B2) (3%) 0.04 mg
Niacin (B3) (5%) 0.7 mg
Pantothenic acid (B5) (3%) 0.16 mg
Vitamin B6 (8%) 0.1 mg
Folate (B9) (5%) 21 μg
Vitamin C (30%) 25 mg
Minerals
Calcium (4%) 43 mg
Iron (3%) 0.44 mg
Magnesium (6%) 20 mg
Manganese (6%) 0.131 mg
Phosphorus (8%) 53 mg
Potassium (6%) 305 mg
Zinc (3%) 0.24 mg

source Wikipedia

As you can see, rutabagas contain quite a lot of phosphorus and acidic content, a little calcium and sugar, and a hint of fat.

This means that they can eat it in small amounts in its raw form. Make sure it is peeled and washed thoroughly before you feed it to them though.

By small amounts, we mean a few slices at a time twice or three times a week at the most.

If they have too much of it, it will hurt their stomach’s. This makes it definitely a food to regulate feeding to them.

Don’t feed them cooked rutabagas though as it does not have the nutrient value that the raw vegetable has.

For more foods that guinea pigs can and can’t eat, check out our guinea pig food list.