Can Guinea Pigs Eat Mandarin Oranges? How To

Can guinea pigs eat mandarin oranges? Good news because the answer is in the affirmative. In this article, we will discuss the question, can guinea pigs have mandarin oranges? Also, we are going to find out what are the various benefits that oranges can offer.

Well, if you think about refreshing fruits, the first thing that will come to your mind will be oranges. As we all know, these fruits are extremely rich in vitamins, and who would have thought that they can be used as food for your pets?

Are you ready? Let us delve right into it!

 

Oranges Vs. Mandarin Oranges

Oranges are known among one of the most popular and the best fruits from all over the world. It is because they contribute to the overall health, thus giving us a healthy body.

Not only that, but they are also one of the most delicious refreshments in which they can be consumed in many ways.

Specifically, mandarin oranges, which are also called mandarin or mandarine, is defined as a citrus tree that resembles other types of oranges. They overarch the category of tangerines, clementine, and satsumas.

Compared to regular and typical oranges, they are smaller and much sweeter. Furthermore, they also have loose skin, making it easier for you to peel, and they are much less acidic.

Can guinea pigs eat mandarin oranges? Well, you’ll be glad if you hear the answer in the affirmative; yes, they can eat it. Perhaps, the main reason why it’s healthful for your pet is because it’s loaded with vitamin C. Without a doubt, it plays a vital role in the survival and the health of your guinea pig.

Due to their refreshing taste, these furry rodents like their taste the most. And it’s especially true during warm months of the year. (please read here how to keep Guinea pig warm). To know more about the benefits of mandarin oranges, continue reading because we are going to discuss it way further.

 

Benefits Of Mandarin Oranges To Guinea Pigs

Are you wondering if the health benefits that mandarin oranges offer to your cavies? And are they right for your pet? The answer is yes! Oranges provide much energy and many more benefits than you thought.

 

• Healthy weight

Oranges contain almost 90 calories in total, but that number is not much for a fruit. Your pet won’t eat the whole fruit anyway, so you do not have to worry that these mandarin oranges can make your guinea pig grow fatter.

If you fear that as the owner, you have to know that oranges are low in fat so your pet can maintain its weight. (please read here how much do Guinea pig weight)

 

• Energy

Oranges are rich in vitamin C, which are very good for the overall nutrition of your pet. These fruits also contain a fair amount of calories, therefore providing your pet enough warmth and energy throughout the day.

 

• Healthy cardiovascular system

Since we’ve known already that mandarin oranges are low in fat, it indeed then keeps the blood vessels unclogged. With potassium, it gives a significant contribution to the excellent balancing of salt and water in the body of your beloved cavy.

More so, mandarin oranges have magnesium that keeps the heart and muscle of your guinea pigs to be strong and healthy.

With all of this excellent knowledge, you are now knowledgeable that these fruits are genuinely excellent in health and for the cardiovascular system.

 

• Vitamin C

With a high amount of vitamin c that is present on the fruit, your guinea pig can be saved from the common illness known as scurvy. This disease will start to foster the lack of vitamin c in the body of your pet.

And because they are not capable of producing and storing this mineral on their own, it is very beneficial that mandarin oranges offer a lot of it.

 

Risks To Consider When Feeding Mandarin Oranges To Guinea Pigs

Are you curious if mandarin oranges are not good for your pet? Don’t worry, they’re not. However, if you give it to them in large servings, it may lead to some health problems, which you surely do not want to happen. As we continue, we are going to discuss the risks of overfeeding oranges to your cavy.

 

• Urinary problems

Oranges have much calcium, and fully gown guinea pigs will surely not benefit for this mineral. If only in small amounts, it would be okay, but too much calcium can cause your pet to have kidney and bladder stones.

More so, pain during urination s one of the significant risks you have to take note of. In severe cases, your pet can have bloody urine too.

 

• Bad digestion

We cannot omit the fact that mandarin oranges contain sugar. It has beneficial nutrients just like vitamin C, but there is a particular precaution that you need to be mindful about.

Sugar has the effect of painful digestion or can create bowel problems like loose stool. If that happens, your pet will get sick and may cause them to lose energy.

 

How Often And How Much Mandarin Oranges Are Good For Guinea Pigs?

Due to the sugar content and the high level of calcium present on this fruit, limit feeding your pet for just twice a week. Also, please do not give them the whole orange! All you have to do is get a slice or two, and indeed your beloved cavy will munch it happily.

Because if you give them too much, like two or more wedges, there would be certain risks like urinary problems and kidney or bladder stones. Belly pains would also be a risk due to the sugar. That is why you need to have a limit in feeding mandarin oranges to your guinea pigs.

 

How To Prepare Oranges To Guinea Pigs?

 

Step #1. Select the orange

Pick an orange that is not green nor rotten.

 

Step #2. Wash the fruit

Wash the fruit thoroughly so that you can be sure that it is clean for them to eat.

 

Step #3. Either remove or include the orange peel

You can have the option to give orange peels(Can Guinea pig eat orange peels) to your cavy, but that is not very much advisable. There may be risks of pesticides, so it is way better to remove all of it before giving it to them.

 

Step #4. Remove the seeds

If there are seeds, remove it because this can be a cause of a choking hazard for them.

 

Step #5. Slice into smaller pieces

Lastly, slice the oranges into smaller pieces so that they won’t have any problem munching the refreshing fruit. After a few hours, remove the leftovers so that there won’t be any home for any bacteria that can cause harm to your guinea pig.

 

Conclusion

We hope that this article has enlightened your mind. Are you still wondering about the question, “can guinea pigs eat mandarin oranges?” Don’t be!

Just be sure to feed them twice a week with a little amount so there won’t be any issues to occur in the future. Indeed, oranges are very refreshing for your pets and provide them a fair amount of vitamin C. So, try feeding them with mandarin oranges and see better results in their energy!

Good luck!