Last updated on January 22nd, 2023 at 07:12 pm
Can guinea pigs eat oranges? The answer is yes, they can eat oranges, but certainly in moderation. The diet of guinea pigs should be mostly with fresh hay, while vegetables and fruits should be as a dessert with 10%, that is enough.
Oranges are one of the most common fruits in the human diet, and your guinea pig can enjoy the benefits of this exceptional fruit. Oranges are full of vitamin C, they have more than lemons.
Are oranges good for guinea pigs?
Guinea pigs will enjoy eating oranges, but be careful not to give them too much. With the introduction of vitamin C, guinea pigs will provide protection against disease and better immunity, which will increase their lifespan.
Guinea pigs with oranges will be refreshed in the summer, and at the same time will enjoy their taste. They will have much more energy and heat due to the calories than consuming oranges.
Guinea pigs will not gain weight because although oranges have about 90 calories, the amount that your pet will eat is still small, and will not cause weight problems.
Oranges will strengthen the cardiovascular system of guinea pigs using the benefits of the composition of this fruit. Because oranges are low in fat, blood vessels will not have a clogging problem or anything like that.
Potassium from oranges will contribute to the balance between water and salt in the body of guinea pigs. Magnesium from orange will also help the heart of guinea pigs to be healthier and improve its function.
How many oranges should guinea pigs eat?
Because they have a lot of sugar and calcium, guinea pigs can eat oranges twice a week. Of course, you do not need a whole orange, it should be small pieces the size of a bite, proportional to them.
The first time you let them try an orange, you should wait a day to see if they have any reactions, such as diarrhea, loss of appetite, less energy, lethargy, and the like.
If all goes well then you can continue to gradually include the orange in their diet. This dessert is enough to make guinea pigs happy without the risk of high sugar intake and avoiding health problems.
How do the nutritional values of oranges affect guinea pigs?
In 100 grams of orange for guinea pigs will mean the following:
- about 46-48 calories that will provide excellent energy intake without harming the weight
- orange contains 10-12 grams of carbohydrates and 0.8-0.9 grams of protein, which are sufficient for the normal functioning of guinea pigs
- because oranges have only 0.1 grams of fat, guinea pigs will have no problem with weight and will have healthy blood vessels and a healthy heart.
- the fiber in the orange has 2.4 grams, which is great for digestion because otherwise there will be a risk of constipation.
- vitamin C has 53 mg, this amount will prevent scurvy or vitamin C deficiency in guinea pigs. Guinea pigs do not produce vitamin C on their own, so they must get it through food.
- potassium in orange has about 180 mg, which allows the guinea pig to always have normal blood pressure and electrolyte balance. Otherwise, your pet will be very slow to move, as well as possible dehydration and constipation.
- vitamin A in oranges is present in small amounts, but still enough to help protect against free radicals, which can cause cancer, as well as heart problems, liver, and more.
- calcium in orange contains 40 g, which is certainly too much for guinea pigs, can cause urinary problems, so a moderate diet with oranges is important. Calcium along with phosphorus helps guinea pigs to have proper growth and development of teeth, bones, and nervous system.
- as for the sugar in the orange, it has 9 grams, which is risky for the health of the guinea pigs, so moderation is very important when introducing it in the diet of your pet.
How to prepare an orange for guinea pigs?
Before giving an orange to a sea urchin, you need to prepare it in a few steps.
- Always choose a ripe orange, never green, or even worse if the orange is rotten. Because if it is sour it will cause a negative appearance and problems.
- Then you should wash the fruit as well as any other dish.
- Peel an orange and grate it. The bark may contain pesticide residues, and the seeds may cause suffocation in guinea pigs.
- Next, chop the orange into pieces, so that it can be easier for your pet to eat.
The remains of the orange in the cage must always be removed, the habitat of the guinea pig must be. Often, otherwise, there is a threat of disease, bacteria, and more.
Which oranges are best for guinea pigs?
Be sure to give your pets the oranges that are most delicious to them: look, Clementine
oranges and tangerines.
Can guinea pigs eat orange peel?
The guinea pig can eat orange peel freely, because it is safe for him, and the fact that it contains a lot of vitamin C, will be a great benefit for his health.
In any case, it is not recommended to give them too much orange peel, however, it is better to eat more than the meat or fruit.
The orange flesh is better mostly because orange peel, unlike it, is coarser, and can irritate the tissue of the mouth when eaten.
Can guinea pigs have orange juice?
Guinea pigs can generally have orange juice, but with some caution. Under no circumstances should you give them store-bought juice that is processed, such juices are not good for their health at all.
The only correct way is to give them only freshly squeezed juice, diluted with water in a ratio of 50-50, while you do not need to add sugar or anything else.
Although juice made in this way is fine, it should not be given too often to guinea pigs.
read more: Can Guinea Pigs Eat Broccoli? (Benefits And More)
Can guinea pigs eat canned oranges?
You should never give canned oranges to your pets, primarily because of the high amounts of sugar, sodium and preservatives.
Canned oranges can cause many problems, especially for the stomach and digestion.
Only fresh oranges, as well as other fresh vegetables and fruits, are the only healthy option for guinea pigs.
Can guinea pigs eat orange seeds?
Guinea pigs should avoid eating orange seeds, as it is claimed to be slippery and the size itself is not suitable for such pets.
They pose a danger because they can suffocate, so it is best to remove them from the orange.
Preparing oranges as well as other food for guinea pigs is of great importance for their health and nutrition.
Can guinea pigs eat orange jam?
Under no circumstances should you give orange marmalade to your pets.
The problem is not in the orange, the whole problem is in the added sugar because it is very harmful to their health.
Can guinea pigs eat Clementine oranges?
Guinea pigs can eat clementines, you just have to be careful about the quantity to be small pieces.
Mostly because these oranges have more sugar than ordinary oranges. One slice of orange is enough for a guinea pig, which would avoid health problems.
They can also eat the peel of this orange, of course with a good wash so that there are no pesticide residues.
read more: Can Guinea Pigs Eat Pineapple?(Benefits and Risks)
Can guinea pigs eat tangerines?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat tangerines. They have very similar ingredients to mandarin oranges, have more vitamin A and less vitamin C than ordinary oranges.
If we look in more detail at the mandarin oranges, they only differ in the color of their peel.
Side effects of oranges for guinea pigs
As for the side effects of orange, they can occur only when eating large amounts.
As mentioned above, a lot of calcium is harmful to guinea pigs because it can cause kidney stones and problems with their urine.
Because there is sugar in oranges, too much intake can cause digestive and intestinal problems. Acidity can lead to sores in the mouth (so mix orange with other vegetables to reduce the effect of acidity).
Other possible side effects include lethargy, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and dehydration.
In such situations you should not wait, you should immediately take them to a veterinarian, who will give you therapy or advice for your pet.
read more: Can Guinea Pigs Eat Tomatoes? (Benefits, Risks and More)
Conclusion
Orange is a great fruit for the health of guinea pigs. By consuming it, guinea pigs will receive enough nutrients including vitamin C, potassium, calcium, vitamin A and proteins to improve their health.
It is best to give an orange to guinea pigs 1-2 times a week for optimal effects.
They can also eat the orange peel, while the seeds should be taken out and avoided so as not to suffocate the guinea pigs.
Side effects are most common when consuming large amounts, and can lead to diarrhea, lethargy, digestive problems, and the like.
Finally, orange is a healthy fruit that you can use in the diet of your guinea pig, it will be happy and you as the owner will enjoy watching it consume oranges.