Last Updated on March 9, 2023 by Woody Pet
Is it bad or good for a tiny pet?
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Oranges? Understanding the fact that what can guinea pigs eat is necessary as they can get sick or ill if overdosed or fed wrongly. Also, keep an eye on mouth sores too.
If sores appear stop giving them food instead provide them with oranges or citrus foods only. Guinea pigs are creatures that are also known as cavies. You can say they are the domesticated kind of rodents.
They are raised as pets and food. Though because of selective breeding, there are variations in texture, patterns, and color. They can live up to 8 – 10 years but they are susceptible to heat strokes.
Fruits should be given sparingly in feed to guinea pigs as it is an excellent treat for the furry friend. So when you are on the verge of thinking about what foods can guinea pig eat remember orange is one of the guinea pig’s favorite food.
As the oranges are acidic, low in fat and enrich with vitamins and are a good source of fibre too. Guinea pigs are susceptible to scurvy which occurs due to a lack of vitamin C so it is recommended to provide them with a daily intake of 30-50mg of vitamin C.
The potassium content ion oranges add value to the balance of salt and water inside the body while magnesium keeps muscle healthy and strong. Vitamin A helps in building immunization ability.
NOTE: oranges have 17g of sugar so moderate amounts of oranges should be given.
Features:
They have small triangular mouths with 20 teeth. (note: guinea pigs must chew their teeth as they cannot afford to have them so long). Small ears (petal-shaped) are present on their body, and eyes are set on side of their heads.
They are not found in wild life anymore. They are social animals. They live in herds. They also fall in the set of crepuscular i.e., active during dusk and dawn.
They are herbivores and can overeat making sure they don’t get obese from overeating. Introduce the nutritional dietary changes to make the balance in their diet chart.
Cecotropes:
They may look bizarre at first glance but you must know that this is the aid for the digestion of food and provides supplemental help for your pets. As these pallets are nutritional for them.
Ailments of oranges in guinea pigs:
Urinary problems can be triggered as a large amount of calcium is there which is not required by mature guinea pigs, therefore, resulting in stones and urinary bladders issues.
Due to the presence of sugars bowel problems can be activated or loose stool may result.
Portion size:
We can feed it about once a week. While giving them in feed make sure it is peeled off and the seeds are not there. Sugars can have triggered allergies with symptoms of itching, and swelling in the mouth.
Be cautious in this regard. Avoid giving too much orange peel as it may irritate the mouth tissue while chewing. It is better to wash them before giving them in feed as fertilizers and chemical residue could be there.
(Tip: don’t over exceed the portion of fruits in their schedule from more than 10% of total food intake as sugars are high in fruits).
Can guinea pigs have orange juice?
you can provide orange juice to them but it should be in diluted form with a ratio of 1:1.
Can guinea pigs have canned food?
No, as sugar is high in canned foods. Preservatives are also added.
Can guinea pigs eat oranges in cold or frozen form?
No, cold or frozen food can lead to diarrhea and vitamins can also be loosened.
Can guinea pigs eat orange seeds?
No, as it may choke them as seeds are slippery, hard and large.
Can guinea pigs eat orange peel (clementines)?
yes, they are less acidic but high in sugars so be careful while giving them in feed.
Can guinea pigs eat blood oranges?
Yes, they can as they have a different taste than other oranges guinea pigs will love them but too much sugar in them is present so be caution while planning the serving size.
Can guinea pigs eat mandarines & tangerines?
Mandarines are rich in vitamin A having more calorie content than other oranges.
Are satsumas safe for guinea pigs?
Yes, they are very ideal as they don’t have seeds, they are juicy and easy to peel.
What can guinea pigs not eat?
While planning their diet chart to avoid choking, bloating, gas, nutritional imbalance or illness make sure it does not include chocolate (any caffeine-based matter), garlic, mushrooms, onions, avocados, cabbage, meat, bread, dairy products, nuts, iceberg lettuce, potatoes, seeds.
NOTE: THEY SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN ALFALFA OR CLOVER HAY AS THEY ARE RICH IN PROTEIN AND CALCIUM.
CONCLUSION:
A merger of the fruit bowls is suggested. Adding oranges to the guinea pig’s food chart is like adding life to your pets but understand the fact that they also have sugars so adding an increased amount of oranges may harm more than benefit it gives.
Make sure you remove the food remains after 5 -6 hours as out-of-date or rotten food can cause sicknesses or ailments in your friends.
TIP: WHILE INTRODUCING ORANGES TO GUINEA PIGS WATCH THEM FOR ABOUT 12-24 HOURS TO SEE IF THEY ARE ADJUSTED TO IT OR IF THEY ARE HAVING A REACTION TO ORANGES. AS IF THEY TRIGGER REACTIONS THEY MAY CAUSE DEHYDRATION, DIARRHEA, AND ANOREXIA.
For basic care you need to follow these thumb rules to have a happy little furry friend:
- Feed them with low carbs and sugars.
- Provide chlorinated fresh water to them.
- Don’t serve them food older than 5 – 12 hours.
- They should have 10% of fruits and vegetables in their diet.
- Make sure they are having supplemental vitamin C
- Elude swollen mouths
- Feed them with an amalgam of food
Better to follow the following steps while feeding oranges to your pets:
- avoid giving the whole orange
- choose the ripe orange as less ripen can be too sour or acidic for guinea pigs
- Wash them
- Peel the skin (optional)
- Remove seeds to avoid choking
- A thick wedge or 1-2 slices is more than enough
- offer 2 times per week
- remove remains of food after some time to avoid bacterial contaminations
If you ever noticed that guinea pigs are having the following symptoms consult your vet immediately:
- diarrhea
- Crusty eyes
- Sneezing
- Hair loss
- Weight loss
