So can Guinea Pigs eat oranges? Yes they can, although you should limit them. They have great health benefits but the sugar and acid content can cause issues.
I’ll go into more detail as no doubt you want your guinea pig to have a healthy and balanced diet.
Oranges can make for a great fruit for guinea pigs as it contains a large amount of vitamin C. Interestingly they cannot produce their own Vitamin C.
Oranges also contain fibers, calcium, potassium and Vitamin A.
Can guinea pigs eat oranges every day or every so often as a treat?
As already mentioned there are alot of health benefits but at the same time there are some risks with Guinea Pigs eating too many oranges.
Benefits Of Oranges
The vitamin content of oranges is excellent. An orange has more than 88% of the RDA for vitamin C.
Oranges also contain Vitamin A and B, which helps with their immune systems, skin and fur.
Vitamin B-6 is important for many things in the body, like regulating metabolism and keeping a healthy kidney and liver. Vitamin A helps with this too.
They also contain potassium which is good for your guinea pigs muscle function.
The fiber in oranges helps with digestion and can help them feel full longer if they are eating them as a meal replacement or treat.
Do Guinea Pigs like oranges and are they good for them?
Every Guinea Pig is different and most will like oranges, however some are not as bothered about them. If this is the case, you might want to try another fruit as a snack or treat.
Oranges are good for guinea pigs but like most things, it’s all about moderation.
They can be a great addition to your guinea pigs diet because of the amount of Vitamin C.
Its common for guinea pigs with low Vitamin C to suffer from scurvy. This is simply because their bodies don’t produce it.
A couple of segments a week can be a great way to give them that boost of Vitamin C that they need.
Oranges are great for young or pregnant guinea pigs, because of the calcium content. It helps with development.
However it’s important that when they’re older they consume less calcium. It can cause bladder stones.
So Are Oranges Bad For Guinea Pigs?
The question is can guinea pigs eat oranges. The answer is yes, but they should not eat them every day.
There are a couple of reasons why too many can be bad for your guinea pig.
Guinea pigs are sensitive when it comes to acidic foods and since oranges are a citrus fruit they can contain a lot of acid. A small amount is okay.
If they consume too much acid, they suffer from diarrhea, mouth sores and in some cases intestine diseases.
As well as the acidity, there is also a lot of sugar in oranges. In fact over 9% of an orange is sugar.
Doesn’t sound like a lot but don’t forget, guinea pigs are a lot smaller so to them it’s alot.
Too much sugar in their diet can cause issues such as obesity and diabetes.
NOTE: Don’t let this put you off from giving your furry friend some orange to eat. As already mentioned there are massive benefits. It’s all about controlling how much orange they eat.
How often Can Guinea Pigs Eat Oranges?
Even though Guinea Pigs can eat oranges, as already mentioned it should be in moderation. Only feed it 1 segment of orange per week.
Any more than this and you could upset its digestion or cause it to suffer from obesity or other health conditions due to the high level of sugar.
Once per week is perfectly fine and worth doing, as you’ll help improve your guinea pigs diet with the extra vitamin C it’ll get.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Orange Peels?
Simply put, yes your Guinea Pig can eat orange peel.
Instead of giving them an orange segment as a treat. Why not enjoy the orange yourself and give them some of the peel, it certainly saves wasting it.
The great thing about the peel is that it actually has more Vitamin C in it than the actual orange. The orange has roughly 71mg, whereas the peel has 136mg.
It has higher amounts of other nutrients as well. Even antioxidants that are good for overall health.
Another positive is that it does contain less sugar than the orange.
The only drawback is that there is still a high amount of acidity, which is why it should still be treated as a weekly treat.
Can Guinea Pigs Have Orange Juice?
The answer is both yes and no, as it depends on the orange juice.
You should not give store bought orange juice to your Guinea Pig. This is because of the high sugar content.
However, you could squeeze an orange yourself and then dilute it with water. This will help get the orange flavor and the goodness from the orange but reduce the sugar content.
You want to go for a ratio of at least 50% juice to 50% water. Do not add any extra sugar.
Can Guinea Pig Eat Canned Orange?
No guinea pigs should not eat canned oranges. Unlike the fresh fruit, these do contain a lot of sugar. They tend to be a lot sweeter and this is potentially going to cause long term health problems.
To help keep canned orange on the shelf for longer, they also have higher sodium levels and added preservatives.
If you’re going to get your guinea pig to eat oranges as a treat, make sure they are fresh.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Orange Seeds?
No, Guinea Pigs cannot eat orange seeds. I find them annoying when eating oranges but they are actually a choking hazard.
Before you give them any orange segments, make sure you’ve checked and removed any orange seeds or pips.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Blood Oranges?
Yes, your guinea pig can eat blood oranges. When they are in season, its worth giving them some as it helps to offer variety in their diet.
Something to note is that they do tend to be a little sweeter than normal oranges. Therefore you need to keep an eye on their intake, so they’re not getting too much sugar in their diet.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Clementines?
Yes, just like oranges Guinea Pigs can eat Clementines. However they are a little different from normal oranges.
When it comes to acicity, they are not as acidic. Therefore they shouldn’t experience issues such as diarrhea. However when you compare them to normal oranges, clementines contain a lot more sugar.
You should still keep it to 1 or 2 segments per week.
They might like the skin as it is less acidic. Just make sure you wash it to avoid the risk of them coming into contact with any pesticides.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Mandarin Oranges (Mandarines)?
Yes, Mandarins are very similar to oranges. Your Guinea Pig can eat them. Just make sure they still remain a treat and only give 1 or 2 slices a week.
The biggest difference is that Mandarins contain more Vitamin A, whereas oranges contain more Vitamin C.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Tangerines?
Yes, Guinea Pigs can eat tangerines. There is a type of mandarin, so higher in Vitamin A than oranges but lower in Vitamin C.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Satsumas?
Yes, there are no problems in Guinea Pigs eating Satsumas. Some people actually prefer to give these as they dont have any seeds.
Reducing the risk of choking hazards.
They are a type of mandarin, higher in Vitamin A but lower in Vitamin C.
Preparing Oranges For Your Guinea Pig
If you want to feed your Guinea pig oranges as a treat, it’s really important that you prepare and serve them correctly.
It is important but also simple.
The first thing you need to make sure is that the oranges are fresh.
Step 1: Make sure you wash the oranges with water to make sure they’re clean. You need to remove any dirt but also wash them to make sure they have no pesticides on them.
Step 2: Open up the orange and pick a segment. Don’t go for the biggest but a medium to small sized one.
Step 3: Check the segment for any seeds. Remove any that you find.
Step 4: Give your Guinea Pig the segment for them to eat.
Following the correct serving size will mean your guinea pig gets all the goodness from the orange but none of the negative.
REMEMBER: remove all uneaten oranges when done. This will prevent bacteria growing on them.
Final Thoughts
So to answer the burning question…..can guinea pigs eat oranges?
The truth is, yes. They can enjoy them just as much as you do. As long as you limit the amount of oranges that they do eat.
As already mentioned, they offer more benefits to the overall health of your guinea pig.
They’re full of Vitamin C, A, B and also have a high amount of calcium, potassium and fibers.
These will really help improve the variety in your guinea pigs diet but also provide a balanced diet.
Just remember to not give them oranges on a daily basis. It should be restricted to just once per week. More than this and you could cause acidic issues.
