Can Guinea Pigs Eat Orange Peels? Vet-Approved Benefits, Drawbacks, & FAQ
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Like all other pets, guinea pigs require a healthy, well-balanced diet to properly develop and thrive. These little creatures are herbivores that primarily thrive when consuming hay, grass, pellets, and fresh veggies. However, guinea pigs can also occasionally consume fruits. Ideal options include apples, bananas, and blueberries.
Since cavies can eat fruit, many owners wonder if they can also consume other fruit items, such as orange peels.
So, can guinea pigs eat orange peels? Cavies can eat orange peels in moderation, as they can be healthy snacks for your little companion. However, they can also have drawbacks that you should know about.
Read on to learn more about guinea pigs, if they can eat orange peels, and the benefits and drawbacks of this treat!
Is Eating Orange Peels Safe and Healthy for Guinea Pigs?
Eating orange peels is safe and healthy for guinea pigs if they consume them in moderation. Like oranges, orange peels contain vitamin C, which is essential for a guinea pig’s system to function properly.
Guinea pigs that don’t get enough vitamin C through food may need supplementation, or else they could suffer from vitamin C deficiency. That said, feeding orange peels can be better and healthier than adding vitamin C supplements to your guinea pig’s diet.
However, orange peels could also have several bad side effects on your guinea pig’s health if consumed in large amounts. These treats often contain high levels of sugar, which can cause gastrointestinal issues in your guinea pig or lead to problems like obesity and diabetes.
Benefits of Guinea Pigs Eating Orange Peels
1. They Contain Plenty of Valuable Nutrients
Like oranges, orange peels contain plenty of valuable nutrients that your guinea pig needs for proper development. These include vitamins C, A, and B6, proteins, carbs, fibers, calcium, thiamine, niacin, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and flavonoids.
Since orange peels contain all these nutrients, even small amounts are enough to satisfy a guinea pig’s needs.
2. They Prevent Various Health Issues
Many compounds in orange peels can prevent various health issues in guineas pigs, including:
- Vitamin C deficiency — Guinea pigs can suffer from vitamin C deficiency (also known as scurvy) and may require additional vitamin C supplementation unless they get it through their diet. Giving them orange peels can help guinea pigs maintain normal levels of vitamin C in their bodies and reduce the possibility of scurvy.
- Cancer — Tumors and cancers are common issues in guinea pigs. However, due to nutrients like limonene, phytochemicals, and flavonoids, orange peels can decrease the chances of cancer and cancerous activities in guinea pigs.
3. They Enhance Digestive Health
Orange peels can help guinea pigs combat digestive disorders and promote a healthy digestive tract. They are also rich in fiber, which enhances digestive health. However, your guinea pig can only experience these benefits if they consume orange peels in moderation.
Consuming too many orange peels could harm your guinea pig’s digestive system instead of providing beneficial digestive support.
4. They Help Prevent Obesity
Guinea pigs are known for being prone to obesity issues, which is why they need low-calorie foods that will help them maintain a healthy weight. Consuming orange peels can be a great way for a guinea pig to experience fewer weight-related issues and live a healthier life.
Besides being low in calories, orange peels have anti-inflammatory properties and can control appetite due to the decent amount of fiber.
5. They Strengthen the Heart
Orange peels can help strengthen your guinea pig’s heart because they contain no cholesterol. In fact, these treats contain a nutrient called flavonoids that positively affect guinea pigs, reducing their blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Drawbacks of Guinea Pigs Eating Orange Peels
1. Gastrointestinal Issues
Orange peels can positively affect your guinea pig’s GI system, but they can also impact it in a negative way. Eating too many orange peels can cause digestion problems like bloating, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and stomach discomfort.
2. Obesity
Guinea pigs are small animals that are prone to weight problems and obesity. While eating orange peels can be beneficial for managing a healthy weight in your guinea pig, consuming too many may lead to obesity because they have high sugar content.
3. Urinary Tract Problems
Urinary tract problems are common in many mammals, and guinea pigs are also at risk. One problem that guinea pigs can experience when consuming too many orange peels is bladder stones (urogenital disease).
Eating orange peels can increase the chances of bladder stones because the minerals that are the main nutrients in orange peels, such as calcium, can promote bladder stone creation.
4. Potential to Contain Harmful Chemicals
Many people who grow fruit use various pesticides and herbicides to protect their products from pests and insects. That means orange peels may contain a decent amount of harmful chemicals and could harm your guinea pig’s health unless they’re served properly.
To protect against these issues, always thoroughly wash orange peels before giving them to your guinea pig.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Whole Oranges?
Yes, guinea pigs can eat whole oranges. This fruit and its peel contain numerous vitamins and healthy ingredients that your guinea pig needs for development, which is why this can be a great snack choice for your little friend.
However, you should be careful and limit the number of oranges/orange peels that you offer to your guinea pig. Although these animals can eat fruits, their main diet should consist of grass, hay, and pellets, along with fresh leafy greens.
How Can You Safely Feed Oranges and Orange Peels to Your Guinea Pig?
If you want to give oranges or orange peels to your guinea pig, you’ll need to know how to do so properly to prevent choking hazards or your pet from ingesting chemicals.
- Thoroughly wash the orange while gently scrubbing the skin to get rid of potential chemicals.
- Never give large chunks of orange/orange peels to your guinea pig. Instead, chop everything into small, easily chewable pieces that your cavy can nibble on.
- Remove all the seeds, as guinea pigs shouldn’t eat them.
- Always provide small servings. As soon as you notice that your guinea pig has stopped eating, remove any leftover oranges/orange peels to prevent overeating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Guinea Pigs Drink Orange Juice?
Unfortunately, orange juice is unsafe for guinea pigs, which is why they shouldn’t drink it. Although drinking freshly squeezed orange juice can have health benefits for humans, for guinea pigs, drinking orange juice would mean intaking sugar without the healthy fiber that these animals need.
It’s a better idea to feed your guinea pig orange peels or a whole orange instead of going for any type of liquid.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Other Citrus Fruit?
Most citrus fruits are entirely safe for guinea pigs, and these little animals can eat them in moderation:
- Satsumas
- Mandarins
- Tangerines
- Blood oranges
- Clementines
Taste preferences may vary from guinea pig to guinea pig, meaning that not all cavies will like consuming these fruits.
Most of the time, guinea pigs prefer sweeter citrus fruits, such as oranges and mandarins, and dislike the sour taste of clementines.
Final Thoughts
When eaten in moderation, orange peels can have many benefits for your guinea pig’s health and well-being, but cavies that eat too many orange peels could experience weight issues, urinary and gastrointestinal problems.
That said, you can feed orange peels and even whole oranges to your pet guinea pig; just ensure to follow these steps on how to do it safely.
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Featured Image Credit: Photos by Tom, Shutterstock
