Guinea pigs enjoy citrus fruits, but can they eat mandarin oranges? Although these provide essential Vitamin C, they should only be fed sparingly due to their acidity.
When offering your guinea pigs tangerines, make sure they are organic and do not contain pesticides. Furthermore, take care to remove the rind and any seeds before feeding your pet.
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Vitamin C
Mandarins are packed with vitamin C, which helps boost your immunity and protect you against certain cancers. Plus, their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties keep skin looking young and healthy.
Citrus fruits contain high levels of beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin, antioxidant compounds which give orange and other citrus fruits their vibrant hue.
Vitamins are essential for maintaining your immune system, clear vision and healthy growth and development. Furthermore, they keep skin looking radiant by flushing out harmful toxins.
At harvest, the three cultivars had distinct TCC and carotenoid compositions (Figure 2, Table 1 and Table 3). After cold storage had ended, TCC increased significantly in CI-sensitive Fortune while NC fruit saw a slight decrease. Furthermore, specific individual carotenoids such as phytoene, phytofluene, b-cryptoxanthin, and b-citraurin all showed positive correlation with CI index after 8 weeks of storage.
Fiber
Guinea pigs require a significant amount of fiber in their diets, both for gut health and dental care. This helps maintain the balance of bacteria in their gut and wears down their teeth so they are less likely to experience dental issues.
Leafy green vegetables such as kale, escarole, endive, spring mixes, carrot tops and parsley are an excellent source of fiber. Offer these fresh daily at a minimum of one cup each, and it may be beneficial to vary the types offered so there is no imbalance in nutrients.
Fruits are an excellent source of Vitamin C and fiber, as well as a small amount of potassium and other beneficial vitamins and minerals. While selecting fruits for your guinea pig’s diet, be sure to select varieties that are safe, such as peaches or honeydew melon.
Calcium
Guinea pigs, as herbivores, require a balanced diet with plenty of calcium and other essential minerals for their bones and teeth to grow properly.
Vitamin C is also essential for your pet’s wellbeing, helping prevent them from developing scurvy and keeping their immune system working at peak capacity. Mandarins provide a great source of this vital nutrient and make for an ideal treat.
Ideally, only offer your cavies one or two slices of mandarin each week. Additionally, avoid serving them seeds and marmalade that contain a high amount of sugar.
Citrus fruits, which contain acidity, can cause mouth sores and diarrhea in guinea pigs. If they overeat, this could also lead to issues with their digestive system.
Sugar
Fruit is a tasty treat for guinea pigs that provides them with essential vitamins and nutrients, but it’s essential to limit their sugar intake. Because guinea pigs cannot metabolize sugar like mice or rats do, providing them with an appropriate balanced diet of fresh veggies and fruits is key.
Leafy green vegetables are an excellent source of Vitamin C and other essential nutrients, like fiber. Make sure your guinea pig’s diet includes a variety of these veggies for variety.
Tomatoes are a staple in many people’s diets, making them an ideal choice for guinea pigs as well. Not only do they contain high amounts of Vitamin C, but they’re also safe to feed several times per week.
Papaya is another nutrient-rich fruit that can be fed to guinea pigs. Unfortunately, this sweet treat contains quite a lot of sugar so it should only be eaten occasionally.
