Can Guinea Pigs Eat Tangerines? Vet-Reviewed Details & FAQ

The knowledge is present and up-to-date in accordance with the most recent veterinarian analysis.

Study extra »

When summertime rolls round, it’s widespread for individuals to start shopping for citrus fruits to get pleasure from. When having these kinds of snacks round the home, it’s widespread to contemplate providing them to your pets. That is very true if in case you have a guinea pig. These animals are identified for having fun with fruits and veggies. However what about winter fruits like tangerines? Can guinea pigs eat tangerines? The reply to this query is sure, however solely carefully as tangerines have a little bit of sugar in them. Let’s be taught extra about guinea pigs and tangerines so you’ll be able to safely supply them and different related fruits to your pet.

What Are Tangerines?

Tangerines are a tasty citrus fruit that may be a bit smaller than an orange. They’re thought-about a winter fruit as a result of season for them being November to January. Tangerines had been delivered to Europe from Morocco within the 1800s. Since that point they’ve been a preferred fruit choice. Tangerines are associated to mandarins and have rinds which might be very straightforward to take away. This makes them a fantastic snack for anybody, however particularly for these which might be in a rush. Many individuals name them pocket fruits for that reason.

Tangerines have a reddish-orange coloration and a unfastened rind. When this rind is eliminated, you discover that fruit might be separated simply, nevertheless, they typically have plenty of seeds hidden inside. The style of tangerines is usually thought-about a bit bitter or tart. There have been cultivators creating sweeter variations of tangerines and even a couple of which might be seedless.

Dietary Data About Tangerines

Tangerines are full of nutritional vitamins, minerals, and different goodies. In addition they include sugars which aren’t very best in excessive portions for guinea pigs. Right here’s a take a look at the dietary information about 100 grams or 3 ounces of tangerine.

The Advantages of Tangerines

With tangerines being an acceptable fruit for guinea pigs to get pleasure from carefully, we should always check out a couple of advantages they supply your pet.

Good for Weight Management

Tangerines are a fruit you’ll be able to supply to your guinea pig a couple of times every week, that gained’t trigger weight acquire. That is as a result of low energy present in tangerines. You’ll additionally discover that tangerines are low in carbs and proteins. This additionally aids in retaining your guinea pig at an excellent weight.

Helps Construct Immunity

Tangerines are additionally a fantastic supply of vitamin A and manganese. Why is that this useful? Each of those are thought-about sturdy antioxidants. This implies they assist construct immunity and shield in opposition to harm from free radicals and ailments.

Prevents Scurvy

Scurvy is a severe, and sometimes deadly illness that may have an effect on guinea pigs. Scurvy might be prevented by common quantities of vitamin C in your guinea pig’s eating regimen. Tangerines, like most citrus fruits, are nice sources of this vitamin. That is particularly useful since guinea pigs can’t synthesize this vitamin and wish it supplemented into their eating regimen.

Tangerine Dangers

As we’ve already talked about, guinea pigs shouldn’t eat tangerines each day. Why is that this? Let’s check out the dangers concerned with feeding these yummy fruits to your guinea pig too typically so that you’ll higher perceive our stance.

Citric Acid

Tangerines, like all citrus fruits, have a number of acid in them. The acidity in these fruits could cause sores in your guinea pig’s mouth. It could possibly additionally upset your pet’s digestion.

Too A lot Sugar

Guinea pigs have delicate stomachs. That is very true relating to sugar. Guinea pigs wrestle to digest a number of sugar too typically. When this occurs, it will probably trigger your guinea pig to have fuel, cramps, an upset abdomen, and unfastened stools. Tangerines are thought-about excessive in sugar, which is why your guinea pig ought to solely get pleasure from these fruits a couple of times per week.

Urinary Tract Points

As you noticed above, tangerines have calcium in them. Sadly, calcium isn’t nice for a guinea pig’s urinary tract. Extra calcium within the urinary tract merely sits there and might be deadly to your pet. It could possibly trigger points like kidney stones, bladder stones, blood within the urine, and painful urination.

Find out how to Feed Tangerines to Your Guinea Pig

Now that tangerines are an excellent, occasional fruit in your guinea pig, it’s essential to know how you can feed them. First off, fertilizers, pesticides, and different chemical compounds are harmful in your pet. If doable, select natural tangerines and wash them completely earlier than permitting your pet to get pleasure from them. You’ll additionally have to peel the tangerine. The peels are protected in your guinea pig to eat, however they should be eliminated first to achieve the seeds inside. Tangerine seeds are thought-about a choking hazard so don’t enable your pet to eat them. As soon as these and any pits are gone, you’ll be able to supply your guinea pig a couple of items. As soon as your guinea pig is completed consuming, take away any leftovers from their enclosure so that they don’t go unhealthy.

How Typically Can Guinea Pigs Eat Tangerines?

As we’ve talked about, tangerines are solely an occasional snack for guinea pigs. It’s greatest to solely enable them to eat this fruit as soon as, or maybe twice, every week. They’re wonderful sources of vitamin C, however you don’t wish to overload your pet with the acids inside or the sugar. It’s additionally greatest to solely present them with a couple of items. An excessive amount of without delay could cause an upset abdomen and several other different points.

Closing Ideas

Now that you simply’ve discovered extra about the advantages of tangerines in your guinea pig, you’ll be able to see why they’re an excellent snack in your pet. If you wish to enable your guinea pig to benefit from the style and goodness inside a tangerine, be at liberty to offer them a couple of bites a couple of times every week.

Featured Picture Credit score: JumpStory