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Can Guinea Pigs Eat Orange Peels? (Serving Size, Hazards & More)

Tim Rhodes
Written by Tim Rhodes Last Updated: March 27, 2022

You should serve no more than 1 – 2 small bite-sized pieces of orange to your guinea pig a day and no more than once or twice a week, so let’s see whether guinea pigs can eat orange peels.

Guinea pigs can eat orange peels as they are a good source of fiber. Just thoroughly wash the orange peels in warm water to eliminate all the dirt and pesticides on them before giving them to your guinea pig!

Guinea pigs need fresh fruits and vegetables but not all parts of these fresh products are edible.

Also, guinea pigs cannot eat all fruits and vegetables that are healthy for us, human beings.

However, orange is absolutely great both for human beings and for guinea pigs, as it is rich in vitamin C.

Vitamin C is an essential part of a guinea pig’s healthy diet.

It allows your guinea pig’s body to function well and protects it from scurvy, which is a potentially fatal illness in guinea pigs.

In addition to that, orange peels are just great and have many uses

Not only your guinea pigs can eat orange peels but they can be a great part of your diet as well.

Which Animals Can Eat Orange Peels?

You might be surprised to learn that many animals enjoy eating orange peels! Orange peels are a great source of fiber and vitamins for them. Some of the animals that enjoy munching on orange peels include:

  • Rabbits
  • Gerbils
  • Guinea pigs
  • Chinchillas
  • Hedgehogs

So, if you have any of these furry friends as pets, feel free to give them the odd orange peel as a treat! Just make sure that the peel is washed and organic, to avoid giving them any harmful chemicals.

Can My Guinea Pig Eat Orange Peels?

Guinea pigs can have orange peels, but only in moderation. Too much citrus fruit can cause gastrointestinal issues in guinea pigs.

So if you do give your guinea pig an orange peel, make sure to clean the peels thoroughly and remove the white pith.

Offer your guinea pigs only a small amount of orange peels

Do Guinea Pigs Love Orange Peels?

First, it is important to note that the skin of an orange peel can be quite bitter.

While some guinea pigs may enjoy the taste, others may find it unpalatable.

In addition, the skin of an orange peel is high in fiber. While fiber is an important part of a guinea pig’s diet, too much can lead to digestive issues. Therefore, it is best to offer orange peel in moderation.

If you do decide to give your guinea pig orange peel, be sure to wash it thoroughly first.

This will remove any pesticide residue that may be present on the skin. It is also a good idea to avoid giving your guinea pig the white pith.

Are Orange Peels Toxic to Guinea Pigs?

Orange peels are not toxic to guinea pigs. However, there are a few things to consider before feeding your guinea pig an orange peel.

Orange peels are a good source of fiber and vitamin C, both of which are essential for a healthy guinea pig diet.

But the peel of orange also contains a lot of sugar. While a small amount of sugar is fine for guinea pigs, too much can lead to obesity and other health problems.

Therefore, it’s important to only give your guinea pig a small piece of orange peel and to monitor their intake if you choose to feed them this treat.

Additionally, some guinea pigs may be allergic to citrus fruits.

If you notice your guinea pig scratching or nibbling at their skin after eating an orange peel, it’s best to discontinue feeding them this treat and consult with a veterinarian.

In conclusion, while orange peels are not toxic to guinea pigs, it’s important to feed them in moderation and to be aware of any potential allergies. 

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Citrus Fruit?

Guinea pigs can eat citrus fruit.

Citrus fruits are a good source of vitamin C for guinea pigs, and they can help keep your guinea pig healthy.

Orange, grapefruit, lemon, and lime are all examples of citrus fruits that guinea pigs can eat.

What Citrus Fruits Can Guinea Pigs Eat?

Guinea pigs can eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruits.

While these fruits are safe for guinea pigs to eat, it is important to feed them in moderation as they are high in sugar.

Too much sugar can lead to weight gain and other health problems in guinea pigs.

When feeding the flesh of citrus fruits to your guinea pig, be sure to remove the seeds and peel first. 

Can Guinea Pigs Drink Orange Juice?

Water is essential for a guinea pig’s overall health and hydration.

Any other liquid can cause stomach upset, diarrhea, and other health issues in guinea pigs.

You should never give your guinea pigs any juice bought at a store, even if it’s unsweetened apple juice or unsweetened cranberry juice.

Commercial juices are not OK for guinea pigs.

However, remember that oranges, apples, cranberries, and all other fruit you can think of, already has water in it.

So, while your guinea pig eats fruits, the piggy already consumes fresh juice!

There is only one thing you can do to make the water your guinea pig drinks tastier: add only a drop or two of freshly squeezed orange, grapefruit, or lemon juice.

Guinea pigs are herbivorous animals and they cannot digest dairy products, including milk.

How Often Can Guinea Pigs Eat Oranges?

Guinea pigs can eat oranges as a treat, but they should not have them too often.

A good rule of thumb is to give them no more than one small slice of orange per week. Too much citrus fruit can cause stomach upset in guinea pigs.

Therefore, while oranges are a good source of vitamin C for guinea pigs, it’s important not to give them too much.

So how many oranges can you give your guinea pig?

Since oranges are relatively high in sugar, it’s best to limit their intake anyway.

If you give your guinea pig an orange, be sure to remove the seeds first.

All seeds can be choking hazards for your pet.

What Is a Healthy Guinea Pig Diet?

The main food for your guinea pigs is hay. 

Baby guinea pigs should consume alfalfa, but as your guinea pigs grow, they should get unlimited amounts of timothy hay.

To provide your guinea pig with a balanced and healthy diet, make sure your adult guinea pigs get their daily serving of fresh vegetables.

Each guinea pig should get about one cup of mixed fruits and vegetables with different nutritional values.

You don’t want to give your guinea pigs only foods rich in calcium or sugar.

Actually, these two ingredients, calcium and sugar, are responsible for many health issues.

Yet, you can’t avoid them entirely.

Focus on leafy greens such as romaine lettuce, red and green leaf lettuces, kale, cilantro, and parsley as these should comprise the bulk of your guinea pig’s fresh produce.

Feed your guinea pig on a consistent schedule, twice a day, morning and evening.

Guinea pigs will overeat if given the chance.

So, to prevent obesity, remove pelleted food that is left uneaten after one hour and discard uneaten fruits or vegetables within a few hours.

Final Thoughts

Overall, oranges can be a healthy treat for your guinea pig, but it’s important not to give them too much. Offer them just about a slice per day, and remove the seeds. This way, they can enjoy the flesh part of the fruit without any risks.

Remember that too much citrus fruit can cause diarrhea, so it’s important to limit how much your guinea pigs consume. 

For the same reason, give your guinea pig just a tiny piece of orange peel.

Yet, before you do so, make sure that the peel is absolutely clean by washing it thoroughly. 

This way, you will remove all the dirt and possible pesticides.

Author

Tim Rhodes
Tim Rhodes

Hi there! My name is Tim Rhodes and I'm a guinea pig enthusiast through thick and thin. My mission is to teach others useful tips and tricks about these cute creatures. When I'm not writing, I enjoy kickboxing and work as an animal trainer.

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Last update on 2023-05-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API