Yes, guinea pigs can eat cuties. Cuties are rich in Vitamin C and other nutrients that are good for your guinea pigs. However, as with all fruits and vegetables, moderation is key when feeding your pet. It’s fine to treat them to a slice of a cutie every once in a while.
But if you make it a regular part of their diet, you’ll probably find that your guinea pig will develop painful sores in their mouth because cuties are too acidic. Cuties also contain sugar which many small pets have trouble digesting. This means that giving them too much of this citrus fruit could lead to weight gain and other health issues.
If you want to give your guinea pig some cuties, try doing so 1/2 bites once/twice per week at most. They can only handle small amounts at one time so don’t give them too much at once or they might get sick.
Do all guinea pigs like cuties?
No. Some guinea pigs don’t like cuties or any type of fruit!
If you want to give your guinea pig a treat and are looking for something outside of the everyday veggie, try giving them some more unique fruits such as mangoes, strawberries, or bananas. These fruits are great because they’re packed with vitamins and minerals and taste delicious.
The best way to know if your Guinea Pig likes a certain fruit is by trial and error. Make sure not to give them too much though because it can cause digestive issues such as diarrhea or vomiting.
Why are cuties good for guinea pigs?
Cuties are one of the sweeter varieties of citrus fruits. This means they can be a healthy treat for guinea pigs, in moderation. There are many benefits to giving your guinea pig cuties fruit as an occasional treat, including:
- Vitamin C – All citrus fruits contain vitamin C, which is an essential nutrient for guinea pigs. Guinea pigs cannot produce their own vitamin C, so you must provide it through their diet. A deficiency in this vitamin can lead to health problems in a guinea pig.
- Vitamin A – Like humans, guinea pigs need to consume vitamin A because it is vital for good vision, cell reproduction and immune system function.
- Fiber – Fresh fruit and vegetables are a great way to supply your pet with fiber, which promotes good digestion and helps prevent constipation.
- Other minerals – The vitamins mentioned above aren’t the only nutrients your guinea pig can get from eating cuties. They also contain small amounts of potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper, thiamin and other minerals.
Why are cuties bad for guinea pigs?
While they aren’t necessarily bad for your guinea pig, they are not the best choice of fruit or veg because they are quite acidic and so can cause a sore throat in guinea pigs if fed too often.
They can also cause digestive upset if you give too much of them to your guinea pig as the high level of acidity may cause diarrhea.
Some guinea pigs like oranges better than others–my guinea pig doesn’t like them at all but other people’s guinea pigs will gobble them up. It’s probably worth trying one/two bites on yours to see how she likes it.
How much cuties can guinea pigs eat?
Cuties are a citrus fruit, which means they’re too acidic for guinea pigs. You can give them in small amounts as a treat. However, only do so once or twice a week, and limit your piggie to just one or two bites.
Guinea pigs need to maintain a balanced diet of fresh hay, pellets, and fresh fruits and veggies in order to stay healthy. Cuties are not appropriate for everyday eating, but you can give them as part of a healthy, varied diet that includes all:
Fresh hay: Guinea pigs should have access to grassy hay (timothy, orchard grass) at all times. Hay makes up the bulk of their diet.
Pellets: Adult guinea pigs should have about 1/8 cup of high-quality pellets daily. Be sure your pellets don’t contain seeds or nuts — these are too fatty for guinea pigs.
Fruits and vegetables: About 1 cup total daily of a variety of fruits and vegetables is appropriate for most adult guinea pigs.
How to feed cuties to your guinea pigs?
Guinea pigs have a very sensitive digestive tract and can get digestive problems easily. They need to eat slowly and in small portions so they don’t overeat.
In order to feed cuties to your guinea pig, you need to slice the cuties into small pieces or slices. This will help them chew the fruit easier and prevent them from overeating. Make sure not to make the pieces too big otherwise they won’t be able to chew it properly or swallow it without choking on it.
Make sure not to feed too many pieces at once because this can cause diarrhea or other digestive problems for your guinea pig. The best way to feed cuties is by providing 1/2 bites once/twice weekly. If your guinea pig doesn’t enjoy eating from his hand, then put some cuties on top of his food bowl and let him eat it from there instead.
You should not feed cuties as a replacement for fresh vegetables or hay because they do not have the same nutritional profile. Guinea pigs need a variety of fresh vegetables and grass hay every day to stay healthy.
If you are unsure about whether your guinea pig likes cuties, try offering just one slice at first and see how he reacts after eating it. If he does fine with that amount, you can gradually offer more if he will eat it. Always take away uneaten fruit after 12 hours.
Never feed cuties juice, because cuties are too acidic which leads to sore throat and diarrhea in guinea pigs.
What to do if my guinea pigs eat too much cuties?
Cuties are a small citrus fruit, typically oranges. They’re acidic, and if your guinea pig were to eat too much, they could get an upset stomach.
How much is too much? That’s difficult to say. The best guideline is “only as much as they want.” Guinea pigs will stop eating when they’re full, so offering them the 1/2 bites once/twice weekly in a bowl and leaving the rest of the job to them is usually fine.
If you suspect your guinea pig has eaten too many cuties, stop feeding them cuties and monitor their activity closely. If they seem to suffer from an upset stomach, or at all lethargic, consult a vet.
What are the safe fruits for guinea pigs?
Guinea pigs need a lot of vitamins, minerals and nutrients to stay healthy. Because their digestive system is sensitive to an abrupt change in diet, it’s important to introduce new foods slowly. Fruits can be a good source of vitamins, but not all fruits are safe for guinea pigs. Choose fruits that are rich in vitamin C, such as apples and oranges, for your pet. Avoid grapes, tomatoes and other fruits that might harm your pet.
Apples
Apples are a safe fruit to feed your guinea pig. They contain vitamin C and fiber, which helps keep your pet’s digestive system healthy. Choose apples without seeds or stems because they may cause a blockage if eaten by your guinea pig. Wash the apple thoroughly before feeding it to your pet to remove any pesticides or chemical residue that could be harmful for him.
Oranges
Oranges are also rich in vitamin C and fiber. Segment the orange before feeding it to your guinea pig so he doesn’t choke on the peel or seed while trying to eat it. Provide only small amounts of orange at a time so he doesn’t have difficulty digesting it.
Bananas
Another great treat for guinea pigs, bananas are full of potassium, phosphorus and vitamin B6. Remove the peel and offer in moderation.
Blueberries
Blueberries are a great source of vitamin C which is essential for guinea pigs’ health. Blueberries also contain antioxidants which benefit your pet’s immune system and help to fight off infections and illnesses such as scurvy (vitamin C deficiency).
Cherries
Remove the pit from a cherry before giving it to your guinea pig as it can be toxic. Also, limit their intake because cherries have high sugar content.
Cranberries
Cranberries are a safe fruit for guinea pigs but should only be offered in small doses occasionally because of their tart flavor.
Apricots
You can feed Apricots to guinea pigs but they contain high amounts of sugar so they should not be fed too often. Remove the stone before giving it to your animal.
Watermelon
Watermelon has a high water content, which is good for keeping your guinea pig hydrated. Again, it contains high levels of sugar so limit how much you give them per day.
What are the toxic treats for guinea pigs?
Treats to Avoid:
Chocolate
Chocolate contains theobromine, which can cause seizures, heart attacks or even death in pets.
Dairy products
They can cause digestive problems, and diarrhea in guinea pigs because they cannot digest lactose well.
Apple seeds
Apple seeds are highly toxic to guinea pigs. They contain cyanide, which can cause difficulty breathing, shock, and organ failure.
Avocados
These are toxic to guinea pigs because they contain persin, a fungicidal toxin found in avocado leaves, skin and pits. Although the flesh of an avocado is less toxic than other parts of this fruit, it can cause diarrhea and vomiting in your pet if eaten in large amounts.
Potato
Any part of the potato plant is extremely toxic to guinea pigs. This includes the leaves and stems, as well as the potatoes themselves. The most toxic part of the plant is the green skin and eyes.
Onions
These can cause serious stomach issues in guinea pigs. If eaten regularly or in large amounts onions can even lead to death.
Tomatoes
The stems and leaves of tomatoes contain the toxin solanine, which can cause diarrhea, dehydration and vomiting. Remove any tomato plant parts before giving your guinea pig the fruit.
Oranges
Oranges are okay for guinea pigs in moderation; don’t give them over one a week. It’s best to peel oranges before serving, because the skin is too tough for the pigs to chew.
Iceberg Lettuce
Iceberg lettuce contains very little nutritional value and should not be fed to guinea pigs. Other types of lettuce, such as romaine lettuce are fine to feed your pet occasionally.
Conclusion
So, can guinea pigs eat cuties? The short answer is yes, they can eat cuties as it contains Vitamin C and other minerals. However, there is a catch. Feed cuties as a snack, not as a primary food source.
They can only consume a 1/2 bite in about once to twice a week. Too much of the fruit can cause stomach problems and sore throats as the cuties are acid fruits after all.
So if you want to give your guinea pig some cuties, then do it sparingly and only in small quantities. If your guinea pigs seem to have problems with their stomachs after eating them, try cutting back even more or discontinuing feeding them altogether.