Cuties are one of the most common foods and snacks for children to consume. They are a brand of mandarins in the US. For humans, they are delicious and nutritious snacks packed full of vitamins and nutrients. While almost every child enjoys this snack, they are not ideal for guinea pigs unless they are offered in a very small amount.
If you have been asking yourself can guinea pigs eat cuties, the answer is yes but with a great deal of caution?
Are Cuties Good for Guinea Pigs?
Cuties are one food that should only be given to guinea pigs in very small amounts. Cuties are a very acidic fruit that can cause harm to your guinea pig if consumed in high quantities. Even a small amount of this acidic fruit can hurt a guinea pigs’ stomach so it is important to monitor your guinea pig very carefully after giving them this sweet, but acidic, fruit.
While cuties are not toxic to a guinea pig, they are not an ideal fruit to feed them every day. When humans eat too much acidic food it can cause harm and irritation to our bodies. The same is true for guinea pigs.
Since they are much smaller than a human, it only takes a very small amount of acidity to hurt them and cause them discomfort. Feed them only a small slice of this fruit once a week until you understand how it affects them.
Cuties Can Help Benefit the Immune System
Cuties, like all types of oranges, contain high levels of Vitamin C. This vitamin is an essential vitamin that all guinea pigs need to support proper health and development. Since this fruit contains incredibly high levels of Vitamin C, you only need to give your guinea pig a very small amount.
When your guinea pig has proper levels of Vitamin C in their diet, they will be better able to fight off illness and suffer fewer health complications if they consume bacteria or another negative ingredient.
Do You Know?
Guinea Pigs can eat a variety of foods, we have researched lots of them. Check out this One: Can Guinea Pigs Eat Wheatgrass?
Cuties Can Help Support a Healthy Metabolism
Cuties contain high levels of Vitamin A and Vitamin B6. These vitamins can help your guinea pig maintain a well-balanced diet. When your guinea pig has adequate amounts of these vitamins in their diet, they will often tend to experience a better and more efficient metabolism. This can lead to a better digestive system and overall health.
Cuties Can Help Support The Skeletal System in Guinea Pigs
Another main benefit of feeding cuties to your guinea pig is that they contain high levels of calcium. Calcium is a nutrient that is essential for young guinea pigs who are still growing. In addition, if you have a pregnant guinea pig, they will need a great deal of calcium to support a growing guinea pig.
Things to Remember When Feeding Cuties to Guinea Pigs
Since cuties are very acidic, you must feed them to your guinea pig in very small amounts and not every day. It is recommended that you only feed cuties or other citrus fruits to your guinea pig once or twice a week. When you do feed them to your guinea pig, you should only give them one slice or half a slice at a time.
This will ensure that they get the nutrients they need, without giving them too much acid at one time. This can help prevent them from experiencing stomach problems and other health issues.
When you are feeding cuties to your guinea pig, you can feed them both the skin and the inside. The peel of the cutie is not harmful to them and it contains the same nutrients as the inside. While it is nutritious, it is still acidic and should only be fed to them in small amounts.
Are Cuties Safe For Guniea Pigs?
When giving your guinea pig any acidic fruit for the first time, it is important to start with a very small amount. You should also look after them carefully to ensure that there are no negative side effects in their behavior or appearance.
One of the most exciting parts of children having a pet is that they get to feed them. If you have children, you can allow them to share their delicious and nutritious cutie with their pet guinea pig. Your child will love this experience and your guinea pig will be happy as well. Be sure to supervise your child feeding them to ensure that they only give them a small amount at once.