Peeling orange, you may have thought of sharing orange peel with your piggie. Can guinea pigs eat orange peels? Yes, guinea pigs can eat orange peels. Orange peels don’t contain any toxic ingredients.
It contains vitamin C the same as present in orange flesh. However, you should not exceed the moderate limits due to the risk of chemicals, pesticides, and dirt.
Oranges are one of the most popular fruits in the world. We mostly don’t use orange peels for eating but use them for aromatic, decoration, or dessert purposes.
On the contrary, guinea pigs can eat oranges and benefit from their vitamin C content. Let us see how orange peel benefits your guinea pigs.
Are Orange Peels Good for Guinea Pigs?
Orange peels provide a lot of benefits to your guinea pigs. Let us discuss each benefit in detail.
Prevention of cancer
Orange peels contain compounds that prevent your guinea pigs from developing cancer. For example, orange peel contains limonene, phytochemicals, and flavonoids that provide anti-cancerous effects. So, your guinea pig can get a great deal of health by eating orange peels.
Prevention from scurvy
Guinea pigs are prone to develop a scurvy disease; it develops due to vitamin C deficiency in the diet. Since orange peels contain a lot of vitamin C, your guinea pig can be prevented from developing scurvy.
Nutritional benefits
Orange peels are nutritious as they contain proteins and carbohydrates. It can add to the dietary requirements of your guinea pig. Your guinea pig can enjoy the calories coming from orange peels.
Aids in digestion
Orange peels are a great deal as an aid in digestion. Orange peels contain fiber responsible for the normal motility of the digestive tract. Fiber prevents your guinea pigs from developing diarrhea and other digestive problems.
Healthy cardiovascular system
Orange peels don’t contain any cholesterol or other potentially harmful compound that can damage the heart. Therefore, your guinea pig’s cardiovascular system will be in good health.
Antioxidants
Orange peels contain antioxidants responsible for preventing the body from harmful free radicals. With the help of these antioxidants, immunity gets a boost.
Healthy and active
The vitamin B6 in the orange peels keeps your guinea pig healthy and active. Your guinea pig will not suffer from stress but will be more relaxed.
Nutritional Facts of Orange Peels
Can guinea pigs eat orange peels? What are the benefits? Orange peels also contain a lot of nutrients that are responsible for so many beneficial effects. We have a long list of beneficial nutrients present in the orange peel; let us discuss the most important.
Flavonoids
The orange peels contain these compounds responsible for maintaining the normal metabolism. For example, hesperidin and poly methoxy flavones are responsible for preventing problems of the vein, hemorrhoids, and bad circulation.
Other than this, poly methoxy flavones act as antioxidants and anti-cancer and reduce allergies and inflammation.
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Phytochemicals
Phytochemicals are responsible for the pigmentation of the plant. Other than this, these are responsible for the aroma and taste of plants.
However, phytochemicals help prevent heart problems, eyesight problems, and cancer and boost the immunity of guinea pigs.
Limonene
90% of the oil present in the orange peel is limonene, which is responsible for preventing skin cancer, especially.
Vitamin C
You may not believe it, but orange peel contains a lot of vitamin C, with one tablespoon having 8.2mg. You know how much vitamin C is important for your guinea pig.
A good amount of calories
Orange peels contain a good range of calories; 100 g peel contains 97 calories. It is not too high or too low; good for your guinea pig.
Other than these, orange peel contains many other nutrients that provide several metabolic benefits to your guinea pigs. Here is the list of these nutrients.
- Carbohydrates
- Proteins
- Fiber
- Riboflavin
- Thiamin
- Niacin
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B6
- Calcium
What are the possible risks of feeding orange peels?
Besides several benefits of orange peels, some health concerns are worth mentioning.
Urinary system problems
Orange peels contain calcium, as I mentioned above. When fed in a high amount, calcium can cause kidney stone formation. The stone can form and lodge in the kidney or bladder. It should be treated right away, or it can be fatal.
Problems with digestion
Fiber is a good thing for digestion, but when fed in excess can lead to digestive problems. You should follow the moderation principle to prevent these complications.
Pesticide/Herbicide
Orange peel might contain herbicide or pesticide residues which are toxic for your guinea pig. They can cause respiratory or digestive problems. You should make sure the oranges are organic to prevent this situation.
How much orange peel should you feed to your guinea pig?
Can guinea pigs eat orange peels? How much can they eat? Now you may wonder how much orange peel you should feed to your guinea pig to avoid the potential risks.
Although it has several benefits, you should feed only a few pieces of orange peels two times per week to avoid the potential risks. Remember, orange peel is not the regular diet of guinea pigs. it is only the supplementation diet for guinea pigs
Conclusion – Can guinea pigs eat orange peels?
If you still wonder can guinea pigs eat orange peels? Yes, you should feed orange peels to your guinea pigs because of its many health benefits.
