Anything that is suitable for you does not entirely mean that will be safe for your pet as well. This is why when it comes to choosing new treats for your pet, you need to be extra careful. If you are having a mango on a hot summer day, you might ask yourself if it is suitable for your guinea pigs. Can guinea pigs eat mangoes?
The answer is Yes! Your little furry guinea pig can enjoy eating mangoes. They are entirely safe for your pet friends to eat. In fact, mangoes are actually very healthy. They are full of vitamins especially vitamin A and C and other various nutrients.
They are the most delicious and the most popular fruits around the world. Both humans and animals love eating them on a hot summer day. Due to them being rich in nutrients, mangoes can become your pet’s new favorite food.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Mangoes? – You Need To Be Careful!
There is no doubt mangoes are rich in nutrients. But, everything in the world has its pros and cons. The same goes for mangoes as well. Here is everything that you need to know about feeding mangoes to your cute little piggy.
1) Can Guinea Pigs Eat Mangoes? Is It A Safe Treat?
Yes, mangoes are completely safe for your guinea pigs. However, make sure you feed them just as an occasional treat only. The reason behind this is that they contain a significant amount of sugar. As you might know, sugary foods are harmful to pet animals. Due to this, an excess of mangoes can be harmful to your little buddy.
Make sure you do not add mangoes as the main part of your guinea pig’s diet. You should always stick to their main natural diet which is raw veggies and most importantly hay.
Their diet must contain about 80% of hay. Followed by 20% of occasional treats and a cup of veggies and fruits.
Your little furry guinea pigs trust you when it comes to their diets. This is why you have to take good care of their diet. If you overfeed them, your pet may be exposed to numerous health complications. If you underfeed them, they may get prone to certain diseases.
Make sure you balance their diet. A balanced diet will ensure your pet lives a long, healthy, and active life.
2) Can Guinea Pigs Eat The Skin Of Mangoes?
The answer is no, you cannot feed your little furry friends the skin of mangoes. Make sure you always remove the skin from the mangoes prior to feeding it to your guinea pig.
You should always remember that the skin of mango may contain toxic chemicals and pesticides. They are very harmful to your guinea pigs and can lead to numerous health complications.
In addition to this, the skin of mangoes does not have any nutritional value. So, there is no point in feeding them to your guinea pig.
Adding further, they are hard and have a rigid texture. Your furry piggy can certainly not eat them and they will choke on them.
So, you should not take any risks and only feed them the flesh part of the fruit.
3) Can Guinea Pigs Eat The Leaves Of Mangoes?
Your guinea pigs love to eat fresh raw veggies and various kinds of leaves. But it is not recommended that you give your little furry friends the leaves of mangoes.
You should know that the leaves of mangoes contain urushiol. It is essentially a compound that contains allergens. They are certainly not suitable for your guinea pigs. Feeding them the leaves will adversely affect the health of your pet.
4) Can Guinea Pigs Eat Dried Mangoes?
In short, No! You cannot feed your little guinea pigs dried mangoes.
Your pet friend can only eat fresh fruits and veggies. Dried mangoes are not something that you should feed them. This is mainly due to the fact that dried mangoes have a significantly higher concentration of sugar compared to fresh mangoes.
Dried mangoes also have some preservatives added to them to ensure they can be used for a long period of time. All of this is a big NO for your pet friend’s health and for this very reason, you should avoid feeding them dried mangoes.
Or, your pet will suffer from obesity and diabetes.
5) What Is the Correct Amount of Mango That You Can Feed to Your Guinea Pigs?
When you introduce something new to your guinea pig, always introduce it slowly and very carefully.
Cut a ripe mango into small pieces and give a very little amount to your guinea pig at first. Then observe them for the next 24 hours. Keep an eye out for any side effects. These include:
- Upset Stomach
- Bloating,
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea Etc.
If you notice any of the above symptoms stop feeding them mango. As a safety measure, you should contact your vet for further information.
However, It is very unlikely that anything bad will happen. Most of the pigs eat it very well without any issue.
As long as your furry friends are enjoying them with no issue you can slowly increase the amount. One thing that you need to make sure of is that you do not exceed the recommended amount.
It is advised that you feed your guinea pigs only two to three times per week. Anything more than this will take a toll on your pet’s health and we certainly do not want that.
Do not feed your guinea pigs more than one or two small size pieces of mango per day. This will be enough for their daily intake of essential nutrients.
In addition to this, it is recommended that you take a day off while feeding them. Do not feed them for two days in a row.
5) How You Can Prepare Mangoes For Your Little Furry Guinea Pigs?
Preparing mangoes for your furry friends is quite easy. But make sure you follow the steps carefully prior to feeding mangoes to your pet guinea pig.
Step 1: Choose the right mango for your guinea pig.
Avoid feeding your guinea pig sour and green mangoes. They are a big NO for your pets! It can take a serious toll on their health and put them in severe discomfort.
Make sure to choose fully ripe and sweet mangoes only.
Step 2: Thoroughly wash mangoes before feeding them.
After choosing the right mango, wash it thoroughly. Mangoes, just like any other fruit are sprayed with pesticides. Washing them thoroughly will allow you to remove the residues of pesticides and chemicals on them.
Your guinea pig will be exposed to serious health complications if you feed them without washing them first.
Step 3: Peeling the skin off.
The next step is to remove the peel from the mango. Your guinea pigs cannot eat them. This is why you should always peel them off and there should not even be a small piece left.
Step 4: Cutting the mangoes into small pieces.
Once you have peeled the skin off, proceed to cut them into small pieces. This will allow your pet to eat them with ease.
Your guinea pig cannot chew or eat large pieces. Due to this, they will choke on them unless you cut them into small pieces for your furry little friend.
Step 5: Serve it!
Once you have followed all of the steps above, you can proceed to feed them to your pet friends. Serve a small piece of mango in a bowl to your Guinea pig. Step away and let your furry friend have the time of his life.
Nutritional Facts Of Mangoes
Mangoes are very healthy and are excellent for giving to your little furry friend as an occasional treat. It contains many vitamins and different essential nutrients. All of them play a significant role in terms of your furry friend’s health and well-being.
Feeding them a well-balanced diet regularly is what you should always practice as a guinea pig owner.
Now let’s dive into the nutrition content of mangoes. Below you can see a chart of different nutrients and their corresponding values per 100 grams of mangoes.
| Carbs | 14.98 g/ 100 g |
| Calories | 60 Kcal |
| Fat | 0.38 g/ 100 g |
| Water | 83.46 g/ 100 g |
| Vitamin C | 36.4 mg/ 100 g |
| Vitamin A | 1082 IU |
| Vitamin K | 4.2 ug/ 100 g |
| Vitamin E | 0.9 mg |
| Calcium | 11 mg/ 100 g |
| Sugar | 13.66 g/ 100 g |
| Folate | 43 µg |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.38 g |
| Carotene, beta | 640 µg |
| Phosphorous | 14 mg/ 100 g |
| Potassium | 168 mg/ 100 g |
| Fiber | 1.6 g/ 100 g |
| Lutein | 23 µg |
| zeaxanthin | 23 µg |
| Protein | 0.82 g/ 100 g |
As you can tell from the table above, mangoes contain a significant amount of sugars. For this very reason, it will lead to diarrhea, and vomiting in case you overfeed your furry friend.
8 Health Benefits Of Feeding Mangoes To Your Guinea Pigs
Mangoes are very beneficial for humans as well as for animals. But let’s dive a little deeper and see in detail the benefits of feeding them to your adorable little guinea pig.
1) Mangoes Help In The Elimination Of Free Radicals:
We all know our bodies are full of different metabolic processes. As a result of these processes, free radicals are produced. They are very harmful if they are not accordingly dealt with.
The antioxidants in this nutrient-rich fruit result in successfully eliminating these free radicals from your pet’s body. Failure to feed them foods that are rich in antioxidants will lead to severe damage to the cells of your pets.
2) Mangoes Can Make The Immune System Stronger:
Mangoes are rich in numerous nutrients and vitamins. All of them can provide your furry friend with a boost in the immune system. Since guinea pigs are sensitive little creatures, their immune systems are relatively weak as well.
So, feeding them mangoes is very good for their overall health and well-being. In addition to this, mangoes contain Vitamin E, A, K, and B-6. These are very important for maintaining a strong immune system.
As a result of a strong immune system, they will likely suffer less from a long list of diseases and live a long and happy life.
3) Mangoes Are Rich In Vitamin C:
Your little furry pigs are unable to make or store vitamin C in their bodies. Vitamin C is very important for your furry friend’s overall health.
The fact that they cannot produce or store vitamin C in their bodies, they are dependent on external sources to get their daily intake of vitamin C.
Vitamin C helps your furry friend have a strong immune system. It is also beneficial when it comes to lowering the chances of your pet friend suffering from the dreadful Scurvy disease.
It is essentially caused by a deficiency of vitamin C. In the unfortunate event that your pet suffers from this disease, his or her gums will start bleeding.
You can find out more about this scurvy disease here.
4) Mangoes Help Lower The Risks Of Heart Complications:
The heart is the most important organ in your and your pet’s body. So, a healthy heart is very essential for both you and your pet’s ideal functioning of the body.
Mangoes are full of different nutrients and minerals. These include essential nutrients like potassium and magnesium as well. Both of these minerals will help keep your pet heart-healthy.
They work by assisting the regulation and relaxation of blood vessels in the heart. They are also known to keep your pet’s blood pressure levels within the normal range which assists in lowering the risks of suffering from heart complications.
5) Mangoes Help In The Prevention And Treatment Of Inflammation:
Inflammation is primarily how a body reacts in case of an injury or the unlikely situation where one suffers from a disease. Thanks to the nutrients, minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins in mangoes, they can help in the prevention of inflammation in your guinea pigs.
6) Mangoes Are Great For Improving The Digestion Of Your Pet Guinea Pig:
Mangoes are composed of some digestive enzymes. They are also referred to as amylases. These enzymes are very beneficial when it comes to the proper digestion of your guinea pigs.
These are also known to break down large food particles into smaller ones. Due to this process, your pet’s digestive system can easily digest such food particles.
Apart from the enzymes, mangoes are also rich in terms of their water content and dietary fibers. The fiber in mangoes also helps in proper digestion and maintaining regular bowel movements.
In addition to this, they also help in the reduction of constipation and diarrhea.
7) Mangoes Promote Good Eye Health:
Mangoes contain a significant amount of Vitamin A and antioxidants like zeaxanthin and lutein. When you feed your pet mangoes, they will allow your pet to have better and improved eye health.
One more reason to consider feeding mangoes to your pet guinea pig is that he or she might have a lower chance of suffering from a deficiency of vitamin A. A deficiency of this vitamin can lead to night blindness and dry eyes.
So, make sure you add a little amount of mango to your pig’s diet. Click here to know more about the deficiency of vitamin A in guinea pigs.
8) Mangoes Are Helpful In Maintaining A Healthy Weight:
Mangoes contain just the right amount of dietary fiber. They are very beneficial when it comes to keeping the weight of your guinea pigs normal.
Looking for other healthy treats? You can safely feed your pet parsley and cauliflower.
2 Risks To Consider While Feeding Your Little Furry Pigs Mangoes
Mangoes are very healthy and are generally safe for your guinea pigs. But that does not necessarily mean they do not have any adverse effects. Here are some risks that you need to consider when feeding mangoes to your little furry pigs.
1) High Concentration Of Sugar In Mangoes:
Mangoes are delicious and juicy; there is no denying that. But the bad side is they contain a significant amount of sugar. As mentioned earlier, it is not good for your pig’s health.
If your guinea pigs consume them in large amounts, they may suffer from vomiting and diarrhea.
In case of the above symptoms stop feeding them mangoes. As a precautionary measure, you need to contact your vet immediately. In addition, give them a lot of fresh water in order to ease their symptoms.
2) Your Guinea Pigs Can Get Allergic Reactions:
Your pet piggy can have allergic reactions to certain food items. Make sure you check to keep an eye out on your pet piggy for any allergies they may have.
Besides, mangoes contain certain parts that are not safe for your pet friend. They have unhealthy oil. Feeding them to your pet guinea pig might take a toll on certain guinea pigs if they are allergic to them.
These allergic reactions may include sneezing, vomiting, and sometimes diarrhea. Watch out for any of these symptoms when you feed mangoes to your pet. If you notice any of them, reach out to your vet immediately.
43 Healthy Fruits Or Vegetables You Can Feed To Your Guinea Pig
You can feed your little furry friend a number of different fruits and vegetables. You have endless options to choose from and add to your diet.
But just to get you started following are some of their favorite treats. You can either serve them individually as a treat or as a combo of two or three of the foods listed below.
| Buttercrunch lettuce | Artichoke | Swiss chard | Cucumber | Bell pepper |
| Endive | Cabbage | Parsley | Basil | Beets |
| Sweet potato | Bibb lettuce | Escarole | Beet tops | Carrot |
| Carrot tops | Romaine | Mint | Arugula | Rocket |
| Spinach | Butter lettuce | Parsnip | Broccolini | Broccoli |
| Oranges | Apples | Pears | Mangoes | Figs |
| Watercress | Bok choy | Yu Choy | Zucchini | Summer squash |
| Pumpkin | Tomato |
Other Foods:
Your little furry friend can eat almost every fruit and vegetable which you eat yourself. But, you should always conduct research when it comes to feeding your pet new treats.
But apart from everything else, one piece of advice for you is not to make these veggies or fruits their major diet. You can only feed them in moderation and as treats only.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) Can Guinea Pigs Eat Mango Every Day?
No, you should not feed your pets mango daily. The recommended amount is only to feed them two to three times a week. One or two small slices of mango a day would suffice.
Do not exceed this limit as mango contains sugar. As mentioned earlier, too much of it can harm your furry fella.
In addition to feeding them treats like mangoes, always try to feed them fresh green veggies.
You should also avoid overfeeding your furry friends. It is not good for their health and they may put on excess weight due to the high concentration of sugar in mangoes.
Feed them in moderation and your guinea pig can have a long, active, and healthy life.
2) Can Guinea Pigs Eat Frozen Mangoes?
The answer is a big no! You cannot feed your guinea pigs frozen mangoes. When you freeze your mangoes, they lose all their nutritional value. They only have the unhealthy part left.
In addition, freezing them can also increase the number of carbs and sugars in them. For this very reason, they are a bad idea for your pet and you should not feed them to your guinea pigs. They can also cause diabetes and obesity in your furry friend.
3) Can You Feed Your Little Furry Pigs Mango Juice?
The answer is no, you cannot feed your guinea pigs mango juice. This is due to the fact that the sugar concentration in it is way beyond safe limits. It is definitely not good for your pig.
This much sugar can cause vomiting and diarrhea instantly in your pet pigs.
4) Can Guinea Pigs Eat Seeds Of Mango?
No, you cannot feed your guinea pigs seeds of mangoes. They cannot eat these seeds and will cause them to choke which can be quite serious.
To keep your pet safe, make sure to remove the seed before feeding it to your guinea pigs.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Mangoes? – Conclusion:
In the end, your guinea pigs can eat mango and can enjoy it in summer without any issue. Your guinea pig is totally dependent on you. You have to take care of him as well as his diet.
Feed them mangoes, but only in moderation and no more than the recommended amount. Always feed them a perfectly balanced diet that includes hay and a cup of veggies. Do not feed your guinea pigs dried mangoes or mango juice. They are not suitable for them due to their high concentration of sugar.
Make sure to feed them only ripe mango and not the green and sour ones. Wash them properly before feeding them to your guinea pigs. You should also remove the skin. Following this will allow your pet to have mangoes safely and benefit from them.