There are a lot of tropical fruits out there that are sweet and juicy to bite into. This includes mango, with some people say tastes citrusy, while others say it has floral and sour hints. Have you ever thought about what your guinea pig will think of this fruit?
If you have a furry critter as a pet, you may be wondering; will my guinea pig-like mango? Is it healthy for them to consume a lot of this fruit?
In this article, we are going to explore whether guinea pigs are able to eat mango.
Can My Guinea Pig Eat Mango?
Since mangoes are sweet and tasty, a lot of guinea pig owners wonder if they can feed their critter this fruit. Well, the answer to this question is yes. Mango is a safe fruit for your furry friend to consume and it can be nutritious for them.
However, it is recommended that you only give your guinea pig one or two small pieces of this fruit at a time. This should only be once or twice a week.
In particular, it is advised not to make these two days in a row. according to VCA Hospitals, guinea pigs should enjoy a variety of fruits and vegetables and not just the same types.
In this article, we are going to explore the good things about mango and what you should be wary of.
Learn About Mango and Other Safe Fruits for Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs should enjoy a varied diet so that they can get all of the nutrition they need to stay happy and healthy. Here is a view that is going to be useful for choosing safe fruits for your critter, which includes mango.
What Nutrients Can Mango Provide My Guinea Pig?
Eating mangoes have a lot of benefits and this is true for guinea pigs in moderation. Here are some of the good things about mango and why you should consider this fruit as a snack for your guinea pig.
A Source of Calcium
Guinea pigs need the right amount of calcium in their diet. Otherwise, they can experience muscle spasms, brittle bones, and even lethargy. Mango is a good source of calcium, according to Medical News Today.
Contains Vitamin C
Vitamin C is essential for your guinea pig and they are not able to produce it themselves, according to the RSPCA.
They need to consume this vitamin in their food in order to stay healthy. Giving your critter some mango to enjoy as a snack, is going to be a good source of vitamin C.
Offers Antioxidants
Antioxidants can be beneficial for lowering your guinea pig’s risk of cancer. They are able to fight free radicals and prevent cell damage, which can lead to disease.
Thus, offering your furry friend some of this tasty fruit can be a good thing. according to Healthline, mangoes contain a lot of antioxidants.
Provides Fiber
Guinea pigs need fiber in their diet to stay healthy. The good thing about mango is that it is a source of fiber. This can help your furry friend have a healthy digestive tract and mean they have no toilet troubles. This is particularly true when your guinea pig is eating a lot of hay.
Contains Good Minerals
When we talk about good minerals, we are referring to magnesium and potassium. These minerals are essential for your guinea pig and for them to stay healthy.
They are going to allow the cardiovascular system to function properly. Namely, they are able to help the blood vessels work and regulate healthy blood pressure.
Will My Guinea Pig Like Mangoes?
Most of the time, guinea pigs will be very curious when you give them a new snack to try. This means that a lot of furry friends enjoy this fruit since it has a tropical and sweet taste that is different for them.
But, remember that every guinea pig is different. In other words, your critter might not like this fruit. If this is the case, they will simply leave the fruit. You can remove it from their cage later on and try another day.
Are There Things I Should Know About Mango?
As we have mentioned, mango should only be fed in moderation to your guinea pig. This means only once or twice a week. There are some important reasons for this.
High Sugar Content
Unfortunately, mango has high sugar content. This is the case with a lot of fruits and it is something that you need to be aware of.
In excessive amounts, sugar can be unhealthy for your guinea pig. It can mean that they gain fat and become overweight. This can lead to other health issues in the future.
Increase the Risk of Bladder Stones
We have mentioned that mango is a good source of calcium. Indeed, this is true if you are not overfeeding your guinea pig.
However, if you give your furry friend too much of this tropical fruit, it can mean that it increases the risk of bladder stones. According to Sawnee Animal Clinic, too much calcium will create these stones.
Should I Remove the Mango Skin?
Mangoes always have skin as their outer layer. Before you serve mango to your guinea pig, it is best to remove this skin first.
The texture is quite thick and this can mean that your guinea pig could choke. For peace of mind, it is best to cut it off and know that this tasty snack is going to be safe.
In addition, there may be chemicals and pesticides present on the mango skin. This is another reason why you will want to remove it. It could be unsafe for your guinea pig to eat and consume these chemicals if they are present in high amounts.
You may also wonder about the mango seeds that are present. Again, it is best to remove these before you give this tropical fruit to your guinea pig. They can be a choking hazard too due to their size.
What is the Best Way to Serve Mango to My Guinea Pig?
It is recommended that you serve fresh mango to your guinea pig. While you can purchase this fruit frozen, this can upset your furry friend’s stomach.
In addition, dried mango can have much higher levels of sugar, according to WebMD. Therefore, room temperature and fresh mango from the store are going to be best for your critter and they will enjoy this the most.
To begin, wash the mango. This is going to remove any chemicals and pesticides that might be present. Then you can go ahead and peel off the skin with a knife.
Take your knife and chop the mango fruit into small pieces. They should be bite-sized for your guinea pig to enjoy.
Offer one or two pieces of this mango to your guinea pig. You can put it into their food bowl for later.
If your guinea pig does not eat all of the mangoes that you give them, it is best to remove them from the cage at the end of the day. Fruit that is left out in the air will spoil.
This can mean that it becomes unsafe for your furry friend to eat. Therefore, to stop them from becoming ill, clean out the pieces that are left at the end of the day. This is also going to stop flies coming into your guinea pig’s cage.
