Can Guinea Pigs Eat Mango? (Ripe or Raw)

Guinea pigs are known to have a ferocious appetite, but that does not mean that you can feed them just about anything.

Some foods can harm the health of your pet, so you have to be cautious, especially when it comes to choosing treats and fruits.

With this comes the below question —;

Can Guinea Pigs Eat Mango?

Guinea pigs can eat mangoes because they are not only juicy and sweet but also nutrient-rich, meaning that your furry friend can benefit a lot from these tropical fruits. Nonetheless, you have to keep in mind that your adorable piggy is not a frugivore, so he/she may not thrive on a fruit-filled diet. In fact, your guinea pig’s diet should only contain 5% fruit, inclusive of treats.

As herbivores, guinea pigs get all their nutrients from plant materials, with hay taking up to 80% of the total dietary requirement.

The remaining percentage constitutes of vegetables, so it is your responsibility to ensure that your pet is getting the right portions from each category.

From the figures, it is evident that fruits such as mangoes should be served once in a while and in small portions to avoid causing harm to your pet.

What will happen to my guinea pig if I feed him/her too much mango?

For starters, mangoes are loaded with fructose, and that is exactly why they taste and smell so sweet.

In as much as fructose is categorized as a natural sugar, it can cause indigestion, which may, in turn, cause diarrhea.

This can result in loss of body weight and may also shorten the lifespan of your furry buddy, so you have to take good care of your pet if you want him/her to live longer.

Guinea pigs can also become obese if they eat mangoes in excessive amounts due to the fruits’ high sugar content.

Consequently, the pet will suffer from life-threatening health complications that may affect its overall wellbeing.

Are mangoes worth the risk?

Yes, if served correctly, your guinea pig will get lots of nutrients and vitamins from mangoes.

Mangoes have an abundance of vitamin C, which aids in the formation of collagen and other critical components in the body.

Aside from that, mangoes contain folate, a type of vitamin B, which is required in the production of white and red blood cells.

In addition to the vitamins, guinea pigs can also get minerals such as zinc, potassium, calcium, magnesium just to mention but a few.

Potassium and magnesium are particularly important when it comes to regulating cardiovascular functions.

As such, the guinea pig will develop a stronger heart, which will ensure that blood is conveyed to all parts of the body.

Through this, critical organs like the brain and liver will be supplied with sufficient amounts of oxygen and nutrients, resulting in good health.

The other unique thing about mangoes is that they have a low calorific value, thus making them even safer for your pet.

Now that you know some of the benefits I bet you are wondering when and how you should serve mango to a guinea pig.

Like we said earlier, once in a while does it, so the piggy should only be given mangoes not more than twice a week.

When feeding your guinea pig, ensure that you dice the mango into small pieces to avoid choking the animal.

Additionally, you should not exceed two pieces per serving since this may bring about the health complications that we listed above.

Is mango skin good for guinea pigs?

No, aside from being a choking hazard, mango skin is hard to digest, so the guinea pig may have a hard time breaking it down, and this may cause problems to the digestive tract.

Plus, some guinea pigs are allergic to the compounds found in mango skin, so it would be wise to avoid this part of the fruit at all costs.

Ripe or raw mango, which should I feed my guinea pig?

Only go for ripe mangoes since they are easier to digest and also taste better. Never give your guinea pig raw mangoes.

Guinea pigs should only be served fresh mangoes, so try as much as you can not to give your pet dried or frozen mango slices. The same applies to mango pits since they are equally harmful.

What should I do if I notice a change in my guinea pig’s behavior after serving mango?

The first step is to stop giving the pet mangoes. Secondly, you should observe the pet for a few hours to see if there are any changes.

If not, you can consider taking the guinea pig to a vet to get a full diagnosis of the underlying problem.

Final Thoughts

Mangoes are very beneficial to guinea pigs, but it all depends on how the fruit is prepared and the amount that is served in each eating session.

As you have seen, this tropical fruit contains potent compounds that can help improve the health of your guinea pig.

And because guinea pigs have weak immune systems, including mango in their diet can be a lifesaving move.

As a result, your pet will be less likely to suffer from scurvy, urinary problems, respiratory complications, etc.

Some of the nutrients found in mangoes also strengthen and promote the formation of new blood vessels, thereby boosting blood supply.

Aside from the benefits, mangoes can be a health hazard to guinea pigs if you don’t follow the serving instructions to the latter.

To keep your pet healthy and in good shape, ensure that you feed the piggy the right portions at the right time.

To add to this, guinea pigs should be given enough water after serving each mango serving since this will help in diluting the sugars.

If you do everything correctly, you will have yourself a guinea pig that is not only healthy but also playful.

This means that you will be able to play with your furry friend whenever you want without him/her getting upset or sick.

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