You may be wondering if it’s safe to give your rabbit peanuts. While peanuts may seem like a fun treat, there are plenty of reasons that you should never feed them to rabbits. Even if you’ve fed your rabbit peanuts in the past and it seemed as if your rabbit was fine, it’s still wise to avoid peanuts if there are plenty of better food and treat options for your rabbit.
Read on to find out why peanuts are bad for rabbits. We’ll cover the potential health hazards and offer you better treat suggestions. We’ll also take a closer look at whether peanut shells and peanut hay are safe for your rabbit.
Facts About Peanuts
Peanuts are actually a legume. Despite having “nut” in their name, they’re not a tree nut. Peanuts are more closely related to soy, beans, and lentils. Nutritionally, peanuts are known for having a high fat content. They pack many calories in a small package. While they’re low in carbohydrates, peanuts are a good source of protein and an excellent source of many vitamins and minerals.
Why Are Peanuts Bad for Rabbits?
While peanuts may be safe and rather healthy for human consumption, the same set of criteria differs greatly for rabbits. Rabbits have sensitive digestive systems, as well as other health factors that make peanuts a poor choice at mealtime or as a treat.
No Nutritional Value
Peanuts, as well as peanut butter, have little to no health benefits for your rabbit. In fact, peanuts create the opposite result. If you feed your rabbit peanuts or peanut products, you’ll be doing more harm than good. Your rabbit may be so full or ill from eating peanuts that they won’t eat its regular, healthy selection of foods, which can lead to major health problems.
High Fat Content
Because peanuts are high in fat and in calories, if you regularly feed your rabbit peanuts, there’s a risk of excess weight gain. Obesity is a serious health issue. Overweight rabbits can develop heart and digestive issues, urinary tract problems, and skin conditions.
Difficulties Digesting Peanuts and Other Nut Foods
Your rabbit has a gentle, sensitive belly that’s not equipped for digesting peanuts and other sorts of nuts such as walnuts. The nutritional make-up of peanuts, including fats, high levels of certain minerals such as phosphorus and calcium, and high sugar content, makes peanuts unsuitable for your rabbit’s ability to digest them. The extra sugar can promote the growth of bad bacteria in your rabbit’s gut, which can lead to stomach upset, bloating, and diarrhea.
Choking
Peanuts can be a possible choking hazard to rabbits. The texture of the peanut doesn’t match what your bunny normally gnaws on and eats.
Can rabbits eat peanut shells?
If you offer your rabbit peanut shells, chances are that they’ll leave them alone. However, peanut shells aren’t a good choice for rabbits due to their high fiber content. To avoid gastrointestinal distress in your rabbit, skip the peanut shells.
What about peanut plant hay?
Perhaps peanut plant hay is the only acceptable peanut product to offer your bunny. Peanut plant hay is considered a legume hay. It’s recommended to use legume hays for pregnant, nursing, young, or underweight rabbits. However, compared to better hay choices such as timothy, legume hays offer less nutritional value with too much fiber and not enough calcium.
Conclusion
Peanuts, peanut butter, peanut shells, and other types of nuts are not a good food choice for rabbits. Peanut can cause obesity and digestive issues and pose a choking hazard. If you want to treat your rabbit, you’ll be much better off giving your rabbit fruit, such as a slice of a banana or an apple, or small bites of carrots and broccoli.
Related Reads:
- Can Rabbits Eat Potatoes? What You Need to Know!
- Can Rabbits Eat Sweet Potato? What You Need to Know!
- Can Rabbits Eat Pumpkin? What You Need to Know!
Featured Image: Pexels from Pixabay
