In the American Southeast, strawberry season is a hotly anticipated time of year – and for good reason! These amazingly luscious and ripe berries have drawn many a fan, human and rabbit alike.
Sweet, ripe strawberries are available fresh off the vine from the beginning of April through Mother’s Day. And if you’re like us, you can’t help but want to share your delicious produce with your pet rabbit, no matter how much they love eating strawberries. But are strawberries really safe for bunnies to eat? Yes!
In today’s article, we’ll be covering the ins and outs of feeding strawberries to your pet rabbit. From their nutritional value and health benefits to the best way to feed them to your rabbit, you’ll learn everything you need to know to share nature’s bounty with your fuzzy friend.
By the end of this guide, you’ll be fully informed and ready to decide how often you can feed strawberries to your rabbits, and how much they can eat at one time. So, let’s get started!
Yes! Rabbits Can Eat Strawberries
You need only look to wild rabbits to know that yes, bunnies most definitely can eat strawberries! As they’re growing on the vine in spring, any unattended plants are likely to be nibbled on by wild rabbits around the neighborhood. Though their high sugar content means that they shouldn’t be a major part of any rabbit’s diet, they’re a completely safe option to give as an occasional treat.
Nutrition Facts for Strawberries
According to Nutritionvalue.org, strawberries have the following qualities:
- High in Vitamin C and manganese
- Moderate sugar and dietary fiber content
- Small amount of a wide variety of vitamins and minerals
- Low in calcium (great for rabbits!)
And with a calorie composition of 85% carbohydrates, 7% protein, and 8% fat, strawberries are an excellent option as an occasional treat for rabbits.
Health Benefits of Strawberries for Rabbits
Generally, sweeter foods givin to your rabbit as a treat have very little nutritive value. Not so with strawberries! In addition to having a moderate amount of a wide variety of vitamins and minerals, they also have a decent amount of dietary fiber – making them one of the healthier options for treats that you can feed your rabbit. Their low calcium content just makes them that much easier on your rabbit’s digestive system, too!
How to Feed Strawberries to Your Rabbits
As long as the strawberries are off the vine, you can feed them to your rabbit whole. However, because of their voracious appetite for sweets, most bunnies will suck down a whole strawberry in no time. So, we suggest slicing your strawberries into pieces, and feeding them to your rabbit over a longer time.
Always be sure to choose organically grown strawberries for feeding your rabbit. By avoiding harmful waxes and pesticides, you’ll help your rabbit’s sensitive digestive and immune systems to remain in peak health.
How Much Strawberry Should I Feed My Rabbit?
For small or dwarf rabbits, a whole strawberry could almost be considered a feast – be sure to cut them up into slices so as not to overload your rabbit’s digestive system. Larger rabbits, however, can easily eat 2-3 strawberries in one sitting without any problem.
Just keep in mind that strawberries should be an occasional treat. No matter how cute it may be to watch your furry friend eating a juicy strawberry, they’re best saved as a once- or twice-a-week treat.
Types of Strawberries to Feed Your Rabbit
Always feed fresh strawberries to your rabbit – never frozen, cooked, or canned! Anything besides fresh, organic fruit can cause serious gastrointestinal distress for your rabbit. When available, choose freshly picked strawberries for their higher vitamin content.
- Here’s another interesting read: Can Rats Eat Strawberries? What You Need to Know!
Summary
Strawberries are one of the best occasional treats that you can choose for your rabbit, due to their relatively balanced sugar and fiber content. So, when you’re in the mood to treat your rabbit to something special, strawberries are an excellent choice! Thanks for reading today, and we hope you’ve learned everything you wanted to know about rabbits and strawberries.
Related Reads:
- Can Rabbits Eat Cherries? What You Need to Know!
- Can Rabbits Eat Pineapples? What You Need to Know!
- Can Rabbits Eat Oranges? What You Need to Know!
Featured Image: Pixabay
