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Home > Rabbits > Can Rabbits Eat Strawberries? Vet-Approved Safety Facts & FAQ

Can Rabbits Eat Strawberries? Vet-Approved Safety Facts & FAQ

Can Rabbits Eat strawberries

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Reviewed & Fact-Checked By

Dr. Maja Platisa

Veterinarian, DVM MRCVS

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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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 typically available fresh off the vine from the beginning of April through Mother’s Day. If you’re like us, you can’t help but want to share your delicious produce with your pet bunny. But are strawberries actually safe for rabbits to eat? Yes, they are in moderation, but only as a snack. However, fruits are not something rabbits will often eat in the wild, and there are health risks associated with feeding too many sugary fruits!

Let’s go over more of the ins and outs of feeding strawberries as an occasional treat to your pet rabbit. From the fruit’s nutritional value, recommended amounts, and best way to feed it safely to your rabbit, you’ll learn everything that you need to know to share nature’s bounty with your furry friend. Always speak to your vet about any dietary changes or new food ingredients for your pet rabbit.

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Yes! Rabbits Can Eat Strawberries

Wild rabbits do not really show too much interest in fruits and vegetables, despite the common misbelief, unless food sources are scarce.1 However, some bunnies will show interest in strawberries and can safely eat them! As they’re growing on the vine in spring, any unattended plants are likely to be nibbled on by wild rabbits around the neighborhood. Although their high sugar content means that they shouldn’t be a major part of any rabbit’s diet, they’re usually safe options to give as occasional treats.

Nutrition Facts for Strawberries

According to USDA, strawberries contain the following:

  • Vitamin C 
  • Moderately low sugar at 0.58 grams per 12 grams of one medium strawberry 
  • Limited dietary fiber content at 0.24 grams per 12 grams
  • Small amount of a variety of vitamins and minerals

With a calorie composition of 85% carbohydrates, 7% protein, and 8% fat, strawberries are excellent options as occasional treats for rabbits.

Health Benefits of Strawberries for Rabbits

Generally, sweet foods such as fruits given to your rabbit as treats have little to almost no nutritional value, mainly due to the small amount that rabbits can eat safely (only once or twice per week!). Too much can lead to serious digestive issues in the short term, while excess carbs can predispose them to weight gain and dental issues. Remember that a rabbit’s diet needs to consist of fresh hay and grass, making up 85% of their daily food intake. 

In addition to having a moderate amount of a wide variety of vitamins and minerals, strawberries do contain some dietary fiber and are generally considered moderately low in sugar, making them a safe occasional treat option that you can feed your rabbit.

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FAQ

How Can I Feed Strawberries to My Rabbit?

As long as the strawberries are off the vine, you can feed them to your rabbit whole. However, due to their voracious appetite for sweets, most bunnies will suck down a whole strawberry in no time. So, we suggest slicing your strawberry into pieces and feeding them to your rabbit gradually and sparingly.

Always wash strawberries before feeding them to your rabbit in order to remove harmful chemicals and pesticides.

strawberries
Image Credit: Pixabay

How Many Strawberries 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. Large rabbits, however, may be able to eat two strawberries in one sitting without any problem.

Just keep in mind that strawberries should be occasional treats. No matter how cute it may be to watch your furry friend eating a juicy strawberry, they’re best saved as once- or twice-a-week treats.

Types of Strawberries to Feed Your Rabbit

Always feed fresh strawberries to your rabbit—never frozen, cooked, or canned! Anything besides fresh, washed fruit can cause unnecessary gastrointestinal upset for your rabbit, while canned fruit tends to contain added sugar and other ingredients. When available, choose freshly picked strawberries.

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Summary

Strawberries are among the safe occasional treats that you can choose for your rabbit, but be mindful about the sugar content and do not make it a regular part of their diet. So, when you’re in the mood to treat your rabbit to something special, strawberries may be an excellent choice, but some rabbits may still develop digestive issues from eating fruit. We hope that you’ve learned everything that you wanted to know about rabbits and strawberries!

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