Yes, rabbits can eat strawberries since they are low in calcium. But moderation is the key. Strawberry is a good treat for your furry friend but you should not feed strawberries as a regular meal as it contains sugar. Wild rabbits love strawberries. So, your pet bunny will like them.
In this article, we will walk you through the pros and cons of strawberries. After reading this article, you will know the nutritional value, feeding frequency, benefits of strawberries, and the best way to feed strawberries to your bunny.
Without further ado, let’s get started.
Are Strawberries safe for rabbits?
Here are some key points about feeding strawberries to rabbits:
- Strawberries are generally safe for rabbits to eat in moderation. They contain antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that can be beneficial.
- The fruits and leaves of strawberry plants are safe, but avoid feeding rabbits the stems which can cause intestinal blockages.
- Introduce new foods like strawberries slowly and in small amounts to avoid digestive upset.
- Strawberries should only make up a small part of a rabbit’s diet. Too many can lead to digestive issues and tooth problems from excess sugar.
- Give rabbits a few small slices or pieces of strawberry 2-3 times per week at most. No more than a tablespoon or two per 2 lbs of body weight.
- Wash strawberries to remove any pesticides or contaminants before feeding. Avoid moldy or spoiled strawberries.
- The high water content in strawberries can cause a wet chin in rabbits who get messy while eating them. Wipe their faces after to avoid this.
- Monitor your rabbit’s stool and appetite when first giving strawberries to watch for any signs of intolerance.
So in summary, strawberries are a fine occasional treat for rabbits in limited quantities. Moderation is key to getting their nutritional benefits without adverse effects. Consider strawberries just a small part of a varied rabbit diet.
Nutrition Facts for Strawberries
Let’s have a look at the nutritional facts of strawberries.
100 grams of raw strawberries contains the following amount of nutrition:
| Calories | 32 |
| Water | 91% |
| Protein | 0.7 grams |
| Carbs | 7.7 grams |
| Sugar | 4.9 grams |
| Fiber | 2 grams |
| Fat | 0.3 grams |
Raw and fresh strawberries contain high of water. So, the amount of fiber is low here. So, it will not spike the blood sugar of rabbits suddenly. So, a moderate amount of strawberry is safe for the bunny.
Want to know what the wild rabbit eats in the winter? Read this article here.
How to Feed Strawberries to Your Rabbits?
Most of the rabbit breeds love strawberries insanely. Only the raw strawberry is allowed to the bunny. Don’t provide the other forms of strawberry to your bunny. Strawberry slices are perfect for feeding your rabbit for a long time if they are cut into small pieces.
If you give the whole strawberry your bunny will finish it within a moment and demand another one.
How many strawberries should you feed?
It would help if you fed a whole strawberry to the smaller breeds and 2-3 to the larger breeds in one setting. But don’t treat strawberries as regular food. You should give it occasionally to your bunny.
Benefits of Strawberry for rabbits
No doubt strawberry is sweet and tasty. But there are a lot of health benefits of strawberries for bunnies.
Strawberry contains 91% of water. So it is a watery fruit and it will keep the rabbit hydrated during the hot summer days. Usually, rabbits don’t want to drink water. So strawberry is a good option indeed.
Strawberries contain high vitamin C and antioxidants. So, it will boost the immune system of rabbits. Additionally, strawberries are helpful for the mental health of the bunny.
Can strawberries kill rabbits?
No strawberry is not toxic for rabbits and it will not kill the rabbit in general conditions. Strawberries contain high sugar, which is why the expert suggests not providing strawberries daily. Only feed the strawberry as a treat.
Can rabbits eat strawberry plants, tops, and leaves?
Yes, rabbits can eat strawberry plants, tops, and leaves. In nature, wild rabbits often eat wild strawberries and their leaves and plants. There is no risk of eating the plants of strawberries.
Can rabbits eat strawberry seeds?
Yes, rabbits can eat strawberry seeds. You can provide the strawberry with the seed. Seeds are not toxic for rabbits. Most rabbits can easily digest the strawberry and its seeds.
Can You Feed Your Bunnies Dried or Frozen Strawberries?
Frozen and dried strawberries should not be fed to rabbits. Only raw and fresh strawberries are advised to feed. Moreover, rabbits usually don’t want to eat frozen and dried strawberries.
Can Baby Bunnies Eat Strawberries?
Baby bunnies less than 6 months old should not eat strawberries and other fruits. Except for their mom’s milk, they can eat alfalfa hay and fresh water.
Final Thoughts
Strawberries are safe for rabbits in moderation. The fruits contain beneficial nutrients, but also natural sugars. Feed just a few small slices 2-3 times per week at most, no more than 1-2 tbsp per 2 lbs body weight. Introduce new foods slowly. Wash thoroughly and avoid spoiled berries. Monitor stool and appetite when first feeding. Overall, strawberries make a fine occasional treat, but should be just a small part of a varied rabbit diet.
Recent Posts
You may have already adopted a bunny or are planning to get one. Rabbits are a great source of pleasure for a family, especially children. They are peaceful and need moderate space for...
Perhaps, you have already adopted a bunny and now looking for an effective suggestion for a rabbit cage setup. Well, setting up a rabbit cage is not a difficult task indeed. If you have the proper...