Can Rabbits Eat Apples?

Last Updated on March 9, 2023 by Woody Pet

Can Rabbits Eat Apples? – Find Out How This Innocent Fruit Can Become Deadly!

Remember how Snow White reacted to the last apple that she ate? We would not want that to be the fate of our pet bunny, would we? Rabbits absolutely love sweet things, so they quite enjoy eating apples. However, apples should only make up a small portion of their diet. Keep in mind, though, that, while it is of little importance what kind of apples we give to our rabbits, there is a certain part of this fruit that could actually cause them serious harm.

That, as well as the safe quantity of apples to feed to your rabbit and the health benefits that apples have, will be elaborated on in detail throughout this article, along with several other interesting things. If you want your pet bunny to have a happy tummy, you have come to the right place.

Types Of Apples That Rabbits Can Eat

There are many different types of apples, but they are quite similar in nutritional values and other qualities, so rabbits can eat all of them. But just because they can, it does not mean that they like them. Well, some of them. Many rabbits are not quite fond of green apples due to the sour taste that they have, but this really depends.

Regardless, there are many types of apples that all have a different level of sweetness and they include Gala apples, Red Delicious apples, Fuji apples, Honeycrisp apples, Pink apples, Ambrosia apples, Golden apples, Braeburn apples, Cameo apples and many more. Continue reading down below to find out how to satisfy your rabbit’s sweet tooth while keeping them safe and healthy.

Apples Nutrition Benefits And Side Effects

Apples are amazing for nutrition and for gut health, and that is not limited to humans. The great nutrients and antioxidants that apples are packed with are amazing for the gut health of rabbits. Apples have minerals like calcium that are extremely useful for strengthening connective tissue and reassuring growth.

Additionally, they have phytonutrients that protect the organism from pathogens and infections. As if that weren’t enough, apples are quite rich in B-complex vitamins, which help drastically to improve the circulatory and nervous systems of rabbits. Aside from nutritional benefits, apples, like other fruits, will have several side effects if consumed in a big amounts. Apples and other sweet foods should only be seen as treats, not as substitutes for necessary components of a rabbit’s diet, like greens and especially hay. That being said, can rabbits eat apples in appropriate quantities? Absolutely.

A good thumb rule is only to give your rabbit one teaspoon of fruit for every pound of weight. Do not give your rabbit fruit if it is severely overweight, as the high amount of sugar content in apples can cause obesity. Aside from that, it can give your rabbit an upset stomach. Additionally, apples are very acidic and that can disrupt your rabbit’s gut but also damage its teeth. Keeping these things in mind, remember to feed apples to your rabbit only in moderation to reap the benefits and avoid the side effects.

Can Rabbits Eat Apples With Skin

Not only can rabbits eat apples with skin, but the highest amount of nutrients and antioxidants that apples have is concentrated in the skin. Rabbits enjoy eating apples with skin and they absolutely should. That being said, keep in mind that commercial apples are covered in pesticides and that your favorite little furry friends have a delicate stomachs, so please keep in mind to wash your apples thoroughly before feeding them to your rabbit.

A tip would be to try and get organic produce as much as you can, as it is way less likely to contain chemicals. It is also worth saying that it is safe and very beneficial for rabbits to eat apple tree leaves, twigs, and branches if you do have access to them. Munching on twigs and leaves will help rabbits to keep their teeth under control, which is great because a rabbit’s teeth never stop growing.

However, apple seeds and stems should never be given to rabbits, because they are likely to cause slight damage to their gut, or even kill them due to components inside of them that are poisonous to rabbits. 

Can Rabbits Eat Apples Conclusion

Who doesn’t love apples? Not only can your rabbits eat apples, but they quite like them. Apples have wonderful nutritional values and they are very good antioxidants, so of course rabbits can eat them. Additionally, apple twigs and leaves are helpful to keep rabbits’ teeth in check since they never stop growing. Rabbits can eat all types of apples, although they do not prefer green ones due to their savory taste.

In order to get the good benefits of this delicious fruit while avoiding the side effects, it is crucial for us to give apples to our little friends only in small quantities that will not upset their stomachs. Apples have to be thoroughly washed and dried, then cut up carefully to remove all the seeds and stems to ensure that our bunnies have the best experience eating them.

We should use the ‘1 teaspoon of fruit per 1 pound of weight’ thumb rule and always keep our pets weight, health, and well-being in consideration.

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