Watermelon is a sweet and refreshing fruit, and almost everyone likes it. So, it is natural to wish to share some with your adorable bunny. Thus, can bunnies eat watermelon?
Undoubtedly, rabbit owners fully know how dangerous it can be to offer their pets the wrong kind of food. Rabbits have a sensitive digestive system and are prone to many diet–related health problems. Given this, this article answers pertinent questions about how to include watermelon in your bunny’s diet.
We will answer the following rabbit-related questions in this article:
- Can I Give Watermelon To My Rabbit?
- How can I avoid problems while feeding my bunny watermelon?
- Can Watermelon Cause Diarrhea in Rabbits?
- How Many Watermelons Can I Give My Bunny?
- Can Baby Rabbits Eat Watermelon?
- Is Watermelon Skin ok to Eat?
Can I Give Watermelon To My Rabbit?
Yes. Rabbits love to eat the juicy flesh of watermelon. After all, they have a sweet tooth. More so, watermelon is safe for rabbits’ consumption and suitable for their immune systems and overall health. Hence, you can share the refreshing fruit with your pet rabbit.
Subsequently, what’s the deal with watermelon? Firstly, watermelon is a sweet and refreshing low-calorie fat-free summer snack. Watermelon contains mainly water (about 90 percent), significant vitamin A, B6, and C levels. Additionally, it has minute quantities of sodium as well as dietary fiber. It has some amount of potassium and magnesium.
When bunnies eat watermelon, it keeps them well hydrated and refreshed. At the same time, it provides some nutrients too. A stressed or depressed rabbit can gain a bit of vitamin C boost. Choline is another essential nutrient in watermelon. It helps to improve sleep, strengthen muscles, aid digestion, and enhance brain function.
In addition, watermelon is fat-free and has low calories; therefore, it is a good treat for preventing weight gain. Besides, watermelon has a high level of Carotenoids. These are fat-soluble pigments that give plants their colors. As anti-oxidants, they fight free radicals in the body. They are beneficial not only to humans but to rabbits too.
Despite all these health benefits of watermelon, it has a high level of sugar.
How Many Watermelons Can I Give My Bunny?
As earlier noted, watermelon has high sugar content. Thus, as much as your bunny might love watermelon all day, it is best to feed in moderation. It should be an occasional snack or treat. It should never be a main meal or replacement for vegetables in your bunny’s diet.
Rabbits love anything with sugar in it. A lot of rabbit owners overfeed their pets watermelon because they see how enthusiastic the rabbits eat it. Naturally, Rabbits don’t know what’s good for them and would likely devour a whole watermelon if you permit them.
To keep your bunny healthy, you should limit all fruits to not more than ten percent of its diet. A rabbit’s vital daily diet comprises abundant high-quality hay, pellets, green leafy vegetables, and clean water. Fruits are not an indispensable part of their daily meal. What’s more, a lack of proper diet can quickly cause sickness or even death in rabbits.
With these in mind, a tablespoon of watermelon per four pounds of a rabbit’s body weight given once or twice a week is adequate for a rabbit. In other words, one tablespoon of diced watermelon flesh. Suppose you feel that your rabbit has taken too much of any nutrient or food. In that case, you should always consult your veterinarian.
Can Watermelon Cause Diarrhea in Rabbits?
Watermelon in moderate quantities is safe for most rabbits. Conversely, when rabbits overeat watermelon, it can have adverse effects on their digestive tract. They could develop an upset stomach, gas, bloating, and diarrhea. Diarrhea can be fatal in rabbits (especially young rabbits) if they do not receive urgent vet care.
Apart from loose stools, too much sugar in rabbits’ diets can cause obesity. Obesity can cause a host of other illnesses. Moreover, when rabbits overeat watermelon, they hardly eat their cecotropes. Cecotropes are nutrient-dense droppings that are a vital part of rabbits’ diets.
Unquestionably, Watermelon has a large amount of sugar. Although the human body can digest sugar effectively, rabbits’ digestive systems cannot. Still, when given in small quantities, rabbits can safely handle fruit sugar.
Therefore, feed your bunny small amounts of watermelon or none at all. These pellets already contain vitamins, and they can get sufficient hydration from drinking water. Invariably, they are not missing out if they don’t eat watermelons. Notwithstanding, you cherish your adorable bunnies. Thus, they deserve these mouth-watering and nutritious treats.
Can They Eat Watermelon Skin?
Watermelon skin is the best part of a watermelon that your rabbit can eat. Bunnies can eat it without any difficulties. The rind is better for rabbits than the flesh because it contains more fiber and less sugar.
Nibbling on the green watermelon skin is a fun treat for rabbits and beneficial for their teeth. This is valuable to them because rabbits’ teeth do not stop growing.
Interestingly, watermelon rind contains a high amount of citrulline. Citrulline is an amino acid with numerous health benefits. There are no known side effects of citrulline, and it may encourage healthy blood vessels and regulate blood pressure. Accordingly, let your bunnies eat watermelon
As a precaution against choking, cut up the watermelon skin into small pieces. More importantly, ensure the watermelon skin you give to your bunny is from organic fruit that has not been preserved with chemicals.
Alternatively, you may offer your bunny a small amount of white to pale green flesh inside the watermelon and avoid the tougher outer layer. Also, wash the skin very well to remove all traces of pesticides.
Start with about one inch of the skin. Suppose it does not trigger any digestive troubles. In that case, you may increase the quantity of watermelon skin you give your rabbit bit by bit.
Can Bunnies Eat Watermelon Leaves?
Rabbits can safely eat watermelon leaves coupled with the vines; they are not toxic. Likewise, the flowers are edible. However, it should not be a significant part of their diet. They should nibble on the leaves in small amounts. In any case, wash the leaves completely before giving them to your bunny.
Can Baby Rabbits Eat Watermelon?
Baby rabbits have a delicate digestive system. Consequently, giving watermelon to them is not a good idea. Baby rabbits should not eat any kind of fruit. Only adult rabbits with fully mature digestive systems should eat watermelon.
The appropriate diet for a baby rabbit consists of alfalfa hay, water, age-appropriate pellets, and various vegetables in small quantities. Accordingly, It is better to give vegetables as treats until your bunny is one year old.
How can I avoid problems while feeding my bunny watermelon?
To avoid problems while your bunny eats watermelon, you need to take the following precautions:
- If you are introducing watermelon to your rabbit for the first time, ensure you initially offer a small portion. Then, wait for a day to see how your rabbit Reacts. Check the stool to see if it has the usual color and texture. If the droppings are normal, you can rule out any intolerance the rabbit may have.
- Bathing a rabbit can be distressing for them and yourself. Thus, take this into account when offering watermelon. Chop the watermelon you present your rabbits into small cubes. In that way, as your bunnies eat watermelon, there will be only a slight stain on their fur.
- You should give your bunnies watermelon only as a treat. Feeding your rabbits watermelon too often can make them expect it all the time. As a result, your rabbit can become a fussy eater, refusing to eat other, more nourishing foods. Just like humans, rabbits too can develop a sweet tooth.
- Rabbits are small animals so, make sure that you remove any black seeds you find in the watermelon. The pits are sharp, difficult to digest, and can obstruct their intestinal tract. They can neither chew nor vomit the seeds if they choke on them. The tiny, soft white seeds are all right to leave in.
- Avoid offering your bunny defrosted watermelon, as it will have a soggy texture. It is advisable to either serve it fresh or frozen in small cube shapes.
- If your bunny does not eat the watermelon, you offered it after 12 hours, remove it for it is no longer safe to eat.
- Rabbits should snack on watermelon only after consuming the required daily ration of their main meal
Conclusions
So, can bunnies eat watermelon? Yes, you can share that delightful fruit with your furry friend, and the bunny will love you for the snack. Even so, you need to take the necessary precautions. Avoid giving watermelon to a young bunny. Ensure your bunny is healthy before offering fresh seedless watermelon in limited quantities.