Can Rabbits Eat Apples Health Guide

While Apples are known for their Nutritious Nature and Delicious Taste among Humans, Are they evenly Health Abundant to rabbits? It’s a commonly thriving query to whom the straightforward answer is Yes, but Moderation is Key.

Before penning down the Health Pros & Cons of Apples for Rabbits, I would like to share a Vet’s quote that, in my opinion, best describes the situation. According to Dr. Ivana Crnec, DVM,

“Apples must be added to Rabbit’s diet as a Treat, but they shouldn’t make up more than 10% of their daily caloric intake.”

The story isn’t over yet, though, because the Moderate Usage of Apple is a supporting element that ties to its Feeding Safety and Precautions. As we know, an Apple comprises Skin, Seeds, and a Stem, even though all those components are edible, yet not for Rabbits.

Exploring the proper manners to Feed Apples to Rabbits, first slice the fruit into small pieces and remove the pits and stem as they are un-digestible and contain toxic substances. Again practice moderation and feed one or two chunks at the moment.

Apples and Rabbits-Fruit

Apples are Juicy and Nutrition-filled Fruits that belong to Rosaceae Species. From Central Asia to Europe and the US, it yields in various regions globally, so available in an array of varieties, including Fuji, red delicious, Gala, Ambrosia, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, and Golden Delicious, a few names to the list.

Breaking down the nutrition sachet, Apples are low-calorie fruits that pack a range of essential healthful supplements, including Fiber, Vitamins, Phytonutrients, Calcium, and Potassium. Perhaps, those values may vary according to Apple Varieties.

Nutrition per Apple Servings	Percentage per Serving
Crude Protein	12 to 15 percent
Fat	2 to 3.5 percent
Fiber	20 to 27 percent
Carbohydrates	43 to 47 percent
Minerals	4 to 6.5 percent

Going through the Nutrition chart, you would recall the quote, “An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away.” And why not? Apple is among the few fruits that possess minimal Health Risks. Alas! Things work differently when it’s about a Little Bunny.

The point to ponder here is that even though Apples are Nutritious, they are not a Rabbit’s Natural diet; therefore, Precaution must be practiced before feeding. Of course, 80% of the Pet Rabbit diet should comprise Hay, Leafy Greens, and Pellets.

Table of Contents

Feeding Rabbits with Apple Skin

While the Apple Skin is OK for Rabbits, you must bear some crucial points. Before giving the fruit to your adorable pet, you must properly clean it to remove any traces of pesticides, bacteria, or dirt. However, avoid the use of Soap or Detergent during the Wash process.

Feeding Rabbits with Apple Seeds

Apple Seeds are bad for Rabbits for various valid reasons. On top of all, they contain a higher chance of Choking Hazards, while they also wrap an unsafe substance called Hydrogen Cyanide, which poses Health Risks.

Feeding Rabbits with Apple Stem

The risks of feeding Apple Stalks to Rabbits are likely related to their poisonous properties. The fruit stems carry Cyanogenic Glycosides. This toxic substance is usually responsible for nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and upset stomach upon ingestion.

Feeding Rabbits with Apple Leaves

Apple Leaves packs an array of Healthful supplements, and you may feed your Rabbits with them. However, if you buy Apples from the Grocery Store and their leaves are still on, always wash them or better discard them because they have a greater pesticide content.

Health Benefits of Apples for Rabbits

To be really honest, Apples bring incomparable Health Benefits for rabbits if served occasionally. Among other promising nutritional results, here is the list of bunny’s those bodily functionalities that boast when fed with an apple.

Improves Digestion System

Apples contain a commendable volume of Fiber. In the case of Rabbits, Fiber aids in controlling Obesity and avoiding GI Stasis, a disease that slows down Rabbit’s digestion system or even causes death in worse conditions.

Fulfill Hydration Requirements

It’s a medically-proven phenomenon that Rabbits’ prime health portion relies on Water. As far as Apples are concerned, they carry an acknowledgeable amount of moisture; therefore, feeding bunnies with apples could help meet their hydration demands.

Offers Demanded Potassium

Muscular Dystrophy and Swollen Kidneys are the most common conditions that may occur in a Rabbit due to a deficiency of Potassium. Among other reliable sources, Apple stands top due to the significance of a little extra of this nutrient.

Enriched with Antioxidants

Antioxidants prevent Cancer cell growth and minimize lipid oxidation in Rabbits. Surprisingly, Apples pack various antioxidants, including phenols, a substance enriched with anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties.

Health Risks of Apples for Rabbits

As mentioned above, Apples are healthful for Rabbits if served intermittently; otherwise, they could pose health issues. Anyhow, here are some conditions your bunny might face if fed with apples without precautions.

High in Sugar

As we all know, Rabbits favor Sweet diets, and if you continuously feed them Apples, they won’t mind as it is a sugary fruit as well. Perhaps, even a minor amount of glucose above the advised level could have serious consequences.

Disturb the Stomach

Naturally, Rabbits are herbivores; therefore, the prime portion of their diet should comprise Hay and Leafy Greens, while fruits and other add-ons must be served occasionally. Hence, bulk feed of apples may cause Stomach Issues in your Bunny.

Obesity Risks

Since Rabbits prefer resting more, their calorie-burning process is too slow. Therefore, serving them with foods high in Sugar and Carbohydrates could lead to Obesity-related Issues. Perhaps, Apple is among those fruits containing both above-mentioned elements in High.

Dental Cavities

Teeth are the real asset of a Rabbit which grows around the year. Apart from regular trimming and cleanliness of the Tooth, owners must feed them with less-sugary foods as high doses could pose Tooth Decayer, and of course, apple is on the watch list.

Feeding Guide of Grapes to Rabbits

Even if you are serving Rabbits with Apples on a Moderate Basis, there are a few sideline precautionary measures you should take. Of course, you can’t grow apples organically, but you can pick the best-quality apples and avoid buying rotten or green ones when buying from the grocery store.

First and Foremost, buy the best-quality apples
Rinse them in a thorough manner
Slice into small chunks
Remove the core, seeds, and stems
Decently place them in the Rabbits’ enclosure and hang around to see their reaction when eating

Wrapping Up

Rabbits are apple-compatibility pets, but you must determine how much and when to feed them. Of course, you refrain from stepping beyond the lines of safety when watching Bunny’s love for this food because your minimal negligence could cause severe health risks. Besides this, Bookmark our website to receive Automatic Notifications on Upcoming Animal Health Blogs.

FAQs

Q: Are Apples Safe for Baby Rabbits?

A: The answer is No. Because it takes around 12 weeks for Baby Rabbits to build their Adult-level Digestion System, and during this period, they solely rely on their mother’s milk.

Q: What is the Best Variety of Apple for Rabbits?

A: Technically, Rabbits can eat all varieties of Apples except those that taste sour or weird. Despite saying that, Red Delicious, Gala, Honeycrisp, and Granny smiths are the most favorite and health-friendly Apple variations for Bunnies.

Q: What is the Best Time to Feed Apples to Bunnies?

A: The best time to Feed Rabbits with Apples is on an intermittent basis, probably two to three chunks per week. Remember, Hay is the only food that you may feed to Rabbit regularly.

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Can Rabbits Eat Apples Health Guide