It is a daunting task at times to figure out what rabbits can eat and what they cannot, especially for new owners who do not know about the diet and requirements of rabbits.Rabbits are mammals with over 30 species found all over the world. They are common pets due to their fluffy little bodies, whiskers, and large ears.You can get some idea about a rabbit’s diet from the fact that rabbits are herbivores, meaning they eat only plant-based food including the likes of broccoli, grass, brussels sprouts. However, they do not meat.The different species of rabbits means there is a lot of variety in the body size of rabbits. Some rabbits can measure up to 20 in (50 cm), whereas, some are only around 8 in (20 cm). You might have also heard that rabbits give birth to babies three to four times a year, this is to ensure that the population of bunnies doesn’t go down. Only 15% of rabbits survive to their first birthday, while the rest sadly die due to a high death rate. This high birth rate also exists to balance the population. Rabbits suffer from a lot of health issues, so it is your responsibility to safely feed your rabbit with anything and everything. Let us now take a closer look at the foods you can give to your pet rabbit, focusing on pear in particular, and other fruits and vegetables that rabbits are able to eat.If you enjoyed this article, why not also read about can rabbits have grapes and can rabbits eat oranges here on Kidadl?Costs And Benefits Of Pears For RabbitsBefore delving into the health benefits and the disadvantages of eating pears for rabbits, can rabbits eat pears? Well, the answer isn’t a simple yes or no. Yes, rabbits can eat pears, but no, they cannot eat them in the way we or many other animals do. Pears are crisp and juicy, and they may seem like the exact thing for a summer afternoon snack for your pet bunnies but there is also a downside if rabbits eat pears.Rabbits can eat pears as well as pear skin. Feeding fresh fruits is healthy for all animals but moderation is important. Rabbits should not eat pieces of pear regularly, and this fruit should only be given to them as occasional treats. Rabbits love pears and many other fruits like it due to their sweet taste and also because these treats offer a change from their staple diet of hay pellets and vegetables such as carrots and broccoli. At the same time, your rabbit can get carried away by the taste of a pear. Although medium-sized pears contain 0.17 oz (5 g) fiber, 0.024 oz (0.7 g) protein, and 0.17 oz (5 g) of carbohydrates, they still are not the most nutritious fruit that your pet bunny can eat. The high sugar content in pears is one of the biggest reasons why bunnies can have only one to two teaspoons of pear a couple of times a week. Excess sugar in a rabbit’s diet can increase its body weight, causing harm to the rabbit. This means that this could outweigh all the other health benefits of a pear.Do rabbits like pears and why?Like many other animals, rabbits too are fond of sweets. A pear is a fruit rich in sugar, and it is obvious that bunnies are attracted to it. It becomes the responsibility of the owner to make sure that their pet rabbits do not eat large quantities of pear. Feeding pears occasionally and in limited amounts as a treat is the best method because this will prevent your rabbit’s health from degrading and your rabbit will stay healthy.Feeding excess amounts of pears can lead to a rise in the sugar content in the diet of the bunny which will then lead to a rise in its weight, and in severe cases can also result in diarrhea. Additionally, it is not only eating too much pear fruit that poses a threat to rabbits as pear seeds and stems are also hazardous. Some bunny owners often think about feeding canned pears to their rabbits. These are worse than fresh pears as the ones that come in packed cans have a lower vitamin content, are already cooked, and have a higher sugar content than fresh ones.Are pear trees poisonous to rabbits?Pear trees are not poisonous to rabbits, and the wood of pear trees as well as their leaves are completely safe. On the other hand, trees which contain fruits such as plums, cherries, peaches, and apricots are not exactly safe for rabbits except for when the wood of these trees is completely dry. In regard to pears, the problem lies with the seeds and the stem of the pear fruit.We know that pears contain vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin K, but what we often overlook is that the pear fruit has seeds within it that are not only sharp but also toxic, and thus, slightly poisonous. Before you feed fruits like pears to your pet rabbit, you must make sure to remove the stem and the seeds from the fruit. The seed is embedded within the fruit and the stem is on top of the fruit but both of them contain a little bit of cyanide in them which can prove to be fatal in the long run.Additionally, seeds within the pear fruit can also harm the throat and mouth of your bunny as they can tear its inner skin and cause health issues. If you feed your rabbit treats like this occasionally, they won’t pose as a threat. Eating a couple of cyanide-containing seeds by mistake won’t be life-threatening for your rabbit, however excessive consumption will be a problem.What fruits are safe for rabbits?Other than hay pellets and vegetables, your rabbit can occasionally have some treats in the form of fruits. Hay being rich in fiber comprises around 80-90% of the diet of a rabbit. Let us now take a look at some fresh fruits which can be added as treats to the diet of a rabbit. If you feed these fruits in small quantities and in a regulated manner, they will not harm your rabbit All treats should be given to a rabbit in moderation.Some fruits include the likes of grapes, melon, nectarine, orange, papaya, peach, apple (without seeds), cherries (without seeds)), blueberries, and raspberries. Other than fruits, there is a large variety of vegetables too that can be offered as a treat to your rabbits such as kale, broccoli, carrots, clover, and spinach.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked learning can rabbits eat pears, then why not take a look at can hamsters eat tomatoes or Flemish giant rabbit facts?
It is a daunting task at times to figure out what rabbits can eat and what they cannot, especially for new owners who do not know about the diet and requirements of rabbits.
