Any rabbit owner will know of the joys of owning one of these long eared furries and can testify that they can bring as much happiness, love and companionship to your life as dogs and cats! So it’s really no wonder that you want what’s best for your bunny, especially when it comes to their health and diet.
So what about raspberries? We know that raspberries are a delicious and healthy snack for humans but does the same apply for our fluffy companions? And if so, how many can they eat? The questions may seem never ending but luckily we have the answers for you!
Read below out everything you need to know when it comes to bunnies and berries.
Can rabbits eat raspberries?
The short answer to this question is yes, you can feed your rabbit raspberries! However there are some important things you need to know before you let your rabbit chow down on this tasty snack.
So whilst raspberries can be given to rabbits it’s probably best that you only do this occasionally as a treat for them, this is because raspberries are very sweet and contain natural sugars. Sugar is not easily digested by rabbits and can cause discomfort for them.
Not only this but they actually provide very little nutritional value and if your bun eats too many then they can become overweight which is a completely preventable health concern that no rabbit owner should have to face.
That said, raspberries are actually one of the lowest sugar choices available for your buns, so if you’re looking to add some variety into your rabbit’s diet, raspberries are one of the better choices.
Homegrown or shop bought treats?
You should shy away from feeding your rabbits any store bought treats, as they tend to be full of added chemicals and preservatives that are generally considered bad news for your long eared friends – no matter what the treat company may claim. In that regard, raspberries are a much healthier alternative if you’re wondering what you can use for treats.
However it is important to keep in mind that store bought raspberries tend to be treated with pesticides and wax in order to prolong their shelf life so remember to thoroughly wash them and check the ingredients before giving to your bun.
Because of this, the best way to provide these yummy treats to your rabbit is if you can grow the raspberries yourself that way you can ensure your buns are getting the healthiest possible snack.
If you are a raspberry grower you may also be interested to know that rabbits can also eat raspberry stems and are known to enjoy them quite a lot too!
Next time you are tending to your berries try offering some cut stems to your bunny and see how they like it, just make sure to check them thoroughly for any pesticides or fungal damage before your rabbit chows down.
Not only are they a delicious snack, raspberry stems are a really great way at providing your bunny with some dental exercise and help keep their teeth in great shape. The other offcuts from your raspberry plants such as twigs, plant tips and new shoots are also safe for your bunny to eat so don’t worry if they break into your plant patch and nibble on these delicious snacks.
And just when you thought raspberry plants couldn’t get any better the leaves also make the perfect snack for your bun! The leaves are naturally high in fibre and nutrients and not only that but it saves on you having to dispose of any waste, bunnies love them too!
If you notice your bun has been avoiding their supper try tempting them with a raspberry leaf, however any changes in your rabbit’s appetite could be a cause for concern and you may want to discuss it with your local veterinarian.
How to feed raspberries to my rabbit
You should only give raspberries to your rabbits as occasional treats and make sure that you introduce these to your fluffy friend slowly and over a series of days to help avoid any unwanted tummy upset.
If you notice any changes to your rabbits toileting habits after you’ve introduced them to anything new, remove it from their diet and wait a week before attempting it again. If your rabbit is still not taking to the new food, then it’s a good idea to remove the culprit from their diet completely.
When deciding to feed your bun some raspberries, you should only feed them 1 or 2 in a sitting and always make sure to cut them up before giving them. Not only is this a great safety precaution but it cuts down on the potential mess that can be easily caused especially with light colored furries!
Not to mention rabbits look totally scary after eating a red juicy fruit and if you don’t know what we’re talking about, take a quick online search and you’re sure to have a good chuckle.
The most important thing to remember when choosing to feed your rabbit any sugary fruits as a treat is to make sure that they don’t make up any more than 10% of their overall diet.
Final thoughts
So what we have learned is that there really is nothing wrong with feeding your buns the occasional raspberry with their supper. Just make sure that you monitor how many they eat as you don’t want your rabbit putting on any unnecessary weight and always wash your berries thoroughly to make sure there are no nasties lurking around on the surface.
So go ahead! Try giving them a piece of raspberry and see how they like it! And remember to contact your local veterinarian if you notice any changes to your rabbit’s eating or toileting behaviours as your rabbit’s health is the most important thing after all.
