Rabbits love sweets. Can they enjoy watermelon? Yes, bunnies can eat watermelon in moderation.
The fruit is sweet and sugar packed, so should only serve as a treat. There is very little nutritional value in watermelon and the fruit can cause weight gain in the small creatures.
I’ve consulted with veterinarians and rabbit lovers alike. I’ve researched the impacts of eating watermelon on rabbits, how much of the treat they can enjoy, and the possible dangers of bunnies over-indulging in the fruit.
Read on to learn how to introduce watermelon into your rabbit’s diet. This article provides the guidance necessary to treat your bunny without hurting its health.
Is Watermelon Good For Rabbits?
Rabbits can eat some watermelon with no negative effects. However, should they? Watermelon is mostly water and sugar.
Watermelon is neither good nor bad for rabbits, in moderation. You need to moderate your bunny’s melon consumption. The rabbit enjoys the sweet flavor and over-indulges.
Watermelon isn’t devoid of nutrition, despite its sugary reputation.
Each 100-gram piece of melon contains:
- .61 grams of protein
- .4 grams of fiber
- 8.1 milligrams of Vitamin C
- 7.55 grams of carbohydrates
- 91.45 grams of water
- 30 kcal of energy
- 6.2 grams of sugar
- 112 milligrams of potassium
- .15 grams of total lipid
Overall, watermelon breaks down to 89% carbohydrates, 7% protein, and 4% fat.
Rabbits need large quantities of fiber to remain healthy, and watermelon provides very little. Bunnies also require a steady supply of vitamins A, D, and E, none of which exist in the fruit.
Feeding Watermelon to Rabbits
Watermelon is a great summertime treat. The fruit contains plenty of water to keep bunnies hydrated.
However, don’t simply feed your furry friend the treat when the weather turns hot. Any new food should be phased into a rabbit’s diet. New foods can cause intestinal distress.
Start your bunny off slowly with watermelon, so you’ll be able to notice any adverse reactions to the fruit. Introduce the fruit slowly.
Make sure you remove the seeds from the melon, bunnies might choke on them. Offer your pet one small watermelon piece.
After feeding your rabbit a small chunk of fruit, closely monitor their stool for any abnormalities. Watch your rabbit for lethargy, and regular eating and drinking for two days post-melon eating.
If your rabbit doesn’t display any negative reactions, continue to provide them with small amounts of watermelon as you have it.
How Often Can I Give My Rabbit Watermelon?
Watermelon is a sometimes treat. Though most bunnies adore the sweet fruit, don’t give it to them daily.
Feed your bunny watermelon two to three times weekly. Remember, it provides no real nutritional value.
Watermelon is basically a dessert, and treats should only account for about 10 percent of a rabbit’s diet. Precisely how much watermelon your rabbit can eat depends on how much other fruit the bunny consumes.
Poor diet is the top killer of rabbits, so modify watermelon consumption accordingly
How Much Watermelon Can I Feed my Rabbit?
Once you’ve determined your rabbit can safely eat watermelon, you can begin feeding it small servings.
Feed rabbits small pieces of melon to avoid a sticky, messy rabbit. A rabbit’s small mouth can’t manage large fruit chunks without smearing juice all over its fur.
Watermelon is full of sugar and water, and that sticky, syrupy mess can coat a rabbit’s fur. In addition to causing your bunny discomfort, the substance collects dirt and bacteria. Rabbits are not enthusiastic bathers, so dicing the fruit into small pieces saves both you and the bunny from an unpleasant situation.
Follow the general rule of one to two tablespoons of fruit per five pounds of rabbit.
Give small rabbits a few one-inch cubes at a time and larger bunnies up to half a cup of watermelon.
Risks of Feeding Watermelon to Rabbits
While feeding small amounts of watermelon to rabbits is mostly safe, keep your eyes out for certain risks.
Watermelon seeds are bad news for bunnies. Make sure you carefully remove every seed from the fruit. They can get stuck in a rabbit’s intestines, causing an obstruction and preventing stool from passing.
Seedless, organic watermelons are the best option. Seedless fruit completely removes the possibility of accidentally consuming seeds, which can be fatal to bunnies. Organic melon removes the danger of hazardous pesticides on the skin.
Watermelon is very sugary, which can cause upset stomachs or diarrhea in bunnies.
The fruit also might keep a rabbit from eating the food that’s better for them. Rabbits love sweets and are likely to shun healthy food in favor of the treat. As a result, the bunny might not get the nutrition necessary to be healthy.
Because watermelon is mostly sugar, too much of it causes weight gain in rabbits. An obese bunny is an unhealthy bunny. Rabbit obesity can lead to GI stasis, myiasis, and other conditions.
Rabbits should mostly eat hay with some supplemental pellets.
Can Rabbits Eat Watermelon Rind?
Yes! Don’t throw out the rind.
Rabbits enjoy the outer layer of watermelon and it has more nutritional value than the meat of the fruit. The peel contains less sugar and more fiber and potassium than the pulp.
Rabbits can digest the melon’s outer peel. Bunnies need some extra time to chew on the rind. This means that not only is the rind more nutritious than the meat, but it also provides the rabbit with an activity to pass the time.
However, even the rind should just be a sometimes treat. Serve the outer layer in small pieces.
Conclusion
Rabbits enjoy sweet things. The furry creatures usually love watermelon, a fruit made primarily of sugar and water.
Watermelon won’t hurt your rabbit. The fruit should be approached as a treat. Offer a limited quantity to your bunny a couple of times a week.
Too much watermelon causes obesity in rabbits. Bunnies may also choke on seeds, so be certain to remove any before giving the fruit to your pet.
While not a bunny health food, watermelon is a delicious “sometimes treat” your pet is certain to enjoy. It’s certainly not an unsafe food for rabbits!