You must be wondering whether or not you can feed your rabbit some watermelon. The answer is Yes! You can share your watermelon with your favorite rabbit.
Rabbits are herbivorous animals and can digest vegetables and fruits well. Their diet should mainly consist of fibrous hay supplemented by vegetables. The amount of watermelon fed to the rabbits should be regulated.
This raises the question of how much watermelon you should feed your rabbits? Just 1 or 2 servings a week should be enough for the rabbits.
Watermelon is served as a treat to the rabbits.
Serving it regularly to the rabbit could interfere with its dietary needs and lead to losing interest in foods it’s used to, like pellets, hay, and vegetables. This is because the rabbits, like humans, could develop a sweet tooth and not enjoy other foods.
What Are the Benefits of Feeding the Rabbits Watermelon?
1. Keeps them Hydrated
Watermelon is a very succulent fruit with a very low nutrient content. Due to the high-water component in watermelon, it will help your rabbit stay hydrated.
2. Excellent Source of Fiber
The fruit has very high sugar, low protein, and no minerals. However, the melon rinds are quite fibrous, making them an excellent source of fiber.
3. Rich in Carbohydrates
Watermelons are also a good source of supplementary Vitamin A, and Vitamin C. Vitamins are available in small amounts. At the same time, carbohydrates take up most of the nutritional value of the watermelon to the rabbit.
What to Avoid
Watermelons should be served to adult rabbits that have fully functioning digestive tracts. It is not recommended to feed them to bunnies.
This is because they will not be able to digest the high sugar content, making their digestive tract struggle. Excessive consumption of watermelon by rabbits could lead to diarrhea, diabetes, gas, or loss of appetite.
How Should the Watermelons Be Served to the Rabbits?
If you are feeding your rabbit watermelon for the first time, give it a tiny portion and observe how it will react. Observe its stool; if it is loose or diarrhea occurs, you might consider not feeding it again.
You can consider adding it to your rabbit’s diet if everything goes well. While serving watermelons to rabbits, cut the watermelon you offer your rabbit into small cubes that he/she can eat without much mess or difficulty.
You should avoid including the melon seeds. They are choking hazards and indigestible by the rabbits. In addition, when the seeds are consumed in high amounts, they might block the rabbit’s intestines making the rabbit unwell.
The rind is more valuable to the Rabbits than the succulent part itself. When serving the rind, you should ensure that they are chopped thinly to make it easier for the rabbit to chew and digest.
The best melons to serve are inorganic melons. They are grown without chemicals and inorganic fertilizers, making them produce a much healthier rind.
What Other Fruits Can You Feed Your Rabbits?
Rabbits are known to be berry lovers; they enjoy berries such as blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, and cranberries. Berries have a high antioxidant content that helps protect your rabbit’s cells.
Other fruits and their nutritional values include:
- Pineapples – They contain high amounts of Vitamin C.
- Apples (without seeds)- They have high water content and are a good source of potassium.
- Pears – They contain vitamins C and K and lots of fiber.
- Plums – They work as good antioxidants.
- Grapes – They are antioxidants that have plant compounds that help defend cells from free radicals.
- Papaya – Contain enzymes that help break down food that could clump hair in a rabbit’s intestines or stomach.
- Orange – Contains the fiber pectin, which helps eliminate toxins in the colon.
- Bananas – They are high in potassium and magnesium.
All these fruits should only be served as treats.
Fruits are excellent sources of vitamins A, C, and E. However, rabbits can produce these vitamins independently without being boosted by ingesting fruits, and therefore the fruits should be served moderately.
They can be served freeze-dried (for the appropriate fruits). They can also be served fresh alongside natural, unprocessed mixes that include hay.
Final Thoughts
As you look forward to feeding your rabbit some juicy watermelon, here are some notes to take home; moderation is the key. Every feed administered to the rabbit should be in moderate proportions for maximum gains.
Remember to be very keen and observe how your rabbit reacts when it eats watermelons. Consult your veterinarian for more dietary additives. Well, have fun trying out watermelons with your rabbit.
Tickled Tails 