Orange has a much demanding place among the common fruits we find generally. We barely can say no to an orange. Besides apples, berries, melons, orange has also created a strong position for its taste and smell.
Fresh orange or a mug of orange juice is always refreshing for us. We try oranges to eat raw, bake an orange cake, cook the orange pudding, and so on.
But what about rabbits? Can rabbits eat oranges? Should we give them oranges as we give them apples or strawberries or carrots?
We will talk about oranges today. Let’s start.
Can Rabbits Eat Oranges?
Yes, rabbits can eat oranges. As oranges contain a lot of vitamin C, it has become a good fruit for rabbits. But on the other hand, oranges are rich in sugar. So there are some cautions you need to follow before you feed your rabbits oranges.
Don’t worry. This article will help you a lot to find out more facts about oranges for rabbits. Just stay with the article, please.
About Oranges
Just like humans, rabbits also need a lot of minerals and vitamins. And orange is a good source of vitamins and fibers.
There are some nutrients an orange can offer. Let’s see:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin A
- Potassium
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Folate
- Iron
- Phosphorus
As a fruit, an orange delivers a lot of nutrients of course.
Is Orange Safe for Rabbits?
Now we need to know how safe an orange is for rabbits. We have seen the list of ingredients an orange contains.
And those ingredients are okay for rabbits. So, an orange is totally safe for rabbits. Rabbits can have minerals and vitamins from eating oranges.
Can Rabbits Eat Orange Peels?
We were talking about can rabbits eat oranges? And we have known that oranges are safe for rabbits. So how should you give them oranges?
Can rabbits eat orange peels? No, unfortunately, orange peels are not for rabbits. Not only do those peels taste bitter but also they can be toxic too!
Moreover, oranges need to be pesticide while cultivating. And those chemicals remain on the peel, if you even wash the peels, still there is a risk.
Orange peels are dangerous for both rabbits and humans. You need to throw away the peels of an orange.
Can Rabbits Eat Orange Leaves and Branches?
If you have your own orange trees, and if you are totally sure that you do not use any kind of chemicals on the leaves, then you can allow your rabbits to eat leaves and branches from orange trees.
Make sure that the leaves or branches are young and there is no parasite on them.
Can Rabbits Eat Orange Seeds?
No, as the seeds of orange are tiny in size and not surely possible to digest, so they can create intestinal blockage in rabbits’ bodies.
Moreover, those seeds are not tasty as well as they can create choking problems if rabbits attempt to eat orange seeds. So, remove the seeds before giving them oranges. We will talk about the orange feeding way just a bit later.
Can Rabbits Eat Orange Juice?
Some of us try some fruits to make juice. Following that, we make orange juice. And we think to give our rabbits orange juice.
Well, orange juice is cool for rabbits. You can give your rabbits orange juice, but not a lot. If you want to give your rabbits juice, just make sure that the juice is preservative-free.
Generally, we use extra sugar when we make juice. And oranges are naturally sweet. So if we extra sugar, then the juice becomes much sweet. Sweet juice or foods are so much harmful to rabbits.
Can Rabbits Eat Dried Orange?
Dried or processed foods are common today. We love to have canned foods, especially fruits. Dried oranges are no different.
If you have chemical-free dried oranges only then you can give your rabbits dried oranges. Always try to buy chemical-free dried oranges from a recommended place.
Can Baby Rabbits Eat Oranges?
When baby rabbits are born, they should be stuck with their mother’s milk until they are 12 or 14 weeks old. They should eat a little amount of grass and hay at first to get familiar with outer foods.
You can give them a little amount of orange to chew. If you find your baby rabbits are not getting interested in oranges, then do not push them again. You can feed some other suitable foods besides their mother’s milk.
Can Rabbits Eat Oranges Daily?
Oranges are rich in sugar. If your rabbits get too much sugar every day then they will face many health issues.
So, you should not feed your rabbits oranges daily. Maybe once or twice a week is okay. Just like a treat or snack once a week.
How Many Oranges Rabbits Can Eat?
The amount of oranges depends on the size, weight, and age of rabbits. There are some giant rabbits that can eat a whole orange at a time without facing any problems.
Also, there are some tiny rabbits you can not give them much. Here is a table to understand well.
| Rabbit’s weight | Allowed Amount of Oranges |
|---|---|
| 1.1-3.6 pounds | Only one orange |
| 6 to 10 pounds | 1 or 2 oranges |
| 10 to 12 pounds | Not more than 2 oranges |
How to Feed Rabbits Oranges
If you have already planned to feed your rabbits oranges, you just need to follow some steps.
- Choose a medium-size orange, not so hard or not so soft. Maybe that one which is firm enough on hand.
- Do not take too much ripe oranges. They contain a lot of sugar.
- Remove the peels of the oranges and do not keep the peels around your rabbits.
- Remove all the seeds from the oranges.
- If the flesh seems unusual, remove it too.
Is Orange Harmful for Rabbits?
Yes, oranges can be harmful sometimes. And overfeeding oranges can create many health problems.
Here they are:
- Obesity: There is a lot of sugar in oranges. That much sugar is the main cause of obesity for rabbits. And we all know, fat rabbits face many health problems often.
- Kidney Issue: Oranges contain a lot of vitamin C. Maybe you are thinking that what is wrong with vitamin C! But my friend, too much vitamin C is harmful to the kidney. It can damage rabbits’ kidneys easily.
- Tooth Decay: There are some dental problems too. Sugar and citric acid in oranges can create decay on rabbit’s teeth. This type of problem can lead rabbits to death.
- Acidity: Oranges have citric acid. If rabbits eat oranges on an empty stomach and if they eat too many oranges, then they get acidity. Sometimes acidity is a cause of their diarrhea.
Alternatives to Oranges
You should give your rabbits treats just only after they finish their daily meal- grass and hay. Here are some other fruits you can offer your rabbits sometimes.
- Bananas
- Watermelons
- Berries
- Carrots
- Pineapples
- Peaches
- Grapes
- Papayas and so on.
Things to Consider
The orange is both blessing and a harm for rabbits. The fruit allows rabbits to have vitamins, minerals, and some other essential nutrients, also the fruit can create some bad effects on rabbits’ bodies.
So, never feed your rabbits too many oranges. And follow the article when you feed them oranges.
Conclusion
If you were wonder about can rabbits eat oranges? Then we hope you have found the right answer. The article has some other topics related to oranges.
You should read and follow them well before feeding your rabbit an orange.