Last Updated on May 8, 2023 by Georgie Smith
Can rabbits eat watermelon? Yes, rabbits can eat watermelon, but that does not necessarily mean they will. Watermelon is not food that you should give to your rabbit often even though it is a tasty treat. The reason why is the same reason many humans avoid it as well, sugar overload.
Watermelon has a great deal of sugar but can be an extra nutritious treat as well. Fruits, as you know play the best role as a treat. If you have a rabbit that has never had the chance to try watermelon, be careful with the amounts.
If this is the first time for feeding your rabbit watermelon, start off with a small bite. You need to watch and check how she eats and be sure to monitor her stool for the following 24 hours. Check her litter box often and if you do find that her stool is starting to soften, refrain from feeding her watermelon for a few days.
Go back to providing her regular rabbit food diet which consists of water, some pellets (few), and hay. For another heads up, avoid vegetables at this time as well.
The following is a strategy to avoid health issues like gas and soft stools. The tips apply when feeding watermelons no matter how young or old your bunny may be.
Do not feed your rabbit watermelon daily. The recommendation is to feed her small portions in one or two servings each week with no cheating. Keeping variation in her diet is crucial. Too much sweetness/sugary items can change a rabbit’s bacterial equilibrium of its intestinal tract.
*Helpful Tip*
If you choose to provide your rabbit with two servings per week, make sure not to exceed one tablespoon per two pounds of her body weight. Never feed her over one block of two inches x two inches per week. (compare to the size of the standard Rubik’s Cube).
Also, ensure the melon is not withering. It is best to feed her a melon that is still ripening than one that has wilted in places. As you know, bunnies are small animals, even smaller than a baby. For this reason, if you feed her more melon pieces that are larger for a few days in a row, that can cause her to suffer from soft stools.
Keep in mind this valuable tip. Typically, Rabbits do not suffer from true diarrhea except when there is an infection due to bacteria.
Bad vs. Good in Watermelon Feeding
While watermelons are a nutritious fruit, as well as a hydrating avenue, it has little fiber. The fruit is a healthy supplement as a provider of Vitamin C and A, along with magnesium (minerals). Moreover, your bunny will retain the right amount of water needed on a hot summer day. (Rabbit Water Bottle)
However, having a consumption of fibers is just as important. Keep in mind; you can always provide a balanced diet via the veggies available on the market.
Every watermelon has Choline which is an excellent nutrient that enhances sleep, brain responses, and muscle movement. [1]
The following are situations to keep an eye on when adding watermelon to her diet.
- If your pet gets juice from the melon in her fur, it will naturally stick together
- How simple is it for her to consume?
- Does your rabbit see the fruit, or does she walk right past it?
- Remember, rabbits are no fans of water. If she gets melon juice in her hair, you will need to spot-wash her to prevent permanent
- Feeding her too much watermelon or other foods that are sweet, she may begin refusing her regular foods such as veggies and hay.
- If your rabbit is a house pet, she needs much time to bond with you. That is especially true if you only have one rabbit. With this being the case, feel free to use the melon as an excellent “treat”. You and your bunny will both be happy with the outcome.
- Frozen then thawing watermelon will leave the melon having a mushy texture. The recommendations are to keep fresh to eat it or in small shaped little ice cubes.
Can Rabbit Eat Watermelon Leaves, Rinds, and Seeds?
The short answer is no. Rabbits cannot munch on watermelon seeds due to the possibility of intestinal obstruction. Beings rabbit cannot throw up, and they can easily chock on melon pips, you must ensure that you clean the seeds before feeding them to your fur baby.
Rabbits eating watermelon rinds as a yummy treat is perfectly fine. All the parts of the melon that are green are good for bunnies to eat. The skin of the melon has two parts to it; these are the white section and the green part.
Actually, the vet recommends that your rabbit eat the melon rind and not the flesh, meat part. The rind has added citrulline amino acid as the red part does not. The rind also has less sugar with more fibers. Respect the quantity of the rinds to keep the amount in moderation. [2]
To assist and avoid her from chocking on the greener and tougher rind of the melon (peel and skin) you can chop it into smaller bits. Flowers and Melon leaves are not toxic for bunnies to eat. Both are treats rabbits enjoy nibbling on while wandering around your flower gardens.
What about Wild Rabbits, Angora Rabbits, or Wild Rabbits
By no means should you feed melon or other fruits to a baby rabbit. Very young or baby bunnies typically have an extreme type of diet. Until your rabbit is at least one-year-old, they have a severe sensitive digestive tract. That ensures feeding to be easy and simple.
FAQs:
Q: Do all breeds of rabbits eat watermelon or its rinds?
A: With wild rabbits, you need to be careful about introducing any type of fruit and do it slowly. Keep a close eye on her stool to monitor its softness. Watermelon, in moderation, is fine as long as the rabbit has regular stools.
Q: What about Angora Rabbits, can they eat Watermelon?
A: There is really not much difference between other rabbits and angora rabbit diets when it comes to eating watermelon. When shedding, your angora rabbit needs pineapple or papaya to prevent blockages. They still need to monitor their eating to avoid overeating once or twice per week.
Reflecting
Watermelon is a tasty treat for people and animals. However, as with everything else, if too should be fed in moderation to prevent feeding too much sugar. Feeding your rabbit watermelon is good as long as you respect the information providing in this article.
If you do follow the tips and suggestions, feeding her watermelon should be just fine without medical concerns. One additional tip is to feed in moderation and never feed a sick rabbit or one on a strict diet any type of fruits.
Following the suggestions and tips provided to you will ensure everything works out fine for you and your bunny. Remember, a happy bunny is a bunny with a full tummy.
As always MorningHomestead remains a leader for supplying a product guide on items you use around your home, in the garden and even farm life. If you need information on a product, let us know, and we will be thrilled to deliver precisely what you need.
Other sites offer guides but not one that provides more truth than what we do as a team. We stand at a vantage point to delivery oven-fresh and first-class articles for our readers. You can count on us because we always go above and beyond to surpass your expectation.
We thank you sincerely that you spent part of your valuable time to read this post. We love to hear from you, so do not forget to drop your comments below to get a conversation started. There is love in sharing, so share this post across all social networks for others to benefit too. Thank you!
