Can rabbits eat strawberries?
Yes, rabbits can eat strawberries and they usually enjoy them quite a bit. Strawberries would be an enjoyable treat for your rabbit, major emphasis on the word treat. Strawberries, although they are not toxic to rabbits, they do contain a great amount of sugar. Your rabbit is capable of digesting sugar, too much of anything sweet will cause your rabbit gastrointestinal issues and will contribute to weight gain which will cause all of their organs, joints and muscles to work harder than they should have to.
How much strawberry can my rabbit eat?
As stated previously strawberries are a treat so your rabbit should have no more than 1 medium strawberry every 2 days. You can give the strawberry to your rabbit whole or cut up but if you cut it up its important to ensure it is not too small as this can be a choking hazard. Also, please ensure you wash them thoroughly before giving them to your rabbit. This is referencing fresh strawberries, please be advised that the allowed amount can change depending on what kind/form you are providing the strawberry in.
What kind of strawberries can my rabbit have?
Strawberries come in different forms, its is important to know which are best and which to stay away from. Below you will find the most common types of strawberries and their benefits and disadvantages.
- Fresh Strawberries – Here I am referring to the regular ol’ fresh strawberries that come in the rectangle plastic bin at your local grocery store. These strawberries are fine for your rabbit and can be given in the recommended quantity and frequency of one medium strawberry every two days.Fresh Organic
- Strawberries – This would be the optimal choice for your rabbit as they are fresh but not grown with harmful pesticides. Now, it is perfectly fine to give inorganic strawberries and wash them. Your rabbit will eat them fine but yes organic is better and has a less chance of your rabbit ingesting any pesticides. Organic strawberries can be given in the recommended quantity and frequency of one medium strawberry every two days.
- Frozen Strawberries – Yes, your rabbit can have frozen strawberries, either thawed or you can give it to your rabbit frozen as a nice treat on a hot summer day. The only disadvantage to frozen produce is you lose some of the nutrients but they are perfectly fine for you rabbits to eat and you guessed it, frozen strawberries can be given in the recommended quantity and frequency of one medium strawberry every two days.
- Dried Strawberries – This is not the best option but yes you can give them to your rabbit. Dried fruits, including strawberries, contain a much high sugar content therefore your rabbit cannot have nearly as much of a dried strawberry as they could a fresh strawberry. Dried strawberries can be given in the recommended quantity and frequency of one dried strawberry about the size of a nickel once a week.
So what is the best option?
As you can see the best option for your rabbit is fresh strawberries. This is true of all fruits, the fresher the better, but your rabbit can have strawberries in all forms, just ensure you are following the recommended quantity and frequency to keep your rabbit happy and healthy. Be sure to thoroughly wash all fresh fruit before giving it to your rabbit!
When can my rabbit have strawberries?
You should not give any fruit, including strawberries to a baby rabbit. They cannot properly break down the sugars and it will cause them gastrointestinal issues that could lead to their death. Baby rabbits are very delicate and should be treated as such.
We recommend waiting until your rabbit is at least one year of age. Once your rabbit is of age then, and only then, should you start incorporating treat like food items such as strawberries. Once you decide to introduce strawberry it is important to start slow, give your rabbit an exceedingly small amount, and see how they react and if their poop maintains frequency and consistency.
If you are unsure if your rabbit is ready you can always discuss this with your vet prior to giving them any fruits. If you have decided to give your rabbit fruit and you notice a change in their poop, personality, or behavior then you should get them in to a vet right away.
Although it is unlikely that your adult rabbit will have a medical issue after consuming a small amount of strawberry, all rabbits are different and it is important to pay close attention to them after introducing anything new to their diet. This is simply to ensure their safety and livelihood.
About the Author
My name is Vanessa and I love my buns. My current house rabbit is Mr. Bunny, he is a black and white Dutch that just turned 9 years old.
I believe that rabbits are a magnificent animal that make great pets for SOME people. My mission is to share what I have learned about rabbits over the past 20 years to improve the relationship between our pets and us. Please contact me or comment if you have any questions or comments.