It is a very popular question asked on the internet, can rabbits eat oranges?Rabbits eat oranges and so you are able to feed your rabbit oranges. However, when they eat oranges, it comes with certain terms and conditions, which you will read about later in the article.Citrus fruits like oranges are full of nutrients like Vitamin C, which is why everyone, including humans, love to eat oranges and sometimes orange peels too! To know more about when your rabbit can eat oranges and how much they can eat, keep reading this article.If you want to learn more fun facts about rabbits can eat, check out can rabbits eat lemon and can rabbits eat mango on Kidadl.Do rabbits like oranges and why?Pet rabbits eat citrus fruits like oranges which have so many health benefits and nutrients because they are sweet and sugary.Rabbits eat orange among the many other sugary things they eat. Citrus fruits like oranges are packed with a large number of nutrients and minerals such as dietary fiber and Vitamin C. However, care should be taken in how much is eaten as large quantities of Vitamin C in a rabbit’s body can cause kidney damage and other stomach related issues due to the citric acid. Orange should only be given to bunnies in small amounts. Unless you grow your oranges in your garden free of any pesticides, most of the oranges we get in the market have been grown with the help of chemicals. These chemicals can even harm human beings in the long run, so it is important to carefully and thoroughly wash any fruit before feeding it to your rabbit to remove any chemicals. These chemicals could harm your rabbit’s health and their digestive system. Also, washing fruit helps to remove any pests that could be toxic to your pets and affect the health of the rabbit.However, it must be remembered that a rabbit can be fed fruits only once or twice a week as a treat as more than that is not good for their health. On average, 1-2 lb (450-900 g) of fruit for every 5 lb (2.2 kg) of body weight of bunnies can be eaten. Unlike vegetables which can be introduced together, fruit must always be given one by one and very slowly to bunnies. A rabbit’s diet should only contain 10% of the fruit. A popular type of orange many people feed their rabbits are mandarin oranges. This is because mandarin oranges are low in saturated fat too. So to answer this question, rabbits can eat oranges, but only in limited quantities.Can rabbits eat orange peels?The answer to this question is yes. As strange as it sounds, orange peels can be consumed by rabbits.Although several people may frown when hearing this, there is no scientific evidence that states that orange peels are harmful to rabbits. In fact, several people prefer to feed their rabbits orange peel. The peel is less sugary than the fruit itself so it can be given in large quantities. The high sugar content of the orange itself could lead to obesity and other medical issues. In rabbits, obesity affects mobility and they may seem sluggish. Since rabbits have a very fragile skeletal structure as well, obesity may lead to additional pressure being added to their bodies. Over time this could lead to bone-related issues and injury. In such cases, feeding peel to rabbits can be a good idea. However, what is to be noted is that only a small amount must be fed. Once you have a fed a bite-size piece, wait for 24 hours and look for any sign of stomach upset, diarrhoea, or constipation. If there seem to be any adverse reactions, do not feed them peel thereafter. However, if there aren’t any you may feed them the orange peel once in a while as a treat.Costs And Benefits Of Oranges On RabbitsThe costs of eating oranges to rabbits generally come from the overconsumption.Oranges are very often sites for parasites and that is something you must look out for diligently. It is best to avoid overly ripened or rotten fruits in your rabbit’s diet as this may lead to gastrointestinal concerns and diarrhoea. Despite the nutritional benefits of fruit, it is advisable to not feed baby bunnies (below the age of 12 week) food like oranges even in small amounts. Compared to their adult counterparts, a baby rabbit’s sensitive gastrointestinal systems are much more sensitive. The acid in oranges may tamper with digestion. In order to keep your baby rabbit healthy, refrain from feeding them oranges. In fact, it is not advised to feed baby bunnies any kind of vegetables and fruits until they reach the age of 12 weeks. Instead, baby rabbits should be given their mother’s milk. Baby rabbits need a high concentration of protein and fat in their diet, which the mother’s milk contain, so they grow to be strong and build a resilient immune system. If your pet rabbit has no known mother, do not feed your rabbit cow’s milk in hopes of providing an alternative for mother’s milk. Although there isn’t a direct replacement for the milk that comes from a mother rabbit, you could purchase goat’s milk or kitten formula as an alternative to the mother’s milk in the rabbit’s diet.It is crucial to remember that every rabbit is different, so it is important to consult your pet rabbit’s vet. When baby rabbits are ready to eat different kinds of food like juicy fruits and vegetables, you must remember to take it slow. Give them a very small piece of food, wait for 24 hours and look for any side effects that may show up. You must carefully follow this process before increasing the amount. Baby rabbits have more sensitive bodies to adult rabbits, so you should be looking to see if there are any adverse effects. If everything goes fine after 24 hours and there are no issues, you can feed them the next treat.Some of the benefits of such fruits include the fiber pectin that oranges contain. This nutrient in fruits, like oranges, helps in removing any toxins from the colon of rabbits. Pectin can also control the levels of cholesterol in the blood of your rabbit. As we all know, cholesterol is a silent killer among humans and the same goes for rabbits. Another natural antioxidant that oranges have in abundance is Vitamin C. It ensures that the immune system stays strong and the digestive system is healthy. Some of the vitamins and minerals that can be gained by your rabbit consuming orange peel are flavonoids which are known to provide protection against cancer and stay healthy and vitamin B which prevents muscle paralysis. Other nutrients in orange peel include phytochemicals, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, copper, magnesium, manganese, and phosphorus. The side effects that may arise from eating orange and orange peel in rabbits is when they are consumed in large amounts usually. They include diarrhoea, constipation, stomach upset, and ulcers around the mouth because of the ascorbic acid in your rabbit.Differences Between Domestic And Wild RabbitsAs most of you may know, rabbits can be seen both in domestic settings as well as the wilderness.It is quite easy to differentiate between the two. You will only find domestic rabbits with floppy ears, never wild ones. Moreover, wild rabbits will most often have light brown fur. While wild rabbits may possess narrow, long faces, domesticated ones will look much chubbier with round, wide eyes. Another point to observe is whether the rabbit approaches you. In most cases, wild rabbits do not approach humans as they are scared of us. In fact, if you try to catch hold of one, it will most probably try to run, scream, and kick.However, it is the opposite when it comes to domesticated rabbits. They seem much more curious to interact with us human beings. If you find that the rabbit moves with a lot of confidence, chances are that it is from the wild. This is because they are very much aware of their territory and know where to hide in case their safety is compromised. However, domesticated rabbits may seem timid. They are always conscious of their surroundings and explore very slowly. Rabbits of the wild almost never travel alone and they are always in groups. These groups possess hierarchies too. However, a domesticated rabbit will most often wander alone and would be comfortable with this. Wild rabbits naturally weigh less than domesticated ones because they don’t have the opportunities to enjoy a safe home or treats. Due to this, they will naturally eat less unless they catch prey and they will spend a lot of time moving around to hunt. Even if you offer food or a treat to a wild rabbit, they will not accept it. This is because they do not trust humans. A domesticated rabbit will leap to you if you offer food as they are used being looked after by their owners.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for can rabbits eat oranges then why not take a look at can rabbits have grapes, or Chinchilla rabbit facts.
It is a very popular question asked on the internet, can rabbits eat oranges?
