Can Bunnies Eat Pineapple?

Is there anything cuter than the twitching nose of a fluffy bunny? We think not but while these creatures may be soft and fuzzy, they’re also incredibly delicate and to be a good rabbit owner, you’ll need to make sure that your bun has the perfect diet.

There are some foods that are very dangerous to rabbits and despite them being pictured as animals that chow down on any fruit or vegetable, not all are suitable. So, if you’ve got some leftovers from a fruit salad, you might be wondering can rabbits eat pineapple?

Rabbits can eat small amounts of pineapple but this should always be given as a treat since too much could upset their delicate digestive systems. What’s more, pineapple is high in sugar and that’s not good for your bunny.

But there’s a lot more to it so we have put together this handy guide on how best to offer pineapple to your furry friends.

Can Bunnies Have Pineapple – The Truth

There are a lot of pieces of information strewn across the internet giving you all kinds of horror stories about what happens to rabbits that eat inappropriate foods. That can be scary as an owner. We all know how much it takes for your rabbit to begin to trust and bond with you so we want to ensure that we keep that trust and don’t give our bunnies anything that would harm them.

But if you’ve been asking yourself, can rabbits have pineapple then it’s good news. As long as you offer it in moderation, it makes a perfect treat for your bun. The reason that you can’t just throw copious chunks of pineapple into flopsy’s bowl is because this fruit is incredibly high in sugar.

Rabbits are unable to pass gas and so as the sugar breaks down in the gut and turns into gas, it has nowhere to go. This can cause bloating and pain for your bunny so it’s definitely something we want to avoid.

Does Pineapple Have Any Nutritional Benefit For Rabbits?

Pineapple might look like an innocent fruit but what many people don’t know is that it is bursting at the seams with nutrients. Well, if it had seams, that is. It’s massively beneficial for humans and these benefits certainly extend to rabbits.

This sweet, juicy fruit is packed with vitamins and minerals including vitamins C, A, and K as well as potassium, iron, calcium, phosphate, and magnesium. All in considerably high amounts. For this reason, it’s a very balanced food to offer your rabbit but always keep in mind that you should only offer it on occasion.

So, How Much Pineapple Can My Rabbit Have?

If your bun is in earshot, we’d suggest covering those long listeners because he isn’t going to want to hear this bad news…

The amount of pineapple that your rabbit can have in one sitting is extremely minimal. For baby rabbits, don’t give them any at all; their digestive systems simply aren’t ready to handle it yet and these baby buns should only be having a diet of pellets and hay until they are at least six months old.

When your rabbit reaches adulthood, you should only be offering a maximum of one teaspoon of pineapple per sitting. Moreover, you shouldn’t let your rabbit eat pineapple more than once or twice a week and it should never be combined with other fruits that are high in sugar. It’s best to pick a treat day each week and stick to it. That way, you won’t be tempted to give your bunny too much.

What Happens If My Rabbit Eats Too Much Pineapple?

Rabbits are such delicate little animals and it doesn’t take a lot to harm them which is why, as responsible owners, we need to stay on top of our game and ensure the very best care for our pets. It’s not only important to answer the question can bunnies eat pineapple but also important to think about what happens if they have too much.

While it does have high levels of nutrients, the sugar content can cause upset in your rabbit’s delicate stomach. Eating too much can do more harm than good. What’s more, a lot of rabbit owners don’t realize that rapid changes to their diet can cause significant problems in bunnies.

When you first offer pineapple to your rabbit, we would advise giving just a tiny amount; less than half a teaspoon should suffice. Keep your eye on your rabbit after this to make sure that there are no signs of ill health or distress. This can be difficult as rabbits are known for hiding signs of illness owing to the fact that they are prey animals that cannot appear vulnerable.

However, if you get to know your rabbit, you might be able to spot signs that he is in pain or experiencing discomfort. You can also look out for things like diarrhea which, if it is going to happen, will occur within 24 hours of eating the pineapple.

If everything seems fine then it’s likely that your bun’s body has processed the pineapple and taken the valuable nutrients from it. In this case, you’re free to offer a little more on treat day. You can increase the amount you offer little by little being careful not to exceed a teaspoon in any one sitting.

If you notice any problems, even later down the line then it may be a good idea to reduce the amount of pineapple your rabbit eats. If symptoms persist then you should have your bun checked over by your vet.

With All Of That Said…Do Rabbits Even Like Pineapple?

When you think of a rabbit eating fruits or veggies, you’ll likely imagine them munching on things like greens and carrots. Did you ever see Bugs Bunny with a piece of pineapple? Exactly!

But that doesn’t mean that rabbits won’t go wild for pineapple. In fact, most bunnies will vastly enjoy an occasional fruity treat like this. Although, there may be some individuals who just don’t like it and that’s OK. Much like humans rabbits do have their own preferences.

If you find that your rabbit does enjoy pineapple then this could be used as a treat when training your rabbit. These animals respond very well to tidbits like this when you are trying to reinforce positive behaviour. But remember; rabbits should NEVER be punished for undesired behavior as they simply do not have the mental capacity to make the link between you shouting at them and what they’ve just done.

Related: Can Rabbits Eat Bananas?

What Is The Best Diet For My Rabbit?

As we have established, rabbits have incredibly delicate stomachs and digestive systems. They don’t operate in the same way that ours do and this means that they require a very specific diet. But don’t worry, while it is specific, it’s also extremely simple and everything is readily available.

• Rabbit pellets can be purchased from almost every pet store in the world. They come in different types according to the age of the bunny so be sure to check this as junior rabbit food will have different nutrients to adult food. You’ll also find information on the product packaging which details how much you should offer your rabbit each day.
• Hay is potentially the most important part of your bunny’s diet and he or she should have access to ample amounts of it each day. Timothy hay is widely available and will ensure three main things; your rabbit is getting the high amount of fiber it requires, your rabbit is able chew to keep its teeth worn down, and your rabbit’s digestive system will keep moving. We cannot stress the importance of providing your bun with a consistent stream of fresh hay.
• Once your rabbit reaches six months of age, you can start giving it vegetables. Contrary to popular belief, these should not be the main part of your rabbit’s diet and generally speaking, you’ll only need to give your pet one cup of veggies per two pounds of its weight. Leafy greens are the best option.
• Your rabbit should always have a good supply of fresh, clean water. This can be given in a bottle or a bowl although bottles are preferable as they make less mess and are typically easier for the rabbit to use. This water should be refreshed every day and in hot weather, you may need to do this twice a day.

Conclusion

Rabbits are popular pets but it has only been in recent years that a real focus on their care has come into play. Just mere decades ago, people would take on a rabbit, put it in a hutch in the garden and throw in a few carrots and leaves thinking this would suffice. But rabbit care is much more intense and one of the most important things is ensuring a healthy and safe diet.

It’s a nice idea to give your rabbit an occasional treat and pineapple is a good option. However, we cannot stress enough that due to the high sugar levels of this fruit, it should be offered in moderation otherwise there is a risk to your rabbit’s digestive health. A small teaspoon of pineapple once or twice a week is more than enough!