Rabbits drink fluids quite frequently but the best fluid for them is fresh plain water. However, it is also ok to give fresh juice once in a while to change the taste or provide your bunny with some extra nutrients.
If you are a rabbit owner and want to know if your bunny can have fruit juice, you are in the right place. Here we are going to discuss if fruit juice is generally safe for bunnies and how frequently you can give juice to your rabbit.
We are also going to find out about different fruit juices, their nutritional value, and the best fresh fruit juice for rabbits as recommended by vets.
So, let’s get started!
Can Rabbits Drink Fruit Juice?
Yes, fruit juices are safe for rabbits and can be given as occasional treats just like you would give a chunk of fruit sometimes to let her taste something other than the bland hay and grass.
Fruits that are considered safe for bunnies can be juiced and diluted with water to balance out the sugar content. Some of these include white and red grape, watermelon, orange, cranberry, papaya, mango, kiwi, apricot, and cherry.
Rhubarb and avocados have been found to be harmful to bunnies. Not many rabbit owners would consider juicing these fruits anyway so that’s not much of an issue.
It’s not recommended to give your rabbits processed or packaged juice that comes with preservatives, food colorings, and artificial flavors. These juices will not be healthy for your bunny in the long run and will not offer any nutritional value.
Fresh juice is good for rabbits especially when they are recovering from an illness. It will help rehydrate their bodies and offer the essential vitamins and minerals that might be lacking in their current diet.
Cranberry juice is particularly good for bunnies who are recovering from a urinary tract illness. However, it is advisable only to give a few drops of this juice to your bunny. Always give juice in a clean bowl after adding water to it so it’s diluted and easy to digest. Bottled or filtered water is the best for pet rabbits.
What Happens When a Rabbit Drinks Too Little Fluids?
Since rabbits mostly eat hay and grass, they need plenty of water to digest it properly. When they drink little water or other fluids, the movement of food through the gut is affected. Moreover, urine production reduces and may lead to kidney and bladder stones.
A rabbit whose water or fluid intake is very low is said to be dehydrated. If your rabbit is showing poor appetite and concentrated urine in small amounts, she might be dehydrated. The best way to treat this condition is to add a little flavor to her water so she would be tempted to drink it.
Water-based vegetables and fruits are also good but these cannot replace plain water. Also, make sure you don’t give your dehydrated bunny anything she is not used to having because it will upset her stomach and make the condition even worse.
Whatever she is eating normally, just spray a little fruit juice on top to improve its flavor and make it moister. After your bunny is cured of dehydration, it is recommended to reduce her consumption of diluted juice slowly to keep a check on her sugar intake.
Is Carrot Juice Good for Bunnies?
Carrot juice is fine for bunnies as long as it is diluted with just the right amount of water. Carrots are high in sugar and a bunny should not be allowed to munch on them for long. The same goes for carrot juice and it should only be given in controlled amounts.
Carrots contain vitamin A and provide good nutrition for a rabbit. However, they should not be introduced in large amounts at once because it’s going to upset a bunny’s digestive system.
Can Rabbits Have Pineapple Juice?
Just like any other fruit, pineapple is also safe for a rabbit but only in a controlled amount. Making sure your rabbit’s diet is not composed of more than 20 grams of sugar per day, you can feed just a little pineapple in raw form or as a juice that has been watered down.
Be mindful that every 100 grams of pineapple come with around 10 grams of sugar. Too much pineapple can lead to obesity in rabbits just like other high-calorie foods.
Some rabbits may also be allergic to pineapples so it’s recommended to give only a tiny amount at first and then increase it if your rabbit shows no allergic reaction.
It is not recommended to feed your rabbits the leaves or skin of a pineapple. Pineapple juice has been found to be beneficial for rabbits because it helps to clear the furballs that may get stuck in their intestines. Vets also advise pineapple juice for rabbits who are suffering from constipation.
However, fresh pineapple is still a better option because it contains more fiber and vitamins.
Can Baby Rabbits Have Fruit Juice?
Baby rabbits should only be fed mother’s milk at least for the first few weeks of their life. A rabbit who is three months or older can be given solid foods other than pellets and hay including very small amounts of fresh fruits and leafy greens.
Fruit juices usually contain a lot of sugar and acid content, which may harm a baby bunny’s digestive system. A baby rabbit still has a developing digestive system and therefore fruit juice may be too complex for it to digest.
Even an adult rabbit should not be given more than a tablespoon of fresh juice at a time. It is also a good idea to dilute one part of juice with six parts of water especially if the rabbit is still very young.
Water intake in rabbits reduces with age. So, adult bunnies will drink less water than young ones. Young bunnies are also more active and therefore they get thirsty more often. If you add a few drops of fruit juice to their water, they will be more tempted to drink it because of the improved taste.
Conclusion
It is perfectly fine to offer fruit juice to your adult bunny once in a while as an occasional treat. However, do keep in mind that rabbits have sensitive stomachs and anything in their diet that they are not used to having may aggravate digestive issues.
At the same time, domestic animals often get dehydrated because they eat a variety of foods and do not have enough water. In such a situation, adding fruit juice to their diet can be a good idea. The most popular juice rabbit owners give to their bunnies is orange juice; however, tangerine, satsumas, and grapefruit juice are also as nutritious and rehydrating for rabbits as orange juice.
It is not recommended to give your bunnies fruit juice every day because most fruits are high in sugar content. Too much sugar is not healthy for bunnies as it can make them obese and eventually sick.
Additionally, there are some fruit juices not recommended for rabbits, such as avocado and pineapple. Never give your bunnies packaged fruit juice or one that comes with artificial flavoring or preservatives.
It is also a good idea to dilute fresh fruit juice with water to balance out the sugar and acidic content. One of the best fruit juices you can give to your bunny is cranberry juice. And finally, make sure your bunny has access to a constant supply of fresh and clean water to keep her stomach and digestive system healthy!