Rabbits are grazing animals and would love to eat anything in front of them. Bunnies are intelligent creatures but do not know the difference between good and bad food. They depend on their owners to guide and provide the most suitable food and environment.
Raising a rabbit is a piece of cake only if you research thoroughly and are up for a challenge. Rabbits are fragile animals and require loads of attention and vigilance. Unlike dogs and cats, you cannot feed your rabbit store-bought, frozen, or canned food. Bunnies require a specific diet rich in fiber and nutrients. So, can rabbits eat cashews?
Rabbits can eat cashew nuts but should avoid doing so. Nuts have a high content of fat that is unsuitable for a bunny rabbit’s sensitive digestive system. Cashew nuts have benefits, but the risks outweigh them.
Feeding a rabbit is risky, as rabbits can react to most food items. Sometimes your bunny rabbit will wiggle its tail to show disapproval for food. Other times its delicate body will have an allergic reaction to a food item, causing diarrhea.
As a pet parent, it is your job to learn what food items will suit your bunny and what will send it to the vet’s clinic. Keep scrolling to learn more about cashew nuts and their effect on your furry bunny.
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Nutritional Value of Cashew Nuts
Cashew nuts contain a high amount of nutrients your rabbit does not require to function and remain healthy. Rabbits need a fiber-rich diet to ensure their digestive system’s balanced and optimal functioning.
An ideal diet for a rabbit contains 80-90% hay, 10-15% fresh greens, and 5-10% fruits as a treat. There is no need to feed a rabbit anything remotely harmful to the pet.
For a better understanding of why you should avoid feeding a nontoxic cashew nut to your rabbit, take a look at the nutritional value of cashew nuts (1 oz):
0.9g of Fiber
Rabbits need an optimal amount of fiber in their daily diets to keep their bowel movement smooth. Cashew nuts do not have the correct amount of fiber for your rabbit, which can cause a blockage in your rabbit’s digestive tract.
8.6g of Carbs
Rabbits do need carbs to remain healthy. Rabbits are tiny creatures and can become overweight quickly. Their digestive system is not mature enough to break down complex elements like carbs.
5.2g of Protein
Cashews do not have a dangerous amount of protein. However, your precious furry friend should avoid nuts due to their high fat content.
12.4g of Fat
Fats are the least essential food element for a rabbit. A rabbit’s metabolism cannot digest fats. It can be heavy for your bunny’s liver and kidneys. Plus, fatty foods lead to an obese bunny rabbits.
157 Calories
Rabbits need a fresh and low-calorie diet. These furry animals are hyperactive beings and cannot afford to be chubby. A bunny’s heart and other organs work to keep up with its zoomies. If your bunny slows down life, the organs will suffer.
A Few Benefits of Cashew Nuts for Your Bunny Rabbit
Even if something does not suit your rabbit too much, it will still benefit the animal. Cashew nuts might not be a great idea to feed your rabbit, but they can still benefit your precious furry friend. Here are a few:
Full of Antioxidants
Rabbits are fragile creatures and are prone to diseases. Cashew nuts are rich in antioxidants, which can help fight free radicals from entering your rabbit’s body. With their antioxidant properties, cashew nuts can reduce inflammation, resulting in speedy recovery of your bunny’s internal swelling and healing of wounds.
Presence of Carotenoids and Polyphenols
Rabbits can experience oxidative cell damage that can inhibit their growth and hinder the proper functioning of their immune system. Cashew nuts have components that can reduce oxidative cell damage and ensure your rabbit’s health.
Helps Regulate Cholesterol
Despite the saturated fat in cashew nuts, they can lower the bad cholesterol in your precious furry friend. High cholesterol levels can cause immense stress on your rabbit’s heart, which can be fatal for your pet.
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Harmful Disadvantages of Cashew Nuts for Your Bunny
Cashews and other nuts have a long list of disadvantages for rabbits. Due to their nutritional value, nuts can create health issues for poor rabbits, and here is why:
Protein, Lipids, and Carbs
Rabbits do not need a high-calorie diet to duel them for their physical activity. Bunnies have delicate digestive systems that can break down light and simple foods. Cashew nuts have a high amount of protein, lipids, and carbohydrates. These properties of nuts can cause turmoil in a poor bunny, causing severe health issues and stress.
Complex Food
Cashew nuts are full of energy and complex elements, which are great for people to snack on for an extra punch of energy. However, that same reason is harmful to rabbits. A bunny’s intestines cannot bear heavy foods, causing a blockage in the digestive tract. It can be fatal for your poor rabbit.
Too Many Calories
Rabbits are herbivores and thrive on fresh, light food. Cashew nuts are a high-calorie food. All nuts are unsuitable for bunny rabbits as they can cause obesity and fat accumulation in the animal’s organs.
What Will Happen If You Feed Your Rabbit Too Many Cashew Nuts?
Fatty foods with loads of starch can only bring bad news to your bunny. Your poor pet will be in immense discomfort and pain after eating nuts, as they are high-calorie food items.
Here is how your rabbit will suffer if your feed too many cashews to your helpless pet:
Fatty Liver Disease
Rabbits get the fatty liver disease if they consume foods with a high level of carbs and lipids. Rabbits need 3% fat in their diet, any more than that can lead to severe health concerns.
When a bunny eats high-fat food, its body cannot digest it properly. The fat accumulates in your pet’s liver, causing stress on the organ. Signs of fatty liver disease include loss of appetite, weight loss, reduced feces, dehydration, and depression.
Aflatoxin Poisoning
Only some nuts are going to have the same amount of ingredients. Some nuts may have more aflatoxin than others. If your rabbit feeds on cashew nuts with a high level of aflatoxin, your poor pet will get severely ill. A few symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning are diarrhea, depression, weight loss, jaundice, loss of appetite, anorexia, and death.
Diarrhea
The most common occurrence when something does not suit your rabbit’s digestive system is diarrhea. If you feed your rabbit cashew nuts, there is a high chance the animal will experience diarrhea due to the lack of digestion. After giving your bunny nuts, if you notice a watery stool, your bunny needs help.
GI Stasis
When rabbits eat food that is hard to break down, their digestive tract suffers from a blockage. It is called GI stasis, which is highly discomforting to the animal. With GI stasis, your bunny can experience hunched posture, depression, bruxism, and loss of appetite.
Obesity
Cashews have a high amount of fat and carb, which can lead to obesity. An obese rabbit will have difficulty grooming itself and hopping. When your rabbit’s physical activity grows slow, it will gain more weight. A chubby bunny also stops eating cecotropes, which are essential for a rabbit’s survival.
Uneaten Cecotropes
As soon as rabbits start feeling physically ill, they refuse to eat their cecotropes. Cecotropes are nutrient-filled fecal matter that rabbits make for themselves. If you see soft pellets around your rabbit, it is not eating its cecotropes.
If you notice any of the issues mentioned above in your rabbit, contact your vet immediately. These issues can be fatal for your poor furry friend if you delay the vet’s visit. Stay calm and try to relax your rabbit by showing it your support.
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Alternatives To Cashew Nuts
Even though cashew nuts are not toxic for your rabbit, it is best to avoid them to reduce the chances of your bunny getting sick. Bunnies are emotionally sensitive creatures and go into depression when they become physically unfit. So, here are a few alternatives your bunny can enjoy munching on without falling ill:
- Parsley
- Spinach
- Mustard greens
- Swiss chard
- Radish tops
- Sprouts
- Carrot tops
- Kale
Remember to feed vegetables to your bunny after washing them thoroughly and in moderation to avoid overfeeding.
Final Word
Rabbits are a huge responsibility, just like kids. The animal is voiceless, helpless, and depends on its pet owner for everything. You are responsible for providing your rabbit with healthy food, a comfortable environment, and a protective living space.
All these furry creatures demand is unconditional love and unlimited hay. It is possible to raise a healthy rabbit. Stay updated on the latest about your precious furry friend’s needs and watch a happy bunny hopping all around your place.