Kiwi is a delicious fruit. Humans love the sweet, tangy taste of this seedy food. We love to eat it raw, grilled, juiced, etc. Bunnies are no different. Your furry friend would love to eat kiwi as they have a soft texture and taste sweet and sour. However, not everything you like is good for you. The question is, can rabbits eat kiwi?
Yes, your pet bunny can eat kiwi. However, as it has high sugar content, kiwi should be given to your rabbit occasionally in small amounts. Kiwi also has fiber in it, which is great for your rabbit.
All fruits have high sugar content. Kiwis have other beneficial vitamins, minerals, and healthy aspects for your bunny. Do not overfeed kiwi or fruit to your bunny, and rest easy about maintaining your rabbit’s health. Before introducing anything new to your furry friend, always research it. Keep reading to know more about kiwi and your bunny!
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What Parts of Kiwi Can Rabbits Eat?
It is not common for a rabbit to eat every part of a plant. There are instances where your bunny can only eat the fruit of a plant or only eat leaves. When it comes to kiwi, your bunny can eat the following without you having to worry about its health:
- Fruit
- Peel
- Seeds
There is not much about rabbits eating kiwi vines. So, it is advised not to feed vines to your bunny and find out what happens. Bunnies are sensitive living things. Taking chances with their health cannot end well.
How to Feed Kiwi to Your Furry Bunny?
When feeding your sensitive pet rabbit, you can never be too careful. Rabbits have a fragile immune system and reactive digestive system. Before you give them kiwi, there are a few things you should do:
- Wash the kiwi carefully to remove any pesticide or insect repellent.
- Ensure there are no insects or mold present on the fruit.
- Store the kiwi in a Tupperware container in the fridge to keep it fresh and chilled.
- When feeding it to your bunny, cut the kiwi into small pieces.
- The peel is safe for your bunny. So, it is your choice to remove it or not.
- Give a teaspoon of kiwi per 2lbs of your bunny’s weight per day.
- Remember not to overfeed kiwi, as it has high sugar content.
How Often Should You Feed Kiwi to Your Baby Rabbit?
Kiwis have a large number of vitamins and potassium. Too much kiwi can harm your pet rabbit. Kiwi also has a high sugar content, which is not good for your bunny.
Kiwi should be given to your furry friend once or twice a week as a treat. It should not be a major part of your rabbit’s diet. If you plan on giving your rabbit some other fruit or vegetable, switch it with the kiwi and not give them all together. Too much sugar or calcium can harm your bunny’s immune system and disrupt its digestive tract.
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How Can Kiwi Benefit Your Bunny Rabbit?
Every food should have a beneficial side for your precious pet. Giving your pet the best food is your responsibility as a pet owner. Kiwis have plenty of advantages to offer your furry little pet. Here are some of them:
High in Vitamin C
Kiwi is packed with Vitamin C. Rabbits have fragile bones and require vitamins to maintain bone strength. Kiwi will help your furry friend keep healthy bones, prevent scurvy, and speed-up wound healing.
Low Calories
Kiwi has low calories, which is great for your rabbit. Obesity is one of the biggest enemies of your little friend. An overweight bunny cannot hop easily and has grooming difficulties. If your rabbit is gaining weight or is a less active hopper, kiwi is the perfect fruit for your bunny.
Great For Maintaining Cholesterol Levels
Kiwi is beneficial for obese bunnies as it tends to lower cholesterol levels. It is good for your rabbit’s heart, liver, and mind.
Improves Immune System
This fruit helps your bunny stay healthy by improving the functioning of its immune system.
Prevents Heart Diseases
The nutrients in kiwi can aid your bunny by preventing cardiovascular diseases. As kiwi strengthens your furry friend’s immune system and keeps its blood fresh, your rabbit remains healthy.
Fights Cancer
Kiwi has an oxidative effect on cancer cells in bunnies. The oxidating damage can slow down the growth speed of cancer cells and prevents them from proliferating.
Healthy UT and Hygiene
Kiwi has a flushing effect on calcium in bunnies. It helps rabbits excrete excessive calcium to maintain a healthy urinary tract and keeps your bunny hygienic.
Optimal Digestive System
The fiber content of kiwi keeps your bunny’s digestion smooth and balances the bacteria in its gut flora. These health benefits spread to maintain your bunny’s allover health.
Lower Fat Content
Kiwis may have high sugar content, but they have almost no fats. You will not have to worry about your bunny’s weight when your feed kiwi in moderation.
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Risks of Feeding Kiwi to Your Bunny
Every silver lining has a cloud attached to it. Kiwis might be great for your rabbit if you give them in a small quantity. They contain fiber, vitamins, and minerals. There is also no worry of weight gain for your bunny.
However, there are a few harms that kiwi can inflict on your bunny. Here is a list of things to beware of:
GI Issues
If we eat too much candy, we get an upset stomach with loose stools. It is the because of the high sugar content of candies. When bunnies consume a large amount of kiwi, they have a similar reaction.
The high level of sugar in kiwis can disrupt your precious pet bunny’s gut bacteria. As a result, your poor furry friend can suffer from watery stool, stomach pain, and the production of cecotropes. It can shorten their lifespan as cecotropes are beneficial to maintaining your bunny’s health.
Fatty Liver Syndrome
The high sugar rate in kiwis can lead to fat accumulation in your precious pet’s cells. It can damage their liver and cause liver failure and death. Here are the signs to catch if your furry guy is reacting to kiwi:
- Hunched body
- Teeth grinding
- Appetite loss
- Lethargy
- Other health issues
Apart from liver disease and GI issues, your pet rabbit can suffer from many other health ailments. Here are the names of a few to keep in mind:
- Foot pain
- Arthritis
- Obesity
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Respiratory issues
What to Do If Your Bunny Reacts to Kiwi?
If you notice that your rabbit is acting unusually after it has eaten kiwi, stop giving it to your bunny. Book an appointment with your vet right away and get your rabbit checked out. Delaying the vet visit can result in fatal consequences.
While waiting for your appointment, ensure to calm your bunny’s anxieties. Your pet will be stressed out due to its physical discomfort. Do everything in your power to remove its stress.
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Final Words
Kiwi is a delicious fruit and a healthy one. It contains many essential minerals and vitamins that can benefit your pet rabbit. However, excess of anything is harmful to your bunny unless it is hay.
Remember to feed kiwi to your rabbit only once or twice per week. If you add another vegetable or fruit, remove kiwi that day. Give a tiny portion to your furry friend. Ignore the big eyes and a demand for more because it will be unhealthy for your pet and heavy on your wallet with frequent vet visits.
As a pet owner, it is up to you to do everything in your power to extend your bunny’s lifespan and keep it healthy, happy, and loved.