All living things need plenty of water to survive as our bodies have a higher water content. A well-hydrated human or animal is much healthier, more active, and happier than a dehydrated one.
If you have a pet bunny, you must give it constant access to fresh and clean water to maintain its health and mood. There are chances that your bunny needs to drink an adequate amount, and you might wonder what rabbits can drink besides water.
It is best to give your rabbit plenty of fresh water as nothing can replace the need for water for your bunny. However, there are some liquids that your rabbit can safely drink. On the other hand, there are fluids your rabbit must never drink.
Before feeding anything to your rabbit, it is best to research it as there are plenty of things that might not suit your precious rabbit. Knowing the pros and cons of every food and drink is necessary to keep a healthy, content, and happy bunny. Keep reading to know more about what is safe for your rabbit to drink.
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Drinks Your Rabbit Should Avoid At All Costs
It can be fun to introduce your favorite drinks to your rabbit. However, it would be best to remember that rabbits and humans have different bodies and organs. A bunny’s organs do not function similarly to ours as they are fragile creatures.
Plenty of human drinks are wrong for your precious furry friend, and you should never expose your poor pet to these harmful drinks. A bunny’s body does not react to foods 2like a person’s body might. So, here is a list of drinks your rabbit will have an adverse reaction towards:
Milk
Cow or goat milk contains a high content of fat that your precious rabbit will not be able to digest. Bunnies are highly reactive to milk; they get sick instantly. So, if your rabbit gets in touch with some milk, rush to the vet.
Black and Green Tea
Caffeine is not beneficial for your rabbit. It can make its tiny heart go into overdrive and explode in severe cases. Avoid giving black or green tea to your precious pet.
Almond Milk
Almonds are toxic for your rabbit. Giving your furry friend almond milk would be harmful as it will make your pet unwell. If your rabbit has more than one drop of almond milk, it will develop severe digestive issues that will cause your bunny intense pain.
Coconut milk
Coconut milk consists of 23% fats. A rabbit’s digestive system cannot break down many fats and carbs. Coconut milk will be heavy for your precious rabbit, causing gastrointestinal issues.
Oat Milk
Oats are a big not for your furry bunny rabbit. Oat milk does not have the necessary nutrients for your precious bunny friend. If anything has more cons than pros, do not feed it to your rabbit.
Hard Water
Hard tap water contains a large amount of calcium and magnesium that are hard for your bunny to digest and break down. Soft water is beneficial for your rabbit when it comes to water from the tap.
Alcohol
People love to enjoy a casual beer throughout their day. However, do not share a beer with your rabbit, as these little creatures cannot drink alcohol. Apart from the alcohol, rabbits cannot bear the acidic and carbonated feel of the drink. It can cause them severe health issues.
Soy Milk
Soy milk is unsuitable for your rabbit as rabbits can barely digest anything dairy. It carries a high-fat content and will be challenging for your rabbit’s digestive system.
As a smart pet owner, it would help if you never give your rabbit the drinks mentioned above. They can cause severe health issues for your rabbit, resulting in stress and emotional damage.
Gatorade
You may want to share your Gatorade with your pet rabbit as a pet owner. However, this delicious flavored water has a high sugar content that can harm your tiny friend. It can cause dental damage and disrupt your bunny’s gut flora due to an imbalance of healthy bacteria.
Saltwater
Salt is essential for your rabbit’s health. However, your pet gets enough salt through its diet and does not require an extra kick from its water. If you think your rabbit needs more salt, put a salt lick beside your rabbit, and it will lick it when it senses a lack of salt in its system.
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What Drinks Are Safe For Your Rabbit?
Where there is a long list of harmful things for your bunny, there are some beneficial ones too. Water is the only thing your rabbit should be drinking in large quantities. No other drink can replace the benefits of water.
It is the most harmless drink for your rabbit. However, there are a few drinks you can give to your rabbit as a treat once in a while in moderation, as you give it fruits or veggies.
Here is a list of drinks that can suit your rabbit’s sensitive body:
Herbal Tea
Rabbits love to munch on crunchy and tasty herbs. Herbal tea is not toxic for your rabbit and can help ease stress and anxiety in your rabbit. However, not all herbs benefit your bunny, so always research an exceptional cup of tea before brewing it for your bunny.
Your precious furry friend would love to enjoy tea made of peppermint, chamomile, lavender, rosemary, and oregano.
Citrus Juices
Rabbits can enjoy an occasional teaspoon of diluted citrus juices. These fruits have many essential nutrients that can benefit your precious rabbit in many ways. You can treat your rabbit with diluted juice made of orange, tangerine, satsuma, mandarin, clementine, and grapefruit.
Pineapple juice
Pineapple has a high sugar content, so giving your rabbit a tiny portion of pineapple juice will be best. Pineapple juice contains plenty of benefits for your precious rabbit, including being a remedy for hairballs.
Water is the only drink your rabbit should be drinking in an unlimited quantity. It is like hay, and it cannot bring harm to your bunny. Give your rabbit the drinks mentioned above in moderation. Measure these liquids as you measure your rabbit’s fruit intake, and everything should go smoothly.
If you feel that your rabbit is bored of water, you are overthinking. Animals are not like humans and do not get bored with their food or drink. Just like your rabbit will never get enough hay, it will never get enough water. Your rabbit requires a constant water source to stay hydrated, healthy, happy, active, and live a long life.
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What Can You Do If Your Rabbit Does Not Drink Enough Water?
There can be times when your rabbit avoids drinking water. There could be plenty of reasons:
- The temperature of the water could be more optimal.
- The container is smelly or unclean.
- The water is smelly or dirty.
- Your rabbit is having health issues.
If you check and fix the abovementioned problems, your rabbit should resume drinking water. However, if that does not happen, you can try the following to bring your rabbit’s attention back to staying hydrated:
Add Natural Juice
Add half a teaspoon of 100% natural juice to your rabbit’s water. It will give the water flavor and a mild scent that can attract your rabbit to drink it. You can use carrot, apple, or pineapple juice to add a little taste to your rabbit’s bowl of water.
Add Fragrant Herbs
Rabbits love to eat herbs. Adding a few to their water can help you make them drink water. You can add a few leaves of basil or mint to the water. It will help make your rabbit’s water aromatic and taste better.
Your precious bunny needs to consume an adequate amount of water every day. A dehydrated bunny is an open invitation for various diseases, infections, and bugs. Water keeps your furry friend’s organs running, skin fresh, and fur soft.
Final Words
Your rabbit can avoid water for various reasons. Maybe your rabbit is a picky eater or drinker, or it might be sick. As a pet owner, you should find the source and provide a solution instantly, as dehydration can lead to many diseases for your bunny.
If you cannot decipher your rabbit’s behavior, you must get in touch with your vet and book an appointment. Always reach out to a professional if you feel any doubt because they know what is best for your precious furry friend.
