For the good of our rabbits as pets and their care, it is important to identify proper food for them. At times, when working with fruits and vegetables we may be concerned about the sorts of food to give them.
When I first brought my rabbits home, I was told by the initial pet keeper that hay, along with fruits and vegetables, is essential to a rabbit’s diet.
After that, I continued my research on the various types of foods that I can give to rabbits and whether watermelon was a perfect selection or not.
Can rabbits eat watermelons?
So, today’s inquiry is:- Can rabbits eat watermelons? The answer to this query is a big YES! This fruit happens to be one of the healthiest that you can give to your bunnies. It is likely that rabbits will eat the melons with full mouthfuls.
It’s important to remove the skin so that you do not expose them to any pesticides or other possible issues.
Also, rabbits love watermelon’s taste. Therefore, if you have a way, pluck all the seeds away and soak them for one night so as they soften for bunnies’ eating.
Many people has also asked are bunnies allowed watermelon?
So, keeping bunnies in our mind, we are trying to answer all the questions related to rabbit’s diet which include watermelon.
Watermelon is a good selection that provides nutritional value to your rabbits when coupled with a variety of fruits and vegetables.
It will definitely boost rabbits’ immunity and health, which can be clearly seen in their activities.
We provide detailed information on the nutritional facts and health benefits of watermelon, as well as the absolute mistakes that you should avoid when feeding watermelons to your rabbits.
By the end of this article, I hope you will be well-informed enough to decide whether watermelons are the best choice or not for your little craters.
Nutritional benefits of watermelons for rabbits
Just like human beings, rabbits can benefit from the nutrients in watermelon. In this section, I have outlined some of the nutritional components that make up a watermelon as well as how it benefits rabbits:
- Fibre: Fibre is one of the essential things that your rabbits need. It is extremely healthy for your bunnies to smooth out their digestive functions.
- Amino acid L-citrulline: the most amazing nutrient found in watermelon It protects your rabbits from muscle aches and soreness. Also, it helps with muscle development.
- Vitamin C: It promotes immunity and improves rabbit skin health.
- Choline: Choline helps to reduce inflammation as well as aid in muscle coordination and movements. It maintains the cellular structure and memory, too.
- Potassium: This nutrient will promote heart health and regulate blood pressure.
- Vitamin A: Vitamin A develops and maintains feather growth in rabbits.
- Iron: Iron helps in the production of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen through the blood.
Dangers of watermelons for rabbits
Fruits should generally be additional supplements and not the main diet of pets, especially when we are talking about rabbits.
There is a high sugar level in watermelons which can be fatal to them.
They are moderately low in nutrition and very high in sugar hence making them occasionally treat foods that should only be served after long intervals.
Since bunnies adore sweet juicy taste of melons they are not especially nutrient-rich meals. So give them melon fruit once or twice a week
If watermelon is fed improperly, there can be numerous adverse health consequences.
As stated above, watermelon has a high sugar content, and intake of too much sweetness can affect rabbits’ digestive tracts, which can give them a painful experience. It also causes gastric problems, which are generally termed tympanism.
The juicy and tantalizing essence of watermelon leads to significant dietary imbalances in rabbits.
The seeds can cause blockages in the intestines. Rabbits start vomiting and bloating if they choke on watermelon seeds in excess.
Due to its high sugar content, obesity can be a serious cause of concern. However, obesity is very common and is caused by too much food and lack of exercise. The rabbits might become lazy and inactive.
Also Check - Can Bunny Eat Spinach? How much spinach is safe for rabbit to eat.
How much watermelon is safe to feed your rabbit?
An ideal rabbit’s diet consists of fresh, clean drinking water, the finest quality hay and grass, and some veggies and fruits. Fresh fruits and vegetables should make up 15–30% of the diet.
It clearly signifies that watermelon is perfect for rabbits as a snack but that it can also be mixed with other fruits.
The more varied and tastier you can make your pet’s diet, the more nutritious benefits they will receive.
NOTE – Are rabbits allowed watermelon? The answer to this query is Yes, but it should be in the moderate quantity.
As a result, the amount of watermelon you can feed your rabbit depends on its capacity and reactions after consuming it. However, you must know that watermelons should never fulfill the rabbit’s diet requirements in full. It should only be supplemented along with their usual diet.
So, the question is, how much watermelon should I feed my rabbit?
One to two servings a week of fresh watermelon are sufficient for rabbits. Cut the watermelon into smaller pieces to offer the rabbits so they can easily eat it without too much mess or difficulty.
Due to the watery composition of watermelons, you can feed slightly larger amounts to your bunnies than you can with other delicious sweet treats.
A quick guide to how much watermelon you can offer your rabbits:
| Age | Quantity |
| Baby rabbits or bunnies | Few 1-inch cubes |
| Juvenile rabbits (15–20 days old) | Few 1-inch cubes |
| Adult rabbits | ½ a cup |
Types of Watermelon to feed your rabbits
Prefer watermelons with fewer seeds and organic feed for your rabbit. The safety of rabbits is ensured if you buy seedless and organic watermelons. There should be no pesticides or waxes on the rind, and having no seeds will prevent gastrointestinal issues.
The ideal size of watermelon can be found in shops during the summer season; ‘personal size’ watermelon is one that everyone fonds of. Chop these into thin slices, and you can share them right next to your rabbits. The smaller the piece size, the easier it will be for your rabbits to grab it, and the smaller the mess will be!
Is watermelon rinds good for rabbits?
Although we are accustomed to eating only the flesh part of watermelons, rabbits can eat both the flesh and the rind. It is so because watermelon rinds are rich in fiber content, which is an essential part of a rabbit’s diet.
Thus, it is advisable to offer the pulp along with the rind. To prevent your rabbit from choking hazards, cut them into small pieces.
The quantity should be moderate, as ingesting rind in excess can cause gastrointestinal distress that triggers vomiting and diarrhea.
Eating watermelon is good for rabbits, but large amounts can upset rabbits’ stomachs.
Can rabbits eat watermelon seeds?
Watermelon seeds are somewhat toxic and are not suitable for rabbits to eat. The seeds are not suitable for rabbits because they cause difficulties in digestion and can cause intestinal blockage.
Therefore, if we’re offering watermelons with black or brown seeds, also called diploid watermelons, it’s necessary and critical to remove all the seeds from the pieces to save them from any health hazards.
So, if you are also thinking can bunnies eat watermelon seeds in small quantity then the answer is No. We should not give watermelon with seeds to bunnies as it will be harmful for them.
Can rabbits eat watermelon scraps?
Yes, watermelon scraps can be consumed safely by rabbits. The reason is that watermelon scraps are not toxic for them. Adult rabbits can eat the scraps in small quantities, and surely they will enjoy the sweet and refreshing taste of watermelon.
However, for baby rabbits, there are certain conditions: watermelon can be fed to them in a relatively smaller quantity, and scraps are not suitable for them because they have delicate digestion.
So, it will be better to feed them watermelons occasionally, and only the flesh part.
Tips for feeding your rabbits watermelon
Everything is in moderate quantity.
Clean and fresh watermelons only.
Seedless watermelons are always good.
Always beware, just in case.
Final words
While rabbits may not eat everything, they love the wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and other treats. In moderation, watermelon can be a fine treat to feed your rabbits.
Watermelon has lots of health benefits and can also combat dehydration in the summer. Watermelon definitely makes the cut when it comes to feed that is safe and tasty for goats.
All in all, watermelon is a pretty healthy treat for your rabbits, in moderation.
