Can Rabbits Eat Pineapple?
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One of the world’s most popular tropical fruits, pineapple is a favorite with most people – and it offers lots of health benefits, too.
What’s good for you isn’t always good for your bunny though, which is probably why you’re wondering whether it’s OK to give pineapple to a rabbit.
The quick answer to this question is “yes,” but as with other foods that aren’t part of a rabbit’s natural diet, there are definitely limits.
Keep reading to learn all about pineapple for rabbits, then decide for yourself whether this fruit is one you want to add to your pet’s menu.
Pineapple Nutrition Stats
If you like pineapple, you’ll be happy to know that it is really good for you – and that despite its ultra-sweet taste, you can eat an entire cup of it for less than 100 calories.
A one-cup serving of fresh diced pineapple offers about:
- 83 calories
- 6 g carbohydrates
- 3 g fiber
- 2 g fat
- 9 g protein
Pineapple Nutritional Facts
Pineapple might seem like a decadent fruit but in fact, it’s a nutritional powerhouse.
That same delicious one-cup serving of fresh pineapple provides about:
- 9 mg vitamin C
- 7 iu vitamin A
- 180 mg potassium
- 5 mg iron
- 7 mcg folate
- 2 mcg vitamin K
- 5 mg calcium
- 8 mg magnesium
- 2 mg phosphorus
Can Rabbits Have Pineapple?
Yes, but in moderation, as pineapple is a sugary fruit that can contribute to painful gas and bloating. Since rabbits aren’t able to pass gas, it’s important to do what we can to help them avoid it.
Is Pineapple Good For Rabbits?
Pineapple has lots of helpful vitamins and minerals, so as treats go, it’s fairly good for your bunny. Keep in mind that fruit needs to be eaten in moderation and you’ll be on the right track!
Do Rabbits Like Pineapple?
Yes! Most rabbits go crazy for the sweet taste of pineapple. If you’re looking for a highly motivating training reward to reinforce a desired behavior, then a tidbit of pineapple might be just the trick.
How Much Pineapple Can A Rabbit Eat?
Cover your bunny’s ears, because they aren’t going to like this answer.
Here’s how much pineapple a to feed your rabbit:
Age | Amount |
Baby rabbit | None |
Adult rabbit | 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of pineapple |
Even though pineapple has lots of nutrients, its high sugar content means it can do more harm than good if eaten in excess.
There’s a little more you should know about pineapple for rabbits: Since this fruit is so sweet and as rapid dietary changes can cause digestive distress, you’ll want to introduce it to your bunny gradually. Offer just a tiny taste at first – maybe half a teaspoon.
Watch for signs of diarrhea for the next 24 hours and next time, offer a full teaspoon so long as everything remained normal.
You can gradually increase the amount of pineapple you feed your rabbit until you reach the full amount. As you increase their serving size, keep an eye out for diarrhea and digestive discomfort.
Reduce the amount of pineapple you’re offering if you ever notice anything out of the ordinary
How Often Can A Rabbit Eat Pineapple?
Your rabbit can have pineapple 1 or 2 times per week, but not on the same day as another sugary fruit treat. If you want to offer multiple fruits on the same day, offer just a fraction of the full serving size so that your rabbit doesn’t get too much sugar at once.
The Correct Diet Is Important
We think that wild rabbits would certainly snack on pineapple if they encountered it growing in their natural habitats but the odds of that are very, very slim! A wild rabbit’s natural diet consists mostly of low-lying vegetation, with grasses making up the bulk of their daily intake.
With this in mind, here’s what you should be feeding your rabbit on a daily basis:
- Since fresh, clean water is necessary for good health, make sure that your rabbit has an endless supply. Remember to rinse your bunny’s drinking bottle and refill it with fresh water at least once each day.
- Rabbit pellets – Select an age-appropriate rabbit food and check the package to determine how much you should be feeding each day.
- Fresh Timothy hay – Remember the part about wild rabbits eating mostly grass? Timothy hay takes its place in your pet rabbit’s diet, keeping the digestive system moving and helping your rabbit wear their teeth down.
- About one cup of leafy green veggies per two pounds of bunny body weight, along with a few crunchy veggies.
- Approximately one tablespoon of unsalted seeds such as pepitas, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds unless they’re already included in your rabbit’s food.
- Colorful vegetables and tiny amounts of fruit. Even if your bunny begs for more, offer no more than about a teaspoon per two pounds of their body weight.
Since your rabbit’s teeth grow constantly, it’s up to you to help keep them from becoming overgrown. This means providing rabbit chew toys, untreated softwood sticks, unbleached loofah, or coconut shells for your bunny to nibble.
These items should be available 24/7.
What Are Other Healthy Alternatives To Pineapple In A Rabbit’s Diet?
Since your bunny can’t eat a lot of pineapple, you probably want to offer some other treats. You (and your pet!) are in luck as there are many options to consider.
Here’s a short list of vegetables rabbits often like:
- cucumber
- celery
- romaine
- carrot
- carrot tops
- cabbage
- parsley
- basil
- mint
- green beans
- spinach
- arugula
- swiss chard
- bibb lettuce
- watercress
- rocket
- endive
- pumpkin
- tomato
While pineapple is a nice natural bunny treat, certain foods – even natural ones – are toxic to rabbits. It’s a good idea to research new foods so that you can be well-informed about everything you offer your pet rabbit.
With a quick search, you can find out if each food is safe, plus you can determine how much to offer.
For right now though, giving your rabbit pineapple is a fun way to work on your friendship while treating your bunny to something really special.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is pineapple safe for rabbits?
Yes, it’s safe to give pineapple to a rabbit so long as you introduce it slowly and don’t offer too much at once.
Can pineapple make my rabbit sick?
Pineapple has quite a bit of sugar so you need to be careful about how much you offer. Too many sweet fruits, offered too often, can lead to obesity, which can leave your bunny feeling miserable and unable to groom properly.
Can my rabbit have dried pineapple?
Dehydrated or freeze-dried pineapple without added sugar is OK for your bunny but only in very tiny amounts. Don’t offer dried pineapple with additives or sweeteners of any kind.
Can my rabbit have canned pineapple?
Tinned pineapple isn’t safe for your rabbit to eat. We really do not recommend it.
Can rabbits eat pineapple leaves?
Pineapple leaves are bitter, with long fibers that could be stuck in your bunny’s throat. Rabbits can eat pineapple, but you shouldn’t give them the leaves or spiny skin.