Can Rabbits Eat Blueberries? (6 Rabbits Tested!)

Considered a superfood, blueberries are packed full of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals and their sweet taste makes them a popular snack for us humans, but can our rabbits also enjoy some blueberry goodness in their diet? can rabbits even eat blueberries? Let’s take a look

Rabbits can eat blueberries, they have a sweet taste which means that some will enjoy them.  Although they have seeds, they are small and easily digested by a rabbit.  Blueberries like all fruits should be provided as an occasional treat only.

We decided to take a look at a good look at blueberries and find out if there were any specific health benefits that rabbits could gain from eating them. We even tested some out on our own rabbits to find out if they like them. First here are some other things you should consider before deciding whether or not to give your rabbit blueberries and other fruits.

Are blueberries a good treat for a rabbit?

Fruit and vegetables are not only beneficial in our diets but can also benefit a rabbits health too. Although some fruits have a naturally high sugar amount. A slice of fresh fruit (or a blueberry or two) as a treat is much healthier than some store-bought processed yogurt or chocolate treat.

Blueberries are considered moderate sugar foods however they are also very low in calories (less than one calorie per blueberry) this means that the very small amount you’ll give to a rabbit is very unlikely to have any ill effects on a healthy rabbit with access to plenty of exercise space.

In terms of nutritional value, blueberries are naturally low in fat with just 0.3g per 100g and are a good source of dietary fiber, potassium, vitamin C (important for skin health and the immune system), vitamin K1 (benefits bone health), and several other plant compounds, all of which are beneficial to the health of a rabbit.

Blueberries also have a high water content (84%) which means they also make a refreshing treat that can help with hydration, especially during warm weather.

Good and Bad Fruits

Rabbits have a sweet tooth and enjoy lots of different fruits.  However, due to the often high sugar content of fruits, they should only be given to rabbits in very small amounts.  Some fruits should also be avoided due to their seeds (or pips) and stones which can be poisonous to rabbits if eaten, blueberry seeds however are small and easily digested by rabbit’s digestive system.

When buying any fruit to give to a rabbit, organic fruit is the wise choice as it will be free of potentially poisonous chemical pesticides.

Regardless, both fruit and vegetables should be washed thoroughly in cold running water before offering them to your pet to ensure harmful chemicals are washed off.

Rabbit Digestive System

A rabbit’s digestive system can be very sensitive to sudden changes that can interrupt the delicate gut flora which plays an important role in keeping the rabbit happy and healthy.

When you introduce any new food into a rabbit’s diet whether it be it a fruit or vegetable (even those considered safe) you should give your rabbit a chance to get used to it first.

Although rabbits love fruits, there is often a risk that high sugars will upset the delicate digestive balance within a rabbit’s gut. Keep this in mind when giving a rabbit treats and try to resist the begging!

Give a very small amount and observe the rabbit over a few hours.  If it produces any soft poo it may be that the particular fruit or vegetable does not agree with it.

Wait till everything seems to be back to normal with your rabbit before testing it on any other fruits.

Also, keep an eye out for behavioral changes that could be an indication of more serious gastrointestinal issues like trapped wind or blockages (g.i. stasis).

Blueberry nutritional value

Do rabbits need to eat blueberries?

Although a blueberry or two makes a healthy treat for a rabbit, they do not specifically need blueberries in their diet to remain healthy. Rabbits are very different from us humans and despite what some sources will tell you, they do not get bored through ‘lack of variety’.

Of course, as rabbit owners, we enjoy adding variety to the diet of our pets by providing new and sometimes unusual foods but the truth is that a rabbits diet does not need to be overly complicated. Remember this key point:

Rabbits have survived perfectly well for thousands of years without the wide variety of fruits and vegetables us pet owners provide.

Fiber is the most important aspect of a rabbits diet and its importance cannot be underestimated. As such a rabbit diet should be made up primarily (80%) of good quality grasses and hays. It is this that keeps the digestive tract moving along.

Here you can read exactly what makes up a great rabbit diet.

Can baby rabbits eat blueberries?

Young rabbits (those under 7 weeks of age) should not eat blueberries due to the moderately high sugar content and the immaturity of their digestive system. The majority of a baby or juvenile rabbit’s diet should be good quality grass hay and pellets. You can read more about the recommended diet for a young rabbit here.

Do rabbits like blueberries?

Rabbits often like sweet foods and blueberries fit this requirement, however, every rabbit has its own personality and preferences so there’s no sure way to tell if your rabbit will enjoy them until you try.

Rabbits have a sweet tooth so if your rabbit does seem to have a penchant for blueberries you’ll need to show necessary restraint on its behalf and make sure you are not giving too many (try to resist the begging).

The taste test!

We tried our rabbits out on some blueberries. We tried both whole blueberries and we also cut some into halves exposing the sweet tasting fleshy inside. Here’s what our rabbits thought. Ticks represent those they eat while crosses represent flatly refused.

All in all, blueberry was a pretty average treat amongst our rabbits. Some certainly enjoyed them but they didn’t go as crazy for them as they did for banana!. Try some blueberries out on your own rabbits and let us know how you get on!

Blueberry availability

Blueberries are a summer fruit however due to importation you should be able to find blueberries all year round throughout western nations.

Blueberry benefits

• Low in calories
• Broad level of antioxidants which will help protect a bunnies cells
• High in Fiber
• Low glycaemic index fruits which should not raise bunnies blood sugar significantly
• Superfood rich in vitamins C, K as well as Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium and other nutrients

Blueberry negatives

• May cause bloating or digestive problems if overfed

Preparation of blueberries for a rabbit

Once rinsed thoroughly to reduce the risk of your bunny being exposed to potentially poisonous chemical pesticides blueberries can be fed to a rabbit as purchased. If your rabbit doesn’t seem too keen, try cutting them in half and exposing the fleshy inside of the berry as we did during our test.

Can rabbits eat blueberry stems or and leaves?

Blueberry stems and their leaves are safe for rabbits to eat,. These parts of the plant won’t be nearly as beneficial to the rabbit as the actual blueberry.

Stores are unlikely to sell this part of the plant however if you’ve been growing blueberries in your garden and notice your bunnies have been nibbling the plants you don’t need to worry about any ill effects.  If you plan to continue growing blueberries in the future you may wish to protect the plant from rabbits with some chicken wire or mesh.

Recommended use of blueberries in a rabbit diet

As with all fruits we recommend only giving blueberries as an occasional treat. 1-2 berries 2 times per week is a safe amount that will cause no negative long-term health problems for a rabbit.

Wrap up

Remember that a rabbit’s digestive system is not the same as a human.  It does not need the kind of variety that we enjoy.

A rabbit’s diet should be mainly fiber-based in order to keep the gut moving and prevent gut stasis.  Aside from water hay should make up approximately 80% of the rabbits diet and an unlimited amount should be provided (a rabbit can eat a ball of hay equivalent to his own size each day).  Treats should be given very occasionally only.

Every rabbit is different so there is no sure way to know how your rabbit may react to any food until you try it.

Above all remember that too much of anything can be bad for a pet! Just because a rabbit’s digestive system can digest blueberries, it is not really suited for moist high-sugar fruits.

Sources

healthline.com

Further Reading

Can Rabbit’s Eat Blueberries? petkeen.com / rabbits.life / wereallaboutpets.com