Can Rabbits Eat Oranges, Orange Juice or Peels?

In human beings, oranges can help reduce chances of strokes, lower blood pressure and risks of cancer, improve your skin, heart condition, among other health benefits.

They are loaded with vitamin C, calcium, “thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6, folate, pantothenic acid, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, selenium and copper” notes Medical News Today.

Also, they have no saturated fats or cholesterol, are low in calories and contains pectin, a fiber that can help one empty their colons faster.

What about rabbits? Can they eat them including their peels?

Can bunnies eat oranges?

Yes, rabbits can eat oranges including the mandarin oranges. However, like any other fruits that bunnies can eat, it should be given as a treat once or twice a week.

Your furry friends will not only enjoy eating them but also play with them for a while before they begin nibbling them.

Bunnies are herbivorous, and their diet is mainly hay (about 80%), high fiber pellets such as Small Pet Select Rabbit Food Pellets (about 5%) fresh greens (about 10%) while treats including fruits will account for 0 to 5%. Greens including non-leafy vegetables and fruits make part of their fresh foods you should give your rabbits.

Fruits are supposed to make less than 10% of the fresh foods in a bunny’s diet. A bulk of it should go to leafy greens. Note that treats are given in small amounts, such as a teaspoon per two pounds of your bunny’s weight. Also, keep varying the treats each day.

Orange treats could be used in building a bond between you and your furry friends, as rewards when training it such as to use its litter trays (when litter training your bunnies) or keep it enchanted by including it in a rabbit logic toy.

Whereas human beings can eat oranges daily and it is recommended for the various benefits we have already seen, you should not feed your furry friends with this citrus fruits daily or in large quantities as it can cause problems including:

• Due to the high acid content, Rabbit.life warns that “keep on feeding orange to your rabbit, its stomach will eventually suffer. It might develop mouth ulcers as well.”
• It has high sugar levels which are not healthy for bunnies. However, like humans, these critters have a craving for sugary foods that are not fit for Excess sugars will not only cause stomach issues but make your rabbit obese or develop hyperglycemia.

As a precaution, ensure you remove orange seeds since they can cause blockages if too many are ingested.

What about orange juice

According to Quora.com, if you have a “senior rabbit, whose urine is slightly sludgy, daily or a few times a week orange juice is the best way to do preventive work with their urinal tract or kidney, etc.” It is a good source of citric acid.

A few drops this juice can encourage your furry friends to drink their water from its water bowls. Also adding a little juice on rabbit water bottle spout will encourage your bunny to drink water.

Can rabbits eat orange peels

Rabbits can eat orange peels as treats. Peels are much preferred since they are healthier, i.e., they have more fiber when compared to the pulp part. Also, the peels have nobiletin, flavonoids, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Also, animal studies have revealed that “orange and tangerine peels that show promise in animal studies as a potent, natural alternative for lowering LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol), without the possible side effects.”

Before giving them the peels, ensure they are thoroughly cleaned and free of any pesticides. Getting yours from an organic source is highly recommended.

Conclusion

Good rabbit housing, care, and a proper diet can increase its lifespan. Therefore, ensure you always provide what is healthy for your furry critters as well as in recommended quantities.

Note that these citrus fruits do not make part of the critical dietary requirements by bunnies, but occasional treats will help them get some of the nutrients they have.