Can rabbits eat strawberries? As part of taking care of him, you probably enjoy his appetite while eating delicious foods! You want to see him happy but being healthy is as important as being satisfied.

Can Rabbits Eat Strawberries?

Yes, but only in small quantity and only from time to time.

Strawberries are not toxic for your rabbit. Most rabbits are able to digest them. Strawberries plants are good too. Yet, large quantities or frequent feeding of fruits may cause serious gastrointestinal or weight problems.

But, what exactly is the right quantity and how often are we supposed to feed our bunnies with strawberries? Your interest for your rabbit is to have a long and healthy life. Follow these directions regarding strawberries and other fruits:

1. Quantity
Rabbits can eat no more than two tablespoons of cut strawberries at a time, around the size of your thumb. One medium-sized strawberry it's enough. We advise you to respect this quantity as it can cause problems to your dear bunny.

2. Frequency
He should not eat fruits every day. You don't want that your bunny to become addicted and refuse his food. Give him that small amount of fruit occasionally only, from time to time. Always feed him his treat after he had his hay and veggies.

Treats can get around 5-10 % of your bunny daily diet. But, avoid feeding the same type of treats and avoid feeding only fruits. Try to change them with root vegetables like carrots or beetroots.

Always remember to introduce any new foods to your rabbit slowly and in small amounts, especially fruits. Observe your pet for any unusual behavior. If you pet bunny doesn’t show any discomfort or soft stool, you can continue feeding him strawberries. Moderation is key! Feed him twice a week a different kind of fruit. Variation is good.

3. Variation
It's recommended to offer your bunny a varied palette of fruits or treats. Strawberries and other fruits (apple - no seeds or stems, blueberries, melon - no pits, orange - including peel, blackberries, plums - no pits, pears - no seeds or stems, raspberries, peaches - no pits or pineapples) should respect the 2 tablespoons rule.

Extra-sweet fruits like: bananas (between ½ of an inch and 1 inch), grapes (1 or 2), or dried fruits (2 or 3) should be fed in even smaller quantities.

Strawberries are a good source if...

These fruits, like all fruits, should be washed thoroughly. If you're feeding the plants to your bunny don't forget to wash them, too. Buy organic fruits and vegetables to avoid pesticides and other toxic chemicals. These substances cannot be totally removed with water.

These fruits are a good source of vitamin C and antioxidants, although rabbits can make vitamin C on their own, from their basic diet.

Still, treats have their role too. Firstly, it's a good way to check if your rabbit is feeling ok. If he is responding well to his favorite treat, he is in a good shape. Secondly, it's a good instrument in training your rabbit. Thirdly, because happiness is essential! It's a good way to release the stress.

Try not to overfeed your bunny with strawberries. Change them with root vegetables like carrots or beetroots. They are richer in nutrients, therefore better for your pet.

Rabbit's regular diet

Rabbits cannot digest carbohydrates like dairy, grains (bread, pasta, rice, crackers, and cereal), legumes (beans), starchy vegetables (potatoes or corn). Avoid yogurt drops for example. No sticky-texture foods! No chocolate because is toxic to bunnies! Nothing that is high in sugar content.

These foods, because they cannot be digested, and big quantities of fruits will create fermentation. Therefore, the toxic bacteria will overgrow. By avoiding this you’ll avoid diarrhea, bloat or gastrointestinal stasis, and then appetite loss, dehydration, and weight loss. If you encounter any of these problems contact a vet for the right treatment.

Strawberries are preferable to any commercial treats found in any pet store. But try to keep in mind that your rabbit needs mainly these foods:

1. Fresh hay! Check the smell. The large amounts of fiber will keep the food moving through the gastrointestinal system and allow for good bacteria to thrive.
2. Green leafy vegetables! One at a time! Wash them thoroughly only with fresh water.
3. A few pellets! About 10%. They have all essential nutrients. Check out the expiration date.
4. Plenty of fresh and clean drinking water!

Final words

Baby rabbits cannot process sweet foods at all. Never try fruits or any high sugar vegetables like carrots. Alfalfa is enough for them. It has the right amounts of sugar and protein content for baby rabbits.

Watch for any sign of diarrhea in the next 12 - 24 hours. If you see any change in his behavior, stop feeding any type of treats and give your rabbit full access to hay and water.

Wash his fur right after eating these delicious treats. They get pretty messy and these fruits can destroy their beautiful look. Don't use cold water. Be careful, they don't like to get very wet! So, keep it simple.

Treats/fruits are not that kind of foods your rabbit should eat regularly. In the wild, these cannot be found that often. Yes, pet rabbits love eating them but that doesn't mean he should eat strawberries or other fruits very often. What if your rabbit loves to chew on different things, like your furniture? Will you let him do that?

So, can rabbits eat strawberries? The answer is yes, although you should use strawberries occasionally, twice a week, as treats.

Read more about treats and fruits here on:

"What Can I Give My Rabbit For A Treat?";
"Can I Feed My Rabbit Fruit?".