Can Bunnies Eat Tangerines?

Can bunnies eat tangerines? Yes, but only as an occasional treat and in very small amounts. Tangerines are packed with vitamin C, which sounds great, but they also come with a lot of sugar and acidity that can upset your rabbit's sensitive digestive system.

A segment or two once a week is plenty.

The key is moderation. Rabbits thrive on hay, leafy greens, and fresh water. Fruit (including tangerines, oranges, and clementines) should be a tiny part of the picture, not a regular menu item. Think of citrus the same way you'd think of candy for a kid: fun as a treat, terrible as a habit.

Check out our cute bunny shirts & apparel - every purchase helps a bunny in need!

Health Benefits of Tangerines

So why feed your bunny tangerines and other citrus? Vitamin C is the name of the game, friends. Just like for humans; oranges, mandarins, tangerines, clementines, satsumas, and other types of citrus fruits are all chock full of Vitamin C.

And your pet rabbit needs Vitamin C just like you do! So you can feed rabbits oranges and tangerines to give them a boost of Vitamin C, but those aren't the only citrus fruit you can feed your furry friend. It is also safe for rabbits to eat clementines, satsumas, and grapefruit. Bunnies can even eat orange peels as an occasional treat!

All of these orange fruit and citrus fruits can boost your rabbit's health by providing them with Vitamin C and other nutrients. Oranges and other fruits, including orange peel, contain a fiber called pectin, which helps your bunny's digestion, regulates their blood sugar and improves their cardiovascular health.

Most rabbits can also eat small portions of mandarins, tangerines, and mandarin orange. So giving your bunny portions of mandarins, oranges and other citrus can actually improve their health.

Potential Drawbacks Of Tangerines And Citrus

While tangerine, oranges, and other citrus can all be beneficial for your bunny, too much of it can be detrimental. These fruits can be high in sugar which can disrupt a bunny's digestion and the good bacteria that lives in their gut. Citrus can be very acidic which could also irritate your bunny's tummy.

Also while Vitamin C is healthy for rabbits, too much of it can put a strain on their liver which can also affect their immune system.

It is also possible that the peels from these fruits could contain lingering pesticides depending on where they originated from. Rabbits can be very sensitive to even small traces of pesticides so it is important to know where the fruit is coming from and make sure to wash it thoroughly before sharing it with your furry friend.

Citrus fruits are also very acidic so giving your bunny too high a quantity could throw off their natural pH causing weight gain, muscle cramps, lower body temperature, low energy, kidney stones, and more.

Also, while rabbits can also have small amounts of orange juice, some juices have high amounts of sugar or could contain other harmful chemicals and preservatives. So organic, 100 percent juice is always your best bet when giving it to your bunny buddy.

It's also important to note that orange juice is meant to be given as a treat only, it is never to be substituted for the rabbit's water supply or to be given to them in large doses. While it is healthy for them, it is only healthy in moderation.

When giving your bunny fruit, also keep in mind fruit pips, or seeds can be problematic for them so it is good to remove all seeds before giving them the fruit.

Other Foods Rabbits Can Eat

Rabbits can actually eat and digest lots of other fresh such as fruits and vegetables in small quantities. You can feed rabbits

• Romaine lettuce(not iceberg lettuce, this lettuce contains a substance called lactucarium which can be harmful in large doses. )
• Peels- banana peel, tangerine peels
• Curly kale
• and lots of other fresh fruits and veggies!

Of course, hay is another essential part of a rabbit's diet, timothy hay, and meadow hay are all part of a healthy diet for a rabbit as hay provides lots of dietary fiber that keep your bunny's digestive system functioning at optimum capacity.

And of course, rabbits love leafy greens, romaine (not iceberg lettuce), and other greens.

Foods to Avoid

Most human food is not good for bunnies. But if your bunny does have a sweet tooth, many pet stores sell less sugary treats specially designed for a rabbit's digestive system. But citrus and other fruits and veggies, can be used as motivational treats for rabbits and have healthy benefits associated.

Here are some foods you should avoid giving your furry friend.

• Kidney beans
• Broad beans
• Black beans
• Cookies
• Candy
• Biscuits
• Crackers
• Yogurt drops

Stick to what you know is safe for your rabbit, if it is not something your rabbit could come across in the wild, it is probably not going to be something they can easily digest.

Why Moderation Is Best

Small portions are the name of the game. A rabbit's digestive system does best with a variety of foods in small quantities. While you can feed your rabbit a variety of nutritious foods, your bunny does best when they eat smaller portions of occasional treats. So yes, bunnies eat oranges and other citrus and veggies but it's best to make sure to feed your rabbit a well-rounded variety of foods in moderation, similar to the diet of wild rabbits.

Also, it's important to keep in mind that rabbits, like humans, have preferences, allergies, or types of foods that they just don't do well with. So while rabbits may eat oranges in general, your rabbit may not or could show signs of poor digestion.

Signs Of Indigestion In Your Rabbit

There are lots of types of citrus fruit a rabbit can easily digest, but each rabbit is unique.

So if you feed your rabbit oranges, or you feed your rabbit orange peels, citrus of any kind, veggies, leafy greens, romaine(not iceberg lettuce) or any other type of food outside of their normal diet and they experience any of these symptoms, it may be best to cut that item out of your furry friend's diet.

• Gurgling noises coming from their stomach
• Lethargy
• Hiding
• Seeking to be alone
• Sitting with eyes partially closed
• Significant decrease in appetite

Keep an eye on your rabbit after you feed them any new food item to make sure they react well to it, before feeding it to them a second time.

So to wrap it all up, can rabbit's eat tangerines? Yes! In moderation, tangerines are a great healthy treat for your furry friend!

FAQ

Can Rabbits Drink Orange Juice?

Yes! In moderation, orange juice is safe for rabbits! Orange juice has a few great benefits for your furry friend such as Vitamin C, and fiber. But be sure to check juice labels since many can contain harmful chemicals or high amounts of sugar. Also, keep in mind moderation, a few drops will do it!

Can Rabbits Eat Orange Peels?

Yes! You can feed your rabbits tiny amounts of orange peels. Bunnies eat lots of orange-colored fruits and their peels!

Can Rabbits Eat Green Beans?

Yes! While black beans, kidney beans, and most other beans are on a rabbits' serious no-no list, green beans are fine for your bunny pal, in moderation of course.

How much tangerine can I give my rabbit?

One or two small segments, once or twice a week at most. Think of it as a treat, not a meal. Too much citrus can upset their sensitive digestive system, and the sugar adds up fast. If your rabbit has never had tangerine before, start with a single small piece and watch for any signs of stomach trouble.

Can baby rabbits eat tangerines?

No. Kits under 12 weeks old should stick to hay and pellets only. Their digestive systems are still developing, and the sugar and acid in citrus can cause serious GI problems. Wait until your rabbit is at least 3 months old before introducing any fruit treats, and even then, start slow with tiny portions.