Fruits rabbits can eat (and which to avoid)

Fruit is a rabbit's equivalent of junk food — they love it, it is not good for them in large quantities, and it should be a treat rather than a staple. The natural diet of a wild rabbit contains almost no fruit (and what it does contain is much lower in sugar than cultivated fruit). Use this guide to treat safely.

The golden rule for all fruit

No more than 1–2 tablespoons (15–30 ml) of fruit per 2 kg of body weight, no more than 2–3 times per week. Always introduce any new fruit gradually and watch for loose stools for 24 hours.

Safe fruits for rabbits (in small amounts)

| Fruit | Notes |
|-------|-------|
| Strawberries | A favourite — include the leaves (high in fibre) |
| Blueberries | Small size, easy to portion control |
| Raspberries | Include the leaves — rabbits love them |
| Blackberries | Include the leaves and canes |
| Apple | Remove ALL seeds (contain cyanide compounds) and core |
| Pear | Remove seeds and core |
| Melon (watermelon, cantaloupe) | High water content — limit to avoid loose stools; remove seeds |
| Mango | Remove skin and stone; high sugar — very small amounts |
| Peach / nectarine | Remove stone (contains cyanide); very sugary |
| Banana | Thumbnail-sized piece only; very high sugar |
| Papaya | Contains papain enzyme that may help with fur blockages; safe in small amounts |
| Pineapple | Contains bromelain (similar to papain); safe in small amounts, fresh only |
| Cherries | Remove stone; only give flesh |
| Grapes / raisins | Safe in very small amounts — but raisins are very high sugar; some vets recommend avoiding entirely |

Fruits and parts to avoid

- Avocado: highly toxic to rabbits — the persin content is far more dangerous in rabbits than in dogs. Never give any part.
- Rhubarb: oxalic acid is toxic to rabbits — avoid entirely.
- Tomato leaves and stems: the green parts contain solanine; the fruit itself is safe in tiny amounts but very acidic.
- Any fruit seed or stone: apple seeds, cherry pits, plum stones — all contain cyanide-releasing compounds.
- Dried fruit: concentrated sugar, often with added preservatives. Never give dried fruit to rabbits.
- Citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, limes): very acidic and most rabbits dislike them; not toxic but can cause stomach upset.

Why too much fruit is dangerous

The high sugar content in fruit can cause cecal dysbiosis — an overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the cecum. This leads to soft, foul-smelling droppings, bloating, and in severe cases, GI stasis. A rabbit that eats large amounts of fruit regularly will also be more likely to develop obesity and dental disease.