Sometimes, fur parents love to spoil their bunnies with treats.
Especially fruity ones like strawberries.
But are they worth it for your bunny’s health?
Read on to learn more:
- 11 cool benefits of strawberries in your rabbits.
- Strawberry parts that are safe for your bunnies to eat.
- 11 alarming dangers of rabbits eating excess strawberries.
- And so much more…
Can rabbits eat strawberries?
Rabbits can eat strawberries. It’s rich in vitamins and minerals that work wonders in their body. However, strawberries contain lots of sugar. So, feed your bunnies in strict moderation.
Rabbit eating strawberries – 11 benefits
#1: Strengthens your bunny’s health
As a fur parent, you may have mastered your rabbit’s daily routine.
But sometimes, you notice them only staying in one place.
Or always sleeping and totally inactive for an entire day.
When this happens, your rabbits may need potassium.
Luckily, your bunny can get their dose of potassium from strawberries.
This mineral helps prevent your bunnies from the following:
- Muscle weakness.
- Respiratory distress.
- Paralysis or inability to move.
You may give your furry ones small portions of strawberries 1-2 times a week.
#2: Great source of calcium
A 3.5 oz (100 g) serving of strawberry helps your bunny get 0.0005 oz (16 mg) of calcium.
This mineral is an essential component of your rabbit’s bone development.
It strengthens their teeth, too.
They need enough calcium in the formation of new dental tissues.
Moreover, calcium supplements your bunny’s strength when they mature.
Trivia: Rabbits grow their teeth throughout their lifetime due to their open-rooted structure.
#3: Provides iron to preggy bunnies
A healthy mother rabbit means healthy kits (baby rabbits).
During pregnancy, kits benefit from their mom’s iron intake through the placenta.
This organ allows fetus rabbits to obtain all the nutrients they need.
And oxygen, too.
Luckily, slices of strawberries may help support your expecting bunny.
It’s because strawberries contain traces of iron.
In a 3.4 oz (100 g) of strawberry, your bunny can get 0.000014 oz (0.41 mg) of iron.
#4: Supports bone development
Aside from calcium, strawberries contain manganese.
This mineral is responsible for your bunny’s bone health.
It also helps in cartilage formation.
Plus, nutrient absorption and tissue repair.
You may treat your bunnies with strawberry slices occasionally.
And give them that extra bone strength they need.
#5: Helps your bunny’s nerves
Strawberries contain magnesium that supports your rabbit’s nerves.
Nerve cells or neurons are vital in the body’s processes.
They create a communication network to send signals to the brain.
This makes your tiny fluffballs stay alert and sharp.
Especially as prey animals.
Moreover, magnesium also supports your bunny’s bones and teeth.
#6: Refreshes your bunnies
Containing at least 92% water, strawberries may help hydrate your furry ones.
Especially in summer or during warm temperatures.
Your rabbit’s normal body temperature ranges from 102-103°F (38.8-39°C).
Temperatures exceeding 60-65°F (15-18°C) aren’t the best for them.
In severe cases, heat stress may affect their health.
Not to mention, fertility or their reproductive ability.
#7: Helps prevent cell damage
Doses of selenium are present in a 3.5 oz (100 g) of strawberry.
The 0.000014 oz (0.4 mg) of selenium may help prevent your bunnies from cell damage.
This mineral is also known to keep their immune system healthy.
#8: Reduces vitamin deficiency
Strawberries contain B-complex vitamins.
Particularly, folate or folic acid.
This vitamin helps regulate your bunny’s homocysteine levels in the body.
Homocysteine indicates whether they have a vitamin deficiency or not.
Symptoms of vitamin deficiency include:
- Artery damages.
- Blood vessel disorders.
- Increase in blood clot formation.
#9: Prevents baby rabbits from bone defects
Feeding your furry friends with strawberry slices can help protect their bones.
With calcium, phosphorus in strawberries boosts their bones’ optimal health.
Especially in fetus rabbits developing bone defects in the uterus.
Mother rabbits need phosphorus to sustain their offspring’s well-being.
Moreover, this mineral is also vital in your bunny’s dental care.
Watch this video about the causes and treatment of bone diseases in rabbits here:
#10: Helps reduce blood disorders
Strawberries help your bunny’s nervous system.
Thanks to its thiamine content.
This antioxidant also helps improve their red blood cell (RBC) formation.
Thus, preventing your bunnies from developing unhealthy RBCs.
Not to mention, anemia or RBC disorder.
#11: Contains zinc
Zinc is an enzyme booster in your bunny’s body.
Luckily, strawberries contain 0.0000049 oz (0.14 mg) of zinc.
This mineral also plays a vital role in cell division.
Your rabbits need to produce new cells for growth and development.
Also, to repair injuries.
Moreover, higher levels of zinc must be present in your rabbit’s diet.
Especially during mating season.
This conditions their body and reduces the risk of infertility.
Or the inability to produce offspring.
Moreover, zinc also provides your rabbits with a shiny and smooth coat.
Rabbit eating strawberries – 11 dangers
#1: Prone to fluoride toxicity
Strawberries are another source of fluoride.
They’re great for your bunny’s teeth.
But it’s tricky.
It’s because higher concentrations also make their teeth brittle.
Plus, too much fluoride intake may cause toxicity.
As a result, fluoride poisoning (fluorosis) leads to the following:
- Lung damage.
- Kidney shrinkage.
- Bone deformation.
- Swelling of kidney linings.
Relevant read: Warning: 21 Plants That Are Poisonous To Rabbits
#2: Leads to kidney stone formation
Strawberries are a rich source of vitamin C.
A dose of vitamin C from this tasty fruit may help your bunny’s immunity.
But take note:
Rabbits can already produce it in their body.
So, an excess of vitamin C only poses damage to their kidneys.
Particularly, kidney stone formation.
#3: Contains lots of sugar
This might be the reason why your bunnies love chewing it.
Strawberries contain lots of sugar.
At least 0.17 oz (4.89 g) of sugar is present in a 3.5 oz (100 g) serving.
If given in unlimited portions, your bunnies may develop diabetes.
Or even dental problems.
#4: High in carbohydrates
Containing 0.27 oz (7.68 g) per 3.5 oz (100 g) serving, a strict moderation may save your bunnies.
This is due to the harmful effects of carbohydrates in their tummy, such as:
- Bloating or gas.
- Sticky poop droppings.
- True diarrhea or liquid poop.
#5: Low in fiber
Strawberries are better off as a treat.
It’s because it only contains 0.07 oz (2 g) of fiber.
And the golden rule for a rabbit diet should be 80-90% grass hay.
Fruits and vegetables should occupy a tiny room in their tummy.
Not to mention, only 10% or less.
Moreover, a low-fiber diet messes up their digestion.
Ever wondered why your bunny poops so much?
Read here: 15 Alarming Reasons Why Your Rabbits Poop So Much + 11 Tips
#6: Contains low amounts of vitamin A
Vitamin A supports your bunny’s eyes.
They need this vitamin to keep their vision sharp at all times.
But strawberries might not be the best fruit for this vitamin source.
They only contain 12 IU of vitamin A per 3.5 oz (100 g) of serving.
And your bunnies need at least 5,000-75,000 IU per 35.27 oz (1 kg) of body weight.
#7: Low traces of vitamin E
Vitamin E is no ordinary nutrient in your bunny’s health.
However, strawberries only contain small amounts of it.
“Why is vitamin E important in my rabbits?”
They need it to prevent the harmful effects of oxidation.
This is a chemical process that occurs in their cells.
Some oxidation processes are good.
But it can also damage your bunny’s cells and DNA.
As a result, vitamin E deficiencies lead to:
- Infertility.
- Destruction of the muscles.
- Damage in cell fats and proteins in the liver.
- Fetal resorption or absorption of the dead fetus in the uterus.
#8: Lacks vitamin D
Rabbits need at least 1,000-1,500 IU of vitamin D per 35.27 oz (kg) of body weight.
Vitamin D is an essential factor in rabbits’ bone development.
It regulates the calcium and phosphorus absorption in the body.
Unfortunately, strawberries aren’t a great source of vitamin D.
#9: Low in vitamin K
Vitamin K helps prevent coccidiosis or parasite-causing disease in rabbits.
However, strawberries contain insufficient amounts of vitamin K in them.
A 3.5 oz (100 g) of strawberry only has 0.00007 oz (2.2 mg).
Moreover, vitamin K deficiencies are common in preggy bunnies.
They’re prone to miscarriages and placental hemorrhage.
Or when the placenta separates from the uterus.
#10: Highest pesticide residue
There has to be a strong reason why strawberries take the first spot.
Well, there are a few jaw-dropping facts according to EWG’s Dirty Dozen list.
Before strawberries are planted, they start prepping the soil with harmful gases.
These volumes of gases are used to kill insects and weeds.
What’s even more alarming?
These chemical residues are still present in strawberries even after washing them.
Take note.
Another round of pesticide sprays is done when strawberries grow.
Or during harvest.
So, eating one is close to consuming traces of harmful chemicals.
Especially for your bunnies.
#11: Causes parasites in their tummy
According to USDA, strawberries contain 0.0014 oz (0.04 g) of starch.
It looks like it can’t harm your bunnies.
But remember…
Strawberries contain lots of carbohydrates and sugar, too.
When consumed by your bunny altogether, imagine how upset their tummy must become.
Reason: High concentrations of starch, carbohydrates, and sugar triggers parasite formation.
Such as the eimeria and coccidia species.
These parasites live in your bunny’s intestines.
And their poop carries some, too.
What’s worse?
Other bunnies may get contaminated with these parasites.
Especially when they nibble on the infected rabbit’s poop.
FAQ
Can rabbits eat strawberries tops?
Rabbits can eat strawberry tops. They are safe for your rabbits. However, be sure to wash thoroughly with water before feeding your bunnies.
Can rabbits eat strawberry leaves?
Rabbits can eat strawberry leaves. Although it may not be as sweet as the flesh, it’s something that your bunny may enjoy nibbling on. Be sure to wash thoroughly to rinse off chemicals.
Can wild rabbits eat strawberries?
Wild rabbits can eat strawberries. As grazing animals, they’re always on the lookout for food in the field. Plus, strawberries have a striking red color. Nevertheless, wild rabbits prefer fibrous plants like hay as their main resource.