Last winter our good friend Nelly was enjoying a bag of Florida oranges and asked us “Can rabbits eat oranges?” She was thinking they would be a delicious winter-time treat for her pet rabbit, but wanted to make sure they were a safe option first.
We quickly let her know that yes, mature rabbits can eat oranges in moderation. We also made sure to tell Nelly about the benefits these juicy fruits have for her bunny as well as warn her that any more than a few orange slices at a time could be detrimental!
Before Feeding Your Rabbits Oranges, Read Below To Learn All The Benefits and Risks
Oranges’ Nutritional Value For Rabbits
The most well known benefit of oranges is the vitamin C they contain. A medium orange contains 70 mg of this vitamin, which is just about the recommended daily amount of vitamin C for an adult woman!
Vitamin C is extremely beneficial because it is a water-soluble antioxidant that can support the body in a number of ways, including:
- Neutralization of free radicals
- Development of healthy bones
- Reduction of inflammation
- Immune system support
Fortunately, Rabbits make their own vitamin C. Yes, we know that sounds impossible, but it is true. We’ll write a helpful article about Rabbits and Vitamin C soon.
In addition, oranges contain calcium, another big hitter for bone support, and folic acid, an essential element for cell division.
Unfortunately, many rabbits have a hard time getting rid of excess calcium. Excess calcium can cause sludge in urinary bladders and urethras, and lead to kidney stones and other health issues for your rabbit.
These urinary tract issues can often lead to Rabbit Wet Tail which can lead to Fly Strike for Rabbits.
However, nursing Does and young rabbits up to age 9 to 12 months need and use plenty of calcium.
The Does pass the extra calcium on to the baby rabbits that they are nursing. The young weaned bunnies need the extra calcium to help develop strong bones as they mature into adult rabbits.
However, dry Does and adult bucks do not need the extra calcium.
Additionally, an orange only contains 3g of fiber. They also have a large amount of acids and 12g of sugars. This is why you must err on the side of caution when offering them to your rabbits.
Best Daily Diet for Rabbits
As we’ve mentioned in previous posts about rabbit treats like strawberries and cranberries, fruits do not provide rabbits with the high fiber and low sugar diet that is natural, and necessary, for them.
The best daily diet for rabbits is unlimited hay (75-80%), quality pellets(10-15%), and a light mix of veggies, greens, and treat foods (5-10%).
This is all based on the special digestive system within your bunny. Rabbits are highly functionable on a high fiber diet, but if high sugar and high acid foods are eaten to often, your bunny can suffer from:
- Imbalanced Gut Bacteria – Rabbits maintain a specific stomach pH, which prevents harmful bacterial growth. Ingesting lots of sugars and acids encourages pH imbalance.
- Soft Stool – Without high fiber, bunnies will suffer from soft stool and can lose healthy weight very rapidly.
- Teeth Decay – High sugar and acidic diets encourage teeth decay and teeth rot in rabbits.
- Overall Malnutrition and Bad Habits – High sugar foods in the place of high fiber food will cause your rabbit to develop sugar addictions and learn to refuse healthy, nutritional foods.
Now, like we told Nelly when she asked about offering her rabbit oranges, all of these issues are unlikely to occur if you keep oranges as a once-in-a-while treat for your bunny rabbits.
In fact, because of the natural antioxidants and vitamins in oranges, they are a great supplement for your mature bunnies when provided alongside a balanced diet.
Can Rabbits Eat Oranges Peels
Nelly also asked us about offering orange peels to her rabbit since he had been sniffing and trying to nibble at them, and you may have been wondering if rabbits can eat orange peel as well.
Yes, like kiwi skin, mature rabbits can eat small amounts of orange peels without issue. Note that orange peels contain fibers and many polyphenols, which are natural micronutrients, but are very bitter and may not be enjoyed by all rabbits.
Can Rabbits Eat Mandarin Oranges
Mandarin oranges are favored by some people because they are easier to peel and sweeter than large oranges.
Mature rabbits don’t seem to know the difference and will gobble down mandarin oranges with as much gusto as regular oranges.
Can Bunnies Have Orange Juice
Technically, mature rabbits can drink orange juice without issues. However, orange juice is a very sweet and acidic drink and we never recommend offering it to your bunnies. Better to go with orange slices which are just as enjoyable and provide a bit of fiber.
Can Baby Rabbits Have Orange Juice
No, never offer baby rabbits orange juice or orange slices. Bunnies younger than 12 weeks are in a critical stage of development and cannot yet digest high sugar or acidic foods properly.
Feeding your baby bunnies oranges in any form can cause them significant stomach and digestive issues. Instead, wait until they reach 12 weeks and start off with just 1 or 2 slices in a 24 hour period to see how they react.
If they experience diarrhea or any notable changes in behavior, keep them on unlimited hay and quality pellets and wait another three weeks before offering them this treat again.
Frequently Asked Questions Related To Can Rabbits Have Oranges
How Many Oranges Can a Rabbit Eat?
Because of their high sugar content, oranges should not be a regular food for your mature rabbits. Be sure to keep them below 5-10% of their diets and err on the side of caution.
This table can guide you in choosing how many oranges to give your rabbits:
| Age of Your Rabbit | Amount of Oranges |
| Less than 12 weeks | None |
| More than 12 weeks | 3-4 slices |
As the table highlights, we suggest giving no more than 3-4 slices, and definitely no more than half, of a large or mandarin orange to your rabbits at one time.
Will Rabbits Eat Orange Peels?
Orange peels are very bitter. As such, many rabbits will not find them appealing. But there are always a few rabbits that like to nibble on orange peels alongside sweet orange slices.
Can Rabbits Have Orange Slices?
Yes, mature rabbits can have orange slices as long as they are offered in moderation.
Here is an entertaining video about rabbits and oranges.
Final Thoughts on Can Rabbits Eat Oranges
Nelly’s rabbit enjoyed oranges so much that she now supplements his diet once a week with a few slices. This practice has kept her rabbit happy and healthy, and we are glad to see it!
Remember, oranges are a sweet treat for rabbits, but should never take the place of unlimited hay or high quality pellets. Raising healthy rabbits means looking out for your furry friend and following best practices like avoiding lots of high sugar foods and introducing new treats in a measured manner.
Want to know more about fruit for rabbits? You can click on this post:
Fruits Rabbits Can Eat