Finding healthy and natural treats for your rabbits is important, as many pet store options are loaded with unnecessary and even dangerous ingredients!
On our hobby farm, we only offer our bunnies natural, rabbit-safe fruits as treats.
That’s right, our rabbits eat pineapple, cranberries and even blueberries!
Yes, adult rabbits can have blueberries as these fruits are non-toxic to bunnies. However, blueberries are sugary and must be offered to your rabbits in moderation! Too many blueberries can lead to some serious health risks for your bunnies.
That is why in this post we will go over the ins and outs of the question: can bunnies have blueberries?
Blueberries For Rabbits: Nutritional Information
Blueberries are small, round berries that are of the plant genus Vaccinium. They are 84% water and 14% carbohydrates and offer a number of vitamins and minerals including:
- Vitamin C
- Folate
- Phosphorus
- Vitamin A
- Manganese
- Vitamin K1.
In addition, blueberries contain 2.5g of fiber per 100g.
Now this is a very low fiber component and is one of the reasons why you must be aware just how many blueberries you offer your bunnies (more on that later!).
And regardless of their high sugars (10g), blueberries do offer some unique antioxidants and plant compounds.
In fact, blueberries contain the highest number of anthocyanins of any other fruit, up to 487, with the majority of these concentrated in the skin of the blueberry.
Anthocyanins are plant flavonoids that not only cause red/purple color but also have some incredible health benefits, as they act as natural antioxidants.
For example, anthocyanin rich foods have been found to assist with heart and brain health, and have natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects.
Can Rabbits Eat Blueberries
Without a doubt, blueberries are a powerful nutritional treat for mature rabbits.
Your bunnies will benefit from the essential vitamins and antioxidant components of these fruits, but only if eaten in moderation!
Due to the high sugar and water content of blueberries, alongside their low fiber content, blueberries should only ever be offered to bunnies as a treat.
Treat foods are rabbit-safe foods that fall outside the range of providing rabbits with the high fiber and low sugar diet that is natural, and necessary, for their health.
Remember, rabbits are highly functionable on a high fiber diet, but if low fiber and/or high sugar foods are eaten too often, your bunny can suffer from:
- Imbalanced Gut Bacteria
- Soft Stool
- Teeth Decay
- Overall Malnutrition and Bad Habits
As such, we highly recommend that blueberries make up no more than 5% percent of your rabbit’s diet.
How Many Blueberries Can Rabbits Eat
Feeding your rabbits high quality hay is the most important step in providing them with a good diet.
Augmenting hay with rabbit pellets is a great way to provide essential minerals and vitamins to your bunnies, while rabbit-safe fruits, veggies, and nutritious herbs should be treated as dietary supplements.
For example, we offer our mature bunnies 2-3 blueberries once every week. A general rule to follow is no more than 1 teaspoon of sweet fruit per 2lbs of your mature rabbit’s weight per day.
Blueberries For Bunnies
Can Rabbits Eat Frozen Blueberries
Yes, mature rabbits can eat frozen blueberries, especially on a hot summer day!
Frozen blueberries for your rabbits is an especially good option when these berries are out of season, as other sweetened options such as canned, cooked, or juiced blueberries are not safe for rabbits to ingest.
However, it is important that you allow the frozen berries to thaw a bit before offering them to your bunny to avoid hurting their teeth.
Can Rabbits Eat Blueberry Leaves
Rabbits are natural herbivores and grazers, eating many types of plant matter when living in the wild.
So for your mature farm or homestead rabbits, fresh and green leaves of blueberry plants and bushes are safe.
Stay away from feeding wilted or browned leaves and stick to about 1-2 leaves each week for your 7+ week old rabbits.
Do Rabbits Eat Blueberry Bushes
If you allow your rabbit time to roam and play outside, you may notice them nibbling on blueberry bushes.
Don’t worry, all parts of the blueberry bush is safe for rabbits and they can, and very well may, eat a bit of a closeby blueberry bush!
Do Rabbits Eat Berries In The Wild
While foraging for food in the wild, rabbits surely enjoy any sweet, ripe berries they come across!
Can Wild Rabbits Eat Blueberries
Yes, wild rabbits can eat blueberries just like domesticated pet rabbits.
In fact, wild rabbits know not to eat too many of these sweet berries, their instincts tell them that too many would cause stomach pain and indigestion.
However, the instincts of your domestic rabbit are not always as strong as their wild cousins, which is why it is important to monitor and limit the number of blueberries offered to them.
Can Baby Rabbits Eat Blueberries
No, do not feed your baby rabbits blueberries.
Rabbits that are younger than 12 weeks have a stomach pH and digestive system that is even more sensitive than adult rabbits. Therefore, baby bunnies’ bellies are extremely ill-suited to digest sweet fruits or other treat foods.
Instead, wait until your rabbit reaches 12 weeks of age and then slowly introduce fruits and supplemental food items like blueberries.
Even then, begin by offering just 1 blueberry and observe your rabbit closely.
If they don’t exhibit negative effects or strange behaviors within 24hrs, you can slowly incorporate this sweet berry as a once-a-week or once-in-a-while treat.
As we always say: slow and measured new food introduction is the best way to offer your rabbit natural fruit treats!
Frequently Asked Questions Related To Can Rabbits Have Blueberries
Can Bunnies Eat Blackberries?
Yes, rabbits can eat blackberries, as they are another great natural treat option for mature rabbits.
However, just like blueberries, these sugary treats must be offered in moderation.
Can Rabbits Eat Blueberries and Strawberries?
Yes, both blueberries and strawberries are rabbit-safe fruits that are rich in essential vitamins, minerals and other great nutrients.
Check this video out to see a furry bunny getting a special blueberry treat!
Final Thoughts on Can Bunnies Eat Blueberries
If you are on the hunt for natural rabbit treats, you can rest easy knowing that blueberries are a great option for your mature rabbits.
But these berries must be offered in moderation, making up no more than 5% of your rabbit’s diet, due to their low fiber and high sugar content.
And while blueberries may not offer your rabbit fiber, they are rich in powerful plant compounds and antioxidants that will boost the long term health of your rabbit.
Finally, if you’d like to know about more rabbit-safe fruits, check out our post on Fruits Rabbits Can Eat to learn more!