Squash, also called pumpkin or gourd, is a type of fruit (although it is often thought of as a veggie) from the Cucurbitaceae plant family that is native to the Americas.
We have many yellow squash plants in our homestead garden and during summer harvesting, we often give a bit of yummy squash to our rabbits as a mid-day treat.
Yes, mature rabbits can have yellow squash. Squash is a rabbit-safe fruit that can offer unique nutrition to your rabbits, although it should never be a primary constituent of your rabbits’ diet!
In This Post, We Will Go Over Best Practices Of Feeding Rabbits Yellow Squash
Yellow Squash For Rabbits: Nutritional Value
Yellow squash is a soft skinned fruit of the squash plant that is harvested in warmer months. As such, it is also often referred to as summer squash.
And although it is a technical fruit, it doesn’t contain high sugars (just like its relative zucchini) and is therefore a better snack and treat option for bunnies!
In addition to being low in sugars, yellow squash offers a host of different vitamins and minerals to rabbits as well as being a soft, watery treat.
| Vitamin or Mineral | Benefits |
| Vitamin C | Builds a strong immune system |
| Folate (vitamin B) | Assists in cellular division and neural development |
| Beta-Carotene | Guards against oxidative stress and supports healthy growth |
| Manganese | Boosts growth and development |
Many of these minerals and vitamins are essential to a rabbit’s system functioning, which make raw yellow squash a healthy treat option for your mature rabbits!
However, keep in mind that rabbits require foods high in fiber to keep their teeth trim and gut bacterias happy AND don’t require much ingested vitamin C.
So with only 1.2g of fiber per cup, you must be aware that yellow squash is not an ideal primary food for your bunnies.
And with lots of vitamin C to offer, too much yellow squash for your bunnies can result in serious kidney damage and even death.
Can Rabbits Eat Yellow Squash Everyday
We do not recommend feeding your bunnies yellow squash every single day.
Eating yellow squash everyday would put your bunnies at risk of an overdose of vitamin C and a lack of high fibers.
Remember, rabbits have sensitive stomachs and digestive systems can be easily imbalanced if a high fiber diet is not strictly maintained.
What happens if a rabbit lacks high fibers?
Potential weight loss, diarrhea, teeth overgrowth, and even GI stasis…yikes!
The best diet for a mature rabbit consists of:
- Unlimited hay (75% to 80%)
- Quality pellets (10% to 15%)
- Fruits and Leafy Green Vegetables (5% to 10%)
Yellow Squash should therefore not make up more than 5-10% of your mature bunny’s diet.
We stick to ⅓ or about three slices of a small yellow squash a week and our rabbits have never shown negative signs.
Remember, we recommend that you always keep hay as the primary component of your mature rabbits’ diets!
For more tips on feeding hay to rabbits, check out our best hay for rabbits post.
What Part of Yellow Squash Can Bunnies Eat?
Which part of this low-sugar fruit treat is best for your bunnies to munch on?
Can Bunnies Eat Squash Skin
Yes, the soft and thin skin of the squash fruit is safe for rabbits to ingest.
Note that you should always wash the squash before offering it to your bunnies to avoid ingestion of dirt, bugs, or residual pesticides.
Can Rabbits Eat Raw Squash Seeds
Yes, mature bunnies can eat raw squash seeds. You do not need to remove the seeds before offering a slice of yellow squash to your rabbit.
Can Rabbits Eat Squash Plant
Yes, mature rabbits can technically eat the green parts of a squash plant without harm. However, our rabbits don’t seem to like the bits of squash plant we have offered them and instead just eat the soft cubes of the squash fruit!
What Type of Squash Can Rabbits Eat
Along with yellow squash, rabbits can also safely enjoy zucchini, pumpkins, and many other members of the Cucurbitaceae plant family.
Read our post on Pumpkins for Rabbits to learn why rabbits shouldn’t eat the seeds of the pumpkin fruit.
Can Baby Rabbits Have Yellow Squash
No, never feed baby or immature (less than 12 weeks) rabbits yellow squash or any other fruit. Baby rabbits’ stomachs and digestive systems are still developing and, as such, are even more sensitive than those of adult rabbits.
The water content, vitamin C and low fibers in yellow squash will lead to serious stomach aches and other digestive issues for baby rabbits.
Instead, wait until your rabbit reaches 12 weeks of age and then slowly introduce fruits and supplemental food items like yellow squash.
A bit at a time with a 24 hr observation period will help you determine when your newly mature rabbit is ready to safely digest more complex foods!
Frequently Asked Questions Related To Can Bunnies Have Yellow Squash
Do Wild Rabbits Eat Squash?
Yes, wild rabbits are known to nibble at squash plants in unfenced gardens. Although interesting, just like our rabbits they tend to leave the green part of the squash plant alone!
Can Rabbits Eat Squash and Zucchini?
Yes both yellow squash and zucchini are rabbit-safe treat or dietary supplement options for mature bunnies.
Can Rabbits Eat Cooked Squash?
No, never feed cooked squash to your bunnies. Rabbits have evolved to digest and metabolize raw plant materials. Any form of heat or cooking alters the chemical composition and nutrient value of foods, making cooked squash a foreign and indigestible substance for rabbits.
Final Thoughts on Can Rabbit Eat Yellow Squash
The most important points to remember about yellow squash for rabbits are:
- Yellow squash is a low-sugar fruit, which makes it a great summertime treat for mature bunnies.
- The vitamin C in yellow squash can cause serious harm to your bunny if too much is ingested.
- The whole squash, including the green plant and seeds, is safe for your rabbit to eat.
- Never feed immature bunnies yellow squash and never feed cooked squash to rabbits.
Finally, for other great rabbit-safe fruit options, read our What Fruits Can Rabbits Eat post.