Yes, rabbits can eat kiwi, but only in small amounts. Kiwi should be a treat that’s only given to your rabbit at most twice per week. The perfect serving of kiwi is one teaspoon for every two pounds of your rabbit’s body weight.
Although kiwi has a bunch of benefits for your rabbit, there are a lot of potential risks – particularly from overeating kiwi. It’s extra important to follow guidelines for how much kiwi your rabbit can have.
Benefits of Rabbits Eating Kiwi
Kiwi is a good source of fiber that’s low in calories and packed full of nutrients. As long as you feed it to your rabbit in moderation, kiwi is a tasty and beneficial treat for your pet.
Kiwi contains:
- Vitamin A: To improve eyesight and reproduction.
- Vitamin B6: To help metabolism and healthy digestion.
- Vitamin C: To boost the immune system.
- Vitamin E: To protect cells from oxidative damage.
- Vitamin K: To aid with blood clotting.
- Potassium: To keep the nervous and muscle systems running efficiently.
- Copper: To help your rabbit grow.
- Calcium: To grow and maintain muscles and bones.
As well as these vitamins and minerals, kiwi contains antioxidants and some other vitamins that are in smaller levels. It can help lower cholesterol levels, improve immune system function, and more!
Risks of Rabbits Eating Kiwi
Kiwi is super high in sugar and starch. If your rabbit ate too much kiwi in one go or eats kiwi more regularly than they should, then they’re at risk of multiple health issues.
Some of the risks of your rabbit eating kiwi include:
- Diarrhea: Kiwi can make your rabbit gassy or cause them to have loose stools.
- Constipation: If their digestion isn’t moving as smoothly as it should be, your rabbit might struggle to pass stool, causing a build up that’s much harder to pass later.
- Bloating: Kiwi can ferment in your rabbit’s gut and make them bloat and feel nauseous.
- Cecal mobility problems: If your rabbit isn’t eating a fiber-rich diet, they could end up not producing cecotropes as they should and missing out on essential nutrients.
- Obesity: If your rabbit eats too much sugar and starch, and doesn’t move as much as wild rabbits do, they’ll gain weight.
- Heart problems: If a rabbit is overweight, more pressure is put on their heart to function properly. This strain can eventually shorten your rabbit’s life span.
- Respiratory problems: One of the most serious issues for rabbits is if they’re struggling to breathe. This is another issue from obesity and can end up being fatal.
- Arthritis: An issue many elderly creatures suffer with, and it’ll affect them significantly – in grooming themselves, getting up, jumping, and more.
- Foot pain: Rabbits need to be fast on their feet, it’s in their DNA. If they have foot pain, they’ll struggle to move around and feel unsafe. This is made worse if your rabbit is overweight.
- Fatty liver disease: When the fat percentage in their cells increases. Signs of this include teeth grinding, lethargy, lost appetite, and your rabbit being hunched over.
- Gastrointestinal issues: Sugar can cause the natural bacteria in your rabbit’s gut to be overwhelmed. This can lead to loose stools and further digestive complications.
If your rabbit has any symptoms of the conditions listed above, you should take them to a vet. If they aren’t eating or toileting normally, get them to a vet as fast as you can.
Which Parts of Kiwi Can Rabbits Eat?
Rabbits can safely eat all parts of the kiwi (even the seeds!). You just have to make sure that your rabbit doesn’t have too much kiwi in one go.
Can Rabbits Eat Kiwi Peel?
Yes, rabbits can eat kiwi peel. The peel (also known as the skin) is high in fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins. The best kiwi peel is from organic kiwis, so you know they’re safe from pesticides. You should always thoroughly wash the whole kiwi before giving any to your rabbit. You’ll need to make sure that you limit how much kiwi skin your rabbit eats due to it containing natural sugars.
Can Rabbits Eat Kiwi Seeds?
Yes, rabbits can eat kiwi seeds. The seeds from inside a kiwi are tiny and soft, so they don’t pose a choking threat for rabbits. They’re also full of vitamins and minerals so they would benefit your rabbit too.
Can Rabbits Eat Kiwi Vines?
Yes, rabbits can eat kiwi vines. They’re safe to eat, but should be given to your rabbit in limited quantities. As always, anything that could have chemicals on needs to be washed, and anything big needs to be cut into smaller, more manageable pieces for your rabbit to eat.