Can Rabbits Drink Orange Juice?

Yes, rabbits can drink orange juice in certain situations. But while there are some health benefits, there are even greater risks. It’s super sugary and acidic, and there’s a risk that it’ll be packed with a bunch of additives and preservatives if it isn’t fresh orange juice.

Fresh orange juice is usually diluted with water on the recommendation from a vet to persuade a rabbit to drink.

It’s important to remember that no other drink should replace water though – because it’s just as  essential for a rabbit as it is for you or me.

Read on to find out more.

When to Give Your Rabbit Orange Juice

Orange juice can be given to your rabbit in two situations:

• As a special treat: This can be on a hot day, as a reward or comfort food, or on an occasion. As long as it isn’t a regular occurrence, your rabbit can have orange juice sometimes.
• As a home remedy: Under recommendation from a vet, your rabbit can have orange juice as a preventative measure for issues with their kidney or urinary tract.

How to Give Your Rabbit Orange Juice

If you’re planning to give your rabbit orange juice, you need to make check a few things first:

• Is it fresh orange juice? If it’s from concentrate then your rabbit can’t have it. Fresh orange juice is the healthiest option for your rabbit.
• Is it diluted properly? You want the bowl to be one-fifth of orange juice and four-fifth of water. This ensures that it’s diluted safely.
• Is your rabbit getting a balanced diet? This is always important, but even more so if your rabbit is having unhealthy foods. They need hay, water, vegetables, and pellets every day, and treats up to twice per week.
• Make sure you aren’t giving your rabbit orange juice every day. It should only be on certain occasions.

Risks of Rabbits Drinking Orange Juice

There are a bunch of potential issues your rabbit can get from drinking orange juice, most of which from drinking too much at a time, or drinking it regularly.

Orange juice has or can cause:

• Excess sugar: Oranges are extremely sugary. This can cause dental issues, weight gain, and there’s a possibility of rabbits developing a sweet tooth and refusing regular food because they’re craving sugar.
• Too much vitamin C: Rabbits make all the vitamin C that they need, so getting any in their diet is extra. If your rabbit takes in too much from their orange juice drink, they’ll struggle to remove it.
• Additives: A lot of store-bought orange juices are not organic and contain a bunch of extra ingredients which make it even more unhealthy for your rabbit.
• Acidic: Like any citrus fruit, oranges are acidic. This is the same in orange juice, and it can have a detrimental effect on your rabbit’s stomach.
• Addiction: If your rabbit gets used to orange diluted water, they might start to reject plain drinking water. This would be very dangerous as your rabbit must drink enough water to stay hydrated.

Though these issues can be serious and require vet treatment, they can be avoided if you only give your rabbit orange juice sporadically and make sure it’s fresh, organic, and diluted in water so it’s as safe as can be.

Benefits of Rabbits Drinking Orange Juice

Orange juice does have a few benefits, which justify why it can be given to your rabbit to drink as and when the situation demands. It can be used to encourage rabbits to drink and hydrate, especially in hot weather. It also does contain some nutrients that are found in oranges – like fiber, vitamins A, B6, and B12, and calcium.

The sweet smell is notorious for persuading even the most reluctant rabbit to have a drink. This is good if your rabbit is out of character and not drinking, but also if they should be drinking more for example in the summer when they’re hot.

Orange juice also contains flavonoids, which are useful in lowering cholesterol.

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