Yes, rabbits can eat mango – but only as a treat. A good portion would be one or two slices of mango in one sitting. This should be without the skin or seeds (just the flesh). As long as they’ve been properly washed and cut into slices, mango makes a tasty, nutritional treat for your rabbit.
Health Benefits of Rabbits Eating Mango
Mangos have a bunch of vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for your rabbit’s health. In moderation, they make a brilliant treat for your rabbit.
Mangoes contain:
- Antioxidants: For removing free radicals from the body which helps protect rabbits from cancer.
- Vitamin C: For keeping the skin and hair healthy.
- Vitamin B: For good digestion, metabolism, and growth.
- Vitamin E: For a strong muscular system and smooth movement.
- Vitamin K: For preventing anemia.
- Calcium: For strong teeth and bones.
- Potassium: For an efficient nervous system.
As long as you stick the portion size of one or two mango slices as an occasional treat, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t get all the health benefits listed above with no issues.
Risks of Rabbit Eating Mango
Overfeeding your rabbit mango or not preparing it properly can lead to a bunch of health issues.
Some common potential problems include:
- Acidity: Mangos contain natural acids, too much of this can lead to stomach upset and diarrhea.
- Too much vitamin C: If your rabbit has an excess of vitamin C, it puts a strain on their kidneys which can result in kidney issues.
- Pesticides: When they’re growing, mangos often have pesticides sprayed on them. If they’re not organic or they haven’t been washed properly, your rabbit could ingest chemicals and get sick.
- Parasites: Sometimes parasites can get into foods like mango. You should inspect the mango before giving it to your rabbit, as parasites can wreak havoc internally.
- Overly ripe: If the mango has started to rot the bacteria inside could cause your rabbit to get sick very quickly.
- Choking: If your rabbit eats a seed or a slice that’s too large, it can cause them to choke. It can also cause internal blockages if they manage to eat it.
General signs that your rabbit is sick include: change in behavior, lack of appetite, loose stools (diarrhea), and lethargy.
As always, get in touch with a vet right away if you suspect that they are sick.
Which Parts of a Mango Can Rabbits Eat?
Except for the seeds, all parts of the mango plant and the mango fruit are safe for rabbits to eat. As always, any food that’s been grown should be organic or washed before your rabbit can have any.
Can Rabbits Eat Mango Skin?
Yes, rabbits can eat mango skin. It contains some useful vitamins and is safe to eat as long as you wash it thoroughly first. However, you might find that your rabbit doesn’t like it because mango skin has quite a sharp taste.
Can Rabbits Eat Mango Seeds?
No, rabbits can’t eat mango seeds. They are hard to digest, a choking hazard, and can cause internal blockages. Since they offer little value for your rabbit but have huge risks, it’s safer to avoid them altogether.
Can Rabbits Eat Mango Leaves?
Yes, rabbits can eat mango leaves. They are safe to eat, and rabbits typically enjoy munching on some leaves. You can mix them with other leafy greens or let your rabbit have a feast of leaves by themselves. Just make sure they come from an organic plant or are thoroughly washed to remove any chemicals. They’ll need to be fresh too (not browning).
Can Rabbits Eat Mango Stem?
Yes, rabbits can eat mango stems, but they probably won’t like them. If you do want to give your rabbit some mango stem, make sure you wash it and cut it into smaller pieces so it’s less of a choking hazard.
How to Prepare Mango for Your Rabbit:
If you’re preparing a mango treat for your rabbit for the first time, follow these steps:
- Make sure the mango is fresh and ripe. This means it’s not too squishy, has no foul smell, and has no discoloration.
- Rinse it under cold water to get rid of any lingering pesticides.
- Peel the skin – this depends if your rabbit likes it or not. Usually, rabbits don’t like to eat the skin, but it’s safe to eat if you want to try them on it.
- Remove all the seeds from inside the mango.
- Cut the mango into slices.
- Give your rabbit just half a slice if they haven’t tried it before. Only if they’ve shown they can digest it with no issues can you increase it to one full slice, and then to two.
- Serve the mango to your rabbit alongside hay and water. This should be part of a bigger, balanced diet.
These steps are similar for other fruits, you just need to check the portion size. It’s always a good idea to visually inspect the fruit and wash it, even if it’s organic.
Related Questions
Can Rabbits Eat Dried Mango?
No, rabbits can’t eat dried mango. The significantly high sugar levels that come from the drying process make dried mango an unhealthy fruit for your rabbit. Your rabbit will have a tough time trying to digest any sort of dried fruit, so always stick with fresh fruit where you can.
Can Rabbits Eat Canned Mango?
Yes, rabbits can eat canned mango. But, it’s less healthy for them than fresh mango. When it’s canned, mango has sugars added to it that give it longer shelf life. Where possible, fresh mango is best. If you are giving your rabbit dried mango, a portion should be less than it would be of fresh mango, to account for the extra sugar.
Can Rabbits Eat Frozen Mango?
Yes, rabbits can eat frozen mango – as long as it thaws to room temperature first. The nutrient level doesn’t decrease during a short time in the freezer. If you put it in the fridge to defrost, don’t leave it too long because if a mango is in the fridge for longer than it should be, the nutrients will begin to be affected. Though it is safe, fresh mango is always best.
Can Rabbits Eat Cooked Mango?
No, rabbits can’t eat cooked mango. By cooking a fruit, the nutrients are decreased and the texture changes to become softer. This means your rabbit gets barely any health benefits from eating it and can face issues from it being so soft and easy to chew. You should never give your rabbit cooked food if you can help it.
Can Rabbits Drink Mango Juice?
No, rabbits shouldn’t drink mango due to its high sugar content and acidity. The main liquid that rabbits need daily is water. It’s very important for your rabbit to stay hydrated, this means they need access to clean, fresh water.
Can Baby Rabbits Eat Mango?
No, baby rabbits can’t eat mango. You should wait until they’re over twelve weeks old before you introduce fresh fruits and vegetables into their diet. Until this age, they should exclusively be eating hay and baby rabbit pellets (and their mom’s milk).
How to Introduce Mango to Rabbits
Once your rabbit is old enough to start eating new foods, there’s a general rule of thumb to follow any time they try something new. Firstly, research the food to make sure it’s rabbit friendly and how to prepare it.
For mango, this includes washing it and removing the seeds. Then, give your rabbit a small amount, half a slice would be good. After that, you’ll need to monitor your rabbit over the next 24 hours to check for any reaction.
What Else Do Rabbits Eat
A rabbit’s diet should be a combination of foods that they need to be healthy. The biggest part of their diet is hay, they should have unlimited access to hay to get all the fiber they need. As well as that, rabbits need fresh vegetables, pellets, and occasional treats. They should always have access to clean water too.