If we talk about wild rabbits, they mostly live off a normal diet which includes grass and wildflowers. Such a simple diet keeps the enzymes in their stomach balanced. The case of domestic rabbits is somewhat different. Their owners offer them a variety of fruits and vegetables. But, all of these things are not equally good for rabbits. So, someday it might cross your mind, can rabbits eat kiwi? Is it healthy and safe for them to eat?
The answer is Yes. Rabbits can have kiwi fruit but in moderation. There is no toxicity of any type in kiwi, whether it be hardy or the regular fizzy one. It is a great and healthy treat for your rabbit as it serves as a natural source of essential fatty acid, which is very necessary for your little bunny’s health. Even its seed and skin consist of vital nutrients, which are great for your pet’s well-being. But remember not to give your little rabbit too much of this fruit as it will affect the bunny’s delicate gastrointestinal tract.
So, to clear more doubts relating to this topic, read the whole article thoroughly as we have covered all the grounds relating to the subject in detail.
Contents
Is It Health For Rabbits To Eat Kiwi?
As rabbit owners, we all are concerned about our beloved pet’s health. So, if you intend to feed kiwi to your pet and wonder if it is healthy to feed kiwi to a rabbit, we are here to help you out.
Nutritional Value in 100g Kiwi
| Nutrient | Quantity |
| Vitamin A | 87 IU |
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) | 0.027 mg |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 0.025 mg |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 0.341 mg |
| Vitamin B4 (Choline) | 7.8 mg |
| Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) | 0.183 mg |
| Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) | 0.063 mg |
| Vitamin B9 (Folates) | 25 mcg |
| Vitamin C | 92.7 mg |
| Vitamin E | 1.46 mg |
| Vitamin K | 40.3 mcg |
| Calcium | 34 mg |
| Iron | 0.31 mg |
| Magnesium | 17 mg |
| Potassium | 312 mg |
| Sodium | 3 mg |
| Phosphorus | 34 mg |
| Zinc | 0.14 mg |
| Manganese | 0.098 mg |
| Copper | 0.13 mg |
| Selenium | 0.2 mcg |
| Water | 83.1 g |
| Carbohydrates | 14.7 g |
| Dietary fibers | 3 g |
| Sugar | 9 g |
| Ash | 0.61 g |
| Protein | 1.14 g |
| Fat | 0.52 g |
| Calories | 61 kcal |
By looking at all the nutrients in a kiwi, we can say that this fruit is exceptionally rich in nutrients and can offer plenty of benefits. Your rabbit can have the following benefits by eating kiwi:
- Kiwi has the ability to improve the eyesight as well as the reproductive functions of your pet due to the presence of Vitamin A.
- The presence of Vitamin C and E fulfills any deficiency of antioxidants and helps in the protection of your bunny’s cells from oxidative damage. These antioxidants even make the immune responses more robust.
- Vitamin K present in kiwi is a vital vitamin. The deficiency of this vitamin in the body can affect the blood coagulation processes. This means your pet can bleed to death from just a tiny cut or wound.
- Kiwi can improve the growth and maintenance of rabbit’s muscles and bones because it is rich in calcium.
- Kiwi has potassium which helps to create a balance in body fluids and even protects from Hypokalemia.
- For the smooth functioning of the rabbit’s digestive system, the fiber content in kiwi plays a crucial role.
What Are The Risks Of Feeding Kiwi To Rabbits?
By looking at the benefits of feeding kiwi, don’t get carried away. First, we need to consider some cons too. It is fitting that kiwi is safe for rabbits but in moderation. However, the main issue arises when you don’t limit the kiwi consumption of your little pet. So, let us see what can go wrong if your rabbit overeats this fruit:
Gastrointestinal Complications
The bacteria in our gut live on sugar. So, a higher sugar intake can overwhelm these bacteria. Just like us, the same thing goes for rabbits. The only difference is that they only require a small amount of sugar intake due to their small size.
The natural sugar present in kiwi can induce the growth of gut bacteria, which can lead to liquid stool in rabbits. The high kiwi intake means ingesting more sugar, which can negatively affect the production of cecotropes in rabbits. This can shorten the life of your furry friend.
Fatty Liver Syndrome
You can understand Fatty Liver Syndrome as a condition in which the fat percentage in cells increases. It is primarily caused due to the consumption of excess quantity of sugar and carbs.
Although kiwi’s sugar content is lower than most fruits, but consuming a large quantity of it can affect your rabbit’s health. The sugar and carbs present in kiwi can damage your rabbit’s liver if not eaten in control. So, we recommend feeding only a small amount of kiwi to your rabbit (1 tablespoon of fruit per 2 lbs of body weight).
The symptoms of Fatty Liver Syndrome are not specific, but some of the common signs are:
- Grinding of teeth constantly.
- Lethargy.
- Hunched body posture.
- Losing appetite.
Other Issues
In addition to the problems that we have already discussed, the following issues can also be faced by your rabbit because of overeating kiwi:
- Respiratory issues.
- Cardiovascular problems.
- Pain in the foot.
- Obesity.
- Arthritis.
Can Rabbits Eat Kiwi Skin/Peels?
Yes, rabbits can eat kiwi skin/peel as it is rich in nutrients. We can say that kiwi skin is more beneficial for rabbits than the main fruit due to its high fiber content. Additionally, kiwi skin also contains vitamins such as C and E and has abundant antioxidants. All this will benefit your rabbit. But, you should feed kiwi peel in moderation, too, because it also contains natural sugar. Other than this, you should buy organic kiwi for your pet, not commercial ones. It is because organic fruits are grown in a safe environment, and their peels are free from any pesticides and other toxic chemicals.
Can Rabbits Eat Kiwi Seeds?
At the center of the kiwi fruit, you will find tiny black seeds. These seeds may look hard but are actually soft and squishy. This means you don’t have to worry about the choking threat. In addition to this, kiwi seeds positively affect rabbit’s health as they are rich in vitamins and minerals. Therefore, I don’t see any reason why you shouldn’t feed kiwi to your pet with seeds intact.
Can Baby Rabbits (Kits) Eat Kiwi?
In general, it is preferable that newborn kits should feed on their mother’s milk until they are three weeks old. This helps in their proper growth. After three weeks, you can introduce solid food to their diet. But, at the initial stage of it, it is best to only feed high-quality hay for a few months. This will fulfill their nutritional requirement and keep them healthy. After the kits are three months old, you can add fruits and vegetables to their meal. At this point, you can try feeding a little bit of kiwi to them.
Can Rabbits Eat Dried Kiwi?
Delicious fruits like kiwi grow seasonally. But, if you want to give your pet some kiwi treat outside the season, you should avoid doing so. Let me tell you why.
Dried kiwi fruit has around 60g of sugar (per 100g of fruit). It is five times more, compared to the fresh kiwi. Dried kiwi has no water in them, and therefore, the sugar content becomes more concentrated. And as we already know that excess sugar is harmful to the health of your furry pal.
Additionally, if you are thinking of feeding your rabbit store-bought dried kiwis, avoid doing so. Commercially sold dried kiwis are basically processed foods that may contain additives, artificial flavors, and other chemicals that can be fatal for the bunny.
Therefore, go for fresh fruit rather than dried ones because fresh fruit makes a better and healthy treat for your little rabbit.
Conclusion
In the end, now we know the answer to the question: can rabbits eat kiwi? Yes, you can feed your rabbit kiwi as it offers a lot of health benefits and is a storehouse of nutrients. But, the quantity should be moderate. Excessively feeding fruits can have a harmful effect on the rabbit’s gastrointestinal tract and other body parts due to the high sugar and carb content. In addition to kiwi flesh, you can also feed your bunny kiwi skin/peel and seeds as they are also full of nutrients and do not pose any health threat. But, avoid feeding kits any fruits and vegetables until they are three months old. Dried kiwi is also not recommended to be fed to rabbits.
All in all, rabbits can enjoy fruits, like kiwi, from time to time in small quantities.