Hazelnut is a delicious, healthy food for rabbits. Hazelnuts are loaded with vitamins and minerals that will keep your rabbit healthy and happy! But before you feed hazelnut to your pet bunny, there are some things you should know about this nut.
Food family of hazelnut
Hazelnut is a tree nut from the hazel food family. Hazelnuts grow on trees and are not related to rabbits. There are no known harmful substances in hazelnut that can hurt your pet rabbit.
Do rabbits like hazelnut?
Most pet rabbits will love eating hazelnut! Pet bunnies can be picky eaters, but hazelnut is a healthy food that your rabbit will love! Most rabbits will devour their first few hazelnuts. The taste of the nut often reminds rabbits of the taste of fresh hay or other favorite foods they enjoy.
Can pet rabbits eat hazelnut?
Yes! Hazelnut is safe for rabbits to eat, though care should be used when feeding hazelnut. If your bunny is very small, you may want to wait until they are older to introduce them to this food.
5 steps to prepare hazelnut for rabbits
- Inspect your hazelnuts to make sure they are clean and not moldy.
- Lay the hazelnuts out on a baking sheet in your oven at 275 degrees Fahrenheit (135 Celsius) for about 15-20 minutes until fragrant. Hazelnut should be warm, but not hot, when you give it to your rabbit.
- When the hazelnut is fragrant and warm, break it in half. If your bunny eats a whole hazelnut the shell may get stuck in their mouth or throat and can be dangerous! So it’s best to check for any pieces of shell in the nut before feeding it to your pet.
- Feed 1/8th of a hazelnut to your pet bunny. If they like it, gradually increase the amount of hazelnuts you feed them until they are eating one at a time.
- Watch your rabbit’s behavior after giving a nut. Make sure they do not eat too much and become sick before you continue feeding them more nuts.
7 health benefits of hazelnut for rabbits
Hazelnut provides many health benefits for your pet bunny.
1. Protein
Hazelnuts are high in protein and help bunnies grow strong. The amount of protein in hazelnut is about 20%.
2. Fiber
Hazelnut contains both soluble and insoluble fiber, which is important for your rabbit’s digestive system. Soluble fiber adds bulk to the stool while insoluble fiber helps move the stool through the digestive tract.
3. Healthy Fats
Hazelnuts are packed with healthy fats like omega-6 fatty acids and monounsaturated fat, which your rabbit needs for their fur coat to stay shiny and beautiful.
4. Vitamin E
Hazelnuts contain almost 20% of the daily value for vitamin E in just one serving. Vitamin E is essential for a healthy immune system and various other functions in your pet bunny’s body.
5. Manganese and Copper
Hazelnuts contain copper and manganese, which support the thyroid gland to regulate metabolism.
6. Magnesium
Rabbits need magnesium in their diets to help with cell repair. Magnesium also helps with proper nerve and muscle function to keep your bunny calm and relaxed.
7. Tryptophan
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that rabbits need for their diet. It supports the nervous system and makes sure your rabbit stays healthy, happy, and alert!
6 Possible concerns when feeding hazelnut to rabbits
1. Allergies
If your rabbit has a nut allergy, you should not feed them hazelnuts. It’s important to know what foods are safe for your pet bunny before feeding them something new.
2. Bloating
Hazelnut contains some fat, so if your rabbit is overweight or obese they may experience bloating from eating this food. If you bunny is overweight, it’s best to limit their consumption of hazelnut to avoid issues with weight gain.
3. Leaky Gut Syndrome
Fatty foods like hazelnuts often contribute to leaky gut syndrome in rabbits who already have a weak immune system or digestive problems. This syndrome occurs when the tight junctions that protect the intestines are damaged and nutrients can leak out of the gut.
4. Diarrhea
Hazelnuts may cause diarrhea in some rabbits if they have a sensitive stomach or intestinal issues. You should check your pet’s feces after feeding them hazelnut to make sure their droppings return to normal.
5. Constipation
If your bunny is eating too much of the fiber in hazelnuts, they may become constipated. To prevent this problem you can also feed them some fresh or dried fruit to add extra water into their diet.
6. Hypocalcemia
Hazelnuts are low in calcium compared to other nuts. Since calcium is so important for your bunny’s bones, it’s important to have a balanced diet that accounts for this mineral. You can feed them some leafy greens or raisins to add extra calcium into their diet.
5 signs pet rabbits are sick from feeding hazelnut
1. Diarrhea
Hazelnut consumption may lead to diarrhea in some rabbits, so you should check your bunny’s droppings after feeding them hazelnuts.
2. Bloating
If your pet is slightly overweight it may experience bloating from eating too much hazelnut. You can quickly tell if they are feeling bloated by gently pressing on their stomach area. If it’s hard and you can’t push in easily, your bunny probably has bloating or gas from eating too many hazelnuts.
3. Constipation
If your bunny is having trouble passing droppings after a few days of eating hazelnut, it’s likely they’re constipated. It may be helpful to feed them some fresh fruit like a banana or a little bit of fresh or dried fruit to add extra water in their diet.
4. Diarrhea and Constipation Combined
If they’re having both diarrhea and constipation after eating hazelnut, it’s likely that your bunny is becoming dehydrated from all the diarrhea. You should check their hydration levels by gently pressing down on their eyelids. The skin should stay in a “tent” for several seconds and then return to normal when you remove your finger.
5. Lethargy, Smaller Appetite, and Weight Loss
If your bunny is lethargic, has a smaller appetite, or is losing weight after eating hazelnut, it’s likely that they’re sick. Check for signs of illness and contact your veterinarian if you notice anything unusual about their appearance or behavior.
4 Tips before giving hazelnut to rabbits
1. Make sure it’s safe for them
Remember, not all nuts are safe for rabbits to eat. Before feeding them hazelnuts, make sure it’s safe for them to consume.
2. Don’t overfeed
The key to a healthy bunny is moderation. You should only feed your pet rabbit a few hazelnuts at a time – just enough to get the full benefits of eating this type of food.
3. Add fruit for extra water content
If you want to give them extra water in their diet, you can always add some fresh or dried fruit to their meal.
4. Don’t give them the shell
It’s not safe for your pet to eat the hard shell that surrounds each hazelnut. Discard this part of the food before feeding it to them and only give them the meat inside instead.
What to do if your pet rabbits are sick from eating hazelnut?
If your rabbit is exhibiting any of the signs above after eating hazelnuts, you should take them to a veterinarian immediately. You can also contact your vet ahead of time if you want to know what to do in case they get sick from eating this type of food.
How often should I give my rabbits hazelnut?
It’s best to only feed your bunny this food sporadically as a treat or supplement to their regular diet. You should try not to make it a part of their daily meal plan – just provide them with this type of food on special occasions.
How much hazelnut do rabbits eat a day?
Rabbits usually consume around 1 tablespoon of nuts per day, but this amount can vary depending on the type of rabbit you have.
What hazelnut are safe for rabbits?
As long as it’s in moderation, most types of hazelnuts are safe for rabbits to eat. However, you should avoid giving them black or English (also known as Turkish) hazelnut because they contain the highest amounts of a toxin called hydrogen cyanide which can be poisonous to your pet rabbit.
What is your experience feeding hazelnut to rabbits?
I feed my pet rabbits hazelnut all the time. I’ve never had any concerns with their health, but my bunnies are pretty healthy to begin with so it’s unclear if the food is actually making a difference or not.
Is hazelnut bad for rabbits?
It’s not the worst food you could feed your pet rabbit, but it’s important to monitor their eating habits and watch out for any signs of illness after giving them hazelnuts. If you’re concerned about feeding them this type of food, talk to your veterinarian before introducing anything new into their diet.
Is it safe to feed hazelnut to your pet rabbits?
Yes, as long as you follow the tips above and use common sense when feeding them this type of food.
Where can I get hazelnut for my rabbits?
If you’re looking for a good source of hazelnuts for your rabbits, try ordering some online. You can also find them at certain specialty or grocery stores.
Lest We Forget
We hope this article has helped you make an informed decision about feeding your rabbits hazelnut. If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to ask us in the comment section below!
