Dates are one of the most popular types of fruit, but is it safe for pet rabbits to eat them? Can rabbits like dates? Can you feed dates to a rabbit? What health benefits does this sweet treat have for rabbits? Read on and find out!
Food family of dates.
Dates are one of the most popular types of fruit. they are sweet, rich in nutrients and they come in a few different varieties. Wild dates are small, green, wrinkled fruits that grow singly on desert shrubs. Soft dates are harvested when they are soft when ripe, while semi-dry dates have a firmer texture with brown or red coloring. The dried variety is pale yellow, brown or red and it hardens upon ripening. Dates are particularly rich in calcium, fructose (sugar), iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and zinc. Although dates were already cultivated by the Arabs as early as 6000 BC., date palm trees are not native to Africa; instead they were first cultivated more than 7,000 years ago in Mesopotamia.
Can pet rabbits eat dates?
Rabbits are herbivorous creatures by nature, which means they need to eat plants in order to survive. Being able to digest grass is the rabbit’s main weapon when it comes to surviving in its natural habitat. For this reason, it is not wise for rabbits to have an excess of fruits, especially dates.
How to prepare dates for rabbits?
Dates are actually very easy to prepare. When you remove the pit, they are ready for your pet bunny to eat! If you think about it, that’s all that needs doing; rabbits will stop eating them when they get soggy or too chewy.
Do rabbits like dates?
Since dates are sweet, it is no surprise that rabbits tend to like them. And this may be the problem. Since they are so sweet, your bunny might overeat them and cause digestive problems. Other than this, many rabbit owners has also reported that their rabbits do not enjoy dates very much; especially when compared to fresh greens or hay.
Some health benefits of dates for rabbits.
Rabbits are herbivorous creatures, meaning they eat only plants to survive. This means that their digestive system is not designed for digesting any type of meat. However, dates have a lot of fiber and this will help your rabbit stay healthy by avoiding problems such as diarrhea. Dates also contain a large amount of potassium, which is essential for your rabbit’s heart and nervous system.
A few Possible concerns when feeding dates to rabbits.
There are some concerns that caretakers have regarding the safety of this type of fruit. Some say that certain types of dates contain too much sugar, which can cause obesity in pet rabbits if they overeat them. Since it is very sweet, fruit flies and other pests tend to go for it making it very unhygienic.
Most unfortunately, there are also some cases of poisoning that has been reported by feeding your pet rabbit with dates. This is because date palm fruit contains a rather large amount of oxalic acid. Although not all types of this type of fruits contain large amounts of oxalic acid, it is still best to avoid feeding them to your rabbit. Baking the date fruit will reduce this risk but it does not eliminate it completely.
Some signs pet rabbits is sick from feeding dates.
Perhaps one of the more concerning things about giving your pet rabbit dates is that if they do get sick from them, it is not exactly obvious. In other words, if your rabbit gets sick from eating dates, the symptoms that will appear are not going to be very clear or easy to notice. Some possible signs that indicate a potential issues with dates for rabbits are:
- If your pet acts disoriented and begins wobbling around when you move the cage.
- If it has diarrhea or constipation, accompanied by frequent over-grooming, which is common in several rabbit diseases.
A few Possible concerns when feeding dates to rabbits.
- Date palm fruit that is dried for a long period of time can become very hard and sharp, which might cut your bunny’s mouth while eating the fruit.
- If not properly cooked or stored in an airtight container, other types of dates can attract pests such as fruit flies.
- Dates contain a large amount of sugar and this means that your rabbit can easily become obese.
What to do if your pet rabbits is sick from eating dates?
Please take your bunny to a reputable veterinarian who specializes in exotic animal care as soon as possible! If you have already done this, then it would be best to contact an exotic animal specialist for more information about what type of treatment your rabbit may need.
Are dates bad for rabbits?
If there are any cases or poisonings reported by giving your rabbit date palm fruits then you should avoid feeding these to your pet as well. It is very hard to tell if a particular type of date fruit contains a large amount of oxalic acid, so it is best not to take the risk.
What is your experience feeding dates to rabbits?
There are many different types of stories online from pet rabbit owners who have tried feeding their pets with this kind of fruit. Some of them reported that their pet immediately started getting sick from eating dates while others did not encounter any problems at all. If you have already fed your pet with this kind of fruit, then please share your experience with us in the comment section below so we can add more stories to this article.
Where can I get dates for my rabbits?
Since some types of date palm fruits might be bad for your pet bunny, it would be best to buy them fresh instead of buying them at the store. The internet is an excellent resource for finding places where you can find fresh fruit, however, so this shouldn’t be much of an issue at all.
Is it safe to feed dates to your pet rabbits?
Rabbits are herbivorous animals, which means they only eat plants in order to survive. They have a digestive system that is not designed for digesting any type of meat, so feeding them dates can cause problems with their health over time. Unless the type of date that you give them has been proven to be safe for them, it is best not to feed your pet rabbit with this kind of fruit.
Some Tips before giving dates to rabbits.
- If you want to feed your rabbit fruits, then make sure that they are in fact part of its natural diet. That is the only fruit that are suitable for feeding rabbits with.
- Try giving your pet other types of foods instead since it will be easier for them to digest without any issues.
- If your rabbit ever starts getting diarrhea from eating dates, then stop feeding them immediately and get in touch with your local veterinarian.
What dates are safe for rabbits?
Although it is not known if there are types of date palm fruits that are suitable for feeding your rabbit, you can always feed them other types of safe fruits instead. If you’re looking to give your bunny a new type of food so it will be more interesting for them and they won’t be bored with their old diet, then consider giving them fruits like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries.
Can pet rabbits eat dates peel?
Although there are no specific cases of rabbits getting sick from eating the peels of these fruits, it is still best to avoid feeding them with the peel. Usually, the only part that you should feed your rabbit with is just the fleshy part since they won’t have any problems digesting it.
Can pet rabbits eat dates skin?
There are no issues in feeding them with their skin since it is very soft and bouncy. However, just like the peel of the fruit, you need to make sure that they do not eat too much of it.
How much dates does rabbits eat a day?
The right amount of food for your bunny to eat should be determined by your veterinarian since each rabbit has its own appetite. When deciding the amount of fruits you will give them, make sure that it is not more than 1/8 of their daily diet.
How often should I give my rabbits dates?
The amount of date palm fruits that you should be feeding your pet rabbit with depends on the size of this animal. For example, if your bunny weighs 2 lbs then it would not be safe to give them more than 7 oz of dates each day, which is roughly equivalent to 1/2 cup.
At The End Of The Day
What’s your opinion on dates for rabbit? Are they good, bad or ugly? Do your rabbits like them in their natural form, added to other foods such as smoothies or cereals and even desserts? We want to hear from you. Comment below with what you think about this fruit that is so often seen at the grocery store next to bananas and apples.
