Do you have a garden and grow your own potatoes? If so, you may be wondering if it’s safe to give some of them to your pet rabbits. The answer is yes, but there are a few things you need to know first. In this guide, we will discuss everything you need to know about giving raw potatoes to pet rabbits. We’ll cover what raw potato is, the food family it belongs to, whether or not rabbits like raw potatoes, what to do if your rabbit gets sick from eating them, and more!
What Is Raw Potato?
Raw potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) are the unprocessed, whole root vegetable. It is not typically sold as such in grocery stores; rather, it’s usually processed into things like french fries and chips. Despite this, they’re still available at most grocery stores all year round. Some places you can find them are in the produce section, or near where other root vegetables are kept.
How Often Should I Give My Rabbits Raw Potatoes?
It’s best to only give rabbits raw potatoes on occasion as a treat. If you give them potatoes too often, they may not want to eat other types of vegetables anymore. They should have a variety of other vegetable options as well so that they don’t become malnourished or develop health problems related to a lack of nutrients in their diets.
How Much Raw Potato Do Rabbits Eat A Day?
Rabbits do not typically eat raw potatoes frequently, and they usually only eat them as a treat or snack here and there.
What Raw Potatoes Are Safe For Rabbits?
As mentioned above, raw potatoes are safe for rabbits. However, only some types or raw potatoes are safe for rabbits to eat. It’s important to note that this applies to humans as well! Some people have an allergy to the nightshade family of vegetables (which includes potatoes), so before feeding them to your bunnies, it’s best to check with your doctor first.
What Is Your Experience Feeding Raw Potatoes To Rabbits?
I’m sure that you’re curious to know whether or not I’ve fed my rabbits raw potatoes before. The answer is yes, and I have also given them french fries as well. As mentioned above, if the potatoes are properly prepared first, they can be a healthy treat for rabbits!
Is Raw Potato Bad For Rabbits?
Raw potatoes are not bad for rabbits in the sense that they will make them sick, but they can cause problems for them if not properly prepared first.
Is It Safe To Feed Raw Potatoes To Your Pet Rabbits?
Yes, it is safe to feed your pet rabbits raw potatoes. However, there are a few precautions you must take before giving raw potatoes to your bunnies.
Where Can I Get Raw Potatoes For My Rabbits?
As mentioned earlier in this guide, you can typically find raw potatoes in the produce section of grocery stores. It should also be noted that if you have a garden where you grow your own vegetables, it’s possible to grow your own potatoes as well. Just keep in mind that just because you can grow them yourself doesn’t mean that they’re safe for rabbits to eat!
What To Do If Your Rabbit Is Sick From Eating Raw Potatoes
If your pet rabbit gets sick after eating raw potatoes, it’s important that you are able to identify the symptoms right away in order to properly treat him or her. Some of the symptoms to look out for include vomiting, diarrhea, and changes in behavior like lethargy or aggression. For more information about what raw potatoes do to rabbits, please see our article on what raw potato is .
Do rabbits like raw potatoes?
Yes. Rabbits really enjoy raw potatoes, but there are some precautions you need to take when feeding them this food.
Can pet rabbits eat raw potatoes?
Yes, rabbits can eat raw potatoes. They are safe for rabbits to eat, but there are a few things you need to know first before giving them raw potatoes.
3 good substitutes for raw potato
If you learn that your bunnies cannot eat raw potatoes, there are some good alternatives for you to feed them instead. These include:
- cooked sweet potato,
- bananas and
- baby food carrots.
5 steps to prepare raw potato for rabbits.
So now that we’ve answered the questions of whether or not it’s safe and if rabbits like raw potatoes, let’s talk about how to properly prepare them before feeding them to your rabbits.
- Check with your doctor if you are allergic to nightshade vegetables like potatoes. This is important because it might make you sick if the potato isn’t prepared correctly!
- Wash all dirt off thoroughly with water and soap or by using a brush.
- Prepare the potato by either baking it in the oven or boiling it on a stovetop. If you boil it, make sure to lightly salt and pepper the water first before cooking for a little extra flavor! Cooking time will vary depending on which method you choose, but usually 20 minutes is enough time to cook a medium-to-large sized potato.
- Folks with huge, hungry rabbits may want to consider doubling the recipe!
- Once you have finished cooking the potatoes, let them cool down for a little bit before feeding them to your bunnies.
3 health benefits of raw potato for rabbits
As mentioned above, there are many benefits to giving your rabbits raw potatoes. These include:
- The high fiber in potatoes can help rabbits maintain a healthy digestive tract. They also contain antioxidants, which can boost the immune system and provide other health benefits like cancer prevention.
- Carrots are good for bunny teeth because they act like chew toys and help to clean their teeth.
- Potatoes are packed with vital nutrients like iron, vitamin C, magnesium, potassium and many more! They also contain protein along with antioxidant phytonutrients like carotenoids (lycopene), ferulic acid, quercetin, chlorogenic acid and catechin that help to fight against cancer and other health concerns.
3 Possible concerns when feeding raw potato to rabbits
As mentioned earlier, there are some concerns to consider before giving your bunnies raw potatoes. This includes:
- Feeding too much potato can cause stomach problems like gas and diarrhea especially if you feed them frequently or in large amounts.
- Potatoes contain higher amounts of phosphorus than rabbits need. If they eat too many of them, it can cause health problems like bladder stones.
- Potatoes should not be fed to rabbits who are already dehydrated because the concentrated fiber content may make things worse and lead to more serious issues such as gastrointestinal blockages or tooth decay.
7 signs pet rabbits are sick from feeding raw potato
As always, you should monitor your rabbit if you have just introduced any new food into their diet or if they have been eating a lot of raw potato. This will help to ensure that they are not having a negative reaction to the food and that it is safe for them to eat. Some signs that your rabbit may be sick from feeding them potatoes include:
- Cuts, bruises or other injuries that don’t heal within a few days – your bunny may be fighting off an infection!
- Sores or abrasions on their face, chin, nose, eyes and/or genitals – these are very common in rabbits who eat too many raw potatoes.
- Weight loss – if your rabbit isn’t eating properly, they may lose weight quickly.
- Diarrhea, soft stool or other digestive problems – including gas and bloating!
- Respiratory issues like wheezing, coughing or sneezing
- No appetite for their usual bedtime snack or hay at breakfast time
- History of problems with the liver, kidneys and/or urinary tract
4 tips before giving raw potato to rabbits
There are some important safety tips you should keep in mind when feeding your rabbits raw potatoes:
- Never give your rabbit potatoes that have been frozen because it might make them sick!
- Potatoes that show mold, rot or signs of decay are not safe for your rabbits to eat.
- Potatoes that have been grown in the ground should be washed thoroughly since they may contain bacteria like E Coli.
- If you’re concerned about feeding too many potatoes to your bunnies, consider giving them smaller portions each day instead of a large amount all at once.
To Bring Things To A Close
We hope you have found this article helpful and informative. It is a long read, but worth it if you want to know everything there is about raw potatoes for rabbits! If you’re still not convinced that your rabbit could benefit from the consumption of these healthy foods, we would love to hear what other questions or concerns are on your mind in the comment section below. Maybe one of our experts will be able to offer some guidance.
