I give my rabbit 4 raisins each morning is that ok or should i cut back?

Question

My rabbit is Skippy he looks forward to his 4 raisins and his 1/4 cup of pellets each morning he will stand on his hind legs just waiting for them, is this ok to give him or is it too much for him, I want to do right by him I don't want to make him sick and he loves them so much. So can I continue to give them to him or should I stop and maybe not give him so many each morning. A answer would be greatly appreciated.

Sue Richardson

Answer 1

Rabbits should not be fed raisins. When the grapes that are grown for raisins are developing they are sprayed constantly with insecticides and pesticides. When the grapes are picked and dried into raisins the sprays become concentrated in the raisin. Basically they are loaded with poisons. A rabbit is a small creature and over time the poisons can build up in their systems and cause such things as liver and kidney failure.

A better treat for a rabbit is a dry cereal with no sugar. Such as Cheerioes or Shredded wheat. Only a few pieces and not as a stable in the diet.

Make sure you are feeding a good rabbit pellet. One that has a t least 16% protein and is made with alfalfa or alfalfa meal.
It should not have any added treats that are bright colors as these are full of sugar and artificial colors.
Also make sure your rabbit is getting a good grass hay as they need the long fibers to digest all their food properly.
Fresh water is an absolute must.

Answer 2

Hi Sue, I would cut off the raisins completely + use them for an occasional treat. Eatting too many raisins can give a human the runs. A rabbit with diarhea isn't good. Not only that but your rabbits diet will be too high in sugar + that isn't good either, + can develope into diabetes

There are lots of other treats some free for the picking. Dandelion, yarrow + dill the entire plants. Plantain leaves, chickweed, shepherd's purse, all are free if not in your garden then in a weed area. I picked a medium container full + crunched the dried leaves up. I have almost a container full for them for all winter. Sometimes I give them a little uncooked oatmeal, other times I cook it in water in microwave, cool then give them a small dollop. They love it.

Because rabbits are such high fear animals, you should read up on heart disease, diabetes, strokes + such for humans, the symptoms are more or less the same. Some of the basics I can think of are, no greasy foods; few fruit - for sugar content; low salt/none prefered; nothing gassy - rabbits cannot release gas, nothing that will heat them up - herbs - rabbits cannot sweat.

Household food : I peel carrots + cut off the greens, cut up some veggies real small like - romaine lettuce, celery (I remove the strings- can be fatal), then I let them dry in a bowl. Once dry I take them to my goodie container + break them into small pieces.

Whatever new food you feed him, give him a small piece a day or every few days. Otherwise a large amount of new food can cause diarhea.

Answer 3

You should be totally fine. Four raisins isn't very much even for a small rabbit. Treats can be totally fine if done in moderation. You are using good moderation. It sounds like you are doing a pretty good job of raising your rabbit. It's good to see that someone is using moderation on the snacks they give their rabbit. Well done!

Rabbits will do perfectly fine without snacks and for many people I recommend not to give snacks to their rabbit because they give too much. However snacks can be perfectly fine and fun to give your rabbit as a treat if you use the kind of excellent moderation you are using.

Answer 4

Four raisins a day are probably NOT going to hurt your rabbit or affect his health. If he enjoys them and gets excited that is great!
My bunnies love raisins but love craisins (dried cranberries even more. Try giving him a small piece of banana every once in awhile - it sounds like he has a sweet tooth so he'll probably love it :)

A chocolate ice cream cone is probably not good for me, but I enjoy it SOO much and if I only have my treat every once in awhile and get plenty of exercise and healthy food - Its not going to ruin me... :D

Many people believe that giving rabbits ANY treats at all is bad for their health. I don't believe this is true as long as the treats are given in moderation and do not replace their normal food. In nature, rabbits eat apples that have fallen, berries, and other sweets that they find.

Answer 5

if his "poop" has been fine all along, not runny or anything then its ok to continue feeding hi raisins.

I have a rabbit but never fed her raisins, just fruits and veggies and pellets. I heard raisins are ok in moderation though

Answer 6

that's incredibly surprising. destiny vet, the rabbits ARE enjoying a recreation, completely conscious. that's referred to as lifestyles, all lifestyles could end. the quick and the sensible stay longer and convey greater youthful, yet even they could pass aside. it form of feels to me that modern-day society has grow to be too sheltered via pink styrofoam and golden arches, and function misplaced touch with some typical truths. loss of lifestyles fills this worldwide. while you rigidity your eco-hybrid to artwork, hundreds of bugs die upon your windshield. Your organic and organic produce, the weeds are stored at bay no longer with chemical compounds, yet steel knives drug via the fields, do you quite think of the farmer cultivating his fields end to enable all the fieldmice pass?

Answer 7

go here:
http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/diet.html