Can rabbits eat tomatoes?
Yes, rabbits can take tomatoes but only occasionally since they do not form their staple diet. Whether they are small, or big, juicy or not juicy, red or yellow, cherry or not, tomatoes are not poisonous. The fruit part of the plant is not harmful to rabbits with the exception of the leaves, vines, flowers and stems part of the plant, which is poisonous. The green fruits are also poisonous.
Even though tomatoes are a good source of Vitamin A, C, B6, as well as potassium, and antioxidants, they should not be one of the main sources of nutrition for rabbits.
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Related:Can Rabbits Eat Oranges?
How do rabbits eat tomatoes? Follow these steps when feeding your rabbit tomatoes:
1. The fruit stalk that connects the fruit to the plant should be cut off. Although it is edible, it can be poisonous as well.
2. Wash the fruit thorCut the tomato in slices.oughly. You will eliminate any pesticides.
3. Cut the tomato in slices.
4. Remove the seeds.
5. Take two and divide it, and give him as much of it as lies in your hand. Many a time, one has to realize that even a bucket full of cherry tomatoes is sufficient for the rabbit’s stomach.
Thus, you will not overfeed him and mess up his fur at the same time. After the rabbits’ meal, they like taking a wash. And besides, they do not like the feel of being wet.
No Fruits for Your Baby Rabbit: A Guide
As for the baby rabbits or rabbit young ones, their digestive tracts are highly sensitive and delicate. Do not feed them anything that is of the fruits and vegetables categories until they are at least 12 weeks old. When introducing to them these types of foods make it slowly. Afterwards let there be 24 hours to know his post-reaction. If everything is fine i.e no complaints you can proceed to other levels.
Do not restrict your young rabbit to veggie or treats, there should be days that the rabbit should be free to anything. If at all you perceive that he looks angry, don’t offer him that food. It is even better to wait even longer before you feed your growing rabbit any type of treats. And by ‘treats’, we’re referring to only those fruits that rabbits are allowed to have.
Why Should We Treat Them Only as Treats?
Tomatoes are considered fruits/treats. They are acidic and contain ‘’high sugar’’ and therefore should only be given to rabbits in limited portions. The sugar found in fruits aides in the increase of the growth of the bad bacteria. This may cause various irregularities of the digestion processes. It is advisable to have a slice or two of a tomato fruit each day.
Treats should be given in moderation and varying the treats as often as possible. As for tomatoes, home-maker should be allowed not more than one tomato, weekly. This should be done to every treat that you give your bunny. Everything should be fine as long as the cats consume tomatoes only occasionally, when they can be regarded as treats.
Tomato plants – not to be fed
The leaves, flowers, stems as well as the green fruit contain tomatine/solanine as contained in the green part of the potatoes. Tomatidine is formed when this substance is hydrolyzed in digestion. This is also not favourable for the other animals as well. It was found that tomatine is present at all parts of the plant with a higher concentration on flowers, leaves and green fruits. As much as they understand in their heart that these plans are not healthy, keep them away.
There are various credible sources online that pose questions like; do rabbits eat tomato plants? And here it appears there is a controversy about tomato plants to which we agree that it is dangerous to feed controversies. It is better to follow the rule of ‘better safe rather than sorry.
Rabbits should never eat any kind of seeds, including tomato seeds. They are poisonous, too. Remove them before feeding him.
But what do rabbits normally eat?
Feed, roughage, and somewhat more roughage
As for us, ordinary people, it seems unbelievable and rather embarrassing that rabbits can eat hay only, and actually, yes, they can. So, one has to bear in mind that rabbits do not feed on anything that human beings are used to consuming.
Feed your rabbit mostly hay and make this constitute 80% of the rabbits daily diet. Hay is one of the few foods that contains very little calories and very many fibers. Well suited to the digestive system of the respective inhabitants. For an adult rabbit the right quantity per day is approximately equal to his body weight. The hay must be always fresh, clean and dry.
Still, rabbits allow them to consume a few fruits (in moderation: 5%) and some vegetables (15%). Some of the vegetables include cabbages, Kale, spinach, carrot tops, celery or even broccoli are good for your rabbit. However, fruits, and even veggies should be fed in a limited amount.
If you do not wish to engage in the whole vegetable thing try some quality pellets instead. Try to keep the amount of fat as low as you can; always not more than 10% of the total diet. For young rabbits alfalfa pellets must be available. How can I know the proper pack of pellets?
Tomatoes: What You Need to Be Aware Of
• Bad fruits give rise to stomach upsets or diarrhoea. Avoid feeding them.
• Finally, one must differentiate between the tomato sauce which is ketchup, and the tomato fruit. And most of the time, tomatoes canned or cooked contain lots of sugar and chemicals. Unfortunately all of these substances are very detrimental to the bunny. When cooked they are even more acidic than fresh tomatoes of the same type.
Can bunnies eat tomatoes? Yes, but not more than a slice or a couple, the size of a cherry tomato. It should be clear to anybody that the right quantity in the case of treats that we are talking about cannot be defied. If not, due to the effect of the bad bacteria overgrowth your pet may experience stomach ache, bloat, diarrhea or constipation. You also do not expose your rabbit to a situation that it will fatten up a lot.
Much thanks to you for coming around and remember to constantly love your dear rabbit!
We do hope this article was of help to you and your bunny. Feel free to post any question that you have in the comment section to us.
Always bear in mind that no two rabbits are alike. However, if you suppose that you face a critical issue, it is useful to address an experienced veterinarian for a piece of advice.
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