If you’re like me, you’ve been googling “can rabbits eat coconut” because you saw a video of a rabbit eating a piece of coconut and you thought it was the cutest thing ever. Well, I did some digging and found out that –
yes! – rabbits can eat coconut. In fact, it’s a pretty healthy snack for them. But before you run to the grocery store to buy some coconuts, there are a few things you need to know. So keep reading for all the details on how much coconut your bunny can eat and what kind of coconuts are safe for them to eat.
Can Rabbits eat coconut
No! This is because they are really harmful to your bunny’s health. Only Thai coconut is good because its soft and has less sugar.
They should be able to eat the flesh and drink the water from a young Thai coconut. However, it is important to know that they cannot eat mature coconuts. So if you’re googling “can rabbit eat mature coconut” or “rabbits eating mature coconut,” I’m sorry but no – your bunny cannot eat a mature coconut under any circumstance. *
In fact, It’s not safe for them at all because coconuts are extremely indigestible by their small stomachs …And as we all now know from science class, digestion begins in the mouth as food is chewed. There’s only one way that bunnies could break through a whole nut: with their teeth. But I’ve never seen a bunny crack open a whole, mature coconut with their teeth (though apparently, they can 😱)
So why did the rabbit in that video eat the coconut? It’s because she was probably mistaking it for an apple or some other fruit that she eats every day. Big Mac the bunny, who is famous for his coco craving, still hasn’t managed to get into any coconuts despite nearly 20 years of trying (he’s only managed to get into one pineapple though, so at least there’s that).
Every time he sees someone with a coconut, he chases them around until they give him some. But since after all this time everyone knows his craving now, people keep their coconuts well out of his reach.
How many coconuts should a rabbit eat?
A small rabbit, such as a dwarf bunny or a baby bunny, can eat one or two pieces of coconut flesh per day.
For comparison, a larger rabbit like a Flemish Giant can eat up to three coconuts per day.
Just make sure to give them young Thai coconuts because otherwise, they contain an irritating substance called urushiol that’s found in mature coconuts and some other plants, too.
At what age can a rabbit eat coconut?
The answer is: as soon as they’re big enough to eat it.
Rabbits can safely eat coconuts from the moment they’re born. So if you’ve just given birth and your bunnies are asking for some coconut, go right ahead and give them a piece of Thai coconut flesh – it won’t hurt them at all.
12 weeks: 1 ½ coconut per day
At 12 weeks, a dwarf or baby bunny can eat one and a half pieces of Thai coconut flesh each day. If you give them more than that, they’ll either throw it up later because their stomachs are too small to digest it all or end up with an upset tummy. So go ahead and give them one and a half pieces and no more.
16 weeks: 3 coconuts per day
At 16 weeks, young rabbits can eat three whole Thai coconuts in a single day. But once again – no more than three! And make sure they’re young Thai coconuts (see how to tell the difference between old and young coconuts below). An excess of vitamin C can actually have the opposite of your desired effect, so go easy on them.
2 months: 3 coconuts per day
At two months old, Flemish Giants can eat three whole Thai coconuts in a single day. Of course, only give them young Thai coconuts otherwise they’ll have an upset tummy. And no more than three!
A rabbit will know what’s good and bad for him/her by instinct, so don’t worry about their first time trying something new. They’ll either like it or spit it out (or both).
What kinds of coconut water are safe for rabbits?
In general, bunnies should only drink the juice from young Thai coconuts because any other kind has way too much sugar and not enough nutrients for their little bodies to handle …Well there is some debate on whether giving your bunny fresh young coconut water from a mature coconut is okay but I would err on the side of caution and stick with young coconuts only.
The good news is that young Thai coconuts are available fresh in pretty much all grocery stores these days, so you should have no problem finding them.
If you can’t find one at your local store, try going to a local farmer’s market because they tend to have fresher produce than the typical grocery store. If you’re having trouble finding it locally, Amazon sells fresh Thai coconuts, too.
Even though it has been removed from most supermarkets due to food safety concerns, coconut milk/water is safe for rabbits when given in moderation. You shouldn’t give bunnies any of the canned coconut milk because it is too rich for them to handle.
If your rabbit loves coconut water, you can give them some in moderation. However, I would also encourage you to give them their favorite fruit or vegetable at the same time so they get a balanced diet. My own bun Lulu loves bananas, applesauce, baby carrots, spinach, and romaine lettuce just to name a few of her favorites. For more on how much fresh produce rabbits can eat per day, see this article here.
Health benefits of Thai coconuts for rabbits
Coconut water is full of electrolytes, which are great for hydration. But you should never give your bunny coconut milk or coconut oil because unlike the flesh and water, these parts of the coconut are extremely unhealthy for rabbits. The flesh contains healthy fats while the water is great for rehydrating them after exercise, but too much can actually be bad for them.
Electrolytes are beneficial because they help rabbits absorb nutrients and expel toxins. But too much liquid can dilute the stomach acid, which is needed for healthy digestion.
So if your bunny follows you around every day begging for coconuts or other fruits, don’t give in. It’s not good for them under any circumstance! And remember that they can only eat young Thai coconuts. They’ll be safe from too much liquid inside the nut because there won’t be any water yet.
Coconut milk is the pulp of the coconut that’s mixed with water and then strained. It can be used as a substitute for dairy in baking and recipes, but again – only use the flesh and water and not the milk for your bunny.
Tips to feed coconuts to your bunny
And here are some helpful tips from Bunny Lovers Only if you want to start buying coconuts for your bunny.
1) Make sure you buy young Thai coconuts because these have softer shells that are easier to crack.
2) Don’t be tempted to take shortcuts like using a hammer to smash the top off – this risks hurting your bunny and it can even make them sick (not to mention mess up your kitchen).
3) Go with the safer option of prying open the shell carefully with an opener or a screwdriver.
4) Once you have a crack in the shell, stick a straw or bamboo skewer into it to make an air hole. This is important because if you don’t do this and your bunny decides to drink the water it can get sick from sucking in too much coconut meat.
5) Serve them young Thai coconuts with straws so that they don’t get any shells in their mouths (because of all those super sharp coco nails I mentioned above).
6) If you find yourself frequently buying coconuts for your furry friend and it’s becoming a bit pricey
Other Harmful Foods that rabbits cannot eat
Extreme caution must be taken when giving your bunny fresh produce, so always check the list below before feeding it to them.
Arugula leaves are known for being extremely high in oxalic acid. This compound is the reason why they’re bitter and not something your rabbit will enjoy eating. The leaves may also contain high amounts of calcium which can also contribute to urinary problems.
Raisins are another food that bunnies cannot eat because the fruit is too sugary for them. Most of us know that raisins aren’t good for humans either because they have both sugar and sulfite preservatives in them, but these two ingredients are especially bad for rabbits since they develop stones more easily than other animals.
The general rule of thumb
You should never feed your rabbit human food. Some foods that are perfectly fine for us to eat can be a deadly poison to them, so always double-check the list below before giving them anything from your dinner table!
Here’s a very helpful list of fruits and vegetables your bunny can and cannot eat. And one last tip from the experts at Bunny Lovers Only: “Do not let anyone give you their opinion on what is good or bad for rabbits without doing the research yourself.”
Frequently asked Questions
Can Rabbits Eat Coconut Husk?
Coconuts are great for rabbits as long as they’re given in moderation. Uncooked coconut is typically safe for them, but not the husk (because it’s hard and sharp).
As mentioned earlier, the flesh of the nut is healthy because it contains plenty of fiber and electrolytes. However, those who feed their bunnies the shells (also known as “coco coir”) need to be careful because they contain a lot of silica which can make them sick.
Can Rabbits Eat Coconut Shells?
Yes. Provided that your rabbit isn’t allergic to coconuts or is too sensitive, she should be able to digest this nutty treat without any issue.
But as I mentioned, make sure you only feed them the flesh and water, not the milk because too much of either can hurt your pet. And it’s crucial to always give them young Thai coconuts because that’s where they’ll get all their moisture from without any risk of ingesting coconut meat or milk.
Can Lionhead Rabbit Eat Coconut?
Of course! Lulu loves her daily dose of fruit and vegetables, so she’ll definitely enjoy a piece of coconut every now and then! However, give her dried-up husks sparingly, or else she might accidentally swallow some fragments. Also, remember to serve it with a straw so there isn’t any chance of getting a shell in their mouth and causing damage.
Final Thoughts: can rabbits eat coconut
Electrolytes are beneficial because they help rabbits absorb nutrients and expel toxins. But too much liquid can dilute the stomach acid, which is needed for healthy digestion.
As mentioned earlier, the flesh of the nut is healthy because it contains plenty of fiber and electrolytes. However, those who feed their bunnies the shells (also known as “coco coir”) need to be careful because they contain a lot of silica which can make them sick. For more on coco coir and its dangers, see here.
Coconuts are great for rabbits as long as they’re given in moderation. Uncooked coconut is typically safe for them, but not the husk (because it’s hard and sharp).
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Dr. Elly Cameron is a veterinarian who has always loved animals. She grew up with cats and rabbits, and knew from a young age that she wanted to help animals in whatever way she could. After completing veterinary school in New Zealand, she and her husband moved to North Carolina in 2009. There, she worked as a small animal veterinarian, seeing cats, dogs, and of course her favorite patients – rabbits! In the last few years, Dr. Cameron has been working as a locum vet while she concentrates on raising her two young daughters. She also started writing this blog to help other rabbit lovers out there.