Can Rabbits Eat Plums? – Health Benefits and Risks

Plums are a delicious fruit that is enjoyed by many people. But can rabbits eat plums? Are plums safe for rabbits to eat?

Let’s take a closer look at the nutritional value of plums and discover whether they are a good food choice for rabbits.

Can rabbits eat plums

Yes! Rabbits love to eat plums but it’s important to note that excessive consumption may cause digestion issues.

Rabbits should only have small portions of fruit every day, as their digestive systems cannot handle the high levels of sugar in fruit easily. It is also wise to limit their intake of fresh fruit to prevent obesity. However, there is nothing wrong with giving them a little bit each day as treats or training rewards.

Plums are full of nutritional goodness and make a great treat for your rabbit because they are low in fat, but high in fiber – even more so than many other fruits. They are bursting with vitamin C and A, which help your rabbit’s immune system stay strong.

plums are considered safe for human consumption because they’re served in small portions, but too much plums can cause mild stomach upset if eaten by humans. One should avoid eating plums in excess especially when pregnant or nursing as this fruit is known to contain low levels of cyanide that may affect the mother and her baby.

plum seeds need to be thoroughly chewed before swallowing otherwise they could choke on them – similar with any food item really. Don’t let your rabbit eat whole grapes either! Grapes pose a risk of

Do rabbits like to eat plums?

I have asked many people in the rabbit community about this question and have mostly received a ” yes” response. I think it is wise to not feed rabbits plums often because daily/weekly consumption could cause digestive issues – but, yes, they are fine in moderation!

I have also asked other humans on the internet about this question and received mixed responses. Some people say no while others say yes. It is difficult to determine who is correct because it seems to be a matter of opinion. I think it is best to ask a rabbit owner because they will know their rabbit’s pallet and eating habits better than anybody else.

Are plums safe to be eaten by rabbits?

By Age

If your rabbit is an adult, then small portions of plums should be fine. The cyanide found in fruit is poisonous to rabbits and too much could cause digestive issues and even death!

By Size

A rabbit that weighs 2 pounds or less should not eat plum because it might cause them to choke. Smaller rabbits can still enjoy their fruits but should stick with ones that are softer and more easy to digest such as banana.

Large rabbits should be able to eat plums without any problems. Plums can add a nice range of nutrients such as vitamin C, A and potassium for an active rabbit- especially if they like the taste!

Plums should only be given to your rabbit once every single day to avoid digestive problems.

What are the benefits of feeding plums to rabbits?

There are many Health benefits such as:

Diarrhea: Plums help to remedy digestive issues such as diarrhea.

Diabetes: Plums are high in fiber which makes them great for diabetic rabbits!

Anemia: Plums are rich in iron that helps with anemia caused by certain diseases or parasites.

Chicken or Rabbit Pox: Plums are full of vitamin A, which helps with the healing process.

Colds & Flu: Plums help to strengthen your rabbit’s immune system by giving them extra vitamin C!

Eczema: Vitamin E found in plums can help treat skin problems such as eczema.

Eye Problems: Plums are high in proanthocyanidin, which is powerful antioxidant that fights eye-related diseases.

Antioxidants & Free Radicals : Like proanthocyanidin mentioned above, there are antioxidants and free radicals that fight cancerous cells within the body!

Tumors : The antioxidants, zinc and potassium found in plums may slow down tumor growths.

Heart Disease : The fiber, potassium and vitamin C found in plums can help with heart disease!

It is also perfectly safe to feed your rabbit plums when they are pregnant because it provides extra vitamins and minerals. However, it’s best not to give the pregnant female too much fruit each day so she doesn’t get fussy or have loose stools.

How much plums can a rabbit eat?

The number of plums a rabbit can eat each day entirely depends on the size of your rabbit.

Be careful about feeding your rabbit too much fruit because it could cause loose stool or diarrhea – similar with any food item really! I also encourage you to watch how much fruit is being eaten daily/weekly by their rabbits.

General Recommendation for Fruit Consumption:-

Adult rabbits should eat a maximum of two plums per day.

Small rabbits (2 lbs or less) should only have one if they really like it!

Large rabbits can eat at least 2-4 plums throughout the day without any harmful effects.

Rabbits that weigh more than 12 pounds should be able to eat as much as they like.

How to feed plums to rabbits?

Plums should be presented in a way that is easy for the rabbit to eat – simply place it on their back or side! I recommend waiting until your rabbit has finished eating all of their daily hay and vegetables before giving them the plum because they will probably want something sweet after their healthy food. It is also encouraged to give your rabbits fresh hay each time you present them with plums because it helps make their belly happy!

Placing the fruit on top of the rabbit’s head (facing downwards) may encourage more interest in the plum, but I would recommend waiting until they finish their veggies and hay before feeding them this way. If the rabbit still ignores the plum after trying all three methods, you can try feeding them at night or when they are sleepy. This works well with my bunny because she loves fruits (especially bananas) at any time of day!

If you feel like giving your pet rabbit the plums whole, then you should do so. You can also chop them into smaller pieces but I would recommend only giving the smaller pieces to small rabbits because it may get tricky for larger rabbits to eat them!

You can also mix plums with other fruits such as bananas or blueberries in order to get your rabbit excited about their new diet. The more fruit they eat throughout the day, the healthier they will be in the long run!

Easy plum recipes for rabbits

P.S. These recipes work especially well with my bunny!

You can also feed your rabbit plums by mixing them with other ingredients to create deliciously easy-to-eat treats for rabbits!

For example, you can mix 2 tablespoons of oats or barley flour into 1 tablespoon of coconut oil and then stir it all together into a small bowl. Next, take the mixture, form it into a ball shape, wrap it in dough (flour + water), boil it until the dough is cooked through completely, let it cool, cut it up into pieces and serve to your hungry pet rabbit!

The combination of oats/barley flour and coconut oil provides an excellent source of energy that stimulates their digestive system while providing healthy fats that are crucial for their furry bodies. The dough wrapping gives your furry friend calcium and other nutrients that they need!

Another easy recipe is one that mixes 2 cups of whole wheat flour into 1 cup of water. You can then take the mixture, break it into small pieces and give them to the bunny He/she will love you even more after tasting this delicious treat! It’s good for their digestion (fiber), heart (vitamins), and fur (omega fatty acids).

However, if your rabbit is on a healthy diet, I would not recommend feeding them treats or fruits throughout the day because it may make them fussy.

When can rabbits start eating plums?

Do not feed plums if they are under the age of 8 weeks or if they are ill because it could be fatal.

Plums can be given to rabbits once they reach 5-7 months old and 3 pounds in weight (this is the recommended amount for one whole plum).

If you want to make sure that your rabbit can eat plums safely, introduce them slowly into their diet

12 weeks of age: Make sure that they do not have any health issues such as stomach ulcers, teeth problems, and diarrhea (if any of these symptoms appear after giving your rabbit plums – stop feeding them the fruit immediately and consult a veterinarian).

4+ months: Limit their daily intake to 2-3 pieces per day for small rabbits and 4-6 pieces per day for larger rabbits in order to avoid tooth problems.

Rabbits can eat plums throughout their lives if given proper care!

Risk of overfeeding plums to rabbits

The harmful effects of overeating plums are:

1. Diarrhea

2. Tooth damage (from the pit)

3. Weight gain/obesity

4. Toxins (if not ripe enough) such as – Cyanogenic glycosides (in unripe fruit and leaves), alkaloids, saponins, and malic acid (FDA). All of these ingredients can irritate the lining of your rabbit’s stomach and intestines and may also cause digestive problems such as vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite (FDA). These toxins are only found in unripe plums; ripe plums will not contain these harmful substances!

5. Poisoning from pesticides sprayed on plants or dirt

Healthy alternatives to plums

Plums should not be eaten daily, some healthy alternatives are:

Peaches – The best thing about peaches is their fat (healthy fat) content! Peaches are full of healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals that can help your rabbit maintain their weight, fur quality, and metabolism.

Just like plums, peaches should be given to rabbits in moderation – 1-2 per day because they contain high amounts of sugar. The best thing about peaches is that the sugar content goes down as the fruit ripens so it’s safe for rabbits to eat them even if they are unripe! If your rabbit does not like ripe fruits or vegetables – serve them unripe instead!

Bananas – This awesome fruit contains lots of protein, carbohydrates, and fibers which can stimulate your bunny’s digestive system. It also has natural sugars that are perfect for rabbits.

The best thing about bananas is that they are easy to digest and contain lots of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that your pet bunny will love! If your bunny does not like ripe fruits or vegetables – serve them unripe instead!

Pumpkins – Pumpkins are one of the healthiest veggies out there for rabbits because they have a lot of proteins, carbohydrates, fibers, and natural sugars. They also contain lutein which can be beneficial for your rabbit’s heart muscles while keeping their eyes healthy.

Additionally, pumpkins are easy to digest so they won’t harm their digestive system if eaten daily in moderation (2-3 small slices per day). Just remember that pumpkins are high in starch so don’t feed more than you need!

Do not worry if your bunny is mostly eating hay, freshwater, and the occasional veggies because they are getting all the nutrients they need from these non-sweet foods. So don’t be too concerned about their diet unless you want to try out some of the healthy treats I’ve mentioned earlier. If this is the case then introduce one fruit into their diet each week just to see how they react to it. Give them lots of space in order for you to monitor their health changes after adding a new fruit into their menu every time.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Can rabbits eat plum leaves?

Plums leaves should not be given to rabbits because they contain cyanogenic glycosides, alkaloids, saponins, and malic acid. Although only small quantities of these chemicals are found in plum leaves, your pet bunny may still develop digestive problems such as diarrhea if the leaves are eaten raw (FDA).

Can rabbits eat plum pits?

Yes, rabbits can safely ingest the pit depending on the size. If the pit is too big – separate it in half to make sure your bunny will not choke on it.

Can rabbits eat plums daily?

No, not more than 1-2 per day. Read the ‘Risk of overfeeding plums to rabbits’ section for more information.

Conclusion

Rabbits cannot eat plums daily, they contain toxic substances which can irritate their digestive system and harm them if eaten in large quantities.

However, rabbits can safely ingest ripe plums – 1-2 each day depending on the size of each fruit or vegetable.

Additionally, you should not feed your bunny leaves because they are poisonous to rabbits. However, the pit is safe for them! Please remember that feeding anything other than hay, vegetables, and water (especially fruits) is dangerous for your pet bunny’s health so only introduce one new fruit into their diet per week. If they show any signs of digestive problems after adding one food item per week then stop giving it to them immediately; this will make sure your rabbit does not suffer from any long-term negative effects.