Can Rabbits Eat Mangoes? What You Need to Know.

Last Updated on March 1, 2023 by Marjon Ramos

Mangoes are one of the most recommended treats for rabbits. You can safely feed your rabbits small amounts of mangoes 1-2 times per week and make sure that your rabbit is at least 7 months old.

Also, be careful when introducing any new diet to your rabbit especially if they are young. Always introduce in small amounts at first to avoid triggering digestive problems.

Now that I’ve given you the gist of the article, read on as I explain in more detail why rabbits can eat mangoes:

Do rabbits like to eat mangoes?

In my case, both of my rabbits(Tyr and Freya) likes to eat mangoes whenever I give them some.

I’ve also asked several of my friends who are rabbit owners and breeders if they ever fed mangoes to their rabbits and if their rabbits like mangoes.

All of them reported to feeding mangoes occasionally and that their rabbits gobble up the mangoes immediately.

Are mangoes safe to be eaten by rabbits?

As long as your rabbit is at least 7 months old and you only give it 1-2 times per week, then feeding mangoes to your rabbits is perfectly safe.

The problem would most likely come when rabbit owners fed treats to young rabbits whose susceptible to digestive problems. Another possible way mangoes would harm your rabbit is if they are already obese.

Obese rabbits should not be fed sugary treats like mangoes until normal weight is acquired.

You should also avoid letting your rabbit eat the seed. Both the flesh and skin are fine to be eaten by rabbits except the seed.

Finally, mangoes when fed regularly could lead to dental problems because sugar damages teeth if fed long-term.

What are the benefits of feeding mangoes to rabbits?

To properly identify the benefits of feeding mangoes to your rabbits, let’s first take a look at what nutrients your rabbit is getting whenever you feed them mangoes.

We can use this nutrient constrain calculator which shows the different nutrients your rabbit is getting and if the amount you’re giving is within the nutritional constraint.

You can also click on the blue icon beside the nutrient to show the different benefits and deficiencies of each nutrient:

As you can see from the nutrient constrain calculator above, 100 grams of mangoes contains very little nutrients.

But, as an occasional treat, it’s perfectly fine to have this low in nutrients because you should never rely on any treats like mangoes to meet your rabbit’s nutritional needs.

Doing so could lead to obesity or digestive problems.

Are mangoes good for rabbits?

100 grams of mangoes contains small amounts of vitamin A, E, and B6. As well as copper, pantothenic acid, niacin, choline, protein, fiber, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium.

All of which are great for rabbits and are still within the nutritional constrain for rabbits.

How much mangoes can a rabbit eat?

The proper amount of mangoes you should feed your rabbit would depend on their current weight and age.

You can use this nutrient constrain calculator to determine the amount of mangoes(treats) you should give your rabbits:

If you currently have no idea what your rabbit’s weight is, here’s a table of the different weights of rabbit breeds and how much mangoes you can give:

At what age can rabbits eat mangoes?

The table above which shows how much mangoes you can give your rabbit assumes that your rabbit is at least 7 months old. Another important factor when deciding how much mangoes to give your rabbits is their age.

Here’s a table that shows how much mangoes you can give your rabbit based on their age:

When should you not feed mango to rabbits?

Gist:

Do not feed mangoes to your rabbit if you suspect any digestive problems.

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The proper protocol whenever you suspect or notice that your rabbit is having digestive problems is to remove any other food in their diet except hay. This is especially true for sugary treats like mangoes.

This would ensure that your rabbit is getting their required fiber for the day and are not eating mangoes in lieu of hay.

Finally, always bring your rabbits to a veterinarian whenever you notice signs of digestive problems, especially to young rabbits whose more susceptible to it.

Risk of overfeeding mango to rabbits.

While mango is safe and nutritious for rabbits, there are still risks associated when a rabbit owner overfeed their rabbits:

• Gastrointestinal Stasis – Overfeeding mango in lieu of hay to your rabbits could lead to GI stasis, which is caused by the lack of fiber in your rabbit’s diet.
• Diarrhea – Diarrhea is also possible when rabbit owners overfeed large amounts of mango to their rabbits too fast. Always introduce any new diet to your rabbits slowly.
• Uneaten cecotropes – Soft uneaten cecotropes are also possible when rabbits are eating large amounts of mango instead of hay. This could lead to softer cecotropes due to the lack of fiber.
• Dental problems – Due to the sugar content of mango, feeding your rabbits large amounts of it could lead to dental problems.
• Obesity – Overfeeding mango to older rabbits, whose metabolism is slower, could lead to obesity due to the high sugar content of mango. Obesity could also lead to uneaten cecotropes or “poopy bottom” because obese rabbits wouldn’t be able to reach their cecotropes to eat them.

Healthy alternatives to mangoes.

While mangoes are a great treat for rabbits, you should still give your rabbits a variety of choices when it comes to their diet. Never feed one food for long periods of time.

Here are some alternatives that you can give to your rabbits one to two times per week as a treat:

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Conclusion

Mangoes can be given to rabbits that are at least 7 months old 1-2 times per week in small amounts. Just make sure that your rabbit is not eating mangoes in lieu of hay.

Also, older rabbits(6 years old) should follow their veterinarian’s advice when it comes to their diet. Most likely your veterinarian would advise against feeding mangoes if your rabbit is overweight or to prevent it.