Can Rabbits Eat Pears? Your Questions answered.

Last Updated on March 2, 2023 by Marjon Ramos

Before feeding pears to your rabbits, make sure to remove the seeds. Your rabbit should be at least 7 months old before giving one. Also, only give pears 1-2 times per week in small amounts to prevent triggering any 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 pears:

Do rabbits like to eat pears?

In my case, both of my rabbits (Tyr and Freya) like to eat pears.

I always give them some whenever I have some available.

I’ve also asked this question to several of my friends who have rabbits, and all of them told me that their rabbits like pears and would gobble them up right away.

Are pears safe to be eaten by rabbits?

As long as you stick to only giving small amounts of pears 1-2 times per week and your rabbit is at least 7 months old, then pears are completely safe to be eaten by rabbits.

The main cause of digestive problems in rabbits is not the food itself but the lack of fiber in their diet.

It is usually caused when a rabbit is eating too much unnecessary food in lieu of hay.

What are the benefits of feeding pears to rabbits?

To properly show the benefits of feeding pears to your rabbits, you can use the nutrient constrain calculator for rabbits.

This tool shows the different nutrients your rabbit is getting and if the amount is within the safe range whenever you feed them pears.

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

As you can see from the nutrient constrain calculator above, pears contain very little nutrients per 100 grams.

But, as an occasional treat, it’s perfectly fine to have this low in nutrients because you shouldn’t rely on treats to meet any of your rabbit’s nutritional requirements anyway.

Are pears good for rabbits?

Pears contain small amounts of vitamins A, E, and B6.

Pears also have copper, niacin, fiber, choline, protein, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus.

All of which are beneficial to your rabbit’s health as long as you only feed pears in moderation.

How many pears can a rabbit eat?

The proper amount of pears to give your rabbits would depend on their current weight and age.

You can use the diet portion calculator for rabbits to see how much pears (treats) to feed your rabbits:

If you don’t know the weight of your rabbits, here’s a table that shows the average weight of rabbit breeds and how much pears to feed them:

The table above assumes that your rabbit is at least 7 months old.

Another important factor to consider when deciding to feed your rabbit pears is their age:

When can rabbits start eating pears?

When should you not feed pears to rabbits?

Gist:

Stop feeding pears to rabbits that are having digestive problems and to young bunnies (less than 7 months old).

---

Young rabbits or rabbits that are less than 7 months old should not be given sugary treats like pears to avoid triggering any digestive problems.

Also, the proper protocol whenever you notice or suspect any digestive problems is to remove any other food in your rabbit’s diet except hay.

This would ensure that your rabbit is getting their required fiber for the day, which should account for 80% of their diet.

Risk of overfeeding pears to rabbits.

While pears are safe and nutritious for rabbits, there are still risks associated when a rabbit owner overfeeds their rabbits:

• Gastrointestinal Stasis: Overfeeding pears 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 pears 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 pears instead of hay. This could lead to softer cecotropes due to the lack of fiber.
• Dental problems: Due to the sugar content of pears, feeding your rabbits large amounts of them could lead to dental problems.
• Obesity: Overfeeding pears to older rabbits, whose metabolism is slower, could lead to obesity due to the high sugar content of pears. 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 pears.

While pears are safe to be given to rabbits, you should still give your rabbits a variety of choices when it comes to their diet, just like what wild rabbits have.

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

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Can rabbits eat pear core?

No, never feed your rabbits the core or the seeds of pears.

Pear cores or seeds are a choking hazard for rabbits, and they lead to intestinal blockage if fed in large amounts.

Can rabbits eat pear branches?

Yes, pear branches are a great chewing toy for rabbits.

Can rabbits eat pears daily?

No, pears should only be given to rabbits 1-2 times per week and only to 7-month-old rabbits.

Conclusion

Pears are a great treat for rabbits as long as rabbit owners feed them in moderation.

The general rule when feeding treats is to only give them 1-2 times per week and only in small amounts.

Young rabbits should also avoid eating pears until they are 7 months old.

Young rabbits have sensitive stomachs, and feeding them sugary treats would eventually lead to digestive problems.