Can Rabbits Eat Pineapples? Everything you need to know.

Last Updated on March 11, 2023 by Marjon Ramos

There’s a growing buzz in the rabbit world where pineapple juice is often cited as a good remedy for dissolving hairballs due to bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapples.

But, according to the textbook of rabbit medicine, this kind of treatment doesn’t exhibit any ability to dissolve hairballs.

The likely cause of the success of pineapples is likely due to the liquid itself being administered to rabbits, softening the hairball and making it easier to pass out of the stomach.

Nevertheless, if you’re planning on giving your rabbits pineapples as treats, make sure that you only give them a few grams two times a week just to be safe.

Pineapples have large amounts of sugar in them.

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

Do rabbits like eating pineapples?

Yes, rabbits like to eat sweet treats like pineapples.

In fact, they would likely eat too much if you let them.

That’s why it’s important to control the amount you give your rabbits and make sure they’re not eating it in lieu of hay.

This is especially true for young rabbits, whose digestive systems are more prone to digestive distress if given the wrong diet.

Are pineapples safe to be eaten by rabbits?

Yes, pineapples are a safe treat to be given to rabbits as long as you give them in moderation.

Pineapples are actually on the list of the most common and safest treats to give to rabbits.

What are the benefits of feeding pineapples to rabbits?

To know the benefits of feeding pineapples to rabbits, let’s look at the amount of nutrients in 100 grams of pineapples based on the nutrient constrain for rabbits.

You can click on the blue icon to see the benefits and deficiencies of each vitamin and mineral:

As you can see from the calculator above, pineapples contain small amounts of vitamins and minerals that a rabbit would need per day.

Having low amounts of nutrients is actually a good thing for rabbit treats.

Treats should only be a small part of your rabbit’s diet.

Having low nutrient content treats means that your rabbit will not be overloaded with nutrients when you do feed them the majority of their diet (hay, veggies, pellets).

How much pineapples can a rabbit eat?

To determine how much pineapples to give to your rabbits as treats, you can use this calculator that takes your rabbit’s age and weight and gives you the amount to feed your rabbit:

If you don’t know your rabbit’s weight, here’s the average weight of rabbits based on their breed and how much treats you should limit your rabbit to:

It’s also important to note that you should limit giving the amount above to two times per week.

Giving more would increase the risk of your rabbit developing digestive distress, especially in young rabbits.

Adult or fully grown rabbits

For adult rabbits, you can give them treats two times per week, based on their age.

Just make sure that your rabbits are eating large amounts of hay.

Young or growing rabbits

Young or growing rabbits or rabbits that are less than 7 months old should not be given any sugary treats like pineapple at all.

Rabbits this young have sensitive stomachs and feeding them any other food except hay, veggies, and pellets could lead to digestive distress like diarrhea and GI stasis.

Pregnant or lactating rabbits

Pregnant or lactating rabbits should stick to eating nutritious foods like hay, veggies, and pellets.

This would ensure that their babies would get the maximum amount of nutrients they needed.

Feeding your rabbits unnecessary foods like pineapples in lieu of a diet for pregnant rabbits could lead to underdeveloped offspring.

When should you not feed pineapples to rabbits?

Gist:

You should not feed pineapples to rabbits who have digestive or dental problems.

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Contrary to popular belief, pineapples or their juice do not dissolve hairballs.

Feeding your rabbits high amounts of pineapple when they’re already having digestive issues could exacerbate the problem.

Always bring your rabbit to a veterinarian when you notice any changes in your rabbit’s stool or behavior.

Relying on home remedies when the problem is in your rabbit’s gut is dangerous.

The most common cause of death in rabbits is their sensitive stomachs.

You should also never give your rabbits pineapples when you notice any dental problems.

Pineapples have a lot of sugar in them, so feeding them to rabbits that are having digestive problems could make it worse.

Risk of overfeeding pineapples to rabbits.

Obesity

Due to the high amount of sugar in pineapples, feeding large amounts of it could lead to obesity, especially in older rabbits who are more prone to gaining weight.

Obese rabbits are prone to skin discomfort like dermatitis because they have difficulty cleaning themselves under the skin folds.

Dental problems

Another problem that could arise when a rabbit is fed large amounts of sugary treats like pineapples is dental problems.

Sugar damages teeth and, in turn, could lead to your rabbit not eating.

This reduced food intake in turn could lead to digestive issues like GI stasis, which is life-threatening if not treated immediately.

Make sure that you’re monitoring your rabbit’s teeth from time to time and look for signs of dental problems like:

• Reduction in food intake
• Weight loss
• Bad breath
• Watery eyes
• Runny nose
• Dribbling
• Broken or twisted teeth

If you notice any of these symptoms, immediately consult your veterinarian.

Gastrointestinal stasis

Gastrointestinal stasis or GI stasis, is the most dangerous risk associated with overfeeding pineapples in lieu of fiber (hay).

GI stasis is a life-threatening condition that could lead to organ failure and death if not treated immediately.

If your rabbit is suffering from GI stasis, immediately bring your rabbit to a veterinarian.

Soft uneaten caecotrophs

Overfeeding pineapples to rabbits could soften their caecotrophs and cause them to not eat them.

The main reason for uneaten caecotrophs is a diet that is low in fiber or foods that are high in water content.

This condition could easily be fixed by removing any other food except hay.

Be careful, though, because uneaten caecotrophs are often confused by diarrhea, which is fatal to rabbits and should be looked at by a veterinarian.

Healthy alternatives to pineapples.

While pineapples are a great treat to give to rabbits, it’s still important to mimic the variety of food available in the wild, like what wild rabbits eat.

Here’s a list of the best alternatives to pineapples to give to your rabbits as treats:

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Can rabbits drink pineapple juice?

Yes, rabbits can drink pineapple juice.

Just make sure that it’s pure and not loaded with sugar like those that are available at stores.

You should also limit giving this to your rabbits because it contains a lot of sugar.

Can rabbits eat pineapple skin or rind?

No, rabbits should not eat pineapple skin or rind.

Pineapple skin contains irritants that could irritate your rabbit’s throat.

Not to mention it’s bitter, and it’s unlikely that your rabbits would like the taste of it.

Can rabbits eat pineapple leaves?

No, rabbits should not eat pineapple leaves.

They are bitter, and it’s unlikely that your rabbits would like the taste of them.

Pineapple leaves contain an irritant that could irritate your rabbit’s throat.

Can rabbits eat pineapple cores?

Yes, rabbits can eat pineapple cores.

Just make sure that you only give it in small amounts as treats or one to two times per week.

Conclusion

Rabbits can eat pineapple in small amounts, or one to two times a week.

Just make sure that your rabbit is not eating pineapples in lieu of their normal diet.

Also, rabbits that are young or less than 7 months old should not eat pineapples.

Their gut is still prone to digestive distress, and feeding them unnecessary food like pineapples could trigger life-threatening digestive conditions.