Can Rabbits Eat Strawberries? Yes, as a Small Weekly Treat

Why strawberries are fine in small amounts

Strawberries are juicy, low in fat and nothing on any rabbit avoid list. The House Rabbit Society even lists wild strawberry among plants rabbits can eat. Their sweetness is what makes rabbits love them, and also what keeps them in the treat category.

A healthy rabbit diet is built on hay. The House Rabbit Society puts hay at about 80% of the diet, vegetables at around 10% and fruit at under 5%. VCA Animal Hospitals says grass hay such as timothy, orchard or brome should be the bulk of what a rabbit eats.

The sugar risk

The House Rabbit Society warns that rabbits have a sweet tooth and, left to their own devices, will eat sugary foods instead of healthy ones. A rabbit that fills up on fruit eats less hay, and the Merck Veterinary Manual links gastrointestinal stasis to too little dietary fiber.

VCA notes that a rabbit's delicate gut can easily be upset by diet changes, sometimes with deadly consequences. That is why strawberries should be introduced slowly and kept small, even for a rabbit that has had them before without trouble.

How to serve strawberries to a rabbit

Rinse the strawberry well under running water to remove dirt and surface residue. Leave the green leafy top on if you like, since most rabbits eat it happily, and cut the berry into quarters so it is easy to eat slowly.

Offer it by hand or in a small dish after your rabbit has eaten its hay and greens. Never serve strawberry jam, yogurt drops, dried sweetened strawberries or anything from a dessert; the House Rabbit Society warns that processed human foods are especially dangerous for rabbits.

Treats are a small part of a rabbit's day; most of it should be hay and room to move, which is why a roomy indoor rabbit cage and a small animal playpen for exercise matter more than any snack.

How many strawberries can a rabbit have?

Following the House Rabbit Society's advice to keep fruit to a very small amount once or twice a week, one medium strawberry per treat day suits an average-size adult rabbit. A dwarf rabbit needs only half.

Strawberries share the fruit allowance with everything else sweet. If your rabbit had a piece of apple or a grape that week, count it. Keep hay unlimited and leafy greens the main fresh food on every other day.

Strawberries for baby rabbits

The House Rabbit Society advises waiting until a young rabbit is about 12 weeks old before introducing vegetables, one at a time and in very small amounts while watching the droppings. Fruit should come after a young rabbit is handling a range of vegetables well.

When that time comes, a sliver of strawberry is enough for a first try. Wait 24 hours before adding anything else new, and stop if the droppings turn soft or the rabbit seems gassy.

Signs of trouble and when to call a vet

Soft or sticky droppings, gas or less interest in hay after a fruit treat mean the rabbit had more sugar than it could handle. Stop the fruit and offer plenty of hay and water.

The Merck Veterinary Manual advises seeking veterinary care promptly if a rabbit stops eating or shows signs of digestive upset, including diarrhea or fewer droppings, and says GI stasis can become life-threatening if not treated. A hunched rabbit that refuses food needs a vet who treats rabbits the same day.

Lower-sugar treats rabbits love

VCA says the best bunny treat is a yummy veggie. Fresh cilantro, basil, a sprig of carrot top or a piece of romaine gives the same excitement as fruit with far less sugar.

Keep chocolate, cookies, crackers, bread, cereal and yogurt drops away from rabbits, as the House Rabbit Society advises, along with onions, garlic and potatoes. Check with your vet before introducing a new food.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.